Tuesday, 11 December 2018

Why Health Insurance is Necessary for Senior Citizens?

Health care costs are now on an all-time high. As we age, health care cost keeps rising steeply which is more like a burden, especially when we hang our boots. This is the reason that senior citizens have to think twice before spending each penny. They need to pay for their emergency expenses and medical expenses from their hard-earned savings.  

Health insurance is a necessity in today’s age. But, senior citizens find it really difficult to select a good health insurance plan. Health insurance is now too expensive and it also requires extensive medical tests which they find difficult to undergo. However, today there are many good health insurance policies that are apt for senior citizens and they can choose the same for their life. 


How to Choose a Health Insurance Plan?

The premium amount is not the only criteria while you choose the right health care plan. You have to choose a plan which covers critical care, hospitalization expenses and the number of network hospitals. Also, you have to choose a higher premium which provides you an adequate coverage. The sum to be insured must be of a very high amount as the medical expenses are going up every day. The inflation in the health care industry is said to be around 15%. The policy should also have a low waiting period for specific illnesses which falls under the pre-defined time frame. 

Consider the following health insurance plans for senior citizens.

1. Varishta Bima from National Insurance 

This is a very senior citizen friendly plan splendid, what works for in its favor is its entry age, which is as high as 70.
The plan covers a maximum coverage of Rs 1 lakh for hospitalization. Extra charge for conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure are charged 10% extra, these conditions are covered 31 days after commencement of the plan. 


2. Heart Beat from Max Bupa

This plan also allows senior citizens of more than 70 years to join. The features of this plan include no sub-limits on ICU. No claim bonus is available. There is no waiting period for accident coverage. It is one of the most expensive plans available and provides health care and support for older adults


3. Red Carpet from Star Health

Many critics believe this to be one of the best health insurance plans for thesenior citizens. The biggest advantage of this plan is that the entry age is not 70 but 74. While buying the policy, you are required to declare your pre-existing illness(es) and you are also not forced to undertake any harsh tests, unlike other plans. Many pre-existing conditions are covered. Also, there is a two-year waiting period. There is a 5000 limit on post-hospitalization expenses.

Wednesday, 5 December 2018

An Indelible Travel Experience to Lumbini by senior citizens - A Journey Par Excellence

Senior citizens today are going out and about and how.  Their lifestyles have gone through a radical change and now they want to explore the world a la their younger counterparts with as much as exuberance and verve. Travelling is fun and breaks the pattern of regular humdrum life. Seniors are no longer satisfied in exploring same old places, in fact now they believe in exploring the less traveled road, to the exotic places that they haven’t been able to travel to when they were young.  Inciting their wanderlust is one thing but planning organized tours is another thing altogether. Organized tours are arranged by tour operators and it may be single tours or group tours. Take a look at some of the importanttips for elderly people here


  

Travel to Lumbini – An Exotic Place to Explore by Senior Travelers


 Have you ever hit the road to Nepal?  This charming place abounds in natural beauty. There are beautiful places in Kathmandu Valley such as Lumbini whose places speaks of heritage and beauty. From ancient temples to the local exotic flavor Nepal encompasses all your travel desires!

Nepal is truly an enchanting country swathed in high Himalayan peaks, sweeping river valleys and bountiful cultural and architectural heritage, wonderful traditional festivals, rich flora, and fauna and simple and down-to-earth people who will bowl you over with their simple demeanor and friendly smiles. 

 Lumbini can be reached via Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh by train ( you can try the Mahaparinirvan Express Tourist train). Take a bus or a shared taxi from there and the drive is for two and half hours. Another quick option is to fly from Kathmandu, it takes 45 minutes to Bhairawa or Siddhartha Nagar as it is also known as. 

 The Star Attractions at Lumbini

One of the foremost places to visit is confusingly termed as "Lumbini Museum Area". This is not only a traditional building but has an open area that includes a Lumbini temple, The Ashokan pillar, the sacred pond, and of course how can we forget the colorful Bodhi tree. 

Lumbini Temple or the Temple of Mayadevi: Saunter inside the temple that is built over the spot where Buddha was born 

Mayadevi pond: This is the pond where Buddha's mother bathed before giving birth to him.
 Bodhi Tree: Situated beside the sacred pond wrapped in prayer flags. 

 Ashoka Pillar: This stone pillar edict is dedicated to emperor Ashokan Buddhist Temples.
 Ancient BC temples to modern day temple Lumbini Museum: Lumbini is known as one of the most important religious sites in the world. But the atmosphere is all casual and relaxed in the place. People move about casually and in quaint rickshaws, which transports people from one place to another.  There is a peaceful quiet atmosphere that most people enjoy in Lumbini.

If you have a penchant for Buddhist temples, then Lumbini is certainly the place to visit. For the rest of you devoting half a day is quite enough. But if you want to explore the area you can spend the better part of the day exploring the place around. There is one-third of the temples/monasteries that are still under construction. The popular ones are still open for you to explore. The Lumbini Development Zone is an expansive rectangle area. The southern half of the place is completely devoted to Buddha's birthplace and ancient temple foundations. The northern half, however, is divided into two sections, a west and east section. In the west, there are the Mahayana and Vajrayana monasteries while the east section houses the Theravadin monasteries.  

Where to Stay at Lumbini

 Most of the accommodation options are located by the Lumbini Bazar and it is situated right opposite to the Lumbini Development Zone.  The right time to visit is during the Buddhist festivals as then you will hardly find any empty hotel rooms. Of course, there are hotel options available on the outskirts of Lumbini but the prices are not what you can term as cheap.

If you are not able to find accommodation in Lumbini itself,  the next nearest town can pass muster, the place is known as Bhairahawa. You can explore more options along the Taulihawa Road. Avail the discounts at some of the hotels along Lumbini Bazaar, especially in the off season

Give this ancient place a dekko and you won’t be disappointed for sure. Get help from a traveling guide for sexagenarian. With its wide number of attractions, Lumbini’s popularity as a popular tourist destination cannot be undermined.


Monday, 26 November 2018

Buying a Senior Citizen Plan? Here is a Complete Guide that will Assist You

Retirement can mean a lot of things at once, a mixture of feelings and Olivia Greenwell sums it up beautifully in So You've Retired: A Practical Guide for Your Happy Retirement, "As you embark on the exciting journey into retirement, you will experience a transition that will be both thrilling and terrifying."  Yes, venturing into the unknown called world called retirement, you almost have to start from scratch again, albeit this time with limited resources and it is up to you whether you can handle the rising inflation and the dwindling funds with a certain degree of level-headedness. 

 
So, everything boils down to that one thing, planning, planning your financial resources and searching for the best senior citizens financial plans in a way that although does not allow you to be a veritable spendthrift it definitely helps you live your life comfortably, without having to unduly worry about the future.
 
Planning is good, but planning at the right time is even better and the ideal time to plan is as early as your 30’s and that’s not too early, do not think that there is still a long way off till you retire, the years breeze past at lightning speed and before long you will be left bidding goodbye to your colleagues and work with a heavy heart.

Save you must and in the right avenues when you can. Since when you are young you can tap into your risk-taking prowess fearlessly, but later you cannot do so, as you have this fear of losing your precious capital, gnawing your heart. Yes, investment is not anybody’s ball game, as you have to master the rare combination of tact, risk-taking ability, a certain degree of craftiness and just large doses of prudence and wariness. 

 So, let’s find out which are the options you should explore to invest your lump sum money on your retirement. These investments will ensure that you have a substantial income every month adding to your original capital. Let's discuss and find out one of the best retirement plans in India for Senior Citizens and how it can ensure the risk-free flow of income to meet your everyday expenses after your retirement. 


  •        Senior citizen savings scheme: 


You have to reach 60 before you can open an account at the senior citizen savings scheme, you can open a saving account at the post office, State Bank of India or a few branches of notified banks. The maximum limit of investment in this scheme is 15 lakhs, individually and with your spouse up to 30 lakhs (provided both of you are past 60). It can fetch a monthly interest income is Rs 23,250. People who have retired voluntarily is eligible for this scheme, the age criteria for the same is 55 years. Interest paid at 9.30 % per annum. 


  •          Post office monthly income plan: 

 
You can invest up to Rs 4.5 lakh individually, 9 lakhs in a joint account at 8.40% p.a. Like the SCSS there is no age restriction here, the only catch is a lock-in period of 5 years.  You can further improve your monthly income with this one as it can add as much as Rs. 6300 per month. The interest is not taxable.

With the above two, you can generate a monthly income of Rs 29, 550 with a substantial investment of Rs 29,550. Now if you still have a little more money left for exploring more investment options for retired persons in India, don’t worry we will help you out. 


  •  Fixed Deposits

 
Earlier fixed deposits were considered to be the sole savior for retirees and yes, you can still invest a small amount in fixed deposits (FD) in a number of banks. The banks give cash interest each month. So why are not more retirees opting for fixed deposits, after all, what can be safer than investing your money in FD’s? Well, for starters the interest rate is the chief deterrent, which is around 8% p.a for a period of three years. Considering the other schemes available now, it doesn’t quite measure up, right? The banks do give an extra 0.50% interest to retirees, though. The upside to investing infixed deposits is, it gives you a certain flexibility, as you can break the FD and withdraw the money when you require it urgently, at an interest penalty of 1%.

You can open a number of FDs of diversified amounts so you can prematurely withdraw the one which fulfills your requirement, rather than breaking a big FD and paying penalty for it


  • Mutual Funds


If you are still up for more investment try the liquid mutual funds which promise substantial returns and with high returns compared to a bank FD. Balanced or hybrid funds are in fact great for your portfolio,  the Balance Advantage Fund, in particular, is made up of 70% equity and 30% Government securities.
Dynamic asset allocation funds are a brand new category to invest in with a plethora of schemes from various banks and companies. These schemes provide steady returns to non-risk taking investors and shield them from any downside risk. All MF’s have monthly dividend fund for senior citizens and it is absolutely tax-free. The net asset value of the scheme of MF’S increases after every dividend pay-out. 

So, try the above-listed investment options for senior citizens and find out which ones fulfill your needs to the t. Smart investment plans hold the key to your future, so make sure you invest right!

Tuesday, 2 October 2018

Best Employment Options after Retirement - Spend Fruitful Years

Have you reached the age of sixty? So now what planning to hang up your boots forever? Or planning to take up some kind of job once again! Well if you are planning to take up some kind of best part-time jobs for senior citizens and keep yourself motivated, then here are some options for you to try. Jobs after retirement can be fulfilling and less stressful catering to your new schedule with ease. Less of erratic hours, less stress and yet satisfying to boot! 


Top Job Options after Retirement

When people retire the first thing that hits retirees is how they spend their idle hours after retirement. Also, people are worried about how they are going to resolve their financial issues. The best answer to all these problems is working after retirement. You make your finances strong and also make your mind and body engaged. Check out some of the job opportunities here. 
·         Work for your previous employer- Working for your former employee is great since you are treading on familiar ground and your employer would already know all about you. Your working hours will change so would your salary structure but who isn’t happy to get their hard-working employee back on board. 

·         Part-time jobs for retirees- You can always try your hand at part-time job options. If you detest working for the long hours after retirement, you can always try to work for shorter periods of time, yes the remuneration will be less but there are innumerable perks attached to this kind of job role. The best part-time jobs for senior citizens are you can explore are call center jobs, child care services, and teaching assignments and so on. You will be able to stay active and also stay in touch with people. 

·         Work as a temp- Alternating between work and leisure, well who does not want that? The type of these jobs differ. The type of temp jobs that are on offer for senior people is office jobs such as bookkeeping, customer service, and data processing positions. Assignment duration usually lasts for one day to several weeks.

·         Volunteering jobs- This kind of part-time jobs for senior citizens allow you to give back something to the society. This kind of jobs are not very paying but they cater to your soul and is rather soul-satisfying you will also be able to use your skills and life-experience to good use. Teaching, day care centers, animal care centers, are some of the options.
Working after retirement is actually a great idea as it presents you lucrative opportunities to live your life on your own terms. You can work when you want and give equal importance to leisure as you spend time with family and friends when you want. For many people, life gets a fresh lease of life after retirement! It may turn out to be the same thing for you. Just give it a go and as they say live life king size!