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At Hoopis Performance Network, we care about your privacy and security, and want you to know how we collect, use, share, and protect your personal information and what choices you have regarding your data. Terms & Conditions Please read these Terms and Conditions carefully before using our Service. Interpretation and Definitions Interpretation The words of which the initial letter is capitalized, or lower-case words referred to below, are defined as follows. The following definitions shall have the same meaning regardless of whether they appear in singular or in plural. Definitions For the purposes of these Terms and Conditions: Application or Apps means any software program provided by HPN and downloaded by you on any electronic device. Application Store means the digital distribution service operated and developed by Apple Inc. (Apple App Store) or Google Inc. (Google Play Store) through which the Application has been downloaded. Affiliate means an entity that controls, is controlled by or is under common control with a party, where "control" means ownership of 50% or more of the shares, equity interest or other securities entitled to vote for election of directors or other managing authority. Country refers to: Illinois, United States Device means any device that can access the Service such as a computer, a cellphone or a digital tablet. Hoopis Performance Network or HPN (sometimes referred to as either "we," "us" or "our" in this Policy) means Hoopis Performance Network, LLC a Delaware limited liability company with its principal place of business at 790 Frontage Rd. #300, Northfield, Illinois 60093; and its successors, assigns and wholly owned affiliates and subsidiaries and their respective divisions and groups, each of which are located within the U.S. Service refers to the Application or the Website or both. Terms and Conditions (also referred as "Terms") mean these Terms and Conditions between you and HPN regarding your use of the Service. Third-party Social Media Service means any services or content (including data, information, products or services) provided by a third-party that may be displayed, included or made available by the Service. Website refers to hoopis.com and any other website operated by HPN that is usable without a subscription or purchase. You means the individual accessing or using the Service. Acknowledgment These are the Terms and Conditions governing your use of the Service and the agreement that operates between you and HPN. These Terms and Conditions set out the rights and obligations of all users regarding the use of the Service. Your access to and use of the Service is conditioned on your acceptance of and compliance with these Terms and Conditions. These Terms and Conditions apply to all visitors, users and others who access or use the Service. By accessing or using the Service, you agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions. If you disagree with any part of these Terms and Conditions then you may not access the Service and should cease further use or access immediately. You represent that you are 18 years old or older. HPN does not permit those under 18 to use the Service. If you are under the age of 18, you should stop using the Service. Your access to and use of the Service is also conditioned on your acceptance of and compliance with HPN’s Privacy Policy [insert link to Privacy Policy]. Our Privacy Policy describes our policies and procedures on the collection, use and disclosure of your personal information when you use the Application or the Website and tells you about your privacy rights and how the law protects you. Please read our Privacy Policy carefully before using our Service. Your access to and use of the Service is also conditioned on your acceptance of and compliance with HPN’s Disclaimer, Acceptable Use Policy, Cookies Policy, and End User License Agreement, if applicable. Please read each carefully before using our Service. Links to Other Websites Our Service may contain links to third-party web sites or services that are not owned or controlled by HPN. HPN has no control over, and assumes no responsibility for, the content, privacy policies, or practices of any third-party websites or services. You further acknowledge and agree that HPN shall not be responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with the use of or reliance on any such content, goods or services available on or through any such websites or services. We strongly advise you to read the terms and conditions and privacy policies of any third-party web sites or services that you visit. Termination HPN may terminate or suspend your access to the Service immediately, without prior notice or liability, for any reason whatsoever, including without limitation if you breach these Terms and Conditions. Upon termination, your right to use the Service will cease immediately. Limitation of Liability NOTWITHSTANDING ANY DAMAGES THAT YOU MIGHT INCUR, THE ENTIRE LIABILITY OF HPN AND ANY OF ITS SUPPLIERS UNDER ANY PROVISION OF THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND YOUR EXCLUSIVE REMEDY FOR ALL OF THE FOREGOING SHALL BE LIMITED TO NOT MORE THAN OR EXCEED 100 USD. TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, IN NO EVENT SHALL HPN OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, INDIRECT, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES WHATSOEVER (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, DAMAGES FOR LOSS OF PROFITS, LOSS OF DATA OR OTHER INFORMATION, FOR BUSINESS INTERRUPTION, FOR PERSONAL INJURY, LOSS OF PRIVACY ARISING OUT OF OR IN ANY WAY RELATED TO THE USE OF OR INABILITY TO USE THE SERVICE, THIRD-PARTY SOFTWARE AND/OR THIRD-PARTY HARDWARE USED WITH THE SERVICE, OR OTHERWISE IN CONNECTION WITH ANY PROVISION OF THESE TERMS), EVEN IF HPN OR ANY SUPPLIER HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES AND EVEN IF THE REMEDY FAILS OF ITS ESSENTIAL PURPOSE. Some states do not allow the exclusion of implied warranties or limitation of liability for incidental or consequential damages, which means that some of the above limitations may not apply. In these states, each party's liability will be limited to the greatest extent permitted by law. "AS IS" and "AS AVAILABLE" Disclaimer THE SERVICE IS PROVIDED TO YOU "AS IS" AND "AS AVAILABLE" AND WITH ALL FAULTS AND DEFECTS WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED UNDER APPLICABLE LAW, HPN, ON ITS OWN BEHALF AND ON BEHALF OF ITS AFFILIATES AND ITS AND THEIR RESPECTIVE LICENSORS AND SERVICE PROVIDERS, EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, WHETHER EXPRESS, IMPLIED, STATUTORY OR OTHERWISE, WITH RESPECT TO THE SERVICE, INCLUDING ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, TITLE AND NON-INFRINGEMENT, AND WARRANTIES THAT MAY ARISE OUT OF COURSE OF DEALING, COURSE OF PERFORMANCE, USAGE OR TRADE PRACTICE. WITHOUT LIMITATION TO THE FOREGOING, HPN PROVIDES NO WARRANTY OR UNDERTAKING, AND MAKES NO REPRESENTATION OF ANY KIND THAT THE SERVICE WILL MEET YOUR REQUIREMENTS, ACHIEVE ANY INTENDED RESULTS, BE COMPATIBLE OR WORK WITH ANY OTHER SOFTWARE, APPLICATIONS, SYSTEMS OR SERVICES, OPERATE WITHOUT INTERRUPTION, MEET ANY PERFORMANCE OR RELIABILITY STANDARDS OR BE ERROR FREE OR THAT ANY ERRORS OR DEFECTS CAN OR WILL BE CORRECTED. WITHOUT LIMITING THE FOREGOING, NEITHER HPN NOR ANY OF HPN'S PROVIDER MAKES ANY REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED: (I) AS TO THE OPERATION OR AVAILABILITY OF THE SERVICE, OR THE INFORMATION, CONTENT, AND MATERIALS OR PRODUCTS INCLUDED THEREON; (II) THAT THE SERVICE WILL BE UNINTERRUPTED OR ERROR-FREE; (III) AS TO THE ACCURACY, RELIABILITY, OR CURRENCY OF ANY INFORMATION OR CONTENT PROVIDED THROUGH THE SERVICE; OR (IV) THAT THE SERVICE, ITS SERVERS, THE CONTENT, OR E-MAILS SENT FROM OR ON BEHALF OF HPN ARE FREE OF VIRUSES, SCRIPTS, TROJAN HORSES, WORMS, MALWARE, TIMEBOMBS OR OTHER HARMFUL COMPONENTS. Some jurisdictions do not allow the exclusion of certain types of warranties or limitations on applicable statutory rights of a consumer, so some or all of the above exclusions and limitations may not apply to you. In such a case the exclusions and limitations set forth in this section shall be applied to the greatest extent enforceable under applicable law. Governing Law The laws of the Country, excluding its conflicts of law rules, shall govern these Terms and Conditions and your use of the Service. Your use of the Application may also be subject to other local, state, national, or international laws. Disputes Resolution If you have any concern or dispute about the Service, You agree to first try to resolve the dispute informally by contacting HPN. For European Union (EU) Users If you are a European Union consumer, you may benefit from any mandatory provisions of the law of the country in which you are resident. Please be aware that EU users may have rights under our Digital Privacy Framework certification. Please refer to the DPF section of our Privacy Policy for details. United States Legal Compliance You represent and warrant that (i) you are NOT located in a country that is subject to a United States government embargo, or that has been designated by the United States government as a "terrorist supporting" country, and (ii) you are not listed on any United States government list of prohibited or restricted parties. Severability and Waiver Severability If any provision of these Terms and Conditions is held to be unenforceable or invalid, such provision will be changed and interpreted to accomplish the objectives of such provision to the greatest extent possible under applicable law and the remaining provisions will continue in full force and effect. Waiver Except as provided herein, the failure to exercise a right or to require performance of an obligation under these Terms and Conditions shall not affect HPN’s ability to exercise such right or require such performance at any time thereafter nor shall the waiver of a breach constitute a waiver of any subsequent breach. Translation Interpretation These Terms and Conditions may have been translated if we have made them available to you on our Service. You agree that the original English text shall prevail in the case of a dispute. Changes to These Terms and Conditions HPN reserves the right, at our sole discretion, to modify or replace these Terms at any time. If a revision is material we will make reasonable efforts to provide at least 30 days' notice prior to any new terms taking effect. What constitutes a material change will be determined at our sole discretion. By continuing to access or use our Service after those revisions become effective, you agree to be bound by the revised terms. If you do not agree to the new terms, in whole or in part, please stop using the Service. Contact Us If you have any questions about these Terms, You can contact us: By email: info@hoopis.com By visiting this page on our website: https://hoopis.com/contact-us/ By telephone: (847) 716-1800 By mail: 790 Frontage Rd #300, Northfield, IL 60093

The Financial Wellness content library features over 50 interactive financial calculators, approximately 200 learning modules, and over 750 financial wellness articles. (Try Out These For FREE!) Vehicle Payment Calculator Estimate your monthly car payments based on the price, loan terms, trade in value and more. Try Out Calculator Home Equity Calculator Home equity loans can be used to consolidate multiple payments into a single monthly payment. Try Out Calculator Retirement Income Estimator What monthly income will your retirement savings provide? Try Out Calculator Save for College Calculator Saving for a college education requires advanced planning and knowledge of the cost. Try Out Calculator Save or Pay Off Debt Calculator Saving vs using the money you have in savings to pay down debt. Try Out Calculator Calculate Your Life Insurance Needs How much you need is best decided by working with a financial planner. Try Out Calculator Financial Calculators The Financial Wellness digital content library features over 50 interactive financial calculators. (Try Out These For FREE!) Test Drive Schedule a Demo We Offer Even More Financial Wellness Tools & Resources to Empower a Stronger Financial Future We invite you to take a test drive or explore our full suite of financial wellness resources designed specifically for Home Office Employees, Field Staff, Existing Clients, Association Members, Worksite Marketing Employees, and Students. Our digital content library features more than 200 learning modules, over 50 interactive calculators and more than 750 financial wellness articles. Click on the links below to learn more or schedule a test drive. Why Diversification is Essential Most people are familiar with the adage,” Don’t put all of you eggs in one basket”. Watch This Video Budgeting Made Simple Tools we have at our disposal to keep tabs on our personal finances and build for our future. Watch This Video Understanding Homeowners Additional Coverage In most cases lenders will accept the replacement cost as acceptable coverage. Watch This Video What Do The Numbers on My SS Card Mean? A Social Security number is a 9-digit number that is issued to United States citizens and residents. Watch This Video Financial WellnessVideos The Financial Wellness digital content library features approximately 200 learning modules. (Try Out These For FREE!) Financial Literacy - Teaching Kids About Money Parents are a crucial part of their children’s financial education. View This Article Financial Literacy - A Strong Financial Foundation Begin talking about the financial partnership you’ll be forming together before the nuptials. View This Article Financial Literacy - Child With Special Needs Planning Ensure that your child with special needs receives the best possible care in all aspects of his/her life. View This Article Financial Literacy - Retirement and Medicare For Americans 65 and older, any conversation about health care must include Medicare. View This Article Financial Literacy - Social Security and Retirement Nearly nine out of 10 Americans aged 65 or older currently receive Social Security. View This Article Financial Wellness Articles The Financial Wellness digital content library features over 750 financial wellness articles. (Try Out These For FREE!)

Firm Foundations is a leadership development experience designed to equip agency managers and their teams with systems, tools and best practices for building a successful, sustainable organizations. “The successful manager builds the organization, and the organization builds the business.” Harry Hoopis – CEO, Hoopis Performance Network Firm Foundations is a leadership development experience designed to equip agency managers and their teams with systems, tools and best practices for building a successful, sustainable organizations. With over 3,000 graduates of the program, we have worked with many companies to develop a custom learning experience based on the organization’s unique management development needs. Firm Foundations Programs Offerings HPN offers three Firm Foundations programs designed to address specific agency building functions. Systems for Success Talent Acquisitions Coaching & Accountability Philosophies, beliefs and guiding principles A turnkey, systems approach to agency building Increased recruiting and selection results Get new recruits off to a fast start Grow experienced advisor productivity Create a culture of accountability Leadership team alignment Strategic and tactical Performance Plan Firm Foundations Attendees Receive the Following Benefits: “This is the best leadership program I’ve attended in my 25 years in the business.” “This program should be required for all Managing Partners.” “This was a high-touch experience! Hoopis and his team provide the playbook for getting advisors to the 5th year.” “Brings the vision of a great agency into reality. Agency management at the Master’s Degree level, anyone desiring to build a mega agency needs to attend.” “Firm Foundations is a step-by-step process on how to implement a successful management career in the financial services industry.” “One of the most worthwhile leadership programs I have ever attended! A close and personal look at one of the finest firms in our industry including Hoopis’ secrets of success.” Testimonials – What Others Are Saying Campus & Specialty Recruiting When you are in recruiting mode, you want other options than just referrals. This is another great way to add to the funnel. In regards to campus recruiting, attendees will learn how to segment schools that will bring the most quality to their organization. Learn how to stand out among competition on campus. Specialty recruiting focuses on target markets such as veteran and women recruiting. If that is a focus of an office, they will learn different strategies to enter and attract candidates from those markets. Recruiting: Widening the Funnel In this segment, we provide insights and best practices on the Art and Science of effective selection systems. We begin by addressing The Science which involves utilizing assessment and profiling tools in the selection process. Then we address The Art which includes behavioral interviewing techniques and ideas to help you identify the traits of high quality candidates. Financial Advisor Panel In this Firm Foundations favorite, participants will have an opportunity to hear from three top producers at various stages in their careers. These financial representatives will share insights on their sales process, language they utilize and how they sustain high levels of activity. They will also share how they are able to maintain focus while overcoming adversity that comes with the career. Training Systems, Tools & Best Practices In this session, we will focus on the unique things we have created to enhance and systematize our training systems. We will focus on how to position training & development during the recruiting process as well as best practices, new ideas and tools for pre-training, initial training and ongoing training. Participants will receive ideas on how to create your own “University” by leveraging various resources available to them. Creating a Culture of Accountability The foundation of an effective development system is clearly defined expectations as well as rewards / consequences. This session will reveal the various components of the Hoopis Financial Group’s Expectations Matrix as well as how it is implemented throughout the development process from a tactical standpoint. We will also focus on daily, weekly, monthly and quarterly coaching & development systems to increase accountability and get producers off to a fast start in the business. Coaching Veteran Advisors During this session, Harry Hoopis will discuss strategies on how to most effectively coach veteran representatives. In addition, they will provide insights into how to get veteran representatives to think “bigger” about their practices. Finally Harry will share insights on how to motivate them to continuously increase their productivity and commitment to lifelong learning. Contests and Recognition Harry will focus on a topic that is rarely addressed in leadership development workshops: best practices on running contests and incorporating recognition into your organization’s culture. He will share ideas on creative contests to coordinate as well as best practices for leveraging contests to increase your organization’s productivity. Copy of Contests and Recognition This session will provide participants with an opportunity to identify their organizational strengths as well as areas of opportunity regarding their training & development systems. Each participant will work with members of their leadership team to determine what they should continue doing, stop doing and start doing based on the ideas and best practices they have discovered during the workshop. Everyone will leave with a specific action plan to implement immediately. Corporate Model of Agency Building Harry will share his expertise around creating a vision and then doing the things necessary to make that vision become a reality. He will focus on the various models of building a network office and the evolution from a small to a large organization, in particular as it relates to training and development needs. Recruiting & Selection Systems and Best Practices In this segment, Harry Hoopis will provide insights and best practices on how he developed recruiting and selection systems throughout his 45 year career. He will touch on the GAMA Foundation’s Research that identified best practices of top performing organizations. Harry also addresses selection systems including the science which is selection profiles as well as the art which includes behavioral interviewing to help you select high quality candidates. Recruiting: Widening the Funnel Haley Lelah will focus on the most effective sources for recruiting leads as well as the various systems implemented within the organization to “widen the funnel.” She will share ideas on how to generate advisor referrals to potential recruits as well as how to develop a recruiting culture. Haley will conclude with best practices regarding communication and holding each leadership team member accountability for recruiting. Connecting with the Next Generation of Sales Talent Joey Davenport will share LIMRA research that highlights what Generation Next (ie. Gen X & Y) is looking for in a career vs. how managers and recruiters are positioning the opportunity. There is a major disconnect between the two and he will share valuable insights into how you can start positioning the career opportunity to attract this next generation of sales talent. Implementing the Hoopis Systems and Managing Change During this session, you will hear from a Managing Partner who was appointed to a small, struggling firm in Chicago. This field leader’s team began to implement the Hoppis systems and best practices within the firm. Within their company, this firm is now recognized as one of the top in the nation regarding recruiting, productivity and retention. This segment provides a great example for participants of how to embrace change and implement new systems to take your organizations to the next level. Building a Top Branch Office Jenica Delrose will drill down and share the systems, processes and best practices they have implemented for recruiting, selection, training and development. She will discuss some of the challenges they have faced as well as how they prioritized the systems that needed to be implemented immediately and the process they followed along the way. Attracting the Ideal Candidate Identifying your ideal candidate is where recruiting begins. Understanding the characteristics of who you are looking for is important to get your team on the same page. During this session, we help you identify your idea candidate and create the value proposition to attract them. Online Branding and LinkedIn eRecruiting What first impression is your organization presenting to potential recruits? We will address this question specifically as it relates to online branding and social media marketing. We will also share how to create a habit in LinkedIn and source your ideal candidate in new and innovative ways. This session will allow you to walk away with key take-a-ways on generating a search engine that will work for you. Creating a Recruiting & Referral culture Studies show the most efficient method to bring new recruits into the business is through referrals. This session will equip participants with field-tested ideas on how to create, market, and conduct one-on-one meetings with existing advisors to generate referrals. We will also share proven, plug-and-play ideas for agency recruiting contests. A referral culture takes time to develop but this will show you how to start or uplift your current referral culture. Firm Foundations Broken Down Into Modules Our informative modules contain effective business management and development methodology that help in increasing employee productivity and retention. Free Consultation To Determine Which Firm Foundations Program Is the Right Fit for Your Organization. Schedule Consultation Download the Creating a Culture of Accountability Systems Assessment. Download Now

At Hoopis Performance Network, we care about your privacy and security, and want you to know how we collect, use, share, and protect your personal information and what choices you have regarding your data. End User License Agreement Please read this End-User License Agreement carefully before clicking the "I Agree" button, downloading, or using HPN Apps. BY CLICKING THE ”I AGREE” BUTTON, AND/OR USING THE APP, YOU ARE CONSENTING TO BE BOUND BY THIS AGREEMENT. Interpretation and Definitions Interpretation The words of which the initial letter is capitalized, or lower-case words referred to, have meanings defined under the following conditions. The following definitions shall have the same meaning regardless of whether they appear in singular or in plural. Definitions For the purposes of this End-User License Agreement: Agreement means this End-User License Agreement. Application or App means the software program provided by HPN and downloaded by you to a Device. Hoopis Performance Network or HPN (sometimes referred to as either "we", "us" or "our" in this Agreement) means Hoopis Performance Network, LLC; 790 Frontage Road #300; Northfield, Illinois 60093; and its successors, assigns and wholly owned affiliates and subsidiaries and their respective divisions and groups, each of which are located within the U.S. Content refers to content such as text, images, or other information that can be posted, uploaded, linked to or otherwise made available by you, regardless of the form of that content. Country refers to: Illinois, United States. Device means any device that can access the Application such as a computer, a cellphone or a digital tablet. Third-Party Services means any services or content (including data, information, applications and other products services) provided by a third-party that may be displayed, included or made available by the Application. You means the individual accessing or using the Application or the company, or other legal entity on behalf of which such individual is accessing or using the Application, as applicable. Acknowledgment By clicking the "I Agree" button above, downloading or using the Application, ou are agreeing to be bound by the terms and conditions of this Agreement. If you do not agree to the terms of this Agreement, do not click on the "I Agree" button, do not download or do not use the Application. This Agreement is a legal document between you and HPN and it governs your use of the Application made available to you by HPN. The Application is licensed, not sold, to you by HPN for use strictly in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. Your license to access and use the Application is also conditioned on your acceptance of and compliance with HPN’s Privacy Policy. Our Privacy Policy describes our policies and procedures on the collection, use and disclosure of your personal information when you use the Application and tells you about your privacy rights and how the law protects you. Please read our Privacy Policy carefully before using our Application. Your access to and use of the Application is also conditioned on your acceptance of and compliance with HPN’s Disclaimer, Acceptable Use Policy, Cookies Policy, End User License Agreement (if applicable) and any other agreement between you and HPN. Please read each carefully before using our Application. License Scope of License HPN grants you a revocable, non-exclusive, non-transferable, limited license to download, install and use the Application strictly in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. Third-Party Services The Application may display, include or make available third-party content (including data, information, applications and other products services) or provide links to third-party websites or services. You acknowledge and agree that HPN is and shall not be responsible for any Third-Party Services, including their accuracy, completeness, timeliness, validity, copyright compliance, legality, decency, quality or any other aspect thereof. HPN does not assume and shall not have any liability or responsibility to you or any other person or entity for any Third-Party Services. You must comply with applicable third parties' terms of agreement when using the Application. Third-party Services and links thereto are provided solely as a convenience to you and you access and use them entirely at your own risk and subject to such third parties' terms and conditions. Term and Termination This Agreement shall remain in effect until terminated by you or HPN. HPN may, in its sole discretion, at any time and for any or no reason, suspend or terminate this Agreement and the license granted herein with or without prior notice. This Agreement will terminate immediately, without prior notice from HPN, in the event that you fail to comply with any provision of this Agreement. You may also terminate this Agreement by deleting the Application and all copies thereof from your Device. Upon termination of this Agreement, you shall cease all use of the Application and delete all copies of the Application from your Device. Termination of this Agreement will not limit any of HPN’s rights or remedies at law or in equity in case of breach by you (during the term of this Agreement) of any of your obligations under the present Agreement. Indemnification You agree to indemnify and hold HPNand its parents, subsidiaries, affiliates, officers, employees, agents, partners and licensors (if any) harmless from any claim or demand, including reasonable attorneys' fees, due to or arising out of your: (a) use of the Application; (b) violation of this Agreement or any law or regulation; or (c) violation of any right of a third party. No Warranties THE APPLICATION IS PROVIDED TO YOU "AS IS" AND "AS AVAILABLE" AND WITH ALL FAULTS AND DEFECTS WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED UNDER APPLICABLE LAW, HPN, ON ITS OWN BEHALF AND ON BEHALF OF ITS AFFILIATES AND ITS AND THEIR RESPECTIVE LICENSORS AND SERVICE PROVIDERS, EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, WHETHER EXPRESS, IMPLIED, STATUTORY OR OTHERWISE, WITH RESPECT TO THE APPLICATION, INCLUDING ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, TITLE AND NON-INFRINGEMENT, AND WARRANTIES THAT MAY ARISE OUT OF COURSE OF DEALING, COURSE OF PERFORMANCE, USAGE OR TRADE PRACTICE. WITHOUT LIMITATION TO THE FOREGOING, HPN PROVIDES NO WARRANTY OR UNDERTAKING, AND MAKES NO REPRESENTATION OF ANY KIND THAT THE APPLICATION WILL MEET YOUR REQUIREMENTS, ACHIEVE ANY INTENDED RESULTS, BE COMPATIBLE OR WORK WITH ANY OTHER SOFTWARE, APPLICATIONS, SYSTEMS OR SERVICES, OPERATE WITHOUT INTERRUPTION, MEET ANY PERFORMANCE OR RELIABILITY STANDARDS OR BE ERROR FREE OR THAT ANY ERRORS OR DEFECTS CAN OR WILL BE CORRECTED. WITHOUT LIMITING THE FOREGOING, NEITHER HPN NOR ANY OF ITS PROVIDERS MAKE ANY REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED: (I) AS TO THE OPERATION OR AVAILABILITY OF THE APPLICATION, OR THE INFORMATION, CONTENT, AND MATERIALS OR PRODUCTS INCLUDED THEREON; (II) THAT THE APPLICATION WILL BE UNINTERRUPTED OR ERROR-FREE; (III) AS TO THE ACCURACY, RELIABILITY, OR CURRENCY OF ANY INFORMATION OR CONTENT PROVIDED THROUGH THE APPLICATION; OR (IV) THAT THE APPLICATION, ITS SERVERS, THE CONTENT, OR E-MAILS SENT FROM OR ON BEHALF OF HPN ARE FREE OF VIRUSES, SCRIPTS, TROJAN HORSES, WORMS, MALWARE, TIMEBOMBS OR OTHER HARMFUL COMPONENTS. Some jurisdictions do not allow the exclusion of certain types of warranties or limitations on applicable statutory rights of a consumer, so some or all of the above exclusions and limitations may not apply to you. In such a case the exclusions and limitations set forth in this section shall be applied to the greatest extent enforceable under applicable law. To the extent any warranty exists under law that cannot be disclaimed, HPN shall be solely responsible for such warranty. Limitation of Liability Notwithstanding any damages that you might incur, the entire liability of HPN and any of its suppliers under any provision of this Agreement and your exclusive remedy for all of the foregoing shall be limited to the amount actually paid by you for the Application or through the Application or 100 USD if you haven't purchased anything through the Application. TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, IN NO EVENT SHALL HPN OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, INDIRECT, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES WHATSOEVER (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, DAMAGES FOR LOSS OF PROFITS, LOSS OF DATA OR OTHER INFORMATION, FOR BUSINESS INTERRUPTION, FOR PERSONAL INJURY, LOSS OF PRIVACY ARISING OUT OF OR IN ANY WAY RELATED TO THE USE OF OR INABILITY TO USE THE APPLICATION, THIRD-PARTY SOFTWARE AND/OR THIRD-PARTY HARDWARE USED WITH THE APPLICATION, OR OTHERWISE IN CONNECTION WITH ANY PROVISION OF THIS AGREEMENT), EVEN IF HPN OR ANY SUPPLIER HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES AND EVEN IF THE REMEDY FAILS OF ITS ESSENTIAL PURPOSE. Some states/jurisdictions do not allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages, so the above limitation or exclusion may not apply to You. Severability and Waiver Severability If any provision of this Agreement is held to be unenforceable or invalid, such provision will be changed and interpreted to accomplish the objectives of such provision to the greatest extent possible under applicable law and the remaining provisions will continue in full force and effect. Waiver Except as provided herein, the failure to exercise a right or to require performance of an obligation under this Agreement shall not affect HPN’s ability to exercise such right or require such performance at any time thereafter nor shall the waiver of a breach constitute a waiver of any subsequent breach. United States Legal Compliance You represent and warrant that (i) you are not located in a country that is subject to the United States government embargo, or that has been designated by the United States government as a "terrorist supporting" country, and (ii) you are not listed on any United States government list of prohibited or restricted parties. Changes to this Agreement HPN reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to modify or replace this Agreement at any time. If a revision is material, we will provide at least 30 days' notice prior to any new terms taking effect. What constitutes a material change will be determined at the sole discretion of the Company. By continuing to access or use the Application after any revisions become effective, You agree to be bound by the revised terms. If you do not agree to the new terms, you are no longer authorized to use the Application. Governing Law The laws of the Country, excluding its conflicts of law rules, shall govern this Agreement and your use of the Application. Your use of the Application may also be subject to other local, state, national, or international laws. Entire Agreement This Agreement is entered into simultaneously with the Terms and Conditions, Privacy Policy, Acceptable Use Policy, and End User License Agreement and will constitute the entire agreement between You and Hoopis Performance Network, LLC regarding your use of the Application and supersedes all prior and contemporaneous written or oral agreements between You and HPN. You may be subject to additional terms and conditions that apply when You use or purchase HPN's services, which the Company will provide to You at the time of such use or purchase. Contact Us If you have any questions or comments, you may contact us: By email: info@hoopis.com By visiting this page on our website: https://hoopis.com/contact-us/ By phone number: (847) 716-1800 By mail: 790 Frontage Rd #300, Northfield, IL 60093

Next Item Previous Item Go back to White Papers List Federal income tax returns are one of the most easily accessible and revealing road maps for determining your clients’ financial needs. Reviewing tax returns can provide you with a whole new level of insight about their individual financial situations. Even more importantly, it can add increased value to your client relationships. Reviewing tax returns gives you the chance to identify more opportunities to provide value to your clients. It also can reveal details they may have failed or forgotten to share with you when you completed the fact-finding process. Please keep in mind that you cannot give tax advice, though. That is their accountant’s or tax lawyer’s responsibility. Most of your clients and prospects will fall into two categories: Those who have higher-than-anticipated tax liabilities Those who traditionally receive tax refunds Whichever the case, all clients want to find strategies or products that can reduce their tax burden, both now and in the future. As part of your review, be sure to find out who did the return. Did the client complete it, or did an accountant? Do you know this accountant? Does he or she deal with other clients of yours? Could the accountant become a center of influence for your practice? What to Look for on a Client’s 1040 Tax Return By reviewing a return, and asking questions about specific areas, you can determine people’s level of knowledge and sophistication around their financial situations. Once you know where to look, with just a glance of a current return, you will be able to assess a client’s earned income, various sources of income, business activity, tax liability and marginal tax rate. Think of a client’s 1040 tax form as a gold mine of information. Here are some valuable details a tax-return review can reveal. Age-related events. Is the client close to one of the magic ages, such as 62, 65 or 70½, that can trigger retirement, Social Security, Medicare or required minimum distribution (RMD) events? If so, then be sure to discuss with the client his or her plans to retire, as well as retirement income sources. Enrollment timing for these programs is critical. Is the client eligible for Social Security? If so, you may wish to explore strategies to maximize benefits and reduce the income-tax impact of receiving those benefits. We must remain especially vigilant when working with widowed or divorced clients because they may be eligible for benefits based on someone else’s age or retirement status. Change in filing status. Has there been a change in the client’s tax filing status, caused by a recent divorce or marriage? Either will have tax and cashflow implications. Also, the client’s estate or life insurance coverage may have to be adjusted. Dependent-related issues. Looking at the client’s list of dependents can help you address any potential child education opportunities, such as a tax-advantaged 529 plan, and any concerns about elderly parents. A life insurance review may be needed to provide the family with sufficient income in the event of a death in the family. Employment status. The 1040 will also tell you whether the client is employed or self-employed. This most likely will lead to a discussion on retirement planning and reveal the client’s savings and contribution levels. You also may consider a review of the business entity and discuss the benefits, liabilities and risks of having a partnership, sole proprietorship or LLC. Does the client have a funded buy/sell in place? As you review any return, use lines 7–22 on Form 1040 to get a handle on the taxpayer’s total income and all the income sources for the current year. This will enable you to project a client’s future income. What to Look for on Federal Tax Schedules A–E Don’t limit your review to just the 1040. You can gain a lot of additional insights into clients’ investments if you take the time to review Schedules A–E, too. Itemized deductions. On Schedule A, you will find a list of itemized medical expenses, which can allow you to move easily to a discussion about the client’s or family member’s general health, as well as his or her current insurance coverage and any long-termcare policies. 2. Intere st and dividend income. On Schedule B, you can quickly identify the client’s investments, which will easily move the conversation into how the client perceives his or her risk tolerance. This will give you insight into his or her views on diversification, as well as investment strategies and goals. Profit or loss from business. Sometimes, clients miss things that are obvious to you. For example, if your client is self-employed and filing Schedule C, look at the income and deductions. Did he or she maximize eligible retirement plan contributions? Capital gains or losses. On Schedule D, you will be able to see if the client carried over any capital losses that could have been used to offset gains. Rental and royalty income. And finally, on Schedule E, you will find information about the client’s investment income — was it made up of passive income or losses? From this information, you can discuss the different types of investments the client has, and their purposes, to gain insights into the client’s investment strategies. You also can find out if the client receives additional income from rental properties and royalties on published books, music and other creative works. Yes, there are many excellent opportunities that will come up when you take the time to review your clients’ tax returns. Some will be quick and easy, such as recommending that they increase their 401(k) contributions. In other situations, it will take a little more thought and planning to develop an appropriate strategy. Examples include tax-advantaged investing, tax-deferral programs, charitable strategies, insurance sales and estate tax returns. By getting into the habit of reviewing your clients’ tax returns each year, you will quickly be able to identify significant changes that have occurred and help them make appropriate adjustments to their finances to fit their current situations. This review does not have to take a lot of a client’s time. Simply go over the return before your meeting so that you can focus your client discussion on only the important issues. This review might enable you to deepen your client relationships more than any strategy you’ve used. Video Training for Advisors and Sales Leaders Our brief training videos comprise an online library of resources that can supplement training for new reps, mid-career reps, veterans and staff members. An effective resource for training financial advisors is Hoopis Performance Network, which features online, ondemand, total video-based training built on four Disciplines of Success with access to more than 400 sessions. The coursework can be either self-study or facilitator-led, and it complements any firm, agency or company training programs and marketing selling systems. Your advisors can access the video training anytime, anywhere, on their computers, smartphones or tablets. It’s a cost-effective, time-efficient way to increase productivity, thus retention. An effective resource for training new or experienced sales leaders is HPN, an innovative virtual platform designed for financial leaders who are building a region, an agency or firm, a sales unit or a sales team. You can get access to hundreds of high-impact sessions for all levels of experience, divided into five distinct elements of success. These sessions are short and easily digestible, averaging less than 10 minutes. Your managers can access the video training anytime, anywhere, on their computers, smartphones or tablets. Why Review a Client’s Tax Return?

Our content, designed for the home office and/or field, will help employees and staff understand the impact their roles have on the individuals, families and businesses they serve. HOST is innovative learning and development designed to educate and empower home office employees and field staff. What are the benefits to your organization? Attract, develop and retain top talent in the home office and field. Empower employees to understand the impact they have on the clients they serve. Create efficiency through a scalable training system across the enterprise. Enhance the value of your current propriety training resources for a fraction of the cost. What is HOST? 500+ virtual microlearning modules designed to engage today’s modern learner. Flexible options for customizing and integrating content within your learning management system. Advanced reporting functionality to identify trends and increase accountability. Available in multiple languages and closed captioned to align with ADA guidelines. Why Invest in Your Home Office Employees and Field Staff? We’ve developed digital learning and development resources to help educate the backbone of financial services organizations: employees and staff. Our content, designed for the home office and/or field, will help employees and staff understand the impact their roles have on the individuals, families and businesses they serve. This new knowledge will empower employees to grow professionally leading to greater retention and productivity which has become even more important in this new era of “The Great Resignation.” Understanding Clients & Their Needs Generational Buying Differences The Need for Life Insurance Life Changes Series What Happens When Someone Dies Overview of College Planning Understanding Special Needs Financial Considerations of Divorce Introduction to Insurance Products & Principles Role of Life Insurance Understanding the Life Insurance Policy Understanding Underwriting Disability and Long-Term Care Insurance Overview of Annuities Contract Beneficiary Designation Understanding Medicare Overview of the Principles of Investing Basics of Investing Investment Strategies Mutual Funds Investment Choices Investment Analysis Variable Annuities Overview of Managed Money Understanding Financial Factors & Programs The Life Insurance Industry Personal Financial Series Individual Taxation Series Overview of Social Security Focus on Social Security Overview of Business, Estate & Retirement Planning Working with Business Owners Different Business Structures Managing Business Risks Executive Benefit Plan Estate Tax Planning Planning Strategies for Retirement Planning Strategies at Retirement General Employee & Staff Education How to Give a Presentation Time Management Success Financial Literacy Active Listening Skills HOST Content Covers the Following Topics and More Advanced Sales Call Center Representatives Broker Dealer Employees And more! Home Office Employees Field Agency & Advisor Staff Policy Owner Services Underwriting Department Marketing Department Our Employee and Staff Education Content Is Designed To Be Used With the Following Types of Groups: Interested In How We Can Help with Your Employee and Staff Training Needs? Contact Us Today What Could a College Education Cost What is a Variable Annuity? What Factors are Evaluated During Life Underwriting Overview of the Small Business Marketplace Deciphering Your Paycheck Overview of the Insurance Industry Introduction to the Role of Life Insurance Financial Risks That May Impact a Retirement Plan Why Understanding Social Security Matters Time Management Concepts and Practices Just Some of Our Learning and Sample Development Content for Employees and Staff: eLearning Knowledge Checks and Action Items for Performance Improvement Ability to Easily Enroll Learners in Courses and Learning Paths Reporting and Analytics for Greater Accountability Around Learning On Demand Classroom Training Modules (virtual and in person) Coaching Resources Including Guides, Assessments and Tutorial Videos Skill Assessment to Identify Strengths and Areas of Development Additional Tools and Resources In addition to our digital content, we also provide turnkey training and coaching tools for managers including: HOST is innovative learning and development designed to educate and empower home office employees and field staff.

HPN was founded by its CEO, Harry Hoopis, who built one of the world’s successful financial services firms. Harry, alongside an extraordinary team, brings world class solutions designed to help firms and companies in the financial services industry, reach their true potential. A Network Built by the Elite for Those Who Wish to be Elite HPN was founded by its CEO, Harry Hoopis, who built one of the world’s most prestigious and successful financial services firms in Chicago. Harry, alongside an extraordinary team, brings world class solutions designed to help firms and companies in the financial services industry, reach their true potential. HPN’s unique solutions are both innovative and scalable. With flexible learning solutions like online training, blended learning, live workshops. speaking and consulting, HPN has flexible programs that can be right-sized for your organization. Hoopis Performance Network Leadership Team Harry Hoopis Founder/Chief Executive Officer Industry icon Harry Hoopis is a renowned entrepreneur, leader, speaker and industry icon who has built one of the largest and most successful financial services firms in the world. Harry is the author of the best-selling book, The Road to the Bountiful Life and donates all proceeds to the GAMA Foundation. LinkedIn Joey Davenport President & Principal – HPN Division Joey Davenport has twenty years of experience in the financial services industry as a top producer, manager, entrepreneur and international speaker. Joey is a Certified Trainer, Master Coach and co-author of the #1 best-selling book, “The Power of Coaching: Engaging Excellence in Others.” LinkedIn Richard Cleary President & Principal – FSEdNet Division Richard “Dick” Cleary has 40 years of experience in the financial services industry as a top producer, manager, entrepreneur and international speaker. He has designed curriculums and platforms for leadership development, producer training, employee/staff education and Financial Literacy. LinkedIn Miguel Taveras Chief Sales Officer Miguel Taveras brings nearly twenty years of experience in sales, sales management, and distribution to HPN; he is especially well-versed in financial services, as well as life and health insurance. Miguel has developed hundreds of leaders, companies, and teams in 40 US states and four countries. LinkedIn Melissa Peck Vice President, Client Experience Melissa brings over two decades of experience in the financial services industry. A Certified Coach with a Master’s Degree from the University of Essex (UK), Melissa blends her media and communications expertise to elevate client relationships and product development. LinkedIn Grace Egan Operations Manager Grace brings over a decade of global operations experience within the tech industry. A self-described “Jane of all trades”, Grace combines her unique background of workplace ops, employee experience, and HR to manage all things Operations at HPN. LinkedIn Your Top Line is Only as Good as Your Distribution I'm Ready to Build My Dream Team We have the proven programs you need to increase productivity and retention

HPN has developed a strategic partnership with rekroot, the authority on providing recruiting and selection resources to financial services organizations. Helping Financial Services Organizations Find, Attract and Select Top Talent Coaching & Consulting Contract Recruiting Live Recruiting / Selection Workshops Our evaluative and catered approach to recruiting ideal candidates is key to growing your financial team. As your consultant we will work with you on improving your recruiting and selection methods within the financial services industry. This is our evaluative and catered approach to recruiting ideal candidates to join your financial team. Rekroot meets with you to observe your company culture, learn your current selection strategies, set goals based on our new generational recruiting tactics. Our experienced coaches will coach your recruiting and/or management team twice per month with the purpose of maximizing your recruiting results. In our Coaching and Consulting program we pass along our invaluable skills and tools for selecting the best candidates to exceed your hiring criteria. Why rekrootTALENT? Rekroot is comprised of experienced recruiters. Let us source and pre- screen candidates for you. You will gain hours back on your calendar and only see interested and qualified candidates for your role. Whether you are interested in our subscription recruiting OR placement recruiting, we can help. Not all businesses have the bandwidth to source quality candidates. That’s why we are your reliable sourcing solution for long term, highly qualified hires. We learn your company’s hiring needs and candidate goals for the future. This saves you time and allows you to focus on doing what you do best while we work diligently to provide you with a full pipeline of applicants. Recruiting is hard. Don’t do it alone! We know how essential it is to make qualified hires in the financial services industry. This is why we offer the Firm Foundations Talent Acquisition Workshop. During this workshop you’ll be immersed into the world of recruiting by learning how to create an effective recruiting strategy from dynamic instructors. This two-day workshop is geared specifically toward hiring managers, recruiters, marketing professionals and those making hiring decisions within the financial services sector. No matter if you are new to hiring or are a seasoned veteran, you’re guaranteed to walk away with valuable insight and tools to apply to your sourcing, hiring, and selection process to build your financial team. Allow us to pave the way for your recruiting success! At HPN, we know talent. We also know hiring and retaining great talent is essential for achieving business success. HPN has developed a strategic partnership with rekroot, the authority on providing recruiting and selection resources to financial services organizations. Recruiting is hard and organizations should not do it alone. Many organizations partner with us to leverage our resources to help them find their ideal candidates, attract them to the organization and select the top performers using both art and science. Learn How We Can Help with Your Recruiting & Selection Needs Contact Us Today! Prescreen & Track Candidates in a customized recruiting Platform Posts Unlimited job postings on branded job boards & website Screen & Assess Candidates Do you need a more efficient way to attract, select and develop top performers? Recruit the best talent in the financial services industry! Simple, flexible tool designed to save you time, energy and money as you source, select and recruit top quality financial professionals. HPN TalentNest is a leading, turnkey recruiting solution developed exclusively for the financial services industry. We can also help you Improve retention and performance with your call centers by selecting the best suited candidates. Check out the video to learn how the assessment and simulation tools assess a candidate’s competencies and hard skills. Schedule a demo today to get information. Turnkey Recruiting Solution How HPN TalentNest Works: HPN TalentNest™ simplifies the talent acquisition process by making it easy to post jobs and screen in qualified candidates. With this talent acquisition and management system at your disposal, you can move candidates through a configurable recruiting process that works the way your team does. You will realize the benefits in tracking the success of your candidate sourcing strategies, and integrate assessments into your process. Start building your Nest today! Custom-branded website Source and prescreen candidates electronically Track candidates through the process Collect data on your best sources Integrate assessments The Personal Orientation Profile Overview: HPN TalentNest provides unlimited access to one of the most popular selection tools in the financial services industry: The Personal Orientation Profile™ or POP™. The POP™ is a personality profile that has become the industry standard and is thoroughly validated. More than just a sales skills assessment, the POP™ is one of the worlds’ leading sales employee selection tools and is the instrument of choice for many of the most competitive financial services sales forces. Among many other indicators of success, the POP™ will provide you with a hiring recommendation based on a candidate’s overall Probability of Success as a financial professional. Interested in HPN TalentNest? Sign Up Today HPN TalentNest Pricing Learn More Helping Financial Services Organizations Find, Attract and Select Top Talent

Just drop us a line today to explore how we can assist you in increasing your productivity. We at Hoopis Performance Network look forward to hearing from you! Contact HPN Just drop us a line today to explore how we can assist you in increasing your productivity. We look forward to hearing from you! Hoopis Performance Network 790 Frontage Rd #300 Northfield, IL 60093 Phone: (847) 716-1800

Next Item Previous Item Go back to White Papers List The rising cost of health care in the United States has become a worrisome risk to a financially-secure retirement. With that in mind, it’s important to understand the various components of Medicare, the federal government program that provides health insurance to most Americans age 65 and older. For Americans 65 and older, any conversation about health care must include Medicare. Your eligibility for this program at age 65 means that your health insurance will likely become more affordable, and you won’t be denied coverage for pre-existing conditions. It’s important to understand what happens with regard to Medicare when you retire and how you can obtain the best and most cost-effective coverage. This white paper covers some important aspects of the Medicare program. What Is Medicare? The original Medicare and Medicaid programs were signed into law at the Truman Library in Independence, Missouri, by President Lyndon Johnson on July 30, 1965, with former President Harry Truman looking on. In 1945, President Truman was the first sitting president to endorse national health insurance. The original Medicare legislation (Title XVIII) extended health-care coverage to almost all Americans age 65 or older. On July 1, 1966, when Medicare was implemented, more than 19 million Americans initially enrolled in the program. About 48 million Americans age 65 and older are now enrolled in Medicare, as well as another 9 million or so younger people with disabilities. Subsequent legislation has made a number of changes to the program since 1965. How Is Medicare Financed? There are 3 primary sources of Medicare funding: Medicare Part A (hospital insurance): Medicare Part A is financed largely through a 2.9% payroll tax paid by employees and their employers (1.45% each). That amount increases to 2.35% on earnings over $200,000 single/$250,000 married, employees only), which goes into the Part A Trust Fund that helps pay the eligible hospital expenses of Medicare beneficiaries. Medicare Part B (medical insurance): Medicare Part B, which helps pay for doctors’ services, outpatient care, and home health care, is paid for primarily by general government revenues, with Medicare beneficiary premiums accounting for about 25% of the Part B financing. Medicare Part D (prescription drug coverage): Medicare Part D, which helps cover the cost of prescription drugs, is also paid for primarily though general government revenues. Some state payments and beneficiary premiums finance the balance. Who Is Eligible for Medicare? Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) is provided at no cost to U.S. citizens and permanent residents of the United States who meet certain eligibility requirements. Anyone enrolled in Medicare Part A can, on an optional basis, enroll in Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) by paying a monthly premium. Medicare beneficiaries with higher incomes will pay higher Part B premiums. Age 65 or older: Beginning at age 65, you are eligible for Medicare if you or your spouse worked for at least 10 years (40 quarters) in Medicare-covered employment and you are a citizen or permanent resident of the United States. You do not need to be receiving Social Security retirement benefits to qualify for Medicare at age 65. At any age: A citizen or permanent resident of the United States who has end-stage renal disease (ESRD) can get Medicare at any age. In addition, regardless of age, someone who has been entitled to Social Security disability benefits for 24 months or who receives a disability pension from the Railroad Retirement Board and meets certain conditions is eligible for Medicare. Finally, someone with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease) will automatically receive Medicare the month Social Security disability benefits begin. If you are not certain about your eligibility for Medicare, you can call the Social Security Administration tollfree at 800-772-1213 or visit the official government website for Medicare. What Medicare Does Not Cover It’s important to know what Medicare does not cover so you can avoid surprises. Teeth, eyes, and ears. Generally speaking, Original Medicare does not cover dental work and routine vision or hearing care. This means it does not cover dentures, which can run anywhere from about $1,000 to more than $5,000 for a complete set. A single tooth implant cost close to $4,000. However, if a dental condition involves an emergency or complicated procedure, it could be covered. Routine vision checks are generally not covered. But if you have an eye condition like glaucoma or cataracts, basic Medicare will cover your care. If you decide to go with an Advantage Plan, there’s a good chance dental and vision will be included. However, it will likely be limited. Medical care outside the United States. If you plan to travel the world after your turn 65, you need to know that basic Medicare generally does not cover care you receive outside the United States. If you choose an Advantage Plan, emergencies are often covered worldwide. However, routine care received overseas might not be. In this situation, you can look into travel-medical policies specifically targeted at the 65-and-over crowd. Depending on the specifics of the coverage and your age, these policies can cost about $175 or more per month. Long-term care. In general, Medicare does not cover long-term care. There are insurance policies that cover it, although they can be pricey. And the older you are, the more they cost. On average, an American turning 65 today will spend $138,000 in future long-term-care costs, according to a 2017 Bipartisan Policy Center report. Long-term care includes things like daily help with bathing and eating. Enrolling in Medicare at Age 65 There are 2 ways in which you can enroll in Medicare at age 65. If you are already receiving Social Security or Railroad Retirement benefits: If you’re already receiving Social Security retirement or disability benefits or Railroad Retirement benefits, you will automatically be enrolled in Medicare at age 65. You should receive a package of Medicare information, together with your Medicare card, in the mail. If you don’t receive the package by your 65th birthday, contact the Social Security Administration toll-free at 800-772-1213. If you are not yet receiving Social Security or Railroad Retirement benefits: If you’ll be turning age 65 in a few months and are not yet receiving Social Security or Railroad Retirement benefits because, for example, you’ve decided to delay retirement, you need to call or visit your local Social Security office to enroll in Medicare. You can also enroll in Medicare online. You can enroll in Medicare at age 65, even if you don’t plan to retire at age 65. The recommendation is that you contact your local Social Security office or enroll online about 3 months before your 65th birthday. Medicare Part B You will be automatically enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B. But because you have to pay a premium for Medicare Part B, you have the option of turning it down. If you do not enroll in Medicare Part B during your initial enrollment period, you can enroll later during a “general enrollment period” from January 1 through March 31 of each year, with your coverage then beginning the following July. Be aware that your monthly premium could increase 10% for each 12-month period you were eligible for, but did not enroll in, Medicare Part B. Medicare Coverage Options Medicare provides you with choices on how to receive your Medicare benefits. You can choose to receive your Medicare benefits either through Original Medicare or through a Medicare Advantage plan: Original Medicare (Parts A and B): Original Medicare is operated by the federal government and consists of Part A (hospital insurance) and Part B (medical insurance). With Original Medicare, you choose your doctors, hospitals, and other health-care providers. Most people do not have to pay a premium for Part A because they or their spouse paid Medicare taxes while employed. Part B is optional because it does require payment of a monthly premium. Most people enrolled in Part B will pay a premium of $135.50 per month in 2019. Higher-income Medicare beneficiaries will pay more.You have the option to enroll in Part D – Medicare Prescription Drug Plan. It’s run by private insurance companies and helps cover the cost of your prescription drugs. Because there are gaps in the coverage provided by Parts A and B, you also have the option to purchase a Medicare Supplement or “Medigap” insurance policy, also sold by private insurance companies, to help fill those gaps. Medicare Advantage Plans (Part C): Medicare Advantage plans are generally HMO or PPO plans, although private fee-for-service plans are also available and are run by private insurance companies that are approved by and under contract with Medicare.You can choose to receive your Medicare benefits through a Medicare Advantage plan if you elect both Medicare Parts A and B. The Medicare Advantage plan will then provide other benefits covered by Parts A and B, with the exception of hospice care. The plan might provide additional benefits that aren’t otherwise covered by OriginalMedicare, such as prescription drug coverage. Unlike Original Medicare, though, Medicare Advantage plans usually require that you either use plan doctors, hospitals, and other health-care providers or pay more for the services you receive.With a Medicare Advantage plan, you do not need to, and cannot, purchase a supplemental Medigap insurance policy. Medicare Advantage plans, however, may have a monthly premium you must pay, in addition to the Medicare Part B premium. You might also be charged a copayment amount for covered services you use. Initial Enrollment Periods When you initially enroll in Medicare, you’ll need to choose between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage. Your initial enrollment period is the 7-month period that begins three months before you turn age 65, includes the month you turn age 65, and ends 3 months after the month you turn age 65. If you decide to enroll in Original Medicare, you’ll then need to decide if you want to purchase a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan and/or a Medigap policy. Annual Enrollment Periods While your initial choice of Medicare options is an important decision, it is not an irrevocable decision. Each year, you’ll have these opportunities to change your Medicare coverage: Open enrollment period: You can make the following changes during the annual open enrollment period (between October 15 and December 7), with the new coverage taking effect on January 1 of the next year: 1) An individual covered by Original Medicare can switch to a Medicare Advantage Plan. 2) An individual with Original Medicare can add or switch Medicare Prescription Drug Plans and/or Medigap insurance policies. There might be medical underwriting requirements. 3) An individual with a Medicare Advantage Plan can switch between Medicare Advantage Plans or drop Medicare Advantage, switch to Original Medicare, and add Medicare Prescription Drug Plan and/or Medigap insurance coverage. Medicare Advantage Disenrollment Period (January 1–February 14): An individual enrolled in a Medicare Advantage Plan can switch to Original Medicare and can also join a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan. Coverage begins on the 1st day of the month after the plan office receives your enrollment form. There is no right to buy a Medigap plan without satisfying medical underwriting requirements. General Medicare Part B Enrollment Period (January 1-March 31): An individual who did not enroll in Medicare Part B when first eligible can sign up from January 1 through March 31 of each year, with the coverage taking effect on July 1 of that year. If you didn’t sign-up for Part B when you were initially eligible, you may have to pay a late enrollment penalty for as long as you have Medicare. Your Part B premium may increase 10 percent for each 12-month period that you could have had Part B coverage but didn’t sign up for it. Special enrollment period: There are situations for which you may not need to enroll in Medicare Part B when you first become eligible. For example, you or your spouse might still be working and covered by a group health plan, meaning that you don’t need Part B coverage. In this instance, you can enroll in Part B without a late enrollment penalty at the following times: Anytime while you have group health coverage based on current employment. During the 8-month period that begins the month after the employment ends or the group health plan coverage ends, whichever happens first. If you have COBRA coverage, you must enroll in Part B during the eight-month period beginning the month after the employment ends. If you enroll in Part B during a special enrollment period, you then have a 6-month Medigap open enrollment period, which gives you a guaranteed right to purchase a Medicare Supplement Insurance policy. Caution: If you receive health-care coverage, including prescription drug coverage, from a current or former employer, union, or other source, you should contact the benefits administrator before dropping any of your current coverage and/or enrolling in any of the Medicare coverage options. It is important that you understand how your insurance works with Medicare before making any changes. If You Need Help Paying Your Premiums If you cannot afford to pay your Medicare premiums and other health-care costs, there are federal and state programs available for people with limited income and resources. Here are some examples. Medicare savings programs: States have programs that pay Medicare premiums and, in some cases, might also pay Medicare Part A and B deductibles and co-insurance amounts. To qualify for a Medicare savings program, you must have Medicare Part A and meet specific state requirements with regard to your income and financial resources. To find out if you qualify, call or visit your State Medical Assistance (Medicaid) office or call Medicare at 800-633-4227. Ask about getting help to pay your Medicare premiums. Extra help paying for Medicare Part D (prescription drug coverage): You automatically qualify to receive extra help paying for Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage if you (1) have full Medicaid coverage, (2) belong to a Medicare savings program, or (3) receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. You may qualify for the Medicare low-income subsidy (LIS) to help pay prescription drug costs if your annual income and your financial resources are below specified limits. For more information, contact your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) or Medicare at 800-633-4227. Medicaid: Medicaid is a joint federal and state program that helps pay medical costs if you have limited income and financial resources and meet other eligibility requirements. Some people qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid (and are therefore called “dual eligibles”). Medicaid requirements vary from state to state. Contact your State Medical Assistance (Medicaid) office for more information and to see if you qualify. State Pharmacy Assistance Programs (SPARs): Some states have SPARs that help certain people pay for prescription drugs based on criteria such as financial need, age, or medical condition. Each SPAR has its own rules and helps in different ways. To find out about a SPAR in your state, call your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP). Online Resources There are so many pieces and parts to Medicare that it can get confusing. We don’t have room here to cover all the details. Please visit www.medicare.gov , the official U.S. government website for Medicare. It is a comprehensive, easy-to-use online resource that allows you to accomplish the following: Check your Medicare eligibility. Review what Medicare covers. Compare Medicare health plans, prescription drug plans, and Medigap plans in your area, including how much they cost and the services they provide. Locate helpful phone numbers and websites, such as for your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP). Learn about your Medicare rights and how to file a Medicare appeal. Download many helpful Medicare-related publications. Medicare also provides a secure online service for accessing your personal Medicare information, located at www.MyMedicare.gov . After registering on the site, you’ll be able to do the following: Complete a questionnaire that will enable Medicare to process your bills correctly. Track your health-care claims. Request a replacement Medicare card. Check your Medicare Part B deductible status. Track the preventive services you can receive. Find information about your current Medicare health and/or prescription drug plan or search for a new one. Facts About Retirement and Medicare