Resources
Frequently asked questions
Clear answers on how we work, Medicare, Social Security, retirement income and the rest of a coordinated plan — written the way an advisor would say them.
Last reviewed August 25, 2026
Working with us
Does it cost anything to work with an Acclivus advisor?
The initial consultation and written plan are complimentary. If you choose to implement coverage through us, we're compensated by the insurance carriers — the premium you pay is the same whether you enroll through an agent or directly with the carrier.
What happens in a first appointment?
A conversation about what matters to you now and what you want later — health coverage, income, family, business. Bring a rough picture of your current coverage, retirement accounts and monthly budget if you have it. We'll guide the rest.
Where are you located, and do you work outside Arizona?
Our office is in Fountain Hills, AZ. We meet by phone, video, or in person. Licensure varies by advisor and product line — we confirm the details for your state before any application is taken.
Are you affiliated with Medicare or the U.S. government?
No. The Acclivus Group is not connected with or endorsed by the United States government or the federal Medicare program.
Do you provide legal or tax advice?
No. The Acclivus Group and its advisors do not provide legal, tax, or accounting advice. You should consult your own legal and/or tax advisors before making any financial decisions.
Are insurance and annuity products FDIC insured?
No. Insurance and annuity products are not FDIC insured, not bank guaranteed, not deposits, and may lose value. They are not insured by any federal government agency. Guarantees are backed by the financial strength and claims-paying ability of the issuing insurance company.
Do you offer every Medicare plan in my area?
We do not offer every plan available in your area. Currently we represent organizations which offer products in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, or your local State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) to get information on all of your options.
Medicare Planning
Does it cost anything to work with an Acclivus advisor on Medicare?
No. Our licensed agents are compensated by the insurance carriers, and the premium you pay is the same whether you enroll through an agent or directly with the carrier.
When can I enroll or change my Medicare coverage?
Most people first enroll during the 7-month window around their 65th birthday. After that, the Annual Election Period runs October 15 through December 7 each year, and certain life events open Special Enrollment Periods. We help you confirm which windows apply to you.
The three Medicare enrollment windows, explainedShould I choose a Medicare Supplement or Medicare Advantage?
It depends on your doctors, prescriptions, budget and how you travel. Supplements offer broad provider access with predictable costs; Advantage plans often bundle extra benefits with network trade-offs. We walk through both paths with your specifics before you decide.
Medigap or Medicare Advantage? The trade-off in plain wordsWhat's the difference between Medicare Advantage and a Medicare Supplement, cost-wise?
Supplements generally carry a higher monthly premium but little to no cost when you actually use care. Advantage plans often have a lower or $0 premium but include copays, coinsurance and an annual out-of-pocket maximum. Which costs less depends entirely on how much care you use in a given year.
Can I switch from Medicare Advantage back to a Supplement later?
You can request the switch, but after your initial enrollment window, most states allow the Supplement carrier to medically underwrite you — meaning they can decline coverage or charge more based on your health. A few states have guaranteed-issue protections. We check your state's rules before you commit to either path.
What happens if I don't enroll in Medicare when I'm first eligible?
If you don't have other creditable coverage (such as an active employer plan), delaying Part B and Part D can trigger permanent monthly penalties added to your premium for as long as you're enrolled. We map your specific eligibility date so this doesn't happen by accident.
Do you help with Medicare for someone who isn't a U.S. citizen or hasn't worked the required quarters?
Eligibility rules differ for permanent residents and those with limited work history. We walk through your specific eligibility path — including premium-based Part A — rather than assuming the standard rules apply.
Cashflow Generation
What is an annuity income rider?
An optional benefit added to certain annuities that guarantees a stream of lifetime income, regardless of market performance. Riders carry costs and conditions, so we review the contract details with you line by line before any decision.
How much can I safely withdraw from savings each year?
Rules of thumb like 4% are starting points, not answers. The right rate depends on your age, guaranteed income floor, market conditions and flexibility. We model withdrawal plans against your actual portfolio.
What's the difference between an immediate annuity and a deferred income annuity?
An immediate annuity starts paying out within about a year of purchase. A deferred income annuity is funded now but scheduled to begin payments years later, often at a higher payout rate because the money has more time to grow before distribution. We compare both against your actual timeline.
Do I have to annuitize my entire account to get guaranteed income?
No. Most modern contracts let you keep account value while an income rider guarantees a withdrawal stream — you're not required to give up access to the underlying balance the way a traditional immediate annuity works.
How do required minimum distributions (RMDs) affect my income plan?
Once RMDs begin, the IRS requires withdrawals from qualified accounts whether or not you need the income that year, and they're taxable. We build RMDs into the income design from the start rather than treating them as a surprise later.
The paycheck problem: turning savings into retirement incomeWhat happens to my income plan if I need long-term care later?
We look at that scenario upfront. Some income riders and annuity designs include enhanced payouts if you require care, which can reduce the pressure on the rest of your portfolio if that need arises.
Asset Preservation
What is a fixed indexed annuity?
An insurance contract whose interest is linked to a market index, with a floor that protects your principal from market loss. Growth is typically limited by caps or participation rates. We explain the exact crediting terms of any contract before you commit.
Is moving my 401(k) to an IRA the right move?
Sometimes. A rollover can broaden your options and simplify accounts, but employer plans have protections and pricing worth comparing first. We walk through both sides before you move anything.
What's the difference between a fixed annuity and a fixed indexed annuity?
A fixed annuity credits a set interest rate the insurance company declares in advance. A fixed indexed annuity credits interest based on the performance of a market index, subject to a cap or participation rate, but with the same protection against loss of principal. We compare the actual crediting method, not just the label.
Are annuities protected from creditors or lawsuits?
Protection varies significantly by state and by the type of account. Some states offer strong protection for annuity cash values; others offer very little. This is a legal question we'd point you to your attorney on, but we can explain how the product itself is structured.
What are surrender charges, and how long do they last?
A surrender charge is a fee for withdrawing more than a contract allows in the early years of an annuity, typically declining over 5–10 years. We review the exact schedule of any contract before you sign, including what percentage you can access penalty-free each year.
Is my money still growing if the market goes down?
With principal-protected products like fixed and fixed indexed annuities, your credited value doesn't decline due to market losses — though in flat or negative index years, a fixed indexed annuity may simply credit no interest for that period rather than losing value.
Chronic Care Risk Management
Doesn't Medicare cover long-term care?
Mostly no. Medicare covers short rehabilitative stays after hospitalization, not extended custodial care at home or in a facility. That gap is exactly what chronic care planning addresses.
What if I buy coverage and never need care?
That concern is why hybrid designs have grown popular: policies that pay a death benefit to your family if care benefits go unused. We review those trade-offs with you.
At what age should I start thinking about long-term care coverage?
Premiums are priced largely on age and health at the time of application, so coverage is generally less expensive — and easier to qualify for — the earlier you apply, often in your 50s. Waiting until a health event occurs can mean higher costs or being declined altogether.
What's the difference between traditional LTC insurance and a hybrid life policy with a care rider?
Traditional LTC insurance is "use it or lose it" — premiums are paid whether or not care is ever needed. Hybrid life policies guarantee a death benefit to your family if care benefits go unused, at the cost of a different premium and benefit structure. We lay out both side by side.
Can I qualify for long-term care coverage if I already have a health condition?
It depends on the condition and the carrier. Some hybrid and annuity-based care solutions have more flexible underwriting than traditional LTC insurance. We check what you can actually qualify for before ruling anything out.
How much does long-term care typically cost in Arizona?
Costs vary by setting — home care, assisted living, and skilled nursing all price differently, and by county. We pull current cost data for your specific area rather than relying on national averages, since the gap between regions can be significant.
The long-term care math nobody wants to doLegacy & Succession Planning
Do I need a trust, or is a will enough?
That is a legal decision for you and your attorney. What we do is make sure your insurance, annuity and retirement account beneficiary designations actually match the plan your attorney drafts — a mismatch there overrides the documents.
How does life insurance fit into legacy planning?
It delivers a defined, generally income-tax-free amount to your beneficiaries at exactly the moment it's needed — liquidity for taxes, equal inheritances, or continuity for a business.
What's the difference between a revocable and irrevocable trust?
That distinction, and which one fits your situation, is a legal decision made with your attorney. What we help coordinate is making sure your insurance and account beneficiary designations are titled correctly to fund whichever structure your attorney puts in place.
Do beneficiary designations really override my will?
Yes, for accounts and policies that name a beneficiary — retirement accounts, annuities and life insurance pass directly to the named beneficiary regardless of what your will says. This is one of the most common and most costly planning gaps we find.
Can life insurance help cover estate taxes?
For estates large enough to face estate tax exposure, a life insurance policy can provide liquidity so heirs aren't forced to sell property or a business to pay the tax bill. Whether your estate is in that range is a conversation we'd have alongside your tax advisor.
How often should a legacy plan be reviewed?
At minimum after any major life event — marriage, divorce, a new grandchild, the sale of a business, or the death of a named beneficiary. We also recommend a standing annual check simply because tax law and family circumstances both shift over time.
Business Owner Solutions
SEP IRA or SIMPLE IRA — which fits my business?
SEP IRAs allow larger, employer-only contributions and suit variable profits. SIMPLE IRAs let employees defer their own pay with a modest required employer match. Headcount, margins and goals decide it — we run the comparison for your numbers.
SEP vs. SIMPLE IRA: the right plan for your headcountCan a small business really afford group health benefits?
Often yes — level-funded plans, ICHRAs and carefully chosen group plans have made coverage workable for much smaller teams than most owners expect. We quote the real numbers before you decide.
What's the difference between a SEP IRA and a 401(k) for a small business?
A SEP IRA is simpler and cheaper to administer but requires equal percentage contributions for all eligible employees if the owner contributes for themselves. A 401(k) allows employee salary deferrals and more flexible owner contributions but comes with more administrative requirements. We match the option to your headcount and budget.
How does key-person insurance actually work?
The business owns the policy, pays the premiums, and is the beneficiary on a key employee or owner. If that person dies or becomes disabled, the payout helps the business cover lost revenue, recruiting costs, or a transition period without a person who was critical to operations.
Key-person coverage and buy-sell funding: continuity you can bank onWhat is a buy-sell agreement, and do I need one with a business partner?
It's a legal agreement, drafted with your attorney, that determines what happens to a partner's ownership share if they die, become disabled, or want to exit. We help fund that agreement with life or disability insurance so the buyout is actually payable when triggered, rather than a plan on paper only.
Can I offer group health benefits if I only have a few employees?
Often yes. Level-funded plans and ICHRAs (individual coverage health reimbursement arrangements) have made group-style benefits workable for very small teams, though options and pricing depend on your state and group size. We quote your actual numbers rather than assuming you're too small to qualify.
Start My Financial Plan
What does the consultation cost?
Nothing. The initial consultation and plan are complimentary. If you choose to implement coverage through us, we're compensated by the insurance carriers — your premiums are the same either way.
What should I bring to the first meeting?
A rough picture of your current coverage, retirement accounts and monthly budget is plenty. We'll guide the rest of the conversation.
This material is for educational purposes only and is not individualized advice. The Acclivus Group and its advisors do not provide legal, tax, or accounting advice; consult your own professionals before making financial decisions. Not connected with or endorsed by the United States government or the federal Medicare program.
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Schedule a complimentary consultation and get a personalized strategy tailored to your goals, your timeline, and your future. No cost. No obligation.
Social Security Benefits Optimization
When should I claim Social Security?
There is no universal right age. Claiming early reduces your monthly check permanently; waiting past full retirement age grows it 8% per year until 70. Health, family longevity, spousal benefits and your other income all factor in. We model your specific situation.
Claiming at 62 vs. 70: what waiting is actually worthCan I work and collect Social Security at the same time?
Yes, but if you are under full retirement age, benefits are temporarily reduced when earnings exceed the annual limit. Once you reach full retirement age, the reduction stops and your benefit is recalculated.
Will Social Security be enough to retire on?
For most households, no — it was designed to replace roughly 40% of pre-retirement income. That is why we plan it together with your savings, pensions and other income sources.
Does claiming Social Security early affect my spouse's survivor benefit later?
Yes. If you claim early and pass away first, your spouse's survivor benefit is generally based on what you were actually receiving, not your full retirement age amount. That tradeoff is part of the household modeling we do together, not just an individual decision.
Married? Your Social Security strategy has more moving partsHow is my Social Security benefit calculated in the first place?
It's based on your highest 35 years of earnings, indexed for inflation. Years with no earnings count as zero, so working a 36th year to replace a zero-earning year can sometimes raise your benefit. We check whether that applies to you.
If I get divorced, can I still claim on my ex-spouse's record?
Often yes, if the marriage lasted at least 10 years and you're currently unmarried, regardless of whether your ex has remarried. It doesn't reduce their benefit or their current spouse's benefit. We confirm eligibility against the specific rules.
Is Social Security going to run out before I can collect it?
The trust fund reserves are projected to be depleted in the mid-2030s, but incoming payroll taxes would still cover a majority of scheduled benefits even without changes — a benefit cut, not a shutoff. We keep claiming strategies flexible so they hold up under multiple funding scenarios.