Our Journey: Why a 70+ Year-Old Insurance Tech Pro Started This Website

My wife and I navigated the maze of Social Security and Medicare

Now, we want to share our roadmap with you.

Hello, I'm David Haertzen, and if you're reading this, chances are you're facing some of the same questions and challenges that my wife and I did as we approached and entered our retirement years. At 70+, I've spent over five decades immersed in the world of information technology, with 20 of those years dedicated to the intricate systems of a major North American life insurance carrier. You might wonder why someone like me, who's already navigated the corporate world and even authored a book ("The Analytical Puzzle") on data warehousing, would embark on building a website like SocialSecurityMedicare.com now. The answer is simple yet profound: public service, born from personal experience.

When I turned 70, my wife and I began collecting Social Security benefits, and like many of you, we enrolled in traditional Medicare, supplemented by a robust Medicare supplement (Medigap) and a prescription drug plan. We quickly realized that even with my background in insurance and financial technology, understanding these critical government programs was like solving a complex puzzle. There was a lot of jargon, conflicting information, and a sense of overwhelm. This personal journey ignited a passion in me to simplify these complexities, to break down the bureaucratic walls, and to help fellow retirees and their caregivers achieve greater financial and health security.

The Spark: A Personal Quest for Clarity

My career equipped me with a unique perspective. As an Enterprise Architect and Information Architect, my job was always about making sense of vast amounts of data and designing systems that were logical and user-friendly. I've built multiple WordPress sites and am comfortable with the latest technology, including AI. Yet, when it came to our own retirement, the sheer volume of information surrounding Social Security and Medicare was daunting. We had to dig deep, cross-reference sources, and piece together our own roadmap. We learned firsthand that knowledge truly is power when it comes to these life-altering decisions.

Recommended Graphic: A photo of DRH (David Haertzen) with his wife, smiling and looking approachable.

It became clear that if someone with my professional background found it challenging, imagine how overwhelming it must be for others who don't have this specific expertise. This realization was the driving force behind Infogoal, LLC, and ultimately, SocialSecurityMedicare.com. Our mission isn't just to provide information; it's to provide clarity, to be your trusted guide, and to empower you with the knowledge to make the best choices for your own secure retirement. We believe that complex government and financial systems should be understandable to everyone, not just experts, and we are committed to translating that jargon into plain, everyday language.

Navigating the Maze: Social Security – The $100,000 Question

One of the first and most critical decisions we faced, like all retirees, was when to claim Social Security benefits. This isn't a small decision; for many, it can be a "100,000 question" difference over a lifetime. We studied the implications of claiming at age 62, at Full Retirement Age (FRA), or waiting until age 70. The delayed retirement credits for waiting are significant, boosting your monthly check by 8% per year past your FRA up to age 70. This was a strategy we personally chose, and it's one we encourage many to explore, if financially feasible, to maximize their lifetime benefits.

Recommended Graphic: A simple bar chart showing the difference in monthly and lifetime Social Security benefits when claiming at 62, FRA, and 70.

We also delved into the common fears about Social Security's future solvency. Headlines often scream about an empty trust fund, causing unnecessary anxiety. However, the reality, as explained by experts like Alicia Munnell, director of the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College, is that even if Congress takes no action, Social Security would still be able to pay about 80% of promised benefits. While fixes are needed, the system isn't "going bankrupt." Our goal is to replace that fear with facts, offering a realistic and reassuring outlook based on official projections and likely congressional actions. We will discuss critical topics like working while receiving benefits, spousal and survivor benefits, and the often-surprising taxation of benefits, always aiming to provide clear, actionable information to help you keep more of your hard-earned money.

Decoding Medicare: The Big Choice and Beyond

Medicare, with its alphabet soup of Parts A, B, C, and D, can be equally bewildering. When we were nearing 65, we had to make "the big choice": Original Medicare (Parts A & B) with a Medigap policy and a separate Part D prescription plan, or a Medicare Advantage plan (Part C). This single decision is arguably the most important one you’ll make about your healthcare in retirement. Original Medicare offers the freedom to choose any doctor or hospital that accepts Medicare, but it comes with a 20% coinsurance for Part B services, with no annual out-of-pocket limit. This is where Medigap plans, like the one my wife and I chose, come in, providing crucial coverage for those "gaps" and offering immense peace of mind against unpredictable medical bills.

Recommended Graphic: A simple Venn diagram or infographic comparing "Original Medicare + Medigap" vs. "Medicare Advantage," highlighting key pros and cons of each.

Medicare Advantage plans, on the other hand, are offered by private companies and often combine Parts A, B, and D into one "all-in-one" package, frequently with lower (or even $0) monthly premiums and additional benefits like dental, vision, and hearing coverage. However, they typically operate within network restrictions (HMOs/PPOs), which can limit your choice of doctors and hospitals. Understanding these trade-offs is crucial. For instance, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation, nearly half of all Medicare beneficiaries (about 30 million people) are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan, reflecting its growing popularity, but it’s not for everyone. We aim to help you discern which path best suits your lifestyle, health needs, and risk tolerance, cutting through the overwhelming advertising you might see.

We'll also demystify the real costs of Medicare, going beyond just the monthly premiums to discuss deductibles, coinsurance, and the infamous Part D "donut hole." Many seniors are surprised to learn that Medicare isn't free, and understanding its various costs is essential for accurate retirement budgeting. We'll also cover crucial topics like the Initial Enrollment Period (IEP), which is the 7-month window around your 65th birthday, explaining why missing it can lead to lifelong penalties. For those still working at 65, we’ll clarify the complex interplay between employer health insurance and Medicare, helping you avoid costly mistakes.

Bridging the Gaps and Saving Money

One of the biggest misconceptions we encountered, and one that causes significant stress for many, is the belief that Medicare covers long-term care. This is the "shocking truth" that few realize until it's too late: Medicare generally does not pay for custodial care in a nursing home or ongoing home health aides, only short-term skilled nursing care after a qualifying hospital stay. This is why planning for long-term care, through avenues like long-term care insurance or asset-based policies, is a puzzle we tackled personally and one we’ll help you solve.

Recommended Graphic: A clear chart outlining what Original Medicare does and does not cover (e.g., dental, vision, hearing, long-term care).

We are also passionate about helping seniors save money, particularly by highlighting free resources. The official Medicare Plan Finder tool on Medicare.gov is an invaluable, free resource that every senior should use annually during the Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) (October 15 – December 7) to compare Part D and Medicare Advantage plans. Even small changes in your medication list can lead to significant savings. Additionally, we’ll explore programs like Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs) and the Part D Low-Income Subsidy (LIS, or "Extra Help"), which collectively assist millions of lower-income seniors with their Medicare costs. Billions of dollars in assistance go unclaimed each year, and we want to help you unlock those hidden savings. As Suze Orman often advises, "Knowledge is power, especially when it comes to your money."

Our Commitment to You: Trust, Clarity, and Empowerment

My wife and I, both in our 70s, are walking this path with you. I am politically independent and nonpartisan, so you won't find biased advice or clickbait here. Our commitment is to trust and integrity, providing data-driven, fact-based information. We aim for clarity and simplicity, using an active voice and transition words to make complex topics easy to understand. We’ll break down bureaucratic processes into logical, step-by-step roadmaps, often adding a touch of humor along the way, because retirement planning doesn't have to be entirely dry.

This website is designed to be a transparent and authentic resource. We believe in empowering you with knowledge, encouraging proactive planning, and fostering financial security. We aim to build a community where you can find answers, share experiences, and feel supported. We'll reference credible sources and influencers, ensuring every piece of information is vetted and accurate. Our ultimate goal is to equip you with the tools to be self-sufficient in navigating the often-confusing landscape of Social Security and Medicare, helping you live a better, more secure retirement. Thank you for joining us on this journey.