Long-term care is one of the most misunderstood pieces of retirement planning, and many people don’t realize how unprepared their families are to handle it. Colin speaks with long-term care expert Alecia Barnette, who shares four major misconceptions that people believe about long-term care. You’ll also hear the realities behind care needs and why having a plan matters more than wishful thinking. It’s a reminder that long-term care doesn’t just impact you, it impacts everyone who loves you.

Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:

❌ Misconceptions About Long-Term Care: what people think they know but get wrong

📉 The Reality of Care Needs: understanding how often and how long care is required

🗂️ The Importance of a Care Plan: knowing who provides care and how it’s funded

🎯 Promoting Financial Clarity: creating confidence, direction, and peace of mind

___________________________________________

Connect with Gray Hurst Wealth Advisors

📌 Our website: https://ghwealthadvisors.com/

📞Phone: (513) 984-5999

🗓 Schedule your no-cost consultation: https://ghwealthadvisors.com/contact-us/

📚 Check out our other no-cost financial resources here: https://ghwealthadvisors.com/#

🎥Check us out on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXCpq47Qa73uQZyYu4fcCAw

📌 Follow Us on Social Media

📍Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TeamVictorGray

📍LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/colinjhurst/

Many retirees are facing painful premium increases on traditional long-term care insurance, leaving them wondering if they should keep, cancel, or replace their policy. We’re joined again by long-term care expert Alecia Barnette, who explains why these increases are happening and introduces a modern alternative. You’ll learn how these plans provide flexibility, guarantees, and even a death benefit, giving you more control and peace of mind for future care needs.

Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:

💸 Premium Increases: why older long-term care policies are becoming so expensive

💰 Policy Challenges: what to do if you can’t afford rising premiums

🏦 Asset-Based Care: how new policies combine protection and ownership

🧾 Exit Strategies: avoiding “use it or lose it” coverage

___________________________________________

Connect with Gray Hurst Wealth Advisors

📌 Our website: https://ghwealthadvisors.com/

📞Phone: (513) 984-5999

🗓 Schedule your no-cost consultation: https://ghwealthadvisors.com/contact-us/

📚 Check out our other no-cost financial resources here: https://ghwealthadvisors.com/#

🎥Check us out on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXCpq47Qa73uQZyYu4fcCAw

📌 Follow Us on Social Media

📍Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TeamVictorGray

📍LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/colinjhurst/

📱 Ready to retire happy? Schedule a no-cost, no obligation consultation with us here: https://ghwealthadvisors.com/contact-us/

Many families assume they can handle long-term care when the time comes, but few realize how quickly that decision can strain relationships, finances, and emotions. In this conversation, Colin sits down with long-term care expert Alecia Barnette, CLTC to discuss what really happens when families don’t have a plan, and what to do instead. Don’t wait for a crisis. Plan early, protect your family, and keep sanity, not conflict, at the center. 

Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:

🧾 Policy ≠ Plan: Why real care planning goes beyond insurance

💸 Cost of Waiting: How unplanned care drains savings and emotions

👩‍👧 One Caregiver’s Burden: When one sibling ends up doing it all

🗣️ Talk Now: How early conversations prevent resentment later

❤️ Family First: Why long-term care planning is an act of love

___________________________________________

Connect with Gray Hurst Wealth Advisors

📌 Our website: https://ghwealthadvisors.com/

📞Phone: (513) 984-5999

🗓 Schedule your no-cost consultation: https://ghwealthadvisors.com/contact-us/

📚 Check out our other no-cost financial resources here: https://ghwealthadvisors.com/#

🎥Check us out on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXCpq47Qa73uQZyYu4fcCAw

📌 Follow Us on Social Media

📍Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TeamVictorGray

📍LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/colinjhurst/

Long-term care planning is one of the most misunderstood parts of retirement, and one of the most important. In this episode, Victor sits down with long-time industry expert Alecia Barnette to separate myth from reality. They go behind the scenes of long-term care to share industry insights, real family stories, and actionable tips for building a secure future. Stick around to hear the one policy every family should consider!

Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:

💊 Health & Eligibility: How your current health impacts your options

💵 Cost & Coverage: Understanding what long-term care really pays for

📈 Tax Efficiency: Using annuities for tax-free long-term care benefits

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family Impact: How care decisions affect loved ones emotionally and financially

💖 Legacy Protection: Keeping your inheritance and family harmony intact

___________________________________________

Connect with Gray Hurst Wealth Advisors

📌 Our website: https://ghwealthadvisors.com/

📞Phone: (513) 984-5999

🗓 Schedule your no-cost consultation: https://ghwealthadvisors.com/contact-us/

📚 Check out our other no-cost financial resources here: https://ghwealthadvisors.com/#

🎥Check us out on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXCpq47Qa73uQZyYu4fcCAw

📌 Follow Us on Social Media

📍Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TeamVictorGray

📍LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/colinjhurst/

Medicare is already complex, but 2025 is bringing some of the biggest shifts in years. Premiums, prescription drug costs, and deductibles are all moving, and with millions of baby boomers entering the system, retirees could feel the impact more than ever. To help cut through the confusion, Colin is talking again with Medicare Expert, Alex Sieler. 

Alex explains why this year is especially critical for retirees to review their coverage, what’s different about 2025, and how a simple review could uncover thousands in annual savings. 

Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:

🩺 Medicare premiums, deductibles, and prescription costs are changing in 2025

📈 40% of Medicare users will be affected by changes this year

💡 A quick Medicare review can save thousands

📞 How to get in touch with Alex for an assessment 

Learn more about Precise Insurance Advisors: https://www.preciseinsadvisors.com/

___________________________________________

Connect with Gray Hurst Wealth Advisors

📌 Our website: https://ghwealthadvisors.com/

📞Phone: (513) 984-5999

🗓 Schedule your no-cost consultation: https://ghwealthadvisors.com/contact-us/

📚 Check out our other no-cost financial resources here: https://ghwealthadvisors.com/#

🎥Check us out on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXCpq47Qa73uQZyYu4fcCAw

📌 Follow Us on Social Media

📍Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TeamVictorGray

📍LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/colinjhurst/

If you’re turning 65 soon (or just did) you’ve probably been bombarded with Medicare mailers, ads, and “urgent” calls telling you to “act now.” It’s overwhelming, and for many people, it’s hard to tell what’s legitimate and what’s just marketing. In this episode, Colin talks with Medicare advisor Alex Sieler about how to filter out the noise, understand your options, and make confident decisions about your coverage.

Alex walks through the different Medicare timelines, the key differences between Part A, Part B, Medicare Advantage, and supplements, plus when you do, and don’t, need to enroll. You’ll also learn about the three main enrollment periods, how special election periods really work, and why losing a doctor doesn’t always mean you can switch plans right away. The right Medicare choices now can protect your health, your budget, and your peace of mind for years to come.

Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:

🏥 Understanding Part A, Part B, and when you need them

📅 The three key Medicare enrollment periods

⚠️ Common misconceptions about special election periods

🤝 Why working with an advisor costs you nothing extra

Learn more about Precise Insurance Advisors:

https://www.preciseinsadvisors.com/

___________________________________________

Connect with Gray Hurst Wealth Advisors

📌 Our website: https://ghwealthadvisors.com/

📞Phone: (513) 984-5999

🗓 Schedule your no-cost consultation: https://ghwealthadvisors.com/contact-us/

📚 Check out our other no-cost financial resources here: https://ghwealthadvisors.com/#

🎥Check us out on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXCpq47Qa73uQZyYu4fcCAw

📌 Follow Us on Social Media

📍Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TeamVictorGray

📍LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/colinjhurst/

In this episode, Colin welcomes back Medicare Advisor Alex Sieler to unpack one of retirement’s most common questions: Should you choose Medicare Advantage or a Medicare Supplement? What’s the real difference? Is a $0/month plan too good to be true? And why do some retirees still choose to pay more? 

Alex walks through the pros and cons of both options, including coverage flexibility, network limitations, potential out-of-pocket costs, and even some overlooked perks. You’ll hear how things like your doctors, travel plans, and even family health history can tip the scales, and why the “best” choice isn’t the same for everyone. They also explain why your coverage needs can change over time and how annual reviews keep you ahead of network or plan changes. Plus, you’ll hear why using an advisor costs the same as going direct, but can help you avoid costly surprises.

Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:

⚖️ Medicare Advantage vs. Supplement explained

💵 $0 premiums vs. fixed monthly costs

🚑 The role of networks and travel in your decision

🦷 Dental and drug coverage gaps

📅 Why annual reviews are so important

Learn more about Precise Insurance Advisors:

https://www.preciseinsadvisors.com/

___________________________________________

Connect with Gray Hurst Wealth Advisors

📌 Our website: https://ghwealthadvisors.com/

📞Phone: (513) 984-5999

🗓 Schedule your no-cost consultation: https://ghwealthadvisors.com/contact-us/

📚 Check out our other no-cost financial resources here: https://ghwealthadvisors.com/#

🎥Check us out on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXCpq47Qa73uQZyYu4fcCAw

📌 Follow Us on Social Media

📍Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TeamVictorGray

📍LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/colinjhurst/

If Medicare feels like a maze of mailers, fine print, and frustration, you’re not alone. This week, Colin sits down with Alex Sieler of Precise Insurance Advisors to help cut through the noise. With over 15 years in the Medicare space and clients in more than 38 states, Alex brings clear, practical insights for anyone approaching or currently navigating Medicare.

They cover what Medicare is, when you actually need to sign up, how to tell if your current plan still fits, and why Advantage plans aren’t just for people on a tight budget anymore. Whether you're retiring soon, still working past 65, or splitting time between states, this episode helps you better understand your options and avoid common mistakes that could cost you later. With big changes already on the horizon for 2026, now is the time to get ahead of the curve!

Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:

🩺 Medicare 101: How it works

🗓️ What happens during enrollment periods

⚖️ Medicare Advantage vs. Supplement plans- what’s changed 

🌴 What snowbirds and frequent travelers should keep in mind

💬 The value of a professional Medicare review 

Learn more about Precise Insurance Advisors:

https://www.preciseinsadvisors.com/

___________________________________________

Connect with Gray Hurst Wealth Advisors

📌 Our website: https://ghwealthadvisors.com/

📞Phone: (513) 984-5999

🗓 Schedule your no-cost consultation: https://ghwealthadvisors.com/contact-us/

📚 Check out our other no-cost financial resources here: https://ghwealthadvisors.com/#

🎥Check us out on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXCpq47Qa73uQZyYu4fcCAw

📌 Follow Us on Social Media

📍Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TeamVictorGray

📍LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/colinjhurst/

Is Social Security really running out of money, or are the headlines more dramatic than the data? In this episode, Colin is joined by Social Security expert Hamilton Morales to break down the 2024 Social Security Trustee Report and what it means for retirees, workers, and the future of the Social Security system. The big takeaway: if no changes are made by 2034, the trust fund will be depleted, and benefits could be cut by about 33%. That’s a serious concern, but it’s not the full picture.

Hamilton explains why he doesn’t believe those cuts will actually happen, and what Washington DC might do to fix the system. You’ll hear how lawmakers might actually have plenty of ways to shore up Social Security, like removing the income cap on taxes, adjusting how benefits are calculated, or changing eligibility rules. You’ll also learn practical steps you can take today to prepare for a future that may include higher taxes, later benefits, or both. Don’t wait for D.C. to fix it- start building a plan that protects your retirement now!

Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:

⏳ 2034 deadline: What happens if lawmakers do nothing

👥 Why “taxing the rich” isn’t enough

📆 What might change: ages, taxes, benefits

🧠 The importance of preparing for a changing system

🤝 Why having an expert on your side matters when it comes to planning proactively

___________________________________________

Connect with Gray Hurst Wealth Advisors

📌 Our website: https://ghwealthadvisors.com/

📞Phone: (513) 984-5999

🗓 Schedule your no-cost consultation: https://ghwealthadvisors.com/contact-us/

📚 Check out our other no-cost financial resources here: https://ghwealthadvisors.com/#

🎥Check us out on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXCpq47Qa73uQZyYu4fcCAw

📌 Follow Us on Social Media

📍Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TeamVictorGray

📍LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/colinjhurst/

Big changes just hit Social Security, and a lot of people don’t even realize they’re going to be impacted. To help make sense of it all, Colin sits down with special guest and Social Security expert, Hamilton Morales, to walk through what you need to know. He explains the major changes made by the Social Security Fairness Act of 2024, which officially became law on January 5, 2025. This new legislation eliminates the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO)- two rules that have long reduced or disqualified Social Security benefits for thousands of state workers with non-covered pensions. 

If you’ve been denied a spousal or widow’s benefit, or had your Social Security reduced due to a pension, this law could mean back pay and increased monthly income going forward. Hamilton walks through who’s eligible, how back payments will be handled, and what this means for retirement and tax planning. Wondering if you qualify? Tune in to hear exactly who these new changes impact and what to do next. 

Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:

🔎 What WEP and GPO are and why they matter

👩‍🏫 Why Ohio’s state workers are uniquely impacted

💰 Who qualifies for retroactive Social Security payments

📊 How lump sum payments could affect your taxes

Check out our guide on the Social Security Fairness Act: https://ghwealthadvisors.com/downloads/ 

___________________________________________

Connect with Gray Hurst Wealth Advisors

📌 Our website: https://ghwealthadvisors.com/

📞Phone: (513) 984-5999

🗓 Schedule your no-cost consultation: https://ghwealthadvisors.com/contact-us/

📚 Check out our other no-cost financial resources here: https://ghwealthadvisors.com/#

🎥Check us out on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXCpq47Qa73uQZyYu4fcCAw

📌 Follow Us on Social Media

📍Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TeamVictorGray

📍LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/colinjhurst/