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At this point
in your life, you deserve to enjoy all that you have created
for you and your family. On this website, we have
pulled together numerous resources that can help you make smart
choices and protect yourself and those you love. This site was
designed with seniors, their families and those who care for them in
mind. I hope you find the information on this site informative, and
I encourage you to continue to check back with us as we continue to
update this site to better serve you. |
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Alex Sink
Florida's Chief Financial Officer |
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Make the
Florida Department of Financial Services your resource for informed financial
decisions. We offer assistance to Florida’s senior population in the following
areas:
Partnership for Prescription
Assistance -- This link leads you to information on reduced priced or free
prescription drugs
Healthcare
– How to navigate insurance plans, pharmaceutical
issues, Medicare, medical discount plans and long-term care options
Long-term Care
Options – Are you ready for the rest
of your life?
Life Insurance and Annuities
– Planning for your future
Viatical
Settlements – Is this a wise investment
product?
Hurricane Preparedness and Recovery
– How to make
sure you survive during and thrive following hurricane season (June 1-November
30) in Florida
Funeral and Cemetery Arrangements
– How to comparison
shop and make sure you contract with licensed providers.
Financial Scams
– How to avoid becoming a victim of identity theft, phone
scams and other efforts to steal your money.
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Taking the Mystery Out of Retirement
Planning
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U.S. Department of Labor publication
FDIC Consumer News
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A Special Guide
for Seniors and Families
Elder Affairs
The Florida Department of Elder Affair began operation in January 1992 and is
the primary agency for administering human service programs for the elderly
and developing policy recommendations for long-term care. The department's purpose
also includes combating ageism, creating public awareness and understanding
the contributions and needs of elders, advocating on behalf of elders, serving
as an information clearinghouse and preparing our communities for retirement.
www.elderaffairs.state.fl.us
Unclaimed Property
Currently, the Department of financial Services Bureau of Unclaimed
Property holds unclaimed accounts valued
at more than $1 billion, mostly from dormant accounts in financial institutions,
insurance and utility companies, safe deposit boxes and trust holdings. Click
here to find out if the Bureau is holding unclaimed funds that belong to you.
www.fltreasurehunt.org
SHINE (Serving
Health Insurance Needs of Elders)
The SHINE (Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders) Program provides elders
and their caregivers with information and unbiased health insurance counseling.
Through a network of trained volunteer counselors, assistance is provided regarding
Medicare, Prescription Assistance, Long-Term Care Insurance, Medicaid, and a
variety of other health insurance issues.
www.elderaffairs.state.fl.us/doea/english/shine.html
Florida Attorney General’s Seniors versus Crime Program
A reference site
for seniors who may have been victimized but need help organizing
their paperwork and reviewing their cases for fraud.
http://www.seniorsvscrime.com/. The consumer may speak with a
volunteer and review paperwork at storefront locations, listed by
county:
http://www.seniorsvscrime.com/storefronts.htm
MyFlorida
Your web portal for Florida government agencies and services
www.myflorida.com
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Insurance |
Financial Services
INSURANCE PUBLICATIONS
Automobile
Insurance
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Auto Rate Fact Sheet
Summary:
This
brochure gives you information
on the kinds of coverage
required by law and explains
ways you can save on premiums.
In addition, it outlines a
comparison of automobile rates
from different insurance
companies for different regions
and other criteria. |
Size: 1.25MB |
Automobile
Insurance Consumer's Guide
HTML |
Adobe PDF
Summary:
Auto
insurance is your protection in
an accident, and a requirement
of Florida law. In this guide,
find out what your choices are,
how much insurance you need, and
where to purchase it.
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HTML
Adobe PDF
Size: 1.53MB |
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Hurricane Tips - Are You
Prepared?
Summary:
When it
comes to natural disasters,
Floridians know from firsthand
experience that it pays to plan
ahead. Dealing with hurricanes,
wildfires, floods, tornadoes,
winter storms and other
disasters costs us millions of
dollars each year.
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Actions to Take Before
Disasters
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Actions to Take After
Disasters
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How to obtain more
information.
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Size: 583KB |
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Identity Theft |
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ID Theft
Summary:
Identity theft is one of the
fastest growing criminal
enterprises today. Learn how to
protect yourself, and what to do
if you believe your identity has
been stolen. |
Size: 1.41MB |
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Life Insurance |
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Life Insurance and Annuities
Summary:
When
considering purchasing an
annuity, it is important that
you understand your needs and
the products that are available
to meet them. This guide is
designed to point out the
differences between life
insurance and annuities as
investments, and how to find the
plan that is right for you.
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Size: 1.45MB |
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Long-Term Care
Insurance |
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Long-Term Care and Other Options
for Seniors
Summary:
Long-term care encompasses a
wide range of medical, personal
and social services. A person
may need this care if he or she
suffers from a prolonged
illness, disability or cognitive
impairment. This care includes
services provided by home health
care agencies, adult day care
centers, traditional nursing
homes and continuing care
retirement communities. |
(English)
(Español)
Size: 1.7MB |
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Medicare
Supplement |
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Medicare Supplement Insurance
Summary:
This
guide will help you and other
seniors evaluate your health
care insurance needs.
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Medicare Supplement
Insurance
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Sample annual premiums
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Medicare's legislative
changes
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Other insurance for seniors
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Companies licensed to sell
Medicare in Florida
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Size: 1.5MB |
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Medicare Part D
Summary:
This
brochure is designed as a quick
reference to assist consumers in
understanding the new federal
Medicare prescription drug
benefit options.
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Size: 3MB |
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Mortgages |
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Home Mortgages
Summary:
Be a SMART Borrower
– Review these tips before you
sign mortgage contract or
refinance your current mortgage. |
Size: 213KB |
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Predatory Lending |
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Predatory
Lending
(English)
(Español)
Summary:
Changes in Florida law aim
to crack down on predatory
lenders who target those who can
least afford to lose money.
Predatory lenders offer easy
access to money but often use
high-pressure sales tactics,
infl ated interest rates,
outrageous fees, unaffordable
repayment terms and harassing
collection tactics.. |
(English)
(Español) |
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Securities |
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Smart Investing
Summary:
Tips on
choosing an investment
professional, considering the
risks involved before you
invest, and definitions of
common terms. |
Size: 196KB |
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Unclaimed
Property |
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Unclaimed Property
Summary:
The
Department of Financial Services
has received more than $1
billion in unclaimed property,
mostly from dormant accounts in
financial institutions,
insurance and utility companies,
safe deposit boxes and trust
holdings. In addition to money
and securities, the unclaimed
property includes tangible
property such as watches,
jewelry, coins, currency,
stamps, historical items and
other miscellaneous articles.
Citizens have the right to claim
property, at no cost to them, at
any time, regardless of the
amount. |
Size: 112KB |
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Viatical &
Life Settlements |
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Viatical Settlements
Summary:
Viatical
settlements provides a life
insurance policyholder a cash
benefit for a life policy before
the death of the insured. From
an investor's perspective, a
viatical settlement is an
investment in the timely death
of the insured person. However,
this may represent a risk
involving time and money. This
booklet helps define terms used
in such settlements and offers
guidelines to see whether such
an investment is right for you. |
Size: 785KB |
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Victims'
Rights |
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Victims Rights
Summary:
Guidelines
on your rights as a victim of a
crime, what to expect from the
legal system, and resources for
assistance. |
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FINANCIAL SERVICES PUBLICATIONS
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Pre-Need
Funeral and Cemetery Arrangements
Summary:
There is no reason to feel rushed or pressured when entering into
a pre-need funeral arrangement. Take time ot investigate, comparison
shop and look into your legal rights. |
Size: 785KB |
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Viatical Settlements
Summary:
Viatical settlements provides a life insurance
policyholder a cash benefit for a life policy before the death of the
insured. From an investor's perspective, a viatical settlement is an
investment in the timely death of the insured person. However, this
may represent a risk involving time and money. This booklet helps define
terms used in such settlements and offers guidelines to see whether
such an investment is right for you. |
Size: 785KB |
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