Instead of counting the days until retirement, more and more retirement-aged Americans are choosing to remain in the workforce…at least part-time. According to a recent AARP survey, nearly 70% of workers ages 50-70 plan on working during retirement, and many plan to skip retirement altogether.

The reasons for this new mindset are many. With life expectancies on the rise, retirement nest eggs are being stretched farther than ever. In fact, there is now a good possibility that someone leaving the workforce in their 60’s may need to rely on their retirement savings for 20-30 years, if not longer. Working part time, or engaging in “phased-retirement,” may help reduce the rate with which you withdraw funds. What’s more, the longer you leave your Social Security benefits untouched up to age 70, the greater your eventual benefits will be.

Even if you feel you have enough set aside to cover the necessities of retirement, like health care, housing and other basic needs, part-time employment can help provide a greater sense of freedom and security. For some, the extra income can be used to travel or create a higher standard of living, while others may prefer the ability to address a sudden emergency or to help with something as important as a grandchild’s education.

Still another major benefit of semi-retirement is social. Having spent the majority of their lives surrounded by co-workers, many retirees find they miss spending time in the workplace. In particular, they miss the group dynamic and the strong relationships that are forged in an office, plant or retail environment. Semi-retirement allows workers to continue those types of relationships, while permitting enough time to enjoy other activities.

Continued employment can also have profound physical and psychological benefits. Not only does the constant stimulation help keep the mind active and engaged, but any physical requirements – provided they are not too strenuous – keep the body in motion and help ward off the dangerous effects of a sedentary lifestyle.

Naturally, there are many other benefits associated with semi-retirement. If you would like more information on this topic, please feel free to access New York Life’s Education Center at www.newyorklife.com (click on channels to find the “For Seniors” listing).

New York Life Insurance Company is totally committed to its Certificate holders. This commitment to excellence has been acknowledged in many ways.

Fortune® magazine ranked New York Life number 70 in size, on the basis of 2003 revenue, among Fortune 500 firms (ahead of corporate icons like Federal Express and Coca-Cola). In March, they named us “one of the most admired life and health insurance companies in America.” To qualify for this honor, companies were evaluated based on the quality of their products and services, ability to innovate, and financial soundness – factors that provide insight to our stability as a company and to the dependability of our products.

Recently, the Diversity Best Practices and the Business Women’s Network have recognized New York Life for its commitment to professional development programs supporting women and minority suppliers, recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and community involvement. For the second consecutive year, Family Digest, the nation’s leading family and parenting magazine for African-Americans, has named New York Life to its list of “Best Companies for African-Americans” and Hispanic magazine has again ranked us among the top 25 companies that partner with Hispanic-owned businesses.

Working Mother magazine listed New York Life as one of the “100 Best Companies For Working Mothers.”

Our commitment to excellence has earned the AARP Life Insurance Program customer service team the top rating among life insurance companies in a survey conducted by Benchmark Portal, a leading customer relationship management consultant based at Purdue University.

"I think all this recognition - while flattering - is simply a byproduct of the way New York Life does business and is a reflection of our core values of integrity, humanity and financial strength," said Michael Horan, Assistant Vice President, AARP Life Insurance Program. "We are 100% committed to exceeding the expectations of our customers and to providing our certificate holders with the best possible service."

As a certificate holder with the AARP Life Insurance Program from New York Life Insurance Company, you’ve made a wise decision. The coverage you’ve secured should be a great comfort to your loved ones, and we are gratified that you have chosen us to help make their financial future more secure.

As you may recall, we sent you a Certificate of Insurance at the time of your acceptance into the Program. From time to time, it may prove helpful to review the information contained in that Certificate and make sure your coverage is still adequate.

To help you get the most out of your Certificate, here’s a key to review a few of the important terms and conditions it contains:

(Please note that the illustration depicts an existing certificate that — while similar in most respects — may not correspond exactly to your own, depending on the insurance plan you have.)

Also included in your certificate you will find:

Definitions: Usually found on the last page of your certificate, this section helps explain some of the terms used within the Certificate.

Premium: In many Certificates, this section outlines the schedule of premium payments set forth in the plan. In some cases, premiums (while not guaranteed) are designed to remain level throughout the life of the policy. In other cases (Term Life Plans, for instance) premiums may increase as different age bands are reached, or according to a predetermined schedule based on your insurance date.

When Insurance Ends: This section lets you know how long your coverage is designed to last. If you own a Permanent Life plan, your coverage is designed to last to age 100 (at which time you will receive a check for the full benefit). If you own a Term Life Insurance plan, your plan may last to age 80, at which time you will have the right to exchange your term insurance to Group Permanent Life Insurance.

If you have any questions about your Certificate, our knowledgeable customer service representatives are available to assist you. Please feel free to give them a call at 1-800-695-5164 (Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m.; Saturday, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time

We’ve all felt them: the pangs of hunger that strike between meals. But are self-discipline and denial really the best course of action…or should you give in to the temptations waiting just inside your refrigerator and pantry? The answer may surprise you.

According to the Mayo Clinic,* snacking is not necessarily bad. In fact, it may actually be beneficial. The key, however, is moderating your portions and monitoring your diet. In other words, what you eat, is often more important than when.

This is particularly true for older adults, many of whom burn fewer calories than they did in their youth and find it easier to digest smaller, more frequent portions. What’s more, regular intervals of nutrition can help maintain consistent blood sugar levels, a concern for many diabetics, as well as prevent over-consumption during mealtime.

So what should you eat when your stomach starts to growl? When deciding on a snack, the Mayo Clinic recommends the following healthy ways to curb your appetite:

• Whole Grain Crackers, Pretzels and Breads
• Fruits and Vegetables
• Nuts and Seeds (in moderation)
• Low-Fat Dairy Products

Naturally, even these foods can be detrimental if taken in excess, so it’s important to monitor your portions and maintain a healthy balance. But for the most part, it seems that snacking between meals may not be so bad. Just be sure to follow the rules, and the next time those pangs of hunger strike, reach for a carrot instead of a cookie.

* Snack Attack: Know what foods to choose when hunger strikes, MayoClinic.com, Food & Nutrition Center, June 3, 2004.

Want to know the fastest-growing segment of our population? It’s centenarians – those Americans age 100 or older. In fact, this group doubled in size during the 1990s, and it is estimated there will be more than 800,000 centenarians by the year 2050.*

This is great news for baby boomers, and may forever alter our conception of longevity. Better still, research indicates that most people who live to be 100 tend to enjoy healthy, active lifestyles.

How can you be one of the lucky ones?
While genetics certainly plays an important role, there are steps you can take right now to increase your odds:

Attitude: Research has shown that an overwhelming number of centenarians are people who manage stress well and have a positive outlook on life.

Exercise: An active lifestyle helps reduce stress, keeps weight under control and helps ward off many potentially life-shortening diseases.

Diet: Eating the right foods can give your body the proper nutrition it needs while helping control your weight. And don’t forget to drink lots of water in order to keep your body properly hydrated.

Healthy Living: Be sure to limit your consumption of alcohol, and avoid smoking – or the use of any tobacco products – at all costs.

Given the increased possibility of living another 20-30 years, it’s important to realize that the steps you take today can improve the quality of life you enjoy down the line. So start preparing now – after all, you’ll need to be in great shape in order to blow out all 100 candles!

* "The Fastest Growing Segment Of The Population Is Those Who Are Making It To 100," Atlanta Journal Constitution, Wednesday, January 15, 2003.

Beginning in June 2004, discount cards with a Medicare-approved seal were available to save you about 10-15% on some of your prescription drug costs.

You’ll need to decide whether a Medicare-approved discount card will help with your prescription drug costs. (If you are in a state Medicaid program with drug coverage, you will not be able to get the discount card.) In making the decision, you may have questions about how the Medicare-approved discount card works. You’ll need to understand:

• How do I sign up for a Medicare-approved discount drug card?
• When can I start using it?
• Will I have a choice of more than one card?
• How will I know which card is right for me?
• Is there extra help for people with limited incomes?

To help you make the determination whether a Medicare-approved discount card will be valuable to you, AARP has made available several booklets, at no charge, to help answer these and other questions you may have:

Medicare Changes That Could Affect You (D18070) – Spanish Version (D18071)

Medicare Drug Discount Card: What You Need to Know (D18105) – Spanish Version (D18123)

Medicare Drug Discount Card: Helping Those with Limited Incomes (D18102) – Spanish Version (D18122)

To get these free booklets, call AARP toll free at 888-687-2277 or visit AARP’s Web site at www.aarp.org/legislative/prescriptiondrugs and look for Medicare Books.