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Inside
This Issue:
More Than 600,000 Strong |
Answers |
A Beacon of Stability |
Easy Exercise |
Keeping Your Resolution |
AARP Legal Services
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The number of medications available in
the U.S., both over-the- counter and by prescription, has grown tremendously in recent years.
In fact, there are now more than 10,000 prescription drug products approved by the FDA1, and
many more waiting for approval.
 With so many new drugs on the market, it has become increasingly important for patients to
check with their doctor or pharmacist before combining medications. Even over-the-counter drugs,
like aspirin, can sometimes counteract the effectiveness or potency of prescribed medications.
And, the wrong combination of drugs may lead to harmful interactions.
Contrary to popular belief, the same can also be said of herbal remedies.
While many people assume that herbal supplements are always safe to use, some may have
adverse effects when improperly combined with other medications. And the use of these remedies
is on the rise. According to a recent fact sheet published by the Ohio State University
Extension Service2, consumer spending on herbal supplements in the U.S. is projected to become
a 25 billion dollar industry by the year 2010.
So how can you protect yourself? The easiest way is to be sure to read the labels on every
medication you receive, and inform your pharmacist and doctor about every medication or
supplement you take. The FDA recommends you ask the following questions before taking any
health remedy:
 Can I take it with other drugs/remedies?
 Should I avoid certain foods, beverages or other products?
 What are possible drug interaction signs I should know about?
 How will the drug work in my body?
 Is there more information available about the drug or
my condition?
There are also some helpful Web sites that you can use to identify and discover more about
drug and herb interactions (i.e., www.drugdigest.org/DD/Interaction/ChooseDrugs and
www.fda.gov/cder/consumerinfo/druginteractions.htm). Remember, you should always confirm
your findings with your doctor or pharmacist. It’s better to be safe than sorry, so be sure
to ask before taking any medication or supplement — no matter how safe you think it may
be.
1 2001 FDA Orange Book Cumulative Supplement, Section 1.4, Report of Counts
for the Prescription Drug Product List, September 2001.
2 Deborah L. Angell, Ohio State University Extension Fact Sheet, HYG-5405-00
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A MESSAGE FROM PROGRAM ADMINISTRATOR, ASSISTANT VICE PRESIDENT, MICHAEL HORAN
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On behalf of everyone here at New York
Life, I would like to thank you for choosing to protect your family with life insurance
from the AARP Life Insurance Program from New York Life.
In just seven years, this Program has satisfied the insurance needs of more than 600,000
AARP members. New York Life is proud to have helped so many people protect their families
and prepare for the future by making affordable, quality life insurance available to them.
We are continuing to look for new ways to make the Program more valuable and meaningful
to you. In the past, our company has introduced several new and innovative life insurance
products and policy enhancements; and we will continue to do so in the future. While our
customer service area continues to receive high marks from AARP members, we are focusing on
developing even more efficient and responsive ways to communicate with and assist our
policyholders.
At New York Life, we realize our success stems from the relationships we have built with
our clients. We appreciate the trust you have placed in us, and look forward to serving you
for many years to come.
NEW YORK LIFE ANSWERS THE MOST COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS
 Each edition of "Life Lines" addresses questions that are frequently asked by our
policyholders. These questions are forwarded to us by our Customer Service Representatives
who handle all of your calls.
We have listed some of the issues that clients, like you, ask us on a daily basis. We
hope you find this information helpful, and that you will consider keeping this edition of
"Life Lines" as a handy reference.
"Why is my spouse eligible to apply for insurance at a younger age than I?"
In designing the Program, we wanted to be as sensitive as possible to the needs of the members.
Knowing that many would also want coverage for their spouses, we decided to lower the age to 45
in consideration of members whose spouses are younger.
"Did you receive my premium payment?"
While a Customer Service Representative can provide that information, it may be faster and
more convenient for you to call our automated Customer Information Line (1-800-319-8021) and
select option "1" for the most up-to-date payment information. Please make sure to have
available your certificate number and the last four digits of your social security number.
You can also access payment information by visiting our Web site at: www.nylaarp.com.
"How can I obtain additional coverage?"
It’s best to call and let one of our Customer Service Representatives review your options
with you. (The toll free number is 1-888-963-7219.) They will find out how much insurance
you already have, the type of plan(s) you own, and then they will be able to discuss what
options are available to you.
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During uncertain times, it’s only natural
to look inward and re-evaluate our priorities. And as the fundamental values of home, family
and security return to the forefront, more and more people are turning to life insurance as a
way to protect the ones they love.
With acts of terrorism and the recent volatility of the stock market still fresh on our
minds, life insurance has proven to be a reliable way to help safeguard the financial security
of our families. The American Council of Life Insurers reports that life insurance sales have
soared by as much as 40% since the September 11th attacks, with permanent (or whole-life)
policies being the most popular.
But life insurance provides more than a financial benefit. In today’s environment, it
serves as a beacon of stability, and an immediate way to help secure the peace-of-mind so
many are craving. "It makes us feel better," says New York Life’s Mike Horan, "It’s something
we know we can count on, and can do -- right now -- to help protect the part of our lives we
care about most...our families and loved-ones."
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You don’t have to join a health club, buy
expensive equipment, or dedicate 30 minutes every day to exercise. Get the exercise you need
the easy, convenient way — build it into your normal daily routine.
Think through your typical day. What activities do you already perform that have some
exercise value? Gardening? Washing the car? Walking the dog? If you enjoy those things,
increase the number of times you do them. If you normally drive to a nearby store, can you
walk instead? When you visit someone in an office building, can you skip the elevator and
take the stairs? When your family visits, can you ride bikes together?
Common daily activities are good forms of exercise as long as you do them often enough
(4 times a week) and long enough (20-30 minutes). And, there’s a bonus: the 20-30 minutes
does not have to be continuous — activities can last just 10 minutes at a time, three
times a day. You’ll get the same benefits!
Here are more easy exercise ideas:
 Take a nature walk through a town or state park
Paint a room, wash a floor, vacuum a rug
Mow the lawn, pull weeds or do other yard work
Rather than catch the bus in front of your house, walk
two or three stops
Turn on your favorite music and dance
Hang clothes out to dry
Walk around the shopping mall one more time
Park further away from the store and walk that extra distance
Work on community projects
Fish...Golf
Remember when you looked in the mirror
and resolved to lose those extra pounds? Here are a few tips to help make it happen.
- Write down a specific goal and date. This "contract" makes your goal more real.
- Use internal, not external motivation. Wanting to look good for your family is an
external goal — powerful, but short-lived. Wanting to walk distances without huffing
and puffing is an internal goal — powerful and longer-lasting.
- Get support. Tell family or friends about your weight loss goal. Commitment
to others strengthens your own resolve.
- Concentrate on the journey, not the destination. Don’t focus on your weight. Focus
on a plan you can enjoy that will lead to the weight loss you want.
- Break your goal into short-term goals. Losing 25 pounds in a year sounds tough.
Losing 1/2 pound a week sounds much more doable.
Losing weight can make you feel great, look good, and improve your health. Creating a
well-thought-out plan using the techniques above will help you succeed.
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Now it’s easier than ever to enroll
in New York Life’s Automatic Premium Payment Plan. All you have to do is pick up the phone!
Once enrolled in the Automatic Premium Payment Plan, you won’t have to write another check,
use another stamp, or mail another remittance envelope. In fact, you won’t have to do a thing,
as your premiums are conveniently and securely deducted electronically from your bank account.
And, you may be eligible to save money by enrolling in this plan.
Just call the toll-free service number shown, and one of our professional representatives
will be happy to explain the plan, answer any questions you may have, and sign you right up.
There’s no paperwork, postage, or waiting for approval.
So why waste time, postage and money, when you can join the over 250,000 other certificate
holders who are already benefiting from this service? Give us a call today, and, please be
sure to have your checking account information available so you can provide the needed
information to get started right away.
1-800-695-5164
8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
(Eastern Time)
Monday-Friday,
or 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday
FREE CALCULATOR
Enroll in the
Automatic Premium Payment Plan, and receive a free "Big Digit" calculator with our compliments. So call today!
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The AARP Legal Services Network (LSN)
attorneys provide free and reduced-fee legal services to AARP members. Currently available
in 47 states and Washington, D.C., the program was designed to address concerns about
contacting an attorney by carefully screening every participant to meet LSN standards of
experience and client satisfaction.
"I had never used an attorney before and I was very nervous," states Paul Kegler, an AARP
member from Boston. "The LSN attorney was reassuring and professional. I would always use the
AARP Legal Services Network." In fact, since its inception in 1996, over 80% of the AARP
members who have used the service rated it "good" or "excellent." LSN attorneys can be
located by calling 1-800-424-3410 or by going online at www.aarp.org/LSN.
Please have your AARP membership number handy when you contact the attorneys.
New York Life has no connection with the AARP Legal Services Network
offered by AARP to its members.
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