Your ‘Original Medicare’ does not cover for dental treatments and nor do the ‘Medigap supplement plans’ cover for the same. Getting a dental check-up or a treatment is expensive but it is equally essential for your wellbeing especially if you are a senior citizen.

Getting dental insurance for seniors might seem like a difficult task but if you use Medicare, it should not be tedious. There are two options for you to choose from, which have been listed as follows.

Medicare Advantage Plan
The first option is for you to enroll in a ‘Medicare Advantage Plan.’ This plan includes the vision, prescription drug, and dental coverage. It is a basic coverage plan and the premium cost will be included in the advantage premium. The premium is very low thereby making this plan a good option. However, you need to keep in mind that the benefits will be limited to the cleaning, X-rays, and exams. If you want a comprehensive coverage, you will have to invest in a stand-alone dental plan. Once you enroll in this plan, it will automatically include the dental coverage.

Stand-Alone Dental Plan
While buying dental insurance for seniors, you should ideally go for a ‘Stand-Alone Dental Plan.’ This plan is sold by private insurance companies and you do not need to coordinate the same through a ‘Medicare Advantage Plan.’ There is a separate premium and the plan is considered affordable for the coverage. The cost of this plan will depend on the coverage you choose and usually, the premiums range anywhere between $19 to $39.

The best dental insurance for seniors will cover a range of services. However, when buying a ‘Stand-Alone Dental Plan,’ you will have to take a good look at the coverage provided under the plan. The level of coverage varies from one plan to another and the benefits you choose. Most plans provide for cleanings, X-rays, check-ups, crowns, root canals, fillings, dentures, and extractions. If you want an additional coverage, you will have to pick a plan that offers the same and the premium for the same will be on a higher side.

It is extremely important for you to invest in a quality dental insurance for seniors for your wellbeing. Dental hygiene is important and at an older age, there will be an additional requirement of cleaning and filling. The insurance cover will provide for the same at a reasonable cost.

The Medicare program is available in four parts which are A, B, C and D. Medicare Part D offers prescription drug coverage. More specifically, it will offer outpatient drug coverage and is provided by private insurance companies, which have a contract with the government. It is important to note that the plan is not provided by the government directly like the Original Medicare is offered.

Individuals who are keen on the coverage need to enroll in a private drug plan or a Medicare Advantage Plan with drug coverage. There is no compulsion of enrollment, but it is advisable to enroll in the plan to avoid penalties in the future. You can enroll in the plan only during the approved enrollment period. It is best to sign up for Medicare Part D when you become eligible for Medicare.

It totally depends on your circumstances whether you should sign up for the Medicare Plan D plan or not. If you have a drug coverage from the employer, you might not need this plan until you lose the coverage.

What should you consider when you choose a plan?
There are a number of factors you need to keep in mind when choosing a Medicare Part D plan. They are discussed below.

• Cost
  The cost of the plan will vary according to the type of plan you choose. It includes premium, coinsurance, and copayments, as well as deductible expenses. Compare the plans and the cost associated with them to choose the one that is perfect for your needs.
• Pharmacies
  There are some plans, which have preferred pharmacies, where you have to pay a lower cost sharing. If the pharmacy of your choice is not a part of the network of the plan, you might have to bear higher copayments in addition to coinsurance costs. You need to consider the preferred pharmacies and ensure that you are choosing a plan that includes your choice of pharmacy as well.
• Travel
  If you are someone who spends a lot of time traveling or staying out of the state, you will have to inquire whether Medicare Part D coverage is offered in a different state or not. Sometimes, you might have to pay a higher cost-sharing amount if you need the drugs out of the network of the plan.

There are numerous insurance providers you can choose from. Consider your requirements and pick a plan that fulfills all your Medicare needs.

Planning for retirement is a crucial part for individuals of every age. If you are nearing retirement, you might assume that your life will slow down, and you will be able to make room for leisure. However, in order to maintain the lifestyle, you need to do effective retirement income planning so that you need not worry about the finances and the money. Here are a few essential tips for retirement planning.

Pay off the outstanding debts
If you have debts of any kind, it is important to ensure that you retire debt free. Do not carry on the burden of debt to your retirement years. Being debt-free should be your primary goal during retirement. You need to start early and target the consumer debt first. Consider the number of monthly payments you will have to make to go debt free and act upon it immediately.

Select primary accounts
If you have different bank accounts, you need to simplify them by choosing one or two accounts and moving all the balances there. You should limit the finances to a single checking and savings account. Liquidate the other accounts so that you do not have to maintain a minimum balance in the same. It will also make it easier for you to manage the funds at all times.

Consider annuity
Annuities are financial instruments that are perfect for retirement income planning. They offer fixed income to retired individuals and they come in a range of variations. You will receive a fixed income payment over the period and the payment will be stable. Hence, even if you think annuities are difficult to understand, they are worth the time and investment.

Consolidate your investments
Your investment account might have too many stocks or funds. It could become difficult to handle in the long term. Hence, if the funds overlap each other, you should not diversify the portfolio any further. Simplify your investments by consolidating the portfolio. You can achieve the right diversification in your investment portfolio with lower fees and fewer funds.

Consider these tips for retirement income planning and start working on them as soon as you can. Always keep in mind that you need to have a stable source of income during your retirement, hence, consider investment products that offer fixed income and are low in risk. During retirement, it is all about simplifying your accounts and investments.

There are various types of loans available in the market. All the loans usually fall into two categories—one is an installment loan and the other is a revolving line of credit. Read on to know everything about installment loans.

What is an installment loan?
An installment loan is where you borrow a certain amount from the lender and you pay the amount and the interest over the tenure of the loan in the form of equal monthly payments. In order to determine whether you qualify for a loan, the lender will look at your credit score and your income to determine your ability to repay the loan. You might have to answer a few questions about your current employment status which will help the lender determine your financial health.

How do you get an installment loan?
The credit score is a crucial aspect for any loan application process. You need to keep a check on your credit score for a few months before you apply for an installment loan. You might have to take a few steps to improve the credit score if it is not up to the mark. Lenders will also take a look at the debt to income ratio you have. If you have a large amount of outstanding debt, you might want to pay it off before you apply for a fresh loan.

Where can you apply for an installment loan?
It is ideal to begin shopping for a loan at your local bank or at the credit union where you already have an account or an established relationship with the lender. If you have a saving or a checking account with a particular bank, you may apply for the installment loan at the same bank in order to make the most of the discounts offered by them.

There are numerous online lenders who offer a loan, but it is important to be very careful when choosing a lender you want to borrow from. Compare the interest rates of different lenders and ensure that you get the best deal for your loan. Choose a reliable lender who has catered to a number of borrowers in the past and has a low rate of interest. Always read the fine print of the installment loan agreement carefully so that you are aware of the cost and the interest associated with the same. It is important to have all your questions answered by the lender before you sign on the agreement.

There are numerous reasons why you might need financing. Whether it is for your personal needs or for business needs, financing options are always available for you. As you explore your options, you need to understand the features and the terms of the same. A cash loan is one such option that you should be aware of.

What is a cash loan?
Cash loan is a short-term loan, which is taken against the credit card line. It will allow you to use your credit card and get a loan. It is different from a cash withdrawal because a cash advance has to be paid back. Basically, you are using your credit card to buy cash instead of goods and services. It is a convenient form of borrowing money instantly.

How can you get a cash loan?
If you are someone who uses a credit card extensively, you might find it difficult to manage a “cash only” situation. In this case, a cash loan might help you. Many people apply for a loan against their credit card if they do not have enough money in their bank account. You can use the credit card PIN for the purpose of the loan or you can take your card to the bank, which offers advances on the payment network of the card. You will be required to show an ID for the same.

You need to keep in mind that credit card companies will not allow you to take the entire credit in the form of a cash loan. Hence, you cannot rely on the credit card for all the funds that you might require in the case of an emergency. You will have to have a substantial balance in the account for the same.

Things to remember
You need to do proper planning if you seek a cash loan. Primarily, you need to have adequate balance in the credit card account and ensure that you make the repayment on time. For many borrowers, the loan has turned out to be expensive when compared to other loan options. You are only taking money against the card and you have to repay the same on time.

Many salaried employees prefer the loans to make their payments by the end of the month and when they receive their salary, they repay the loan amount borrowed against the credit card. It is a quick method of raising funds for your needs.

Silver has always been a lucrative investment option. It is considered as an ideal choice for those who want to park their money in a precious metal for a few years. It is possible to buy silver bars online and have them delivered to you. Read on to know the best places to buy silver bars online.

APMEX
APMEX offers an extensive collection of silver bars for you. They sell top quality silver bars, which are available in sizes from 1 oz to 100 oz, and you will be able to shop from the diverse mix of top quality manufacturers. The bars are hallmark stamped with the purity of silver from the issuer.

J M Bullion
One of the best places to buy silver bars, J M Bullion is known for the top quality metal it sells and the wide variety of styles available with them. This portal has a high customer satisfaction rate. The silver bars are available in different designs and there is a simple and secure buying process.

Money Metals Exchange
The cost-effective and secure seller of metals has silver bars in 1 ounce, 5 ounces, 10 ounces, and100 ounce sizes. You can buy them within a few minutes at the lowest premium. This online portal offers a quick delivery of your purchase in good packaging.

GoldCore
GoldCore allows you to buy gold and silver in the form of bars and coins. You have the option to decide whether you wish to own your bullion in bars or coins. You can buy silver bars in 100 ounces and 1000 ounce depending on your preferences. It is completely safe to purchase the precious metal from GoldCore. You can also open a bullion trading account with them.

SD Bullion
You can purchase gold, silver, and platinum from SD Bullion. Silver bars are available in varying sizes, which range from 1 oz, 5 oz, 10 oz, kilo, and 100 oz. SD Bullion has a customer-friendly service and it has catered to more than 80,000 customers in the past.

Before you decide to buy silver bars, you need to determine the quantity you intend to invest in. You will have a range of sizes and designs to choose from. Always make a wise choice and purchase from a reliable and authentic seller in the industry. Do not make a hasty decision; otherwise, you will end up losing your money. Purchase silver bars that are hallmarked so that when you sell them in the future, you receive a good price for the purity of the metal.

It is a known fact that an outstanding balance on a credit card which is not cleared beyond the due date is bad. A high rate of interest is charged on these balances, which may eat your money with each passing day. Over a period of time, your credit card balance could lead you into bankruptcy and you could be in deep trouble.

Therefore, it is best to choose a low APR credit card which will make it easier for you to carry the balance month on month. This is especially true if you have a habit of carrying an outstanding balance every month. Here are the best credit cards with low APR that you may consider.

Barclaycard Ring^® Mastercard^®
This card is known as the first social credit card which is built around a user community that shares financial tips amongst members. It has a low APR on purchases as well as cash advances. There is no annual fee or foreign transaction fee. However, there do have a balance transfer fee. There is no sign-up bonus. The card has 0% APR on balance transfer for one year from the opening of the account. You may also get access to your FICO score through your online account.

Discover it® Chrome
Considered as one of the best credit cards with low APR, Discover it® Chrome has a low purchase APR as well as a low balance transfer APR. The credit card comes with a 0% introductory APR period and has a cashback rewards program too. Cardholders who pay the balance in full every month may benefit from this program. The card has a 0% APR on purchases and balance transfer for a period of 14 months. Neither does it have a balance transfer fee nor an annual fee. There is also no late fee charged for the first late payment.

Citi^® Diamond Preferred^® Card
This card offers a 0% introductory APR on purchases as well as balance transfers for a period of 21 months. There are numerous benefits you may avail of the card which include exclusive deals at retailers and perks such as a 24/7 access to personal concierges in order to book flights, hotel rooms, as well as concert tickets.

Doing a study on all low-APR credit cards before deciding to apply for one will help you save a substantial amount of money in the long-term.

Today, thanks to the technological advancements, the process of opening a bank account has become extremely easy. You no longer need to visit the bank for the same. Even if you wish to open a bank account online with no deposit, it is not any different. However, there are only a few banks that let you open an account with zero deposit. These banks allow you to earn interest on your savings without having to maintain a minimum deposit.

Before you open a bank account online with no deposit, it is recommended that you compare the banks and shortlist the ones which meet your requirements. Once you finalize on a bank, you will need to fill in the online or the physical application form and furnish details such as that of a government-issued ID and your personal details like the social security number.

To make your job easier, here is a list of five banks which allow you to open a bank account online with no deposit.

• CapitalOne – With no deposit required to open an account, CapitalOne is one of the most preferred banks. It has a quick and simple process of account opening and only requires basic identification documents for the same. You may visit the bank’s website and create either a single account or a joint account as per your preference. Once you submit the verification documents and they are validated, your account gets activated.
• Ally Bank – Ally Bank has a $0 fee, $0 minimum deposit, and $0 minimum balance requirement. It offers one of the best online account opening services.
• Discover Bank – Discover Bank has a no minimum balance requirement and no monthly fees. It gives you access to more than 60,000 ATMs in the country. There are no hidden fees and the entire process of account opening is quite straightforward.
• SimpleBank – SimpleBank makes fee-free banking possible with no minimum balance requirement, no maintenance fees, and monthly fees associated with the account. You may enjoy transfers for free and also get the benefit of a free card replacement.
• Charles Schwab – You may open a high-yield checking account with zero monthly fees, zero minimum balance, and no hidden fees. Like the others, here also, the process of account opening is quick and convenient.