September 2025 Newsletter

Written By Michael Antonini

Amy : “Michael, why did the boy keep tripping on September 22?”
Michael : “Because it is the beginning of fall.”

Friends,

I hope you had a nice Labor Day weekend and are enjoying the last days of summer. I can’t believe how fast summer went by and the kids are back to school and I’m back to company meetings learning the Medicare plans for 2026. The Annual Election Period (AEP) begins in 4 weeks and now is a good time to start thinking about your needs for 2026. Later this month you will receive a letter called the Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) it will tell you what changes are being made to your plan for 2026. If you are happy with your current plan and the new changes then there is nothing you need to do to keep it. If you want to make changes for 2026, I will be using my plan enroll tool again this year as it worked very well last year. You would need to enter your doctor and drug information and LET’S GET SYNCED with me at this link please.
If you know anyone who might like my monthly newsletter, please ask them to visit my website and then add themselves to my newsletter mailing list from the bottom of my home page. Thank you in advance.

Kind Regards,

Michael Antonini

What’s New

1) ANOC. This month you will receive an Annual Notice Of Change letter from your drug plan or Medicare Advantage plan. This notice will tell you what changes will be happening to your plan for next year, 2026. Please review it.

2) COLA prediction. The 2026 Cost Of Living Adjustment will be announced in October. I predict a 2.6% increase for 2026. This is slightly higher than the 2.5% this year. This will be just a small $52 monthly increase for those receiving the average Social Security of $ 2,000 a month.

3) Medicare Part B premium prediction. The 2026 Medicare Part B premium will be announced in October. I predict at least a $21 increase to $206+. This will be the largest increase since 2022 and take away 40% of your COLA increase.

Ask An Expert: Dale Carnegie

Recently I came across a vintage 1948 edition of the Dale Carnegie classic "How to Stop Worrying and Start Living." I decided to re-read it. Here is a summary:

Outline Summary – How to Stop Worrying and Start Living

  • Part I: Fundamental Facts You Should Know About Worry

    • Live in “day-tight compartments” – focus on today, not yesterday or tomorrow.

    • Face the worst-case scenario – accept it, prepare for it, then improve upon it.

    • Remind yourself worry is useless – it never solves problems, only magnifies them.

  • Part II: Basic Techniques in Analyzing Worry

    • Get the facts first – many worries vanish when you clarify the truth.

    • Write out the problem clearly – what’s happening, what are the causes, possible solutions.

    • Decide, then act – indecision fuels worry more than the actual problem.

  • Part III: Break the Worry Habit Before It Breaks You

    • Keep busy – action crowds out worry.

    • Don’t stew over little things – most worries are about trivial matters.

    • Use the law of averages – most feared events never happen.

    • Don’t let criticism unnerve you – unfair criticism is often a backhanded compliment. Cooperate with the inevitable – accept what can’t be changed.

  • Part IV: Cultivate the Right Mental Attitude

    • Fill your mind with peace, courage, health, and hope.

    • Think of what you have, not what you’ve lost.

    • Count your blessings, not your troubles.

    • Pray, or lean on faith for strength and perspective.

  • Part V: The Perfect Way to Conquer Worry

    • Keep busy serving others – focus outward, not inward.

    • Find meaning in work – purpose gives stability and calm.

    • Don’t try to get even – resentment wastes energy.

  • Part VI: How to Keep from Worrying About Criticism

    • Remember: unjust criticism is often disguised praise.

    • Do your best, then let go – you can’t control everyone’s opinion.

    • Focus on constructive feedback, ignore the rest.

  • Part VII: Six Ways to Prevent Fatigue and Worry

    • Rest before you get tired.

    • Learn to relax at work – take small breaks, breathe, stretch.

    • Set a pleasant rhythm to your day.

    • Don’t hurry or get rattled.

    • Clear the desk of unnecessary tasks – tackle one thing at a time.

    • Get proper sleep, nutrition, and exercise.

Core Message:

  • Carnegie boils it down to a simple formula:

    • Live fully in today.

    • Face problems with facts and action.

    • Crowd out worry with purpose, gratitude, and service.

Important Dates

I hope you had a Happy Labor Day Everyone!

  • September Full Corn moon is Sunday, September 7, 2025, at 2:09 PM EDT

  • The fall equinox arrives on Monday, September 22, 2025, at 2:19 PM EDT

  • Feast of St. Michael is Monday, September 29, 2025

  • Happy Birthday to all born in September!

All the best,

Michael Antonini

Michael Antonini
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August 2025 Newsletter