Tammy D'Angelo, Senior Markets Specialist

12/22/2025

A Holiday Rhyme of Care, Comfort & Cheer

By the glow of the tree and the warmth of the fire,
Families gather—young dreamers and those who’ve retired.
Stockings are hung, the cocoa is sweet,
And life’s many seasons all gather to meet.
Grandma smiles, knowing bills will be paid,
Social Security—promises made.
A steady foundation she worked hard to earn,
A gift of security year after year in return.
Grandpa laughs as the carols play,
Medicare’s there to help guide the way.
From wellness to care when life takes a turn,
It brings peace of mind everyone hopes never to learn.
Parents watch closely, thinking ahead,
Of college, of futures, of words left unsaid.
Life insurance stands like a light in the night,
Protecting their love, should the path change mid-flight.
And quietly planned—though not often discussed—
Long-term care waits, prepared and just.
So if help is needed someday down the line,
Family time stays loving—not burdened by time.
Through laughter and wrapping and memories made,
It’s comfort and planning that never will fade.
These gifts aren’t wrapped, yet they shine just as bright,
Offering calm on the hardest of nights.
So here’s to the holidays—hopeful and clear,
To health, love, and planning that lasts through the years.
With family, protection, and futures well-planned,
May peace be your gift—today and at hand. 🎁✨

Wishing you and your families peace, light, love, laughter and many blessings today and through the new year!

12/17/2025

I’m in a few Medicare Facebook groups, and the questions I see over and over again are about in-home care and long-term care.

Most people are asking on behalf of their parents—and usually because they’ve just realized help is needed right now.

Then the comments get spicy 🌶️
Medicare is blamed. The government is blamed. And I get it—this stuff is overwhelming.

But here’s the hard truth no one really explains:

Medicare was never meant to cover everything from age 65 until the end of life.

It was designed to help with hospital and doctor costs and to protect seniors from catastrophic medical bills. And it’s done that well.

Just like Social Security was never meant to cover all your living expenses, Medicare was meant to be a buffer, not the whole plan.

When someone can’t afford what Medicare doesn’t cover, Medicaid may help—but only after meeting strict financial rules.

The biggest gap families run into?
➡️ In-home care
➡️ Long-term care

These are the exact services most people end up needing.

Unless you’re willing (and able) to personally provide care, something needs to be in place before it’s needed.

If you want to talk through options, the conversation is free.
The education is free.

And yes… like Reading Rainbow taught us:
📚 The more you know.

12/02/2025

As We Enter the Holiday Season: Tips for Maintaining Peace Amid the Hustle and Bustle

The holiday season is a time of joy, connection, and celebration—but it can also bring packed schedules, full to-do lists, and plenty of stress. Here are a few simple ways to keep your peace through it all:

✨ Protect your quiet moments. Whether it’s a morning coffee, a walk, or 10 minutes of stillness, let those moments ground you.

✨ Set realistic expectations. You don’t have to do all the things. Prioritize what matters most to you and your family.

✨ Say no with grace. It’s okay to decline invitations or commitments that stretch you too thin.

✨ Stay present. The season moves quickly. Put the phone down, take a deep breath, and let yourself enjoy the small moments.

✨ Give yourself the same grace you give others. You’re human. You’re juggling a lot. It’s okay not to be perfect.

✨ Lean into gratitude. Even in the busiest weeks, pausing to recognize what’s good can shift everything.

May this season bring you peace, joy, and moments of rest—even in the midst of the hustle.

11/26/2025

To all of my friends and family I am so very thankful for each and every one of you, 'Heavenly Father, on this day of gratitude, I come before You with a heart full of thanks. For the gift of life, for family and friends, and for the blessings that surround me, I am deeply grateful. Thank You for the abundance of love that fills us.'

May your homes be filled with laughter and your hearts with love this Thanksgiving. Wishing you all the best!

11/24/2025

Tis the season for scammers. Check out this LEGITIMATE website to learn about some ways Seniors, and the rest of us, can avoid potential fraudsters

Yes, you are seeing more scams these days.

11/21/2025

I went to my monthly networking meeting with the Morris County Chamber this morning, and wow—the room was packed! About 120 people all chatting away before most people had even had their second cup of coffee. This group is always full of kind, funny, smart business owners, and I love catching up with friends and meeting new faces.

But today hit a little differently.

So many people were there to talk about the causes they’re passionate about—Christmas Trees for Troops, helping the homeless through A Night in the Cold, raising awareness about food insecurity right here in one of the wealthiest counties in NJ, and even a nonprofit that teaches people trades while building construction projects for other nonprofits at a huge discount.

So much GOOD happening. So many people using their voices to help others. It was honestly beautiful to see.

And it made me think… maybe this season (and every season), we can all find a small way to help. Make a meal for someone struggling. Start a little neighborhood collection for essentials. Volunteer an hour or two. Donate where you can.

There are two songs that I was always drawn to as a High Shool History Teacher: “Waiting on the World to Change” by John Mayer and “Do Something” by Matthew West.

If you've never heard them—listen to those songs, really listen—and then decide:
Are you going to wait on the world to change… or are you going to do something to help change it?

A good reminder for all of us, especially this season.

Wishing you a Blessed and very Happy Thanksgiving.

11/04/2025

💙 November is Long-Term Care Awareness Month

Did you know long-term care has been part of American history since the 1600s? From early almshouses to today’s modern care facilities with WiFi, coffee bars, and full-service health support — our nation has come a long way in caring for older adults.

By 1965, nursing homes had become a vital part of the retirement landscape, offering meals, medical attention, and assistance with daily activities. The 1987 Nursing Home Act then set national standards to ensure quality care for our aging population.

In 2001, November was officially designated National Long-Term Care Awareness Month to encourage families to plan ahead — before care is needed — and to understand the real costs and options available.

💡 Did you know?

The average nursing home costs $93,000–$105,000 per year.

Medicare only covers the first 20 days of care.

Planning ahead can protect your finances and ensure peace of mind for you and your loved ones.

👉 Let’s make sure you’re on the right track.
Schedule a quick chat to review your retirement and long-term care strategy — or get a FREE second opinion to confirm your plan is working for you.

📅 Message me today to set up your appointment.

10/30/2025

🎃👻 It may be Spooky Season, but don’t be SCARED by the Social Security COLA!

The Social Security Administration just announced a 2.8% Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) for 2026. That means monthly Social Security and SSI payments will increase for more than 75 million Americans starting next year. 💵

👉 Want to see your personal COLA before it arrives by mail?
You can access it up to three weeks earlier by creating or logging in to your my Social Security account and signing up for digital notices by November 19.

This small annual increase helps your benefits keep pace with inflation — so while the numbers may not be spooky, they are important to understand.

Stay informed, stay secure, and make sure you’re getting the updates you deserve. 💪

10/23/2025

As it is Thursday and I have so much to be thankful for, I wanted to take a moment to express my gratitude. I am beyond thankful for my daughters. They are teenagers and pushing every single button that I have, just as they are supposed to do, and I am grateful that they are making space for their independence and to express themselves in a space they feel safe. I am thankful for an incredibly supportive partner and friend circle. Life is so much easier when you have a strong village. Which leads me to my next gratitude, to the new relationships I am building with other like minded, soulful, connected, people that I hope to call friends. I am grateful that I work at a company that encourages and supports my personal and professional growth. I am grateful for the clients who trust me to guide them through daunting waters. And finally, I am grateful that I found a musical outlet by joining my church choir, and a creative outlet by starting Tammy's Homemade...

What are you thankful for today?

10/21/2025

I know, I KNOW! I should have KNOWN!! I was speaking to a client of mine about Cancer insurance. Do you know how much a Cancer plan costs? I bet it's not as expensive as YOU think it is. Imagine being a single parent family (1 adult and children - plural-) and having ANUAL coverage for ALL of you for less than the cost of 1 week of groceries. How much peace of mind would that grant you? I think we can all afford that peace of mind. I should have shared this with you sooner. Everyone should know how affordable coverage is. If you want to know more or run a quote. Let me know. Knowledge is Power.

tdangelo@synthesiswealth.com

10/16/2025

⚠️ SCAM ALERT for Retirees & Social Security Recipients!

There’s a new “Supreme Court” scam making the rounds — and it looks very real.
Scammers are sending official-looking letters claiming your Social Security number was used in a crime and your accounts will be frozen unless you cooperate with a fake SSA or Treasury “agent.”

Here’s what you need to know:
🚫 The Supreme Court and SSA will NEVER contact you by letter, text, or email demanding money or threatening arrest.
💰 These scammers want your bank info, SSN, and identity — don’t give it!
🕵️‍♀️ If you get one of these letters, rip it up and report it at ssa.gov/scam

Please share this with parents, grandparents, and friends.
The best protection is awareness — and together we can stop scammers from preying on trusting seniors. 💙

Protect Yourself from Social Security Scams

10/14/2025

Good afternoon friends, I wanted to share an idea and ask for some help from those of you who may be in a position to help me. A small fact about me is that I love to teach. Especially the boring, nitty-gritty, hard to understand topics. I am currently looking for the opportunity to teach those approaching, or thinking about, retirement. My areas of specialty include: Social Security, Medicare, Life Insurance and Annuities as all of these things typically play a roll in a well rounded retirement portfolio but they each are a complicated topic to understand. If you know anyone in Human Resources, a Library director, or a High School / Community College in the area of North Jersey who holds adult classes, where I could help impending retirees understand these topics (one, two, or a few), I would love the connection. I appreciate any help or guidance you could provide and look forward to the opportunity to make a few new friends along the way.