HOOVER, Alabama – More than 4.1 million Americans are turning 65 each year through 2027, a pace of roughly 11,200 per day that the Alliance for Lifetime Income has termed the “Peak 65” zone. Thomas J. McQuillan, RFC®, founder of My Retirement Store in Hoover, Alabama, says two decisions inside that age window are consistently addressed later than they should be: which Medicare option to select, and where monthly income will come from after employment ends.
My Retirement Store, a family-owned agency McQuillan operates with his wife Sherri, focuses on Medicare education and retirement income planning for people approaching or in the Peak 65 window. According to KFF data cited by the agency, the average Medicare beneficiary in 2026 has a choice of 32 Medicare Advantage plans with prescription drug coverage and 39 individual plans overall, separate from Original Medicare paired with a supplement and standalone drug plan.
“People are not confused because they are careless,” McQuillan said. “They are confused because nobody has explained it in plain language, and the material they receive in the mail is not written to explain it.”
The second decision, retirement income planning, has no fixed deadline the way Medicare enrollment does. McQuillan’s process starts with an inventory of guaranteed income sources, including Social Security and pensions, and compares it against a household’s actual monthly expenses. Where a gap exists between income and expenses, the agency discusses options that may include annuities, which McQuillan describes as insurance contracts that can be structured to provide income for a set period or for life, subject to contract terms and the claims-paying ability of the issuing insurer.
“Annuities are tools,” McQuillan said. “For many retirees, the most valuable use of an annuity is creating guaranteed lifetime income when Social Security and other guaranteed sources are not enough to cover essential expenses. Other annuities are designed to protect principal, while some offer benefits that can help with long-term care costs. The key is matching the tool to the problem.”
My Retirement Store operates as an insurance agency and does not manage investments or provide individualized investment advice. The agency holds an estimated 18 to 20 educational seminars annually across the Birmingham, Alabama area covering Medicare basics and retirement income planning, with no requirement that attendees schedule a follow-up appointment.
“If someone leaves a seminar and decides they can handle it themselves, that is a good outcome,” McQuillan said. “They are making an informed decision instead of a default one.”
More information about My Retirement Store’s Medicare and retirement income planning services is available at the company’s website.
About My Retirement Store
My Retirement Store is a family-owned insurance agency based in Hoover, Alabama, founded by Thomas J. McQuillan, RFC®, and Sherri McQuillan. The agency specializes in Medicare education and retirement income planning for individuals approaching or in retirement, and holds regular educational seminars throughout the Birmingham, Alabama area.
This press release is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, insurance, tax, or professional advice. Medicare plan availability, benefits, and costs vary by location and by year. Annuity guarantees are subject to the terms of the contract and the claims-paying ability of the issuing insurance company.
Media ContactCompany Name: My Retirement StoreContact Person: Thomas McQuillanEmail: Send EmailCountry: United StatesWebsite: https://myretirementstore.com
