Agent Survival Guide | Empowering Insurance Agents to Survive Today and Thrive Tomorrow

Ready to streamline everyday tasks with Ask Integrity AI? This powerful digital agent was built just for insurance agents. In this episode of the ASG Podcast, we’re digging into the features, where they fit into your business processes, and the prompts to use for best results.
 
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Get Connected:
🤝 Register with Ritter Insurance Marketing – the FMO that powers the Agent Survival Guide Podcast!  
📧 Connect with the Ritter Insurance Marketing Sales Team Near You!
📢 Submit a shoutout to be read in a future episode
🎙️ Be a Guest on the ASG Podcast
💌 Send feedback, questions, and topic suggestions to ASGPodcast@Ritterim.com or call 1-717-562-7211 and leave a voicemail.
 
Resources:
2027 ACA & Medicare Cost Projections
Finding Opportunity Despite Medicare & ACA Market Challenges
Get Access to IntegrityConnect
Introducing the Integrity Health Plan
Learn More About AskIntegrity
Turning Life Changes into Sales Opportunities
 
Follow Us on Social!
Ritter on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/RitterIM Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/ritter.insurance.marketing/ LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/company/ritter-insurance-marketing TikTok, https://www.tiktok.com/@ritterim X, https://x.com/RitterIM and YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/user/RitterInsurance     
Sarah on LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/in/sjrueppel/ Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/thesarahjrueppel/ Threads, https://www.threads.net/@thesarahjrueppel  and Bluesky, https://bsky.app/profile/sarahjrueppel.bsky.social 
Not affiliated with or endorsed by Medicare or any government agency.

Building a relationship with a client is just like any other relationship—it needs to start with a strong foundation. In this episode of the ASG Podcast, we’re going to be showing you what behaviors a client will appreciate in an agent
 
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Get Connected:
🤝 Register with Ritter Insurance Marketing – the FMO that powers the Agent Survival Guide Podcast!  
📧 Connect with the Ritter Insurance Marketing Sales Team Near You!
📢 Submit a shoutout to be read in a future episode  
🎙️ Be a Guest on the ASG Podcast  
💌 Send feedback, questions, and topic suggestions to ASGPodcast@Ritterim.com or call 1-717-562-7211 and leave a voicemail.
 
Resources:
Are You Offering Multiple LTC Insurance Options?
Boost Business Selling Hospital Indemnity Insurance
Handling Difficult Clients: Tips for Agents
How Field Agents Can Differentiate from Call Centers
How to Prevent Insurance Agent Negligence
How to Retain Insurance Customers
Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Do's and Don'ts
Ritter AEP Reflection Sheet
Ritter Follow-Up One Sheet
Ritter Follow-Up Guide
The Complete Guide to Client Loyalty and Retention
 
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Ritter on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/RitterIM Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/ritter.insurance.marketing/ LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/company/ritter-insurance-marketing TikTok, https://www.tiktok.com/@ritterim X, https://x.com/RitterIM and YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/user/RitterInsurance     
Sarah on LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/in/sjrueppel/ Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/thesarahjrueppel/ Threads, https://www.threads.net/@thesarahjrueppel  and Bluesky, https://bsky.app/profile/sarahjrueppel.bsky.social 
Not affiliated with or endorsed by Medicare or any government agency.

Arthur Barlow, CEO and President of Compass Insurance Advisors and Founder of the ACA Health Summit joins Sarah to talk about ACA open enrollment changes for 2027. From CMS efforts to fight fraud in the ACA market to the new identity proofing requirements and high-risk applications, this interview is a must-listen for agents preparing for the ACA Open Enrollment Period.
 
Get Connected:
🤝 Register with Ritter Insurance Marketing – the FMO that powers the Agent Survival Guide Podcast!  
📧 Connect with the Ritter Insurance Marketing Sales Team Near You!
📢 Submit a shoutout to be read in a future episode
🎙️ Be a Guest on the ASG Podcast
💌 Send feedback, questions, and topic suggestions to ASGPodcast@Ritterim.com or call 1-717-562-7211 and leave a voicemail.
 
Resources:
2027 ACA & Medicare Cost Projections
5 Myths About Selling ACA Health Insurance Plans
Compass Insurance Advisors
MyChart Medicare Kit Scam
New CMS Identity Proofing & Agent Authorization Rules
Register for the ACA Health Summit – Use Code ASG40 to get 40% off your ticket price!
Turning Life Changes into Sales Opportunities
 
Follow Us on Social!
Ritter on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/RitterIM Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/ritter.insurance.marketing/ LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/company/ritter-insurance-marketing TikTok, https://www.tiktok.com/@ritterim X, https://x.com/RitterIM and YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/user/RitterInsurance     
Sarah on LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/in/sjrueppel/ Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/thesarahjrueppel/ Threads, https://www.threads.net/@thesarahjrueppel  and Bluesky, https://bsky.app/profile/sarahjrueppel.bsky.social 
Opinions expressed by interview guests are their own and not representative of Ritter Insurance Marketing or Integrity. The Agent Survival Guide Podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Medicare or any government agency.

So you want to start selling Medicare Advantage plans, but you aren’t sure what kind of clients to look for? No problem. In our newest episode, we break down some of the characteristics of what one of your ideal clients may look like.  
 
Get Connected:
🤝 Register with Ritter Insurance Marketing – the FMO that powers the Agent Survival Guide Podcast!  
📧 Connect with the Ritter Insurance Marketing Sales Team Near You!
💌 Send feedback, questions, and topic suggestions to ASGPodcast@Ritterim.com or call 1-717-562-7211 and leave a voicemail.
 
Resources:
How to Help Medicare Clients in Poor Health Choose the Right Coverage
Medicare Advantage Trial Rights Explained for Agents
Organization Tips and Tricks for the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period
Stay Busy Outside of AEP With Special Enrollment Periods
The Beginner's Guide to C-SNPs
The Benefits of Selling Medicare Special Needs Plans
Why People Are Choosing Part C Over Original Medicare
 
References:
Backman, M. (2025, December 1). This is the average social security benefit for 2026. is it enough?. 24/7 Wall St. https://247wallst.com/investing/2025/12/01/this-is-the-average-social-security-benefit-for-2026-is-it-enough/  
Fuglesten Biniek, J., Freed, M., Ochieng, N., & Neuman, T. (2026, February 23). Medicare advantage enrollment grew by about 1 million people, mainly due to special needs plans. KFF. https://www.kff.org/medicare/medicare-advantage-enrollment-grew-by-about-1-million-people-mainly-due-to-special-needs-plans/  
Munnell, A. H., & Margolis, H. S. (2026, February 23). The government is trying to rein in Medicare advantage costs. will it work?. Center for Retirement Research. https://crr.bc.edu/the-government-is-trying-to-rein-in-medicare-advantage-costs-will-it-work/  
National Council on Aging. (2025, December 1). Top 10 chronic conditions affecting older adults. The Top 10 Most Common Chronic Diseases for Older Adults. https://www.ncoa.org/article/the-top-10-most-common-chronic-conditions-in-older-adults/  
National Council on Aging. (2025, September 9). New poverty numbers show more older adults face economic struggle. How Rising Poverty Rates Will Affect Older Adults. https://www.ncoa.org/article/poverty-among-older-adults-keeps-growing/  
Social Security Administration. (2025, October 24). 2026 cost-of-living adjustment (cola) fact sheet. Social Security. https://www.ssa.gov/news/en/cola/factsheets/2026.html  
 
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Ritter on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/RitterIM Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/ritter.insurance.marketing/ LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/company/ritter-insurance-marketing TikTok, https://www.tiktok.com/@ritterim X, https://x.com/RitterIM and YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/user/RitterInsurance     
Sarah on LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/in/sjrueppel/ Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/thesarahjrueppel/ Threads, https://www.threads.net/@thesarahjrueppel  and Bluesky, https://bsky.app/profile/sarahjrueppel.bsky.social 
Not affiliated with or endorsed by Medicare or any government agency.

Whether you’re starting your own insurance agency or have been at it for awhile, it’s important to make sure you’re not getting in your own way. On this episode of the Agent Survival Guide, we’ll share some key tips that can put you and your agency on the path to success.
 
Read the text version
 
Get Connected:
🤝 Register with Ritter Insurance Marketing – the FMO that powers the Agent Survival Guide Podcast!  
📧 Connect with the Ritter Insurance Marketing Sales Team Near You! 
💌Send feedback, questions, and topic suggestions to ASGPodcast@Ritterim.com or call 1-717-562-7211 and leave a voicemail.
 
Resources:
Best Practices for Training Downline Agents
Digital Marketing for Insurance Agents: Our Top Tips to Boost Business
Everything You Get With Your Ritter Registration
How to Recruit Insurance Agents to Your Downline
IntegrityCONNECT
What Insurance License Do You Need? A Guide for Agents
PlanEnroll
 
References:
“The 5 Best Trademark Services in the USA.” Emanus, 13 Sept. 2025, emanus.com/best-trademark-services-usa/.
O’Reilly, Dennis. “10 Best Accounting Software – Forbes Advisor.” 10 Best Accounting Software, 19 May 2026, www.forbes.com/advisor/business/software/best-accounting-software/.
Ryan, Emma. “Best 5 Website Builders for 2026: My Tried & Tested Picks.” Website Builder Expert, 5 May 2026, www.websitebuilderexpert.com/website-builders/.
Luthi, Ben. “Can You Use a Personal Credit Card to Start a Business? | Credit Cards | U.S. News.” Can You Use a Personal Credit Card to Start a Business?, 26 May 2022, money.usnews.com/credit-cards/articles/can-you-use-a-personal-credit-card-to-start-a-business.
“Choose a Business Structure.” U.S. Small Business Administration, www.sba.gov/business-guide/launch-your-business/choose-business-structure. Accessed 15 June 2026.
“Employer Identification Number.” Internal Revenue Service, www.irs.gov/businesses/employer-identification-number. Accessed 15 June 2026.
“Get an Employer Identification Number.” Internal Revenue Service, www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/get-an-employer-identification-number. Accessed 15 June 2026.
“How to Start an Insurance Agency: A Step-by-Step Guide.” Brightway, 23 June 2025, www.brightway.com/news/starting-an-insurance-agency-guide.
“Insurance Licensing Directory.” AgencyEquity, www.agencyequity.com/listing-categories/insurance-licensing-directory. Accessed 15 June 2026.
“Register Your Business.” U.S. Small Business Administration, www.sba.gov/business-guide/launch-your-business/register-your-business. Accessed 15 June 2026.
“Ritter Agents - Schedule a Demo.” AgentMethods, www.agentmethods.com/ritter-agents/. Accessed 15 June 2026.
“Stanford Guidelines for Web Credibility.” The Web Credibility Project: Guidelines - Stanford University, credibility.stanford.edu/guidelines/index.html. Accessed 15 June 2026.
“Streamlined Insurance Licensing & Compliance Monitoring.” NIPR, nipr.com/. Accessed 15 June 2026.
Gupta, Mayank. “Top Startup Business Consultant Firms for 2026 Success.” CaseBasix, 19 Jan. 2026, www.casebasix.com/pages/top-startup-business-consultant-firms.
Upwork | Hire Top Freelance Talent with Confidence, www.upwork.com/. Accessed 15 June 2026.
USPTO Office of Public Affairs (OPA). United States Patent and Trademark Office, 12 May 2026, www.uspto.gov/.
“What Is a Trademark?” United States Patent and Trademark Office, 30 Nov. 2023, www.uspto.gov/trademarks/basics/what-trademark.
“Write Your Business Plan.” U.S. Small Business Administration, www.sba.gov/business-guide/plan-your-business/write-your-business-plan. Accessed 15 June 2026.
 
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Ritter on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/RitterIM Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/ritter.insurance.marketing/ LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/company/ritter-insurance-marketing TikTok, https://www.tiktok.com/@ritterim X, https://x.com/RitterIM and YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/user/RitterInsurance      
Sarah on LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/in/sjrueppel/ Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/thesarahjrueppel/ Threads, https://www.threads.net/@thesarahjrueppel  and Bluesky, https://bsky.app/profile/sarahjrueppel.bsky.social  
Not affiliated with or endorsed by Medicare or any government agency.

The Friday Five for August 28, 2026:
Still time to register for Ritter Insurance Marketing Summits
Medicare & ACA certification update for August 28, 2026
There’s more to gastrointestinal distress recovery than BRAT
Ritter & Integrity Solutions for Industry Disruption in 2027
IntegrityCONNECT Now Quotes Medicare Supplement
 
Ways to Connect:
🤝 Register with Ritter Insurance Marketing – the FMO that powers the show
📧 Connect with a member of the Ritter Team
📢 Submit a shoutout to be read in a future episode
🎙️ Be a Guest on the ASG Podcast
💌 Questions? Feedback? Topic suggestions? Email us! ASGPodcast@Ritterim.com
 
Still time to register for Ritter Insurance Marketing Summits!
 
Medicare & ACA certification update for August 28, 2026:
2027 Medicare Advantage & Part D Certification
Certification Center on Ritter Docs
 
There’s more to gastrointestinal distress recovery than BRAT:
Corliss, Julie. “Is the BRAT diet the best choice for an upset stomach?” health.harvard.edu, Harvard Health Publishing, 18 Nov. 2025, https://www.health.harvard.edu/digestive-health/is-the-brat-diet-the-best-choice-for-an-upset-stomach.
Kubala, Jillian. “What Is the BRAT Diet for a Stomach Virus or Diarrhea.” Health.Com, Health, 5 June 2026, www.health.com/brat-diet-7253461.
The BRAT diet is no longer recommended after a stomach bug. Ucihealth.org, UCI Health, 13 Aug. 2026, https://www.ucihealth.org/about-us/news/2026/08/brat-diet.
“An Alarming New Study About Brain Injuries in Football, and How States are Paying Millions for Rain.” The Headlines, The New York Times, https://open.spotify.com/episode/10d178oQsbFVWGDAgHRRVc.
 
Ritter & Integrity Solutions for Industry Disruption in 2027:
Culli, Lindsey. “1 in 10 Medicare Advantage Enrollees Face Forced Disenrollment in 2026.” publichealth.jhu.edu, Johns Hopkins University, 18 Feb. 2026, https://publichealth.jhu.edu/2026/1-in-10-medicare-advantage-enrollees-face-forced-disenrollment-in-2026.
5 Tips to Make the Most of AEP
Minemyer, Paige. “A look inside the expanded partnership between SCAN and Costco.” fiercehealthcare.com, Fierce Healthcare, 21 Aug. 2026, https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/payers/look-inside-expanded-partnership-between-scan-and-costco.
Get Access to IntegrityCONNECT
Request a Portfolio Review from Ritter Insurance Marketing
Hall, Jessica. “Soon you can buy Medicare Advantage plans at Costco. What you need to know.” marketwatch.com, MarketWatch, 21 Aug. 2026, https://www.marketwatch.com/story/soon-you-can-buy-medicare-advantage-plans-at-costco-what-you-need-to-know-34e03242.  
 
Resources:
2027 ACA & Medicare Cost Projections
5 More Ways to Generate Medicare Leads
Escaping the Procrastination Station | Monday Motivation
How to Stay Top of Mind & Build Trust That Drives Growth ft. Bjorn Piltingsrud and Andrew Saksa
Turning Life Changes into Sales Opportunities ft. Bobby Nerem & Danica Stover
 
Follow Us on Social!
Ritter on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/RitterIM Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/ritter.insurance.marketing/ LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/company/ritter-insurance-marketing TikTok, https://www.tiktok.com/@ritterim X, https://x.com/RitterIM and YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/user/RitterInsurance    
Sarah on LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/in/sjrueppel/ Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/thesarahjrueppel/ Threads, https://www.threads.net/@thesarahjrueppel  and Bluesky, https://bsky.app/profile/sarahjrueppel.bsky.social
Not affiliated with or endorsed by Medicare or any government agency.

When you picture the typical Medicare client, you most likely picture someone who is enjoying the golden years of retirement. However, there are many people who have aged into Medicare that are still a part of the workforce. In this episode of the Agent Survival Guide Podcast, we help agents like you navigate how to sell plans to clients who are still employed.
 
Read the text version
 
Get Connected:
🤝 Register with Ritter Insurance Marketing – the FMO that powers the Agent Survival Guide Podcast! 
📧 Connect with the Ritter Insurance Marketing Sales Team Near You!
💌 Send feedback, questions, and topic suggestions to ASGPodcast@Ritterim.com or call 1-717-562-7211 and leave a voicemail.
 
Resources:
4 Tips for Making a Better Insurance Sales Pitch
5 Perks of Being a Part-Time Insurance Agent
How to Help Clients Avoid Medicare Late Enrollment Penalties
How to Organize a Turning 65 Seminar on a Budget
Your Clients May Not Be Automatically Enrolled in Medicare
https://ritterim.com/blog/2027-nabip-medicare-certification/?utm_source=agent_survival_guide_podcast_link&utm_medium=post_title
 
References:
The Association for Cleaning & Facility Solutions. (2026, January 12). Seniors Plan to Rejoin the Workforce in 2026. Cleanfax. https://cleanfax.com/seniors-plan-to-rejoin-the-workforce-in-2026
Field Office Locator. Social Security Association. (n.d.). https://www.ssa.gov/locator
Medicare Advocates. (n.d.). Is Employer Health Coverage Always My Best Option?. Health Plan Advocates. https://healthplanadvocates.com/is-employer-coverage-best/
Shuman, T. (2026, February 3). Cities With the Most Working Seniors in 2026. Senior Living. https://www.seniorliving.org/finance/senior-employment-annual-report/
Starting Your Retirement Benefits Early. Social Security Administration. (n.d.). https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/retirement/planner/agereduction.html
U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. (n.d.-a). Avoid late enrollment penalties. Medicare.gov. https://www.medicare.gov/basics/costs/medicare-costs/avoid-penalties
U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. (n.d.-b). When can I buy a Medigap policy?. Medicare.gov. https://www.medicare.gov/health-drug-plans/medigap/ready-to-buy/when
What is the income-related monthly adjusted amount (IRMAA)?. Medicare Resources. (2025, December 2). https://www.medicareresources.org/medicare-eligibility-and-enrollment/what-is-the-income-related-monthly-adjusted-amount-irmaa/
 
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Ritter on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/RitterIM Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/ritter.insurance.marketing/ LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/company/ritter-insurance-marketing TikTok, https://www.tiktok.com/@ritterim X, https://x.com/RitterIM and YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/user/RitterInsurance     
Sarah on LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/in/sjrueppel/ Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/thesarahjrueppel/ Threads, https://www.threads.net/@thesarahjrueppel  and Bluesky, https://bsky.app/profile/sarahjrueppel.bsky.social 
Not affiliated with or endorsed by Medicare or any government agency.

Keeping your clients coming back is crucial to the success of your insurance business. But how often should we reach out to clients? How do we reach out without being annoying? Where do we start? If you’ve ever asked these questions, don’t miss the ASG Podcast interview with Bjorn Piltingsrud and Andrew Saksa from Essential Engine!
 
Resources:
Essential Engine Official Website
Listen to Marketing MindFuel
Reach out to Andrew Saksa at Essential Engine
Schedule a Meeting with Mel Binford from Essential Engine
 
References:
Lindenfors, Patrik, et al. “‘Dunbar’s Number’ Deconstructed.” Pmc.Ncbi.Nih.Gov, U.S. National Library of Medicine, May 2021, pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8103230/.
“Dunbar’s number: Why we can only maintain 150 relationships.” Bbc.com, BBC, https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20191001-dunbars-number-why-we-can-only-maintain-150-relationships, Accessed 2 June 2026.
 
Follow Us on Social!
Ritter on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/RitterIM Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/ritter.insurance.marketing/ LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/company/ritter-insurance-marketing TikTok, https://www.tiktok.com/@ritterim X, https://x.com/RitterIM and YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/user/RitterInsurance     
Sarah on LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/in/sjrueppel/ Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/thesarahjrueppel/ Threads, https://www.threads.net/@thesarahjrueppel  and Bluesky, https://bsky.app/profile/sarahjrueppel.bsky.social 
Opinions expressed by interview guests are their own and not representative of Ritter Insurance Marketing or Integrity. The Agent Survival Guide Podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Medicare or any government agency.

Procrastination happens to the best of us… Sarah included! Don’t miss her tips for booking your ticket out of this liminal space and onto the next part of your journey.
 
Get Connected:
🤝 Register with Ritter Insurance Marketing – the FMO that powers the Agent Survival Guide Podcast!  
📧 Connect with the Ritter Insurance Marketing Sales Team Near You!
💌Send feedback, questions, and topic suggestions to ASGPodcast@Ritterim.com or call 1-717-562-7211 and leave a voicemail.
 
Recent Episodes:
Finding Opportunity Despite Medicare & ACA Market Challenges
Real Sales Expectations for Insurance Agents
Turning Life Changes into Sales Opportunities
 
Follow Us on Social!
Ritter on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/RitterIM Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/ritter.insurance.marketing/ LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/company/ritter-insurance-marketing TikTok, https://www.tiktok.com/@ritterim X, https://x.com/RitterIM and YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/user/RitterInsurance     
Sarah on LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/in/sjrueppel/ Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/thesarahjrueppel/ Threads, https://www.threads.net/@thesarahjrueppel  and Bluesky, https://bsky.app/profile/sarahjrueppel.bsky.social 
Not affiliated with or endorsed by Medicare or any government agency.

The Friday Five for August 21, 2026:
Register to Attend Ritter Summits
Apple Devices Rumored for Fall 2026
Spotify Announces PlayList Notes
Journaling for Personal Development
MyChart Medicare Kit Scam
 
Get Connected:
🤝 Register with Ritter Insurance Marketing – the FMO that powers the Agent Survival Guide Podcast!  
📧 Connect with the Ritter Insurance Marketing Sales Team Near You!
💌 Send feedback, questions, and topic suggestions to ASGPodcast@Ritterim.com or call 1-717-562-7211 and leave a voicemail.
 
Field Notes:
2027 Medicare Advantage & Part D Certification
Certification Center on Ritter Docs
Register to Attend a Ritter Insurance Marketing Summit Near You!
 
Apple Devices Rumored for Fall 2026:
Christoffel, Ryan. “Apple has eight new products to unveil at September event: report.” 9to5mac.com, 9 to 5 Mac, 10 Aug 2026, https://9to5mac.com/2026/08/10/apple-has-eight-new-products-to-unveil-at-september-event-report/.
Bonifield, Stevie. “It looks like Apple’s iPhone 18 really will skip the fall launch this year.” Theverge.com, The Verge, 12 Aug. 2026, https://www.theverge.com/tech/979231/apple-base-iphone-18-launch-delayed.
Clover, Juli. “What’s Coming in September: New iPhones, Apple Watches and More.” Macrumors.com, Mac Rumors, 13 Aug. 2026, https://www.macrumors.com/2026/08/13/apple-september-announcement-rumors/.
 
Spotify Announces Playlist Notes:
Spotify Gets More Personal With Playlist Notes. Newsroom.spotify.com, Spotify For the Record, 17 Aug. 2026, https://newsroom.spotify.com/2026-08-17/playlist-notes-editors-listeners/.
 
Journaling for Personal Development:
“8 Questions to Shape Your Day with Intention and Focus.” carterfowlercreative.com, Carter Fowler Creative, https://www.carterfowlercreative.com/post/productivity-journal-prompts, Accessed 18 August. 2026.
Sanders, Bryce. “10 Principles of Time Management for Advisors.” Thinkadvisor.com, Think Advisor, 12 Aug. 2026, https://www.thinkadvisor.com/2026/08/12/10-principles-of-time-management-for-advisors/.
“Getting Started with a Bullet Journal.” Beingboss.club, Being Boss, 9 May 2026, https://beingboss.club/articles/getting-started-bullet-journal.
“Why Every Business Leader Should Start Journaling Today.” Yfsmagazine.com, YFS Magazine, 22 Sep. 2025, https://yfsmagazine.com/2025/09/22/business-leader-journaling/.
 
MyChart Medicare Kit Scam:
Bruce, Giles. “7 health systems warn of MyChart ‘Medicare Kit’ scam.” Beckershospitalreview.com, Becker’s Hospital Review, 13 Aug. 2026, https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/healthcare-information-technology/cybersecurity/7-health-systems-warn-of-mychart-medicare-kit-scam/.
“Alert: Beware of Fraudulent MyChart Emails.” Southeasthealth.org, Southeast Health, https://www.southeasthealth.org/alert-beware-of-fraudulent-mychart-emails/, accessed 18 Aug. 2026.
“Cass Health Warns Patients of MyChart Phishing Scam.” Casshealth.org, Cass Health, 10 Aug. 2026, https://www.casshealth.org/2026/08/cass-health-warns-patients-of-mychart-phishing-scam/.
Content Library – Identifying Scams and How to Protect Yourself
“How do I protect myself from MyChart scams and fraud?” mychart.org, MyChart, https://www.mychart.org/l/en-us/help/staying-safe-from-scams-and-fraud/, accessed 17 Aug. 2026.
“MyChart Phishing Scam Warning.” Metrohealth.org, Metro Health, https://www.metrohealth.org/en/mychart/mychart-phishing-scam-warning/, accessed 17 Aug. 2026.
“MyChart Security Alert.” Methodisthealthsystem, Methodist Health System, https://www.methodisthealthsystem.org/mychart-security-alert, accessed 17 Aug. 2026.
Bruce, Giles. “Sentara warns of ‘MyChart Medicare Kit’ scam.” Beckershospitalreview.com, Becker’s Hospital Review, 12 Aug. 2026, https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/healthcare-information-technology/cybersecurity/sentara-warns-of-mychart-medicare-kit-scam/.
Berceau, Trevor. “Staying Safe from Scams and Fraud.” Mychart.org, MyChart, 27 Jul. 2026, https://www.mychart.org/l/en-us/news/staying-safe-from-scams-and-fraud/.
 
Resources:
2027 ACA & Medicare Cost Projections
5 More Ways to Generate Medicare Leads
Marketplace Training Resources for Health Insurance Agents
New CMS Identity Proofing & Agent Authorization Rules
Turning Life Changes into Sales Opportunities
 
Follow Us on Social!
Ritter on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/RitterIM Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/ritter.insurance.marketing/ LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/company/ritter-insurance-marketing TikTok, https://www.tiktok.com/@ritterim X, https://x.com/RitterIM and YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/user/RitterInsurance    
Sarah on LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/in/sjrueppel/ Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/thesarahjrueppel/ Threads, https://www.threads.net/@thesarahjrueppel  and Bluesky, https://bsky.app/profile/sarahjrueppel.bsky.social
Not affiliated with or endorsed by Medicare or any government agency.

The insurance business moves fast, so the best time to start building trust is before your services are needed. A great example of this is a Turning 65 Seminar, where you cover what client need to know when becoming Medicare-eligible. In this episode of the Agent Survival Guide Podcast, we cover the how you can effectively plan and hold a T65 event on any budget.
 
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Get Connected:
🤝Register with Ritter Insurance Marketing – the FMO that powers the Agent Survival Guide Podcast! 
📧Connect with the Ritter Insurance Marketing Sales Team Near You!
💌Send feedback, questions, and topic suggestions to ASGPodcast@Ritterim.com or call 1-717-562-7211 and leave a voicemail.
 
Resources:
Community-Based Marketing for Insurance Agents
Insurance Agents as TPMOs: What CMS Compliance Regulations Mean for You
Ritter’s Preferred Partners
Rules for Hosting a Compliant Medicare Educational Event
Shop RitterIM
 
References:
Dunys, Laurent. “The Complete Guide to Creating a Budget for an Event.” Eventtia, 20 June 2025, www.eventtia.com/the-complete-guide-to-creating-a-budget-for-an-event/.
“Ritter Insurance Marketing - Unforgettable Marketing for Insurance Agents.” Remindermedia, remindermedia.com/ritter-insurance/. Accessed 14 July 2026.
Financial Seminar Services, www.financialseminarservices.com/. Accessed 14 July 2026.
 
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Ritter on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/RitterIM Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/ritter.insurance.marketing/ LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/company/ritter-insurance-marketing TikTok, https://www.tiktok.com/@ritterim X, https://x.com/RitterIM and YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/user/RitterInsurance 
Sarah on LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/in/sjrueppel/ Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/thesarahjrueppel/ Threads, https://www.threads.net/@thesarahjrueppel  and Bluesky, https://bsky.app/profile/sarahjrueppel.bsky.social 
Not affiliated with or endorsed by Medicare or any government agency.

Misconceptions about insurance can sometimes get in the way of both the agent selling the plans and the client who is browsing the insurance market. In this episode of the Agent Survival Guide Podcast, we’re here to help you decode the facts from the fiction.
 
Read the text version
  
Get Connected:
🤝 Register with Ritter Insurance Marketing – the FMO that powers the Agent Survival Guide Podcast! 
📧 Connect with the Ritter Insurance Marketing Sales Team Near You!
💌Send feedback, questions, and topic suggestions to ASGPodcast@Ritterim.com or call 1-717-562-7211 and leave a voicemail.
 
Resources:
2027 Maximum Broker Commissions for Medicare Advantage & Medicare Part D
How Ask Integrity Can Streamline Your Medicare Sales Appointments
How Medicare Helps Your Clients Stay Healthy
IntegrityCONNECT
PlanEnroll
Ready to Join an FMO? 10 Things to Consider
Ritter Can Help You Stay in Touch with Your Clients
Ritter Insurance Marketing homepage
What Is AHIP Certification and How Do I Get It?
 
References:
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (2026, March 26). Agent broker compensation. CMS.gov. https://www.cms.gov/medicare/health-drug-plans/managed-care-marketing/medicare-marketing-guidelines/agent-broker-compensation
Medicare Rights Center. (2025, March 28). Medicare eligibility for those under 65 - medicare interactive. Medicare Interactive. https://www.medicareinteractive.org/understanding-medicare/the-basics/medicare-eligibility-overview/medicare-eligibility-for-those-under-65
National Archives and Records Administration. (2026a, July 16). Medicare advantage communication requirements. Code of Federal Regulations. https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-42/chapter-IV/subchapter-B/part-422/subpart-V
National Archives and Records Administration. (2026b, July 16). Part D communication requirements. Code of Federal Regulations. https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-42/chapter-IV/subchapter-B/part-423/subpart-V
U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (n.d.). Avoid late enrollment penalties. Medicare.gov. https://www.medicare.gov/basics/costs/medicare-costs/avoid-penalties
Wagner, S. (2025, January 28). The U.S. has reached the peak of Peak 65 it’s time to apply retirement readiness lessons from the boomer experience. PR Newswire. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-us-has-reached-the-peak-of-peak-65-its-time-to-apply-retirement-readiness-lessons-from-the-boomer-experience-302360086.html
 
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Ritter on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/RitterIM Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/ritter.insurance.marketing/ LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/company/ritter-insurance-marketing TikTok, https://www.tiktok.com/@ritterim X, https://x.com/RitterIM and YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/user/RitterInsurance     
Sarah on LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/in/sjrueppel/ Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/thesarahjrueppel/ Threads, https://www.threads.net/@thesarahjrueppel  and Bluesky, https://bsky.app/profile/sarahjrueppel.bsky.social 
Not affiliated with or endorsed by Medicare or any government agency.

The Friday Five for August 14, 2026:
Certification Updates 8/14/2026
New CMS Identity Proofing & Agent Authorization Rules
Mark Zuckerberg’s AI Manifesto
CMS to Remove Xeljanz from Selected Drug List
KFF Study on Medicare Spending Trends
 
Get Connected:
🤝 Register with Ritter Insurance Marketing – the FMO that powers the Agent Survival Guide Podcast!  
📧 Connect with the Ritter Insurance Marketing Sales Team Near You!
💌 Send feedback, questions, and topic suggestions to ASGPodcast@Ritterim.com or call 1-717-562-7211 and leave a voicemail.
 
Certification Updates 8/14/2026:
2027 Medicare Advantage & Part D Certification
Certification Center on Ritter Docs
 
New CMS Identity Proofing & Agent Authorization Rules:
Rosanes, Mark. “CMS tightens ACA broker access rules before open enrollment.” Insurancebusinessmag.com, Insurance Business, 10 Aug. 2026, https://www.insurancebusinessmag.com/us/news/benefits/cms-tightens-aca-broker-access-rules-before-open-enrollment-585514.aspx.
“EDE Change Request (CR) 109: Identity Proofing and Agent/Broker Authorization.” Cms.gov, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 3 Aug. 2026, https://www.cms.gov/marketplace/agents-brokers/files/ede-identity-proofing-agent-broker-authorization-faqs.pdf.
 
Mark Zuckerburg’s AI Manifesto:
Zuckerberg, Mark. “The Future is for Everyone.” Meta.com, Meta, https://www.meta.com/thefutureisforeveryone/ Accessed 11 Aug. 2026.
 
CMS to Remove Xeljanz from Selected Drug List:
“Removal of Xeljanz; Xeljanz XR from the Selected Drug List Effective January 1, 2029.” Cms.gov, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 28 Jul. 2026, https://www.cms.gov/about-cms/information-systems/hpms/hpms-memos-archive-weekly/hpms-memos-wk-5-july-27-31.
 
KFF Study on Medicare Spending Trends:
“The Facts About Medicare Spending.” KFF.org, KFF, 4 Aug. 2026, https://www.kff.org/medicare/the-facts-about-medicare-spending/.
 
Resources:
2027 ACA & Medicare Cost Projections
5 Myths About Selling ACA Health Insurance Plans
Finding Opportunity Despite Medicare & ACA Market Challenges
Medicare GLP-1 Bridge Updates, CMS Appeals & CE Credits
Turning Life Changes into Sales Opportunities
 
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Ritter on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/RitterIM Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/ritter.insurance.marketing/ LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/company/ritter-insurance-marketing TikTok, https://www.tiktok.com/@ritterim X, https://x.com/RitterIM and YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/user/RitterInsurance    
Sarah on LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/in/sjrueppel/ Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/thesarahjrueppel/ Threads, https://www.threads.net/@thesarahjrueppel  and Bluesky, https://bsky.app/profile/sarahjrueppel.bsky.social
Not affiliated with or endorsed by Medicare or any government agency.

In this episode of the Agent Survival Guide podcast, we teach agents five unique ways to help them find new clients in the insurance world. While most agents would think of your typical ways to find new sales, we’re teaching them how to make waves and stand out in the crowd.
 
Read the text version
 
Get Connected:
🤝 Register with Ritter Insurance Marketing – the FMO that powers the Agent Survival Guide Podcast! 
📧 Connect with the Ritter Insurance Marketing Sales Team Near You!
💌 Send feedback, questions, and topic suggestions to ASGPodcast@Ritterim.com or call 1-717-562-7211 and leave a voicemail.
 
Resources:
Affinity Partnerships for Insurance Agents
IntegrityCONNECT
IntegrityCONNECT Leads
Ritter Insurance Marketing Content Library
Ritter & ReminderMedia Partnership Offers Agents Insurance Marketing Solutions
ShopRitterIM
What to Know About SOAs in Medicare Health and Prescription Drug Plan Sales
 
References:
Custom ink. CustomInk. (n.d.). https://www.customink.com/
Forman-Katz, N. (2023, August 17). Key facts about the US radio industry and its listeners for National Radio Day. Pew Research Center. https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2023/08/17/for-national-radio-day-key-facts-about-radio-listeners-and-the-radio-industry-in-the-us/
Joshi, V. (2024, August 22). Council post: The power of generosity: How giving back drives business growth. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/councils/forbesbusinesscouncil/2024/08/22/the-power-of-generosity-how-giving-back-drives-business-growth/
Lamar Advertising. (n.d.). Lamar Advertising. Billboard Advertising. https://lamar.com/en/products/billboards
Planenroll. PlanEnroll. (n.d.). https://www.planenroll.com/
Vistaprint. VistaPrint. (n.d.). https://www.vistaprint.com/signs-posters/yard-signs
 
Follow Us on Social!
Ritter on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/RitterIM Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/ritter.insurance.marketing/ LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/company/ritter-insurance-marketing TikTok, https://www.tiktok.com/@ritterim X, https://x.com/RitterIM and YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/user/RitterInsurance     
Sarah on LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/in/sjrueppel/ Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/thesarahjrueppel/ Threads, https://www.threads.net/@thesarahjrueppel  and Bluesky, https://bsky.app/profile/sarahjrueppel.bsky.social 
Not affiliated with or endorsed by Medicare or any government agency.

Now that you’ve completed your FFM certification, what’s next? Continue your learning with our list of resources! Launch into ACA sales by increasing your knowledge of the marketplace. In this episode, we’ll teach you what you need to know about selling Affordable Care Act plans.
 
Read the text version
 
Get Connected:
🤝 Register with Ritter Insurance Marketing – the FMO that powers the Agent Survival Guide Podcast!
📧 Connect with the Ritter Insurance Marketing Sales Team Near You!
💌 Send feedback, questions, and topic suggestions to ASGPodcast@Ritterim.com or call 1-717-562-7211 and leave a voicemail.
 
Resources:
ACA 101: Selling Under-65 Health Insurance
Community Engagement & ACA Marketing Ideas for Agents
How to Become Certified for ACA Marketplace Sales with Federally Facilitated Marketplace (FFM) Training
Ritter Insurance Marketing Events
Ritter Insurance Marketing Knight School
Ritter Insurance Marketing Sales Team
Simplify Marketplace Enrollments with HealthSherpa
The State of the ACA Market in 2026
What the Stay on 2025 ACA Final Rule Changes Means
 
References:
ACA quoting and enrollment platform - healthsherpa. HealthSherpa. (n.d.). https://www.healthsherpa.com/agents/features/agencies  
AHIP homepage. AHIP. (n.d.-a). https://www.ahip.org/  
The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. (n.d.). Homepage. cbpp.org. https://www.cbpp.org/  
The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. (n.d.-a). Home page - beyond the basics. Beyond the Basics. https://www.healthreformbeyondthebasics.org/  
The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. (n.d.-b). Special enrollment periods (SEP) reference chart - beyond the basics. Beyond the Basics. https://www.healthreformbeyondthebasics.org/sep-reference-chart/  
The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. (n.d.-c). Yearly income guidelines and thresholds - beyond the basics. Beyond the Basics. https://www.healthreformbeyondthebasics.org/reference-guide-yearly-thresholds/  
Health Insurance Exchanges and the Affordable Care Act (ACA) - ahip. AHIP. (n.d.-b). https://www.ahip.org/courses/health-insurance-exchanges-and-the-affordable-care-act-aca
Welcome to the Health Insurance Marketplace®. healthcare.gov. (n.d.). https://www.healthcare.gov/  
 
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Ritter on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/RitterIM Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/ritter.insurance.marketing/ LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/company/ritter-insurance-marketing TikTok, https://www.tiktok.com/@ritterim X, https://x.com/RitterIM and YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/user/RitterInsurance 
Sarah on LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/in/sjrueppel/ Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/thesarahjrueppel/ Threads, https://www.threads.net/@thesarahjrueppel  and Bluesky, https://bsky.app/profile/sarahjrueppel.bsky.social  
Not affiliated with or endorsed by Medicare or any government agency.