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Most health insurances only allow coverage of a dependent until a certain age. For Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey the age restriction was coverage would terminate at the end of the year in which a dependent turns 23. However this has changed with the implementation of Chapter 375, a new mandate that allows coverage to continue until age 30. There are some limitations and restrictions but for the most part the new mandate is bringing joy to many over age dependents attempting to peruse further schooling or for dependents who are unable to provider health coverage for themselves.

The new mandate does not apply to employers with Administrative Services Only (ASO) contracts however; ASO clients will have the option to offer the continued coverage to their employees. For the most part all other group coverage is included in its implementation. The best part is that a dependent does not even need to be living in New Jersey as long as they are a full time student and meet the other criteria for coverage. Something that varies however from the normal Horizon policy is that the dependent who elects Chapter 375 will only remain covered until their 30th birthday, not until the end of the year in which they turn 30.

According to Horizon's website Q&A on the new Mandate eligibility must include:

-Is the child of a subscriber who is less than age 30;

- Is not married;

- Has no dependents of his/her own;

- Is either a resident of New Jersey or enrolled as a full-time student at an accredited public or private institution of higher education;

- Is not covered under any other group or individual health benefits plan and is not covered under Medicare;

- Must have previously aged-out of their parent's group health plan, which is a fully-insured plan issued in New Jersey and Is the child of a parent who is actively covered under a group health plan, which is a fully-insured plan issued in.

Another great thing is that even if a member is eligible for coverage (with the exception of Medicare) they are not forced into taking it. They would still be eligible for Chapter 375.

The biggest draw back is the cost. Chapter 375 is more costly then even COBRA coverage. I would recommend to anyone who is about to become an over-age dependent elect COBRA coverage first and then once COBRA's limitations run out then at that point elect Chapter 375. The reason for this is that COBRA is generally cheaper than the Chapter 375's cost. This will save you money but gain you the same coverage as you had under your parents contract.

For more information on Chapter 375 please see Horizon's website at http://www.horizonblue.com

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Estates and estate plans have a mystique all of their own to the average observer. It is certainly a complex world of tax rules and regulations where inherited assets are taxed upon death. How might this affect you and the estate assets you now possess?

First of all what is an estate? Simply put it is the total of all of your assets including home, auto, pension and other retirement funds, collectibles and possibly the worth of a business minus liabilities constitutes your estate. Also included in the total estate is any life insurance owned by the estate owner.

When you purchase life insurance you own that asset and it becomes part of your estate. As an example, if you were to save $250,000 over your life and you wanted to leave it to your children that would be an asset. By owning a life insurance policy for $250,000 with your children as beneficiary you have created an instant asset; an instant estate. Same result.

Estate taxes came into play at the end of the 19th century as a means of redistributing wealth. As a result the estate tax system is now based on a tax on the recipients of the estate (children for example)due and payable within 9 months after the death of the second spouse in a typical family situation. The tax rate is anywhere from 18%-45%. A very large tax bill for anyone to pay.

There is a long list of entertainers, actors, singers and business people who did not have an estate plan in place at death. Joe Robbie was the owner of the football Miami Dolphins the year they went undefeated and won the SuperBowl. He was an attorney, sports enthusiast and savvy businessman. But when he died he left behind a huge estate with estate taxes due of over $47,000,000 and no estate plan. His heirs went through a nightmare of contentious family relations as a result and finally sold the football team at a bargain basement price......just to pay the tax.

In contrast, Jackie Onassis and Malcom Forbes through the intelligent use of trusts and life insurance left behind vast fortunes and little to no tax liability.

How does life insurance fit in? Once an estate is tallied up by the estate attorney and accountant, trusts are set up to remove assets from the estate (such as Charitable Remainder Trusts), a net taxable estate is arrived at and the projected tax rate and estate tax is calculated. For ex. an estate worth well over the annual estate tax exclusion of $2,000,000 is projected to pay $2.5 million in estate taxes.

The insurance underwriter produces what is called a survivorship life insurance plan or
"second to die " policy that insures 2 people on one plan. Underwriting is usually simpler on 2 lives as opposed to one so a less healthy spouse can get a better premium because of the healthier spouse.
The death benefit is written based on the projected amount of estate taxes payable, $2.5 million in this case and the named beneficiaries are the children; the ones who have 9 months to pay the estate tax.

An Irrevocable Life Insurance Trust (ILIT) is then created to protect the policy and remove it from the estate. Remember, ownership of a life insurance policy creates an immediate asset to the estate. The ILIT keeps the policy out the estate as an includible asset.

Upon the death of the first spouse no estate tax is due so no death benefit is paid. Upon the death of the second spouse, the estate tax is now due, the ILIT is dissolved and the proceeds of the $2.5 million life policy are released. The beneficiaries now have the liquidity to pay off the estate tax. They do not have to worry about selling off assets just to pay taxes, family relations are not changed because of taxes and the assets of the estate are conserved.

Can this happen to you? Possibly. Say you have a relative, say aunt Mary who has property of some kind. You have a home, a small business, retirement funds, collectibles such as art, jewelry, cars or stamps etc.. and you never considered yourself eligible for going over the $2 million estate tax exclusion because you thought to yourself, "Hey... I'm not rich!". Eventually, aunt Mary dies and leaves you with 100 acres of prime real estate in Maine and the current value of that property brings you well over the estate tax exclusion and now your children would have to pay an estate tax in 9 months if you died tomorrow. I've seen it happen.

Hopefully, this article has given you a snapshot of what estate planning can be. Using an estate tax team of an estate accountant, an attorney and a life insurance broker will further protect everything you worked so hard to set aside for your family.

Alan S. Fernandez is president of Foundation Financial Services with a BBA in Finance and Economics from Iona College, studied under the Life Underwriters Training Council and Certified Financial Planner programs and with 15 years in the insurance industry is a well known problem solver among businesses and individuals alike. He is also an insurance instructor with Citicorp. He can be contacted at afern109@optonline.net or visit the FFS website at http://www.foundationfinancialservicesny.com

A lot of people when they thing of hybrid cars believe this is a relatively new concept. How wrong they are. Hybrid cars have actually existed for over 100 years, yes hybrid cars are over a century old. Just like every automobile of course they have evolved with newer technology, but the fact remains they have quite a long history. Research shows that the first hybrid car was actually created in 1898! Yes 1898, long before Ford became a household name or made its major debut.

Electric vehicles first originated in the late 1800's. Unfortunately due to the design of batteries at that time in history they never really took off. Batteries were large and cumbersome and made it almost impossible to run a vehicle this way. Performance was quite poor and it took the further evolution of batteries before this would be attempted again.

In 1898, the very first hybrid vehicle emerged. Electrical vehicles themselves had come along way from their early invention in the early 1800's. They could now run much longer than their predecessors. The first hybrid was actually a Porsche, created by Dr. Ferdinand Porsche! And it could manage up to 40 miles on battery power. General Electric then surfaced in 1898 with their first hybrid, an electrical gasoline hybrid. This idea still didn't take off as well as they add hoped with consumer polls showing that more than 40% preferred the electrical car to steam or gasoline.

The 1900's showed a change in the way cars were run. More cars were being produced running on gasoline and batteries. By 1920 Ford had captured the market with self-starting gasoline vehicles and the hybrid cars looked like they may just fade into history. Buyers simply preferred the cheap, faster Ford gasoline cars then the many alternative hybrids that were still being produced and just as quickly rejected by consumers.

Fast forward almost 50 years before hybrids were much heard from again. In the early 1970's we begun to realize the impact of gasoline run cars and tried looking into an alternative. Fuel prices were on the rise and more companies sought hybrid vehicles as a result. They were supposed to be in full fledge production by the mids 1980's. This never happened. Several companies came out with various versions of hybrids but the change from self-starting gasoline vehicles to the more environmentally hybrid never came.

It wasn't until closer to the turn of the century with the advancements of computer use in vehicles that hybrids rose up again. Computer technology has improved the way hybrids are run and has caused more automobile companies to begin their production. As we have reached more recent times, our eyes again turn to the hybrid to help ease the strain of gasoline prices and environmental impacts.

The history of hybrid cars is a long one, with many rises to fames and disappearances into the background. With gas prices on the rise and global warming all around us, we can easily see why hybrids are becoming the vehicle of choice.

Hybrid cars are becoming common household vehicles. To save yourself money and create your own hybrid car click here!

On the day of your flight, youre likely to be a little anxious about traveling with your pet. If you followed the guidelines from Part 1 of this article series, youre well prepared and ready to go.

Here are the things youll want to do the day of your flight:

1. Follow any instructions that were given to you by your pets veterinarian. Youll want to give your pet their sedative (if you chose this option). It's easiest to give it to them mashed up in their canned food that morning. Watch your pet eat and make sure that they ingested the correct dosage.
2. Catch your pet and carefully place them in their carrier. The sedative generally takes a while to take effect. Youll know when your pet is fully under the drug when the pupils of their eyes dilate very wide. They may look a little wild, but its just a side effect from the drug.
3. Double-check that you have all of their supplies for the trip.If your pet is boarding the plane and flying in the cabin with you, bring a light blanket to place over the carrier to dim the lights for them. Pack everything into your car and make your way to the airport. Youll want to leave a little earlier than you normally would to ensure enough time to get your pet safely onboard.
4. Take your pet through airport security. All bags and animals must go through security. Your pet will need to go through the metal detector with you. Fortunately, the airport security guards have gotten very sophisticated at this process. Sometimes theyll use a metal detection wand and check your pets carrier without them having to get out of it. If they need to do a more thorough check of your carrier, you can ask to go to another room where they can close the door and ensure that your pet will not escape while they scan the carrier.
5. Check in at the boarding desk. Once youve gotten through security, check in at your airlines boarding desk. Let them know that you and your pet are there and show them the health verification certificate. At that point, theyll make the final determination of whether your pet can travel that day. If your pet will be traveling in the cabin with you, the airline might let you board early.
6. Board the plane and tuck your pet under the seat in front of you.If the temperature in the cabin is cool, drape the light blanket you brought over your pets carrier. This will help simulate night time which might help them sleep on the plane. It might relax your pet to hear your voice every now and then. Check on them occasionally to make sure theyre alright.
7. Feed your pet once youre at your destination.Your pet has been through a lot and will likely be hungry and tired after all of the days activities. Give your pet a safe place to rest and eat. Keep an eye on them for the first few days to make sure theyre recovering well from the stress of flying.

Theres a lot involved with flying with your pets. You can make it easier on yourself and your pet by planning ahead and knowing what to expect. Take the necessary precautions and make the preparations in advance so you and your dog or cat can enjoy the flight.

Sheri Keyser is the Founder and CEO of GoSightsee.com, a travel website that will save you time and money on your next vacation. Get insider travel tips and recommendations on sightseeing destinations, vacation planning resources, and travel deals.

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Packing for airline travel requires advance planning and consideration. The following is a list of revised restrictions regarding what is permitted or banned from US flights by the Transportation Security Administration. Print the list and keep it in your luggage as quick and convenient reference when you prepare to travel or pack to return home.

Personal items permitted for carry-on

Solid Lipstick or Chapsticks

Laptop Computers, cell phones, pagers, handheld devices and cameras

Prescription Medication with Name on Label that matches the Passenger Ticket

Up to 4oz of non-prescription liquid medications, cough syrup, eye drops, contact lens solution or nasal spray

Up to 8oz of liquid or gel for low blood sugar treatment

Baby Formula or Breast Milk if traveling with an infant

Personal items banned from carry-on or carry-on luggage

Lighters

Toothpaste

Mouthwash

Perfumes and Colognes

All creams, lotions, sunscreens, first-aid creams, moisturizers and hand lotions

Shaving Creams

Hair Style Gels

Hair Spray (any kind)

Hair Strengthener or Detanglers

Mascara

Liquid Foundations (Make-up)

Make-up Remover or Face Cleanser

Nail Polish and Nail Polish Removers

Liquid Soaps

Liquid Sanitizers

Gel Deodorants

Spray Deodorants

Gel Cap Pills

Lips Gels, glosses or liquids (including Carmex)

Gel Shoe Inserts

Bubble Bath, including gels, oils, moisturizers and liquid filled bath balls

Gel candles

Bug Spray

Children's toys or figurines with gel inside

Baby teethers with liquid or gel

Food and Drinks banned

All beverages

Gel based Sports Supplements

Jellos

Puddings

Yogurts or any substance with gel-like qualities

Checking Luggage

As you prepare to pack your bags to reduce the carry-on luggage, please also consider the following

According to Consumer Reports, on average there were more than 10,000 mishandled luggage complaints a day against the large airlines in 2005. In addition, some travelers have reported an increase in theft from checked luggage. In calling the customer service lines of DELTA Airlines, the very courteous representative promptly read a script that DELTA Airlines is not responsible for electronics, jewelry or any other items stolen from checked luggage. Read the small print and think twice about what items you pack in luggage that you will check (especially if you travel through small airports).

* Please note that the list of approved items is subject to change by the TSA, and may also be subject to individual agent, airport or item interpretation.

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Words of Wisdom

"Please check your belongings and carry your valuables, unless it is against regulations in which case you should leave your belongings at home."

- DELTA Customer Service Representative

"Remember that happiness is a way of travel - not a destination."

- Roy M Goodman

"Travel is only glamorous in retrospect.."

- Paul Theroux

"If someone makes the effort to invest and sacrifice the time it takes to travel to see you, do not question their commitment."

- John Mehrmann

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John Mehrmann is an authority on emotional intelligence, talent management and organizational development. He is a consultant, coach and trainer with Executive Blueprints Inc., an organization devoted to improving business practices and developing human capital. His materials are available from http://www.InstituteForAdvancedLeadership.com

http://www.ExecutiveBlueprints.com provides resource materials for trainers, sample Case Studies, educational articles and references to local affiliates for consulting and executive coaching.