Gunstanson Partners

Client stories

Real families. Real results.

Every plan we build is as unique as the family behind it. Here are a few stories of how we've helped clients protect what matters most.

Medicare Planning & Enrollment

The Hancock Family

A retired couple in their 60s, freshly retiring from a lifetime of work and having difficulty navigating Medicare.

1

The Challenge

No life insurance or medical risk management in place.

2

Our Approach

The couple initially wanted drug plans with little or no knowledge of how Medicare worked. We did a careful review and assessment of their needs - prescriptions, doctors, medical needs, Medicare eligibility, drug plan availability - all of this an initial first step towards medical risk management and eventually an estate plan.

✓

The Results

"I met Mrs.Gunstanson when I was looking for a drug plan. I had just been retired from a job I had worked at for 43 years. I knew it was going to be hard to find a good insurance plan for my wife and myself. Amy was able to find a drug plan for less than a buck a month. She also found a life insurance plan for me and my wife, She also hooked me up with a Medicare plan that works for my situation. I found her to be very professional and very thorough. Thank you very much Amy!"

Medicare Planning

Freda and Gary Snowden, Cleburne, TX

A couple approaching 65 felt overwhelmed by Medicare options and were unsure whether Original Medicare, a Supplement, or an Advantage plan was right for their health needs and budget. After trying a Medicare Advantage, we were able to get them qualified for a Medicare Supplement before they became uninsurable.

1

The Challenge

Gary had ongoing prescriptions and preferred his existing specialist network; he had injured an arm and had a terrible time getting pre-approval for therapy from their Medicare Advantage carrier. Freda was generally healthy but wanted low out-of-pocket exposure. Medicare Advantage copays were becoming cumbersome and expensive.

2

Our Approach

We conducted a side-by-side analysis of their prescription costs, provider networks, and projected annual healthcare usage. Gary and Freda both  enrolled in Original Medicare with a Plan G supplement; their premium costs for the year are less than the max out of pocket figure for their previous Medicare Advantage, by more than half.  They can use any doctor, hospital or facility.  Skilled nursing benefit increased from 20 days to 100 days.

✓

The Results

"My husband and I were reaching retirement age and neither his company nor anyone else seemed to want to help or know what they were doing. I called this company and on the other line was this beautiful soft, caring voice named Amelia and she listened to me. I was apprehensive at first because as you grow older you realize just how vulnerable you can be. Without her understanding and grace we would have been lost in this world of hundreds of calls of people trying to tell us about this process in less then 10 minutes with no answers to our questions or concerns about our present state of finances. No one would LISTEN!! Amelia went above and beyond to help us, and we were glad to have her personal number, because of all my silly questions, concerns and fear I had in this new adventure ahead of us both. You don't know her yet but you need to understand just how important she was to us and how she made us feel at ease when making the biggest choices of our life in that moment of time. Patience is important and feeling like we matter is what seniors need, and to not be taken advantage of. Thank you for your time, and most of all your friendship in all of this nightmare of the trip down Medicare Lane, it was so much safer with your help and expertise. It's been two years now - you're still our agent, and our friend. Freda & Gary, Cleburne, TX

Estate Planning

The Berry Family, Queen City, TX

A 80-year-old retiree with multiple accounts earning very little and a concern both for her medical needs, future income, and family legacy.

1

The Challenge

Her accounts were in savings, CD's and IRAs earning very little interest.

2

Our Approach

We did a comprehensive review of all her accounts, locations, maturity dates, interest levels, risk exposure and more.  Her assets were combined and rolled over into a growth account with a handsome bonus.

✓

The Results

Protecting my future – someone I could trust. I met Amy when she came to review my Estate Plan. The company I had prepare it does an annual review and I was fine with her coming to see me. But I was surprised that she was so much more thorough than the man who came out last year. She went through everything - and made sure I understood it all. I'm getting older and things make me nervous. She did a complete financial analysis for me - and showed me that I had assets in the bank that were making almost nothing. The next week when she came back with recommendations I had no problem moving qualified and non-qualified funds into fixed indexed annuities that provided much higher interest rates, offered more protection in the long run, and allowed me access to funds in case I needed them for a nursing home; that's a big thing at my age and I don't want my relatives taking care of me. She has never failed to answer the phone, answer questions, follow up, handle things for me, or just be a friend. I'm a simple person, an older person, who needed someone they could trust. She's the real thing and I appreciate her very much. Dorthy Berry Queen City, TX

Asset Protection

The Mercer Family

A 61-year-old business owner with a $1.2 million IRA, three rental properties, and five adult children had accumulated significant wealth over his career — but his wife of 32 years had no legal claim to any of it if something happened to him. Every account, deed, and policy was titled in his name alone.

1

The Challenge

Despite decades of building wealth together, his wife was entirely unprotected. The IRA named an outdated beneficiary from a previous relationship, the rental properties had no spousal interest or survivorship rights, and there was no will, trust, or durable power of attorney in place. Had he passed unexpectedly, his estate would have gone through probate — potentially tying up assets for years and leaving his wife without income or access to the properties they depended on.

2

Our Approach

We coordinated a full asset protection and estate planning review. IRA beneficiary designations were updated to name his wife as primary beneficiary with the children as contingent. The rental properties were retitled to include survivorship rights, and a revocable living trust was established to keep the estate out of probate. We also secured a life insurance policy to provide his wife with immediate liquidity — separate from the IRA and real estate — so she would never be forced to sell a property under pressure.

✓

The Results

For the first time in their marriage, his wife is fully protected. She has guaranteed access to income, a clear inheritance path, and the legal authority to manage their affairs if he becomes incapacitated. The children remain included in the plan as contingent beneficiaries, and the estate will transfer cleanly — without probate, without conflict, and without delay. "Highly recommend."

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