The Anna Maria Island Sun Newspaper

Vol. 13 No. 32 - May 29, 2013

BUSINESS

Family practice at its essence

The term family practice is pretty common when medical professionals describe their services. Usually it means the practice can accommodate all members of a family, but sometimes it can refer to the individuals who work in the practice.

Dr. Charles A. Tomeo has been living and practicing in Bradenton for over 30 years. Originally from the Northeast, Tomeo attended Fairleigh Dickenson University on a full lacrosse scholarship followed by the University of Maryland Dental School where he also had a full academic scholarship.

After enlisting in the Army as a Captain during the Vietnam War, Dr. Tomeo completed his oral and maxillofacial training at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York City. He is licensed in three states, New York, New Jersey and Florida.

His son, Charles C. Tomeo joined his father’s practice in July of 2006 after completing his education starting with Florida State University, where he played NCAA championship varsity football. He also attended Nova Southeastern University Dental School and completed an internship at Columbia University Hospital and a residency at North Shore/Long Island Jewish Medical Center both in New York.

Tomeo Tomeo are oral and maxillofacial surgery specialists which includes facial reconstruction, joint surgery, facial trauma, bone grafting, jaw surgery, birth defects, TMJ surgery and Botox in addition to dental implants, wisdom teeth treatments and biopsies. They currently perform all facial trauma surgeries that present themselves at the Blake Hospital Trauma Center on a 24/7 basis, many of which are performed pro bono, and are affiliated with several other hospitals including Manatee Memorial and Sarasota Memorial.

In addition to their west Bradenton location, the doctors have two other regular offices, one on State Road 70 East at Lakewood Ranch and another on Waldemere Street in Sarasota. They also see patients in their Del Webb Boulevard, Sun City Center location several times a week.

Although both doctors have exceptional educations, training and are board certified in their field, some of what sets them apart from other medical professionals is a very special family dynamic at Tomeo Tomeo. Not only is there a unique relationship between father and son working together, but several members of their large extended family are also involved in the practice. Dr. Tomeo, Sr.’s sister, Ellen Morabito, is the office manager and has been for 19 years, and his daughter, Melissa Ebling, is the assistant office manager. Even Dr. Tomeo, Sr.’s father, Carmine Tomeo, who passed away five months ago at the age of 86, contributed to his son’s practice by being responsible for all of the offices’ bank deposits.

Ellen Morabito says that most surgery centers are run by corporations and lose that personal touch. Tomeo Tomeo treats all of their patients just like they were one of the family.

Dr. Charles A. Tomeo, Sr. has had innumerable teaching experiences and continuing education in his specialties and has also been active in the community during the years he has lived here. He helped establish the Manatee Dental Hygiene Program as well as being the founder and sponsor of the Wildcats Youth Football Program in Manatee County. The family loves Anna Maria beaches and recently the entire family joined the Moose Lodge on Anna Maria.

When Tomeo Tomeo refers to themselves as a family practice, they’re not kidding. On most days, you’ll find several members of the Tomeo clan at the office inviting you to be a member of their family and offering extraordinary care provided by an extraordinary family.

TOMEO TOMEO ORAL SURGERY CENTER

1906-D 59th Street West Bradenton
941-792-0088
www.charlestomeodmd.com

Monday through Friday:
8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

All major credit cards & all insurance accepted
By appointment only

Anna Maria Island Sun News Story

Social Security's value

Investment Corner

During almost any conversation about Social Security, it is inevitable that some of the more disparaging comments about the system will come out. “I’m taking mine right away before the system runs out of money” and “It’s not enough to retire on anyway” are typical comments.

It’s not my job to champion the system, but there is certainly a lot of misinformation getting passed around that causes people stress, and that is never good. I hope to cover the reality and with the information we have today, dispel some of the ideas which are just plain wrong and to provide some insight as to what your Social Security benefits are worth in terms of a cash value.

First, yes, under the current plan benefit levels and rules, it is projected that the Social Security Fund will start paying out more than it takes in from payroll deposits around the year 2021, and run out of money in about 2033. Of course, this assumes no action is taken to raise the age required to receive benefits, or any adjustment is made to the payroll tax rate used to fund the system.

Longer lifespans and the baby boom generation moving into retirement are definitely stressing the system. But this problem is manageable through some combination of raising the FICA payroll tax, which funds the system; moving up the age at which eligibility begins; and possibly, but not likely, reducing benefit levels.

The important thing is to be able to get to the other side of the boomers, a demographic group 76 million strong. Once these folks have enjoyed their retirement years and pass on, there will be some likely relief for the system as the next demographic – Generation X – is smaller in size and will put less strain on the system when it relies on it for benefits.

Additionally, the large baby boom generation spawned what we might call an “echo-boom.” This is what is now known as Generation Y. Also known as the Millennials, they are those born in the early 1980’s through the early 2000’s, and are the first generation to live their entire lives with computers being commonplace. Generation Y is estimated to be over 90 million strong here in the U.S. and will be a powerful force to replenish the Social Security Fund for their predecessors, Generation X, as they reach peak earning years. Of course, they will present a problem to the system later when they all start drawing benefits.

It is also important to have some perspective on the cash value required to provide the same level of income that Social Security provides. While benefit levels vary with age at filing, earnings history, and some other factors, the average recipient today receives about$1,250 per month. Using the financial planning concept of the safe withdrawal rate which is generally accepted to be in the 4 to 5 percent range, you would need about $350,000 for each individual ($700,000 per married couple) to generate the level of income the average Social Security recipient gets each month.

Since most families retire with less than this amount in saving and investments, it is important to plan for when and how you will receive Social Security benefits to maximize your income. I think it is also important to remember, but does little good for those already retired, is the idea that Social Security Benefits were never intended to be someone’s whole retirement plan.

President Roosevelt, when signing Social Security into law stated, in part, “We can never insure 100 percent of the population against 100 percent of the hazards and vicissitudes of life, but we have tried to frame a law which will give some measure of protection to the average citizen and to his family against the loss of a job and against poverty-ridden old age.”

Which, takes us to something another man this one with the last name of Franklin, said, “A penny saved is a penny earned.”

While inflation over time has turned the perspective on pennies into dollars, the thought process is unchanged as good advise for those working toward building their financial future.

Tom Breiter is president of Breiter Capital Management, Inc., an Anna Maria based investment advisor. He can be reached at 778-1900. Some of the investment concepts highlighted in this column may carry the risk of loss of principal, and investors should determine appropriateness for their personal situation before investing. Visit www.breitercapital.com.


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