In partnership with

The weekly email that keeps you up to date on exciting Retirement topics in an enjoyable, entertaining way for free.

Why Egg Prices Have Skyrocketed—And Why the Mass Culling of Chickens May Have Been a Catastrophic Overreaction

by Eric Seyboldt, MBA

Egg prices have surged to astonishing highs in March 2025, leaving American consumers outraged, businesses scrambling, and policymakers under immense pressure to explain how the country found itself in such a crisis. This isn’t just a case of supply and demand—it’s a cascading economic disaster triggered by a mix of government intervention, industry miscalculations, and possibly one of the most unnecessary agricultural overreactions in modern history.

At the heart of the crisis is a fundamental question: Was it truly necessary to wipe out more than 166 million chickens, or did authorities and agribusiness leaders make a knee-jerk reaction that exacerbated the very problem they were trying to solve?

A Perfect Storm: What’s Driving Egg Prices Through the Roof?

1. The Avian Influenza Scare—A Justified Response or Mass Hysteria?

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), commonly known as bird flu, has been public enemy number one in the egg industry for years. The logic behind mass culling has been simple: infected flocks must be eliminated to prevent further spread. In 2024, the USDA, following long-standing policy, required the immediate euthanization of entire poultry operations even if only a fraction of birds tested positive.

But was this the right move? Critics argue that the science behind mass culling has been grossly outdated and economically reckless. HPAI is undeniably dangerous, but many veterinarians and agricultural economists have pointed out that not all infected chickens need to be culled—especially when effective containment measures and vaccinations exist. Europe has already begun rolling out large-scale poultry vaccinations, with no evidence that vaccinated birds contribute to viral spread. France, for example, has been able to control outbreaks while keeping a significant portion of its poultry supply intact.

Yet, in the U.S., rather than investing in mass vaccination or quarantining specific infected areas, the entire supply chain was slashed at the root, sending prices into freefall. The question must be asked: Did government and industry leaders overreact, making a bad situation worse?

2. The Cost of Doing Business Has Exploded

Even beyond the bird flu fiasco, production costs have skyrocketed across the board. Chicken feed prices remain at record highs due to global grain shortages. Corn and soybeans—two critical feed components—are up more than 30% due to supply chain disruptions from international conflicts, droughts, and speculative trading.

Meanwhile, the rising costs of fuel, transportation, and refrigeration mean that every step of egg production is more expensive than ever. These costs are being passed directly to consumers.

3. Regulatory Mandates: The Cage-Free Paradox

Regulations requiring cage-free egg production in states like California and Massachusetts have further strained the industry. These mandates, while possibly well-intentioned, have forced producers to make costly overhauls at a time when the industry is already under immense financial pressure.

The result? Government regulation has created a situation where smaller farms simply couldn’t afford the transition, leading to consolidation of the market under a few corporate giants, the donors to the political class. This has reduced competition and allowed large producers to keep prices elevated even when costs stabilize.

How the U.S. Can Fix the Egg Supply Crisis

If policymakers and industry leaders want to restore normalcy, they must change course immediately. The following strategies could help rebuild the supply chain and ensure this crisis is never repeated:

1. Expand Poultry Farming Capacity—Immediately

The government should provide financial incentives for farms to increase egg production capacity. Small and mid-sized farms should be supported in expanding operations, particularly in regions less prone to avian flu outbreaks.

In addition, import restrictions should be temporarily relaxed to bring in eggs from international markets where production remains stable.

2. Reform Regulatory Hurdles Without Abandoning Welfare Goals

While cage-free mandates improve animal welfare, the timeline for implementation must be reassessed. Instead of abrupt industry-wide changes, a more gradual phase-in approach should be adopted. Additionally, federal subsidies should help farms transition rather than forcing them to absorb the full financial burden.

3. Break Up the Egg Industry Monopoly

Large corporate players currently dominate egg production, controlling pricing with little oversight. The government must stop overregulation of small producers and strengthen antitrust enforcement against the egg cartels, promoting independent farms and reducing corporate price manipulation.

Conclusion: A Crisis Manufactured by Overreaction?

The egg price crisis of 2025 may ultimately be remembered as a failure of risk management and common sense. While avian flu is a serious threat, mass culling was an extreme measure that may have done more harm than good. Instead of adopting smarter containment strategies, the U.S. government and poultry industry opted for the nuclear option—one that has left consumers footing the bill.

Looking forward, policymakers must reconsider whether destruction is truly the only answer when future outbreaks emerge. Vaccination, containment, and market competition can prevent another disaster like this. But if changes aren’t made, Americans may have to accept a new reality: that the days of cheap eggs are gone for good.

Reach out to us for a complimentary, 10-minute consultation call. Let's explore strategies to protect your wealth and make your retirement everything you've dreamed of—secure, fulfilling, and worry-free. Schedule a free 10-minute consultation today by calling 614-943-2265. Your future deserves the best plan, and we're here to help make it happen.

Cut Through Noise with The Flyover!

• One Email with ALL the News

• Ditch the Mainstream Bias

• Quick, informative news that cuts through noise.

Subscribe with One Click!

Ready To Start Your Medicare Coverage? When, Why, and How to Apply for Medicare and a Supplement Plan—Without Costly Mistakes

by Eric Seyboldt, MBA

Client: "Eric, I’m turning 65 this year. How do I get started with Medicare so that I can get a surgery that I’ve needed for the last couple of years?"

Eric: Medicare isn’t just a checkbox on your retirement to-do list—it’s one of the most financially consequential decisions you’ll ever make. Choose the wrong path, and you could face crippling out-of-pocket expenses, limited access to care, and penalties that never go away. But make the right move—at the right time—and you can lock in comprehensive, affordable healthcare for the rest of your life.

Let’s break this down step by step, including exactly when, why, and how to apply, and most importantly, why a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plan is the key to financial security in retirement.

When Should You Apply for Medicare?

For most, Medicare eligibility begins at age 65. There’s a seven-month Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) that starts three months before your birthday month, includes your birth month, and extends three months after.

Miss this window, and Medicare Part B (outpatient care) penalties increase your premium by 10% for every 12 months you delay—for life. Part D (prescription coverage) also imposes permanent penalties if you go without drug coverage.

Example: Lisa, a retired schoolteacher, delayed Part B, thinking she was covered under COBRA. When she finally enrolled two years later, her Part B premium was 20% higher forever. That’s an expensive mistake.

How to Apply for Medicare

1. If you’re already receiving Social Security benefits, you’ll be automatically enrolled in Medicare Part A (hospital) and Part B (outpatient).

2. If you’re not receiving Social Security benefits, you must actively apply through:

   • The Social Security website (ssa.gov)

   • The Social Security office (prepare for long waits)

   • Calling 1-800-MEDICARE

Why a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) Plan Is Critical

Medicare does not cover everything—not even close. Without supplemental coverage, you’ll face:

• $1,632 deductible per hospital stay (2024) and no cap on costs

• 20% coinsurance on all doctor visits, tests, and outpatient procedures

• No coverage for overseas medical emergencies

Medicare Supplement Plans: The History and the Strategy

Medigap policies were created in 1965 alongside Medicare to protect retirees from unpredictable medical costs. These policies fill in the "gaps" left by Medicare Parts A & B, covering deductibles, copays, and coinsurance.

Unlike Medicare Advantage (which replaces Medicare and restricts networks), Medigap works alongside Medicare, letting you see any doctor nationwide who accepts Medicare.

Comparing Medigap Plans: Which One Is Right for You?

There are ten Medigap plans (A, B, C, D, F, G, K, L, M, N), but most retirees choose from Plan F, Plan G, or Plan N—the three most comprehensive options.

The Most Popular Choice: Plan G

• Covers 100% of hospital and doctor costs after a small annual deductible

• Includes foreign travel emergency coverage

• No networks or pre-authorizations—use any doctor who accepts Medicare

• Lower premiums than Plan F, with almost identical coverage

Example: Mark, a retired executive, initially chose a Medicare Advantage plan because of the $0 premium. But when he needed out-of-state cancer treatment, he found his plan didn’t cover his top-choice specialist. He switched to Plan G, gaining complete flexibility and peace of mind.

Medigap vs. Medicare Advantage: The Stark Reality

Many retirees fall into the Medicare Advantage trap, lured by low or $0 premiums. But the true cost emerges when they need care.

Who Should Get a Medigap Plan?
✅ Retirees who want no surprise medical bills
✅ Frequent travelers who need nationwide & overseas coverage
✅ Anyone wanting predictable, fixed healthcare costs

Who Might Choose Medicare Advantage?
✅ Those who can’t afford Medigap premiums
✅ Retirees who are comfortable with HMO restrictions & prior authorizations

Timing Is Everything: The Medigap Open Enrollment Period (OEP)

This is where many make a costly mistake.

When you first enroll in Medicare Part B, you have six months to buy a Medigap policy with no medical underwriting. This means:

• No health questions

• No coverage denials

• No inflated premiums based on pre-existing conditions

Miss this window? Insurers can deny coverage or charge sky-high rates based on health status.

Example: Sarah, a healthy 65-year-old, skipped Medigap, thinking she’d add it later. At 70, she was diagnosed with heart disease. When she applied for Medigap, insurers denied her outright. Her only option? Medicare Advantage—with $6,000+ out-of-pocket costs each year.

Final Warning: The High-Stakes Nature of Medicare Decisions

Choosing Medicare isn’t just a formality—it’s a financial chess game with lifelong consequences.

• Enroll in Medicare on time (or face permanent penalties)

• Pick the right Medigap plan within your open enrollment window

• Avoid the Medicare Advantage pitfalls that can leave you without critical care when you need it most

Eric’s Golden Rule: If you want to control your healthcare costs, enroll in a Medigap plan the moment you sign up for Medicare Part B.

Don’t wait. Your financial future—and your health—depend on it.

Contact us for a free, brief 10-minute consultation. Let's explore how to get the best Medicare coverage, create strategies to protect your wealth, and make your retirement everything you've dreamed of—secure, fulfilling, and worry-free. Schedule a free 10-minute consultation today by calling 614-943-2265. Your future deserves the best plan, and we're here to help make it happen.

Fixed annuities can be an essential component of a well-rounded retirement strategy, offering security, predictability, and efficiency in financial planning.

These are current fixed annuity rates and their durations from Top A-rated carriers (subject to change at any time, not FDIC insured):

Rates Just Popped Up! Don’t Wait To Lock These Fixed Annuity Rates In Today!

3-year: 5.30% (under $100k Deposited)

3-year: 5.45% (over $100k Deposited)

5-year: 5.20% (under $100k Deposited)

5-year: 5.45% (over $100k Deposited)

Please feel free to call Eric at 614-943-2265 if you’d like to ask any questions or request information on these fixed annuities or other retirement topics that are on your mind.

REAL ASSETS, Invest Like the Ultra-Wealthy

Have You Considered Adding ‘Real Assets’ like Gold or Bourbon to Your Investment Portfolio?

In an era of economic uncertainty, the shrewdest investors are turning to physical assets as a safeguard for their retirement savings. With inflation looming and central banks printing money at record rates, tangible investments like gold—and even bourbon barrels—are emerging as attractive hedges against financial volatility. These hard assets don’t just weather economic storms; they also enhance portfolio diversification, even in calmer times.

History has shown that physical assets often outperform traditional investments during periods of market turbulence. Their resilience provides a reliable buffer against financial instability, making them a compelling addition to any long-term strategy.

Given today’s economic headwinds, integrating real assets into your portfolio could be a strategic move to reinforce your financial security. Could these investments be the missing piece in your wealth-building plan?

Allocating funds into the asset class known as “Real Assets” may be a strategy that you should consider.

Ask us how to Rollover a portion of Your IRA or 401k To A BOURBON IRA (www.bourbon.fund/how-it-works/) or a GOLD IRA (see link below) and:

• Safeguard your assets from the collapsing dollar

• Incorporate the ‘REAL ASSET’ class into your portfolio like the ultra-wealthy

• Hedge against the current high-inflation conditions

• Protect your retirement assets against economic crises

Just get in touch. We make it easier than ever.

Feedback or Questions?

You’re invited to get in touch with us if you’d like to find out how the Novus Financial Group can help you on your journey to a happy, fulfilling life in Retirement. 

Office: 614-943-2265

Feel Free To Forward Retirement Examined To A Friend and Have Them Subscribe By Clicking The Button Below:

Reach out if you’d like to advertise your business on Retirement Examined or would like to be a sponsor.

Investment advisory services are offered by duly registered individuals on behalf of CreativeOne Wealth, LLC a Registered Investment Adviser.

The content we provide here isn’t financial advice and cannot be taken as such. Please speak to your financial advisor before making any investment decision. Also, note that every investment comes with its risks and drawbacks. Lastly, we would like to remind you that past results cannot guarantee future returns.

This website contains one affiliate link. When you click on the link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission at no additional cost to you. We only promote companies that we have personally used or researched and believe will add value to our readers