BENEFITS CORNER

K of C Field Agent News         

We seem to say it every year, “It’s almost Christmas, where has the year gone?”  As we look back we measure the passing of the seasons, from one holiday to the next, and see how our lives have changed over that time.  Christmas and the end of the year mark a milestone for most of us.  The season gives us pause to thank God for sending his only-begotten Son to redeem us and it is a time to reflect on all the gifts we’ve received from him. God’s gift to us inspires the gift-giving so many of us enjoy at Christmastime. We certainly enjoy receiving those gifts, but reflect for a moment of what the giving of gifts does for the gift-giver.  Quite simply, it makes us feel good to give.

As I look back at 2020, I can’t help but think of all of the selfless members of the Order who gave gifts to help others.  From our “No Neighbor Left Behind” campaign to fulfilling our “Knights of Charity” moniker, we prove every day what it means to be a Knight.  To give of themselves by giving the gifts of their time, their talent or their treasure to help those less fortunate and those in need.

Knights are known for their generosity.  We are indeed Knights of Charity.  All of these important initiatives help many others, but don’t forget about your own family…and I’m not talking about gifts that you’ll put under the tree. This holiday season as we think of giving and receiving, when we think of all the good gifts we have been given and all we are able to give, make sure you give your family the gift of peace of mind.  Secure in the knowledge that whatever challenges they may face, you have protected them.

The Knights of Columbus has the products that will do just that:  Provide financially for your family if you aren’t here, make sure you have enough for a comfortable retirement, give the care needed if you can’t care for yourself and make sure all of this comes to pass if you are sick or hurt and can’t work. It’s painless to sit down with me to analyze your particular situation.

As we prepare to celebrate Christmas, let us be thankful for all the graces God has showered on us, especially the gift of his Son, our Savior!

 Vivat Jesus!

Dan

Daniel J. Falstad     
(612) 310-5254

A sound financial plan can be more important than a lifetime of work!

When planning your future financial security, it is important to set goals, initiate action, and periodically review your progress.  Retirement goals must be considered.  If a wage earner dies, funds need to be available for both Cash Needs and a family's continuing Income Needs.  

Cash needs could include:
· Final Expenses Fund for medical, legal, funeral and other expenses
· Debt Payment Fund to pay off your debts, including your mortgage
· Emergency Reserve Fund for unexpected bills not readily payable from current income
· Education Fund to provide for your children's education

After death, income generally comes from four different sources:  
· Survivor’s Earnings
· Savings and Investments
· Life Insurance Proceeds
· Social Security

Financial experts generally recommend that 70% of total household income be available after the death of a wage earner while there are children at home and 50% thereafter.  

Will you have enough money when you retire?  The earlier you begin setting money aside, the more likely you are to achieve your goals.  Retirement Income generally comes from three different sources:
· Social Security
· Employer Sponsored Plans
· Savings and Investments

If you need additional retirement capital you should consider:
· Saving more money
· Earning a higher return on your assets

If you are not able to accumulate additional capital, you may need to consider:
· Postponing your retirement, or
· Reducing your standard of living.  

If these options are not attainable, you can work towards doing a little bit of each.

If you aren't sure where you are, consider having us do a financial analysis that compares your investments and savings strategies with your financial priorities and concerns.  We can provide you with a broad, general guideline, which may be helpful in shaping your financial thinking about investment objectives and risk tolerance – and your future.  We can do reports and graphs with the data you furnish us.  Give us a call to set up an appointment to help you review your progress.  All at no cost to you as a brother Knight!  

 

Beneficiaries…Who Do You Love?

Do you know who the beneficiary is on your life insurance policy? It would be a wise idea to find out – and update your beneficiary if necessary. As your K of C agent, I can help you do that.

Why is this important? A life insurance policy protects the financial status of another person – or people – in the event of your death. Through a beneficiary designation, you determine just who that should be.

When you purchase a K of C insurance policy, you must select a primary beneficiary – at a minimum. You don’t have to name a contingent beneficiary – also known as a “secondary beneficiary.” However, it’s always a wise move because you might outlive your primary beneficiary. A contingent beneficiary (also known as a “secondary” beneficiary) is the person designated to receive life insurance policy proceeds if the primary beneficiary dies.

You should be as specific as possible in wording your beneficiary designation. By naming your wife, daughter, son, etc., as beneficiary, you make sure that the life insurance proceeds will be available in a timely manner to them.

Your life situation will undoubtedly change over time. Plan to update your declared beneficiaries periodically. Otherwise, the K of C will have no way of knowing what your intentions are at each stage of your life.

Changing your beneficiary is fairly simple. You just need to fill out a change of beneficiary form (#113A) for each policy you want to change. I can provide you with these forms – and I will help you to fill them out. I can also help you with beneficiary designations for any life insurance policy you hold – regardless of the company that issued it.

What is likely to use up your hard earned money the fastest? 

1.      Private LTC insurance 5.0%               1. Private LTC insurance 5.0%

2.      Medicare 15.3%                                     3. Medicare 8.0%

3.      Medicaid 17.3%                                     3. Medicaid 41.0%

4.      Out of Pocket 62.2%                         4. Out of Pocket 46.0% 

Social security was not designed to provide Long Term Care at all.  The social security act of 1935 was designed to provide retirement benefits.  The Medicare Act of 1965 was designed to provide affordable health care for the elderly using Social Security to fund it, but did not really increase funding.  So how will the government fund Long Term Care, especially when the baby boomers start to need it?   

What are the odds that you will need Long Term Care?  No one can tell you for sure, but right now, one out of every two people is expected to need Long Term Care at some time in their life.  In fact, one out of every four people needing Long Term care today spends more than $100,000.  Sandra Timmerman, Ed.D.  is the director of the Mature Market Institute.  In April 2002 she said “The projected average cost for one person is $61,320 per year or $153,300 for the average nursing home stay, causing many families to have to spend down their assets”.  

To get the information you need about Long Term Care so you can develop peace of mind for yourself and your loved ones please contact  me and I will help you before it’s too late.   

WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO WITH THE MONEY? 

As you probably know by now, Congress and the President have provided significant tax relief for Americans in 2003.  There were many changes that benefit individuals, families and business owners.  All of the tax brackets have been reduced, taxes on dividends have been reduced, the child credit was increased, and more.  The questions you may be asking are “How much will we get out of it?” and “What should we do with it?”  

It has been estimated that the average family earning $40,000 will receive more than $1,000 in annual tax relief over and above the tax cuts enacted in 2001.  The child credit provides $400 per child per year, and the 15% bracket was reduced to 10% and applies to the first $14,000 of taxable income that results in an annual savings of $700.  The other brackets were reduced as well and joint filers could see as much as another $935 in annual tax relief.  To estimate your tax savings, it is recommended that you consult with a tax specialist. 

Now, what can you do with that new money?  Of course, you could spend it now, and some people will.  However, is that best for you and your family?  It is well known that Americans in general are very poor savers, and most people admit that if they could change one thing in their financial plan they would put more money away to work for them.  For emergencies, to send their children to college, for retirement, and more.  Well, here is an opportunity to do something more!   

The Knights of Columbus has programs that are designed for building and protecting wealth, and they are available to members only.  I can show you how these programs can benefit you and your family now and in the future, plus all of our programs have guarantees! 

As to that $1,000 per year – did you know that $1,000 saved now and earning 7% compounded annually grows to over $3,800 in twenty years?  And $1,000 saved per year for twenty years and growing at 7% yields nearly $45,000?  It’s your choice.  Spend it now, or put it to work so you can spend more later. 

Please give me a call so that I can show you how our programs can benefit you and your family. 

To give you information about these issues and help you develop peace of mind about long-term care for yourself and your loved ones, the St Al’s Knights of Columbus are sponsoring a program to help you in your deliberations.  Look for the specific information and details about this program elsewhere in this newsletter.