National Catholic Forester

Winter 2018 — www.ncsf.com 27 It can maximize a pension. While a traditional pension is fading fast in America, those who can still count on this benefit are often faced with a choice between taking a higher single life distribution, or a lower amount that covers a surviving spouse as well. Life insurance can supplement a surviving spouse's income, enabling couples to enjoy the higher, single-life pension — together. It can make leaving a legacy easy. According to The Wall Street Journal, permanent life insurance is "a fantastically useful and flexible estate-planning tool," commonly used to pass on assets to loved ones. Policy proceeds are generally income-tax free and paid directly to your beneficiaries in a cash lump sum — avoiding probate and Uncle Sam in one pass. Your policy can also be used to pay estate taxes, ensure the continuity of a family business, or perhaps leave a legacy for a favorite charity or institution. If you do expect your estate to be taxed, you can even establish a life insurance trust, which allows wealth to pass to your heirs outside of your estate, generally free of both estate and income taxes. Where to start? a policy review. If you've had a life insurance policy for awhile, schedule a policy review with your life insurance agent or financial advisor. By the time you reach mid-life, you may have a mix of coverage — term, permanent, group or even an executive compensation package. Your licensed insurance agent or financial advisor can help you assess your situation and adjust a current policy or structure a new policy to help you achieve your retirement planning goals. If you have no coverage at all, there's no better time than today to get started. Life insurance is a long-term financial tool. It can take decades to build permanent policy values to a place where you can use them toward your retirement goals. And, health profiles can change at any time. If you're healthy, you can lock in that insurability now and look forward to years of tax-deferred (yes!) policy growth. retired already? The best thing you can do is meet annually with your personal advisors to ensure your plans stay on track. Market conditions and family circumstances change, so that even the best-laid plans require course adjustments over time. 2 3 An annuity is an excellent tool for retirement planning. National Catholic Society of Foresters' (NCSF) annuities can be used for Traditional IRAs and Roth IRAs or non-tax qualified plans. Another NCSF plus, you don't need a large deposit to begin! You can get started with an initial contribution of as little as $300. Interest rates effective April 1, 2016 and subject to change. Products/features may not be available in all states. 1) 12FPDA / 12SPDA plan series. 2) 1st year guaranteed interest rate; renewal rate 2.25%; minimum guaranteed interest rate 1.5% after year 1. FIxed-rate annuItIes 1 H sIngLe and FLexIbLe preMIuM H Issue age 0-80 H 2.25% Renewal Rate H 1.50% guaranteed minimum interest rate. Rates subject to change. 7-YeaR SuRRendeR 3.50% first year interest rate 2 with a $300-$49,999 premium 4.00% first year interest rate 2 with a $50,000+ premium 10-YeaR SuRRendeR 3.75% first year interest rate 2 with a $300-$49,999 premium 4.15% first year interest rate 2 with a $50,000+ premium resolving to save More in 2018? an annuity may be the right choice for you! See page 28 for more about investing in an Annuity. 1.18AD-ANNRATES

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