Guaranty Association Benefits Company

Gambling With Your Future -

Warning :. Before reading, you should know that I am certainly not a "Yeah, Vegas, Baby" a little person

I think one armed bandits are aptly named. the last time (and only time) I'm in Vegas, somebody really gave me the money to put into a slot machine, and I would not do it. I put it in my pocket . my philosophy is that money hard earned mine or someone else's-has no place in the belly of a machine (or on a blackjack table) where the odds are definitely not in my favor. I can not do it.

that said, I actually did get it all Vegas, or friends who hang around a poker table having a good time. the adrenaline rush of winning the excitement of the game to each his own, right But there is one area of ​​your life where you should never, ever play poker game that our fruit fly Frank discovers in the video

.?.

Joking aside. Feel free to keep what happens in Las Vegas in Las Vegas. But what happens at home is another matter. Make sure that the future of your family is protected. Do not play with that. Get life insurance.

Did we not say enough? -

When I was 25, I understand the value of life insurance and planning for the unexpected.

My father died suddenly at the age of 44 years without life insurance.

I remember I left college and go home for the funeral. My aunt took me aside and told me that the family was pooling money together to pay the fee. What could I do?

We all did what we could. It is not enough to dampen my family the financial gap that my father had left behind.

Although my story is not uncommon today as a financial professional with over two decades in the field, I know it is useless.

When my father (right) died, I was still in college. My young brothers and sisters had to be done.

Although my parents divorced when I was 13, my father's ability to contribute to our future well-being was paramount. As the eldest of three children, I learned to do with what was available. It was not always easy, but it was a full education of important life lessons that eventually led me to my career. My mother cleaned hospitals for life and taught me how to manage resources like any business school ever could. She relies on me to take care of my siblings and our house while she was at work. I earn money by mowing lawns, raking leaves and shoveling snow in the neighborhood. I worked throughout college and got my license for life insurance as a junior through an internship program at a financial services company.

untimely death of my father took a heavy emotional impact on all of us: We grieved the father that we liked, and we were struggling with questions about why he has not taken even a policy small group to protect his family. Do not he know? Did we not say enough?

Despite uplifting stories like mine, many people choose to give up to even the most basic plans in place. Involuntary lesson my father taught me to do the planning made me determined to lift the economic well-being of my own family and helping others to do the same in my community. My choice to help others with their plans for a financial future is not a career choice, it is a mission.

If your own history does not move to take action, you are allowed to borrow mine!

Organize your home office Celebrate Day by reviewing your Business Insurance -

Tell the truth, do your home office look a little messy, cluttered, disorganized? Do you plan to get it under control as soon as you can find the time, but worry that "time" will never come? If so, you're not alone.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 64 percent of independent people do at least some work at home. For these entrepreneurs and small business owners, it can be difficult to keep the paperwork under control when there are so many other priorities on their list. And it is not only a question of where to put what. Being organized also means ensuring that your business has all it takes to function properly and profitably.

Why not celebrate "Organize Your Home Office Day" today, March 8, by getting your business environment under control. Start with the physical improvement of your space, then go a step further, examining how this space and, by extension, your company is protected.

An organized office is more efficient, more productive and ultimately more profitable. And carrying the appropriate types of business insurance protects the profitability in case of unfortunate circumstances or life events. Insurance and other benefits are also attractive incentives to help you recruit the best talent and retain and compensate your members most valuable team.

While you may think that the policies of property and liability insurance are all you or your business needs, you should be aware of other equally important kinds of business insurance .

business suite
the objective of the business continuation coverage is to protect your family and your business in case of adversity. Options include individual insurance keyperson insurance and buy-sell agreements.

• Individual Insurance -In a business owner, you need enough insurance to cover business debts secured by personal assets. Otherwise, your family may be forced to sell or liquidate the company, perhaps at a loss to repay these debts, which may leave little or no money for their living expenses in progress. (I do not know how much you need? Use Life Insurance Calculator Life needs.)
• Keyperson Insurance -According to your business, get a keyperson insurance on some employees may be beneficial because it helps make for sales or loss of income or cover the cost of research or training a replacement should a staff member become disabled or die.
• Buy-sell agreements -In a company with shared ownership, a buy-sell agreement allows owners to purchase from the company to another owner if death, disability or retirement. Buy-sell agreements are generally funded by life insurance policies, which further allows business owners to buy the company interests on the part of a co-owner, if he or she were to die at a previously agreed price. Business owners should also ensure against the risk of becoming disabled and unable to work. In this case, disability insurance buy-out fund the purchase and sale agreement, allowing the owner to invalidate redeemed, usually after a waiting period of one year.

Employment Benefits -When working weighing offers, candidates examine both the rate of pay and the pay plan, which may include pension life health and disability insurance, as well. If you want to recruit and retain the best employees, discuss all the benefits package options (including voluntary benefit programs) with your insurance advisor to ensure that you have the right combination.

Executive Compensation -Executive compensation schemes, designed for your most valuable employees, offer a higher level of benefits and compensation as well as tax benefits. Options include deferred compensation plans (including SERPs), section 162 plans and supplemental disability insurance. Again, rely on your insurance advisor for recommendations and information.

Although all this information can seem overwhelming at first, your insurance professional can guide you through the details and help you develop a comprehensive plan for protecting your business and those with on her. Use "Organize Your Home Office Day" as an incentive to organize an assessment of the business policy with your insurance advisor. Then you can relax and enjoy your well-ordered office space, knowing that everything, including your insurance cover, is well organized and on track.

Insurance Part Greater Good Life -

Life insurance is nothing if not personal. It provides money to widows, widowers, children and family members when a loved one dies, to help them continue financially.

However, we hear a lot about Capitol Hill about the life insurance industry does not serve the American public. Few of us, including those on Capitol Hill, to understand the real economic benefits of the industry of life insurance offers Americans. According to the American Council of Life Insurers (ACLI), there is almost $ 18.5 trillion in coverage of the death benefit in force. This means that $ 18500000000000, yes trillion, would be in hands of families, if something were to happen to policyholders. This sounds like a huge amount of protection that life insurance offers Americans to protect families and businesses, to create a legacy, to create money where none existed before.

These are promises to pay future benefits, but what is the life insurance industry by putting in today's economy? According ACLI, total payments made under life insurance and annuity contracts were $ 3650000000 in 2010. That is more than $ 30 billion in cash by coming months in the economy of the United States. I do not know how you do your calculations, but even in terms of government, that is a lot of money.

With a high number of unemployment apparent constant, on the people the industry employs? 2011 Fact Book of ACLI says there are 917 companies doing life insurance business in the United States, employing over 2.2 million people. In addition, employment in the industry has remained fairly constant over the last 10 years.

As an agent and advisor, I am proud to help protect the interests of my clients and proud that life insurance helps industry to an economy and stronger and stronger country.

Are You Smarter Than Your Paycheck? -

Think you're smarter than your salary? Well, try your luck with the Paycheck Pop Quiz. There are five short videos, each with a question. If you get all five correct answers, leave a comment and let us know and you will get a prize of LIFE Foundation (scouts honor about it!).

Slowing the world for a moment -

When the world is whirling and spinning around us the demands of work and home and family, it's hard to keep life balanced. Sometimes it can be something simple, like the wisdom of a child, who can right the tilting axis of the world.

This is what makes this video. I've seen it a dozen times over several years and it never fails to stop me in my tracks. While the pictures and captions are poignant, it always makes me take a step back from what I think is important and just take a breath: the image of the little boy with his Papaya in corresponding combinations, top section of the hill to the fishing hole. There is something universal strikes. And in the most important world holding hands with a loved one?

The wonders of life ... which photo you speak?

Backing up your income the impact of a disability is -

Decades, the traditional family unit is composed of a husband and wife with 2.5 children. Most women were stay at home mother, able to call on members of the extended family in case of illness or injury has affected their ability to care for their children.

But these days, there is more of a "traditional" family unit (and, by extension, an extensive support network), the following figures show:

• in 2010, 43.6% of all residents of the United States aged 18 and over were single-more than half of all women-seniors comprised 16.5% of all unmarried and single people 18+.
• 45% of households in the country were held by men or single women, while many single parents living with their children in 2010 reached 11.7 million. (Almost a third of grandparents raising their grandchildren.)
• There were 6.5 million unmarried-partner households that included 581.300 same-sex couples.
• Finally, the number of people living alone totaled $ 31.4 million in 2010, comprising 27% of all households against 17% in 1970.

What this mean for you? Well, if you fall into any of the categories above, a single parent or grandparent raising a child, an adult living alone, or an unmarried couple you need to do a bit of thinking "worst case scenario ". Specifically: If you have an illness or injury resulting in a disability (temporary or permanent), what kind of impact it will have not only on your finances but also to anyone who depends on you
during disability insurance awareness Month? , Ask about the reality of the impact of disability can have on your budget and your life.

disability coverage facts
If you think you have your bases covered with health insurance, workers' compensation or social security, the following information may change your mind.

• Although health insurance will cover medical costs, it will not provide income to cover your needs if you are unable to work, even for a short period of time.
• the workers' compensation coverage applies only if the disability is only occurs in about 5% of cases related to the employment, according to the Council for Disability Awareness. (If you play the odds, you might want to reconsider, since 30% of those entering the workforce today will be disabled for three months or more during their careers, the average request long term disability lasts 31.2 months.)
• Although social security provides coverage, eligibility for benefits can be difficult (60% are first denied) and, just over $ 1,100 per month, the average monthly payment is barely above the poverty level.

In the meantime, the bills continue to rise and your financial situation becomes even more precarious. According to a study, over 62% of bankruptcies in 07 were due to medical issues-a significant increase over 01 of 46.2%.

Fortunately, you have several options to help protect yourself and those that depends on you. coverage (short-term disability insurance, long term disability insurance, or both) sponsored by the employer can replace a significant percentage of your income, perhaps up to 40% to 60% of your income before taxes. (In some states, employees can also buy short-term additional disability coverage on their own, paid through payroll deductions.)

If you're self-employed or if you want a thread stronger security, individual disability insurance policy is the best choice. Start by calculating the amount of income you need to maintain your current standard of living in case you are unable to work. Next, look at your situation in life and work. Do you have children, a spouse or an elderly parent who depends on you for support? Is there a cap on the benefits offered by your employer and you get close to this level? Finally, your standard of living has increased or you have taken a significant amount of new debt?

Once you have a clearer picture of your "worst case" schedule a meeting with your insurance advisor to review your disability insurance options: by your employer, a professional organization or on your own. This will help you make the best decision for your budget, your future and those who are part of your "family unit". For more information on people with disabilities, visit www.protectyourpaycheck.org.