The
Order’s portfolio of top-rated products includes a variety or term and
permanent plans that can be custom-tailored to meet the needs, goals and budget
of every Catholic family. Among these is
our Annual Renewable Term (ART) plan, which provides the maximum amount of
insurance protection per premium dollar.
ART plans
provides life insurance protection for a specific, temporary period of
time. Many have likened it to “renting”
life insurance protection. It is
appropriate coverage when the life insurance need is temporary in nature, such
as to provide mortgage protection or to cover a business loan.
Among the
advantages, in addition to the economical premium, is that ART plans can be
converted to a permanent plan of protection with no additional underwriting
required at any time prior to age 65. In a sense, ART plans can be used to
guarantee your insurability. If you need
protection for your entire life, but the premiums for permanent insurance just
aren’t in the budget right now, purchasing an ART plan with the intent to
convert might just be the way to go.
Who
benefits from ART plans:
·
Those
who want to supplement permanent insurance protection;
·
Small
business owners who want to cover the life of a key employee until retirement;
·
Those
who need guaranteed coverage for life, but need time to budget additional
premium dollars and want guaranteed conversion to a permanent plan of
insurance;
·
Anyone
who needs life insurance for only a certain period.
I will be
happy to meet with you at your convenience to discuss how Knights of Columbus
ART life insurance, or any other of our top-rated portfolio of products, can
help you meet your needs and goals.
Jim Welter
828 329 1391
James.welter@kofc.org
Usually,
I use this space to talk about our safe, secure life insurance, retirement and
long-term care products. This time, I want to address the growth of the Order.
All of us this is the fuel that keeps this great fraternal engine running. All
of our charitable works in the council, state, national and international level
are thanks to our hard-working members.
We also
recognize that the membership blitz is a tried and true way for councils to
increase their numbers. We see these pushes often in March, in celebration of
Founder’s Day, and again in October. These drives are successful because
brother Knights are more visible than normal, during and after Masses and at
special events. We remember to ask each and every Catholic gentleman to join our
ranks for the good of the Church, community and Order.
During
the rest of the year, we often “forget” to ask men to join our ranks and bring
their families into the Knights of Columbus family. You probably know an
eligible Catholic man you could ask today. Chances are that the only reason he
hasn’t joined already is because no one asked him.
When
telling a prospect about the strengths of the Order, don’t forget our greatest
fraternal benefit: our insurance program. This is often an interesting “selling
point” to a potential member who is on the fence. Many members come into the
Knighthood simply to be able to buy coverage for their family. Soon after, they
realize the good our charitable works do for their community and they are
hooked.
As your
professional Knights of Columbus insurance agent, I look forward to helping us
grow in fraternity in any way that I can.
Jim Welter
828 329 1391
James.welter@kofc.org
Studies
have shown that life insurance is often a misunderstood product. Worse still,
people are unsure where to find information on these products or are afraid to
ask. As a member of this Order, you have access to me, a full-time professional
life insurance agent. A large part of my role as field agent is to answer your
questions and help make sure you and your family are protected.
To start,
I want to give some basic information on life insurance. For some of you, this
may be a refresher course, but for many a little knowledge might open your
eyes.
There are
two basic types of life insurance coverage: term and whole life. Term, as the
name implies, covers an insured for a specific period of time. Some liken this
to “renting” life insurance. In the term or “rental” period, the policy holder
remains covered as long as premiums are paid. When that term expires, so does
the coverage. A new policy can be purchased, but it’s mostly likely the rates
will increase (the policy holder isn’t as young as when the first policy was
obtained) and it is possible the applicant cannot be insured anymore due to
health issues. If you find that term covers your immediate needs, my advice
would be to establish a plan to convert that term to whole life over time.
While
term insurance certainly has a place in a balanced portfolio, whole life has
many advantages not offered by term. First, the coverage in place continues
after the payment of premiums has stopped. Some payment periods last 10 or 20
years. A Single Premium Whole Life policy asks that you make only one payment
to attain lifelong coverage. The plan you choose is based on your goals and
budget, of course, but there is one that will fit these needs.
A second
major advantage of whole life is the accumulation of cash values in the policy
and potential for dividends. To discuss these more, and all the plans and
options available to you, please contact me today.
Jim Welter
828 329 1391
James.welter@kofc.org
Did you
know that about 50% of households in the
Why
people don’t buy life insurance:
·
74%
list “can’t afford the coverage” as a major reason they don’t buy.
·
52%
say a major reason is that they “can’t decide what to buy.”
·
50%
agree it is a good idea but “put it off until tomorrow.”
·
43%
worry about “making the wrong decision.”
Let’s
examine each of these reasons. First, the vast majority lists a major reason as
lack of affordability in the coverage, yet coverage is only offered if it meets
your budget. It is in no one’s best interest to offer you a product that you
cannot afford. A good agent (like me and other Knights of Columbus agents) goes
through a process with you of determining what the affordable monthly cost is.
For the record, a healthy non-smoking 40-year-old male can get $500,000 of term
coverage with the Order for just about $1.50 a day.
If a
client can’t decide what to buy, I will conduct a needs analysis, which helps
identify goals and objectives while considering your budget, at no cost. We offer term insurance,
permanent insurance or a mix of both. We believe a combination of these
products can solve all personal protection issues.
Putting
the purchase of life insurance off can be costly, and I recommend against that.
You get older and premiums go up, and you run the very real risk that your
health can change. A negative change in your health can cause your costs to
increase, or cause you to be denied coverage all together. Delay can be
disaster.
For those
who worry about “making the wrong decision?” Well, I can help. You can trust
me. I know what to look for and what to recommend. A conversation with me can
help erase your doubt.
Jim Welter
828 329 1391
James.welter@kofc.org
Some
people believe that ethics in business is a contradiction in terms. They think
that in order to be profitable, a company and its leaders must abandon morality
and embrace the dark, greedy side of capitalism.
At the
Knights of Columbus, we know this business model is incorrect. As a Catholic
organization, we understand the value and importance of our core beliefs and
the original mission of Father Michael J. McGivney. In fact, much of the
strength and financial security we provide to members and their families can be
attributed to our ethical, moral standards.
These
standards are visible throughout the Order, from our fraternal programs and
support of the Church and its teaching to the investment strategy of our
assets.
“What sets us
apart is what Standard & Poor’s refers to as the ‘very conservative’
approach we take in managing our $16 billion in assets,” said Supreme Knights
Carl A. Anderson in his 2010 address at the Supreme Convention. “We place ‘a
very high value on the society’s reputation’.”
This means carefully planning when it comes time to
invest. Our professional staff researches all transactions to insure that they
fall in line with Catholic values. If a transaction makes them uncomfortable,
they don’t make it.
“We exclude any company engaged in activity that
conflicts with Catholic moral teaching: companies directly involved in
abortion, contraception, human cloning, embryonic stem cell research,
for-profit health care that pays for any of these, or pornography,” said the
Supreme Knight. “There are many companies in the pharmaceutical and
communications industries that would undoubtedly provide excellent returns for
us, but which are not in our portfolio because they engage in research and
development or programming in ways that violate the sanctity or dignity of
human life.”
In the end, the Knights of Columbus investment strategy
is motivated by morality and not money-making. Yet, each year we remain
profitable, increase our assets and stay dedicated to this vision that will
keep the Order sound financially for generations to come.
“Faithful Catholics have choices when buying life
insurance,” said the Supreme Knight. “But they know that at the Knights of
Columbus their policy is supplied by an insurer that shares their moral and
ethical values and is guided in all of its investment and sales practices by
those values.”
To learn more about our products, contact me today.
Jim Welter
828 329 1391
James.welter@kofc.org
As a
Knights of Columbus field agent, I hear about group life insurance every week.
If you have it, it’s certainly not a bad thing, but it can be a misleading
security blanket. Most times, the amount offered is far from what you need, and
the only way to determine what you need is with a comprehensive needs analysis.
Your group coverage is not based on any analysis. Instead, they apply a
formula: you make X amount in salary and the group life is either a flat amount
($15,000 seems popular) or a multiple of your salary (somewhere between 1.5 and
2.5 is common). Either way, it has nothing to do with the number of children
you have, the mortgage balance you carry, or the amount of money your wife
would need if you die. It’s a completely random number.
It can
also disappear at any time. All of us know people – friends, family members, neighbors – who have lost their jobs. When the job is lost,
so is the group life insurance coverage. If the company experiences difficulty
and budgets need to be cut, group life can be reduced or eliminated. And that
decision could be made at the worst possible time for you.
Most
group life insurance coverage reduces or disappears when you retire. Many times
it can be converted, but at a very expensive premium (remember, you’re no kid
anymore when you retire, and premiums do rise as you get older). Just because
you turn 65 doesn’t mean you no longer need life insurance or need less
coverage. Actually, the opposite is true.
Do you
still own just group life insurance? It must be supplemented with a personally
owned portfolio. I can tell you exactly how to blend your group benefit with
your K of C life insurance so things can be in your control. Don’t let the
feeling of security that group life provides distract you from the real
issue: taking control of your family’s
financial future!
Jim Welter
828 329 1391
James.welter@kofc.org
Knights
of
We
guarantee the cash value in your whole life policies will be there.
We
guarantee the rates on your term insurance.
We
guarantee our retirement products will provide a stream of income when you need
it.
On top of
those product guarantees, I guarantee that I will offer professional,
high-quality service that you would expect from our organization.
And you
don’t have to take my word for it. Standard & Poor’s and AM Best, two
outside ratings companies, continue to give the Order their highest marks for
strength and security. Standard & Poor’s states that its “AAA” rating is
based upon the following strengths: extremely strong capital, very strong
competitive position, extremely strong liquidity and historically strong
profitability. We’ve earned this rating for 18 consecutive years!
I would
suggest that a principal reason that we were able to achieve those accolades is
because we remain steadfastly committed to the vision of Father Michael J.
McGivney by providing life insurance by brother Knights for brother Knights.
That
commitment is an essential core value of the Knights of Columbus, and our core
values permeate all levels of our organization. These principles for marketing
are summed up by our Golden Rule: “In all my professional relationships, I
pledge myself to the following rule of conduct: I shall, in light of all
conditions surrounding those I serve, render that service which, under the same
circumstances, I would apply to myself.”
Give me a
call today to discuss how our products can bring that peace of mind to you and
your family.
Jim Welter
828 329 1391
James.welter@kofc.org
Where did
2010 go? It seems like it was summer yesterday and Easter was last week.
I hope
you and your family had a great finish to 2010. Now, the first quarter of 2011
is speeding by.
Hopefully,
you’ve established a few goals for this year. I’ve learned a great tip
regarding resolutions. First, write them down. It’s not too late if you haven’t
already done this. Commit your goals to paper and post it someplace you will
see it often. Writing down a goal is the first step towards achieving it. I
don’t know exactly how this works, but I’ve heard stories of the success this
simple task can bring. Whether your goal is to exercise more, give more to
charity, read more or watch less television, you’re more likely to accomplish
it if you write it down.
Second,
resolve to have an expert look at your finances. I recommend that you have a
team of experts help you, and I should be among the first you sit with.
Schedule some time to visit with me, your professional Knights of Columbus
insurance agent, and I’ll provide an “insurance check-up” that will quickly
identify any gaps in your family’s life insurance program. And you’ll want to
fill those gaps now, not later. Unlike many other products, you don’t just need
money to obtain life insurance; you also need good health, and no one knows
when your health could change.
Did I
mention my check-up is free of charge? When was the last time you received
something for free that could be providing value to you and your family for
generations? Call me today.
Jim Welter
828 329 1391
James.welter@kofc.org
As your
working life progresses, your priorities will likely shift. Many major life
events (weddings, births, education costs for children, etc.) are probably
behind you. Your focused shifts to those “golden” retired years when you can
enjoy your hobbies, grandchildren, travel or simply relaxing at home.
During my
career as a field agent, I’ve had members ask me what they should do with a sum
of money they are looking to “dump” somewhere for safe keeping. First, I tell
them that there is no safer place to put their money than with the Knights of
Columbus. No one has ever lost money using our retirement products. There are
no risks assumed by you, the members. Second, I ask the member a question: Is
this money to “live on” or “leave on”?
I ask
this because the answer makes all the difference. If you want a guaranteed flow
of cash in retirement, one of our annuity options might meet your needs. If
this money is intended as a gift for grandchildren, to assist your wife in the
event of your passing or to give to your favorite charity, a Single Premium
Whole Life policy might be the best product.
When it
comes to decisions about your finances and your family’s future, don’t leave
things to chance. Discuss the options with a brother Knight who knows how to
help. Someone who’s helped many other Catholic families not too different from
yours. Someone who can offer you life insurance, long-term care and retirement
products backed by the strength and security of a
AAA-rated insurance provider.
Call me
today to set up a time to meet. You’ll only regret that you didn’t call sooner.
Jim Welter
828 329 1391
James.welter@kofc.org
There are
very few people who do not have a “long term care experience” somewhere in
their family – a loved one in a nursing home facility, or a family member being
cared for at home because of advancing age, a disability or both. If you have
heard or undergone this situation, you know firsthand the catastrophic effects
these events can have on a family, crossing all generations.
What you
may not know about is the urgency of taking action. The ability to buy
long-term care insurance is based on your health. Putting the decision off,
“waiting until next year” or otherwise dragging your feet can be problematic.
You never know when your health could change or make you ineligible for
coverage. In addition, the required premium commitment increases every year
with your age.
When you
make the decision to talk about LTC, come right to the Knights of
Columbus. In addition to providing life
insurance and guaranteed retirement products to our members and their families,
we also have a very competitive long-term care product available through our
agents. Since entering this market in 2000, nearly 30,000 LTC policies have
been sold to K of C members and their wives. While some companies in this line
of business have had difficulty (or stopped selling the product altogether),
our product continues to perform well with no premium increases on existing
policies.
I can
help you select the plan that’s right for you and meets your budget. I can show
you several different options – facility only coverage, home care, a
combination of both. I urge you to not delay.
Jim Welter
828 329 1391
James.welter@kofc.org
Who
doesn’t want to live a longer, happier life? With advances in medicine and
healthcare, the average life expectancy for people in
Having a
proper plan for financing your retirement is the key. In recent years, the
decline in the stock markets has slashed many 401(k)’s to 201(k)’s or worse.
Because of these hard times, people are being extra careful with their money,
but many don’t know where to put what little “extra” savings they may have.
As a
Knight, you have access to a product that is safe from the swings of the market
and is protected from the instability in the banking industry. Our annuity is
designed to provide guaranteed long-term security. Consistent and disciplined
savings placed into this annuity over time can provide income at retirement
that you cannot outlive. With that guarantee comes the fact that no one has
ever lost money put in a Knights of Columbus annuity (remember, absolute safety
of principal) and consider the value you are getting.
Contributing
money to an annuity can also have positive tax implications (always check with
your tax professional on these matters). And our annuities offer a very
competitive interest rate, consistent with our primary goal of absolute safety of
principal.
Take some
time to meet with me and I will explain fully the benefits of selecting our
annuity, along with the benefits of our top-rated life insurance and long term
care insurance plans. As you consider options as you proceed toward retirement,
think about one thing guaranteed to help you and open a Knights of Columbus
annuity.
Jim Welter
828 329 1391
James.welter@kofc.org
The laws
and rules of our Order, as well as state or provincial laws, specify that the
Knights of Columbus may accept insurance applications only from Knights of
Columbus members. As a member, you may apply for insurance on yourself, your
wife and your dependent, minor children.
The
Order’s Board of Directors has taken action, though, to assure that a brother
Knight’s widow maintains the right to purchase additional insurance for a
limited time. This can be of great benefit and comfort to those we leave
behind.
This
“right to apply” is available only to the widows of insured members. If a member has not availed himself of our
top-rated life insurance program, or purchased an annuity or long-term care
policy, this benefit is not available to his widow.
But if
the Knight was an insured member, his widow has the right to apply for additional
insurance on her life and on the lives of the member’s minor children. This right can be exercised for up to one
year following the Order’s receipt of proof of the insured’s death.
Remember
two major parts of my role in the Order. First, I’ll assist your widow and
children in any way possible if you should die, both with your Knights of
Columbus insurance and any other life insurance you may have. Second, I’ll provide them my best
professional advice and service to ensure that they continue to have adequate
insurance protection.
As a
professional agent and a brother Knight, I have no greater responsibility. Call
me today to learn more.
Jim Welter
828 329 1391
James.welter@kofc.org
Each
September since 2003 has been designated as Life Insurance Awareness Month.
Like most awareness-raising campaigns, Life Insurance Awareness Month was
created because there is an overwhelming lack of understanding of the product
among the general public. Each year, the Life Insurance Market Research
Association puts out the results from a recent survey, and unfortunately, the
numbers they report continue to be discouraging.
A recent
survey found that 76 percent of people polled did not have a personal financial
advisor. Sixty-eight percent of that same survey group said their opinion of
the current economic conditions was somewhat unfavorable or very unfavorable.
In other
words, a majority of those surveyed were uncomfortable with the economy and the
uncertainty it brings, yet they did not seek professional assistance. Maybe
they spoke with their friends and family. Maybe they hoped the instability
would go away on its own. Maybe they did not know to whom to turn.
If you
fall into this category, please remember that as a member of the Knights of
Columbus, you have a full-time, professional agent you can call your own. My
primary responsibility is the care and service of your family’s life insurance,
retirement and long-term care needs. I’ll answer your questions because I want
your decisions to be informed ones. I want to help.
Another
LIMRA statistic said 43 percent of people did not buy life insurance because
they worry about “making the wrong decision.” Talk with me agent, and,
afterwards, you’ll understand that the only wrong decision was not purchasing
sooner to protect your family’s future.
Jim Welter
828 329 1391
James.welter@kofc.org
As a
member of this council, you know how important spouses can be to the charitable
works of the Order. If you’re married, your wife is probably involved in a few
of the many events that happen each fraternal year. This support adds great
value and impact to what a council can achieve.
When the
Order was founded in 1882, Father Michael J. McGivney and the other brave men
were setting out to protect Catholic families, but especially wives and
children. We know today this is done through our insurance products which are
designed with that goal in mind. One specific policy rider that you may not
know about is called Spousal Waiver of Premium. This rider is unique to the
Knights of Columbus philosophy of helping our widows.
This
rider is available on most permanent and Discoverer plans purchased at standard
rates by a member and his wife on the same day. When both spouses apply, the
rider provides for waiver of premiums on the spouse’s contract in the event of
the insured’s death. Best of all, for members and spouses ages 18 to 60, this
waiver can be added for no charge. The rider stays in effect until the spouse
attains age 65 or certain other triggering events occur.
Our
products are designed with your needs and budget in mind. With a solid
portfolio of life insurance, long-term care and retirement products, the
Knights of Columbus can help you meet all of your financial goals. To learn
more about these solutions, contact me today.
Jim Welter
828 329 1391
James.welter@kofc.org
Sometimes
it is easy to overlook the simplest of things.
Take the
beneficiaries on your life insurance policies. If your policy was applied for
and issued several years ago, it could very well be that the person you
originally selected as the beneficiary is no longer the person you would want
to receive the policy proceeds. If you bought the policy when you were single,
for example, you may have named your parents as beneficiaries. If you have
since married that should be updated to reflect your spouse or your children as
beneficiaries.
Most
people list a primary beneficiary, who is specifically designated as the first
in priority to receive policy proceeds. We also encourage the naming of a
contingent beneficiary, an alternate person designated to receive policy
proceeds, usually in the event that the original beneficiary pre-deceases the
insured.
I routinely
call all of my policyholders for annual review appointments, usually near the
anniversary date of your policy – the date it was originally issued. One of the matters that I’ll discuss during
this review is the status of your beneficiary designations. If they need
updating, and they often do, I can complete the paperwork during that
appointment.
I look
forward to meeting with each of you to discuss your family’s needs.
Jim Welter
828 329 1391
James.welter@kofc.org
With the
instability in the stock market in recent years, you might be concerned about
funding a comfortable, worry-free retirement. The Knights of Columbus can help.
We offer a traditional Flexible Premium Annuity and a VANTAGE Single Premium
Deferred Annuity. One of these products may be part of the answer for you.
With a
single deposit of $25,000 or more, the VANTAGE allows you to lock-in a
guaranteed interest rate for five years.
In addition, there are several attractive renewal options once the
five-year period has expired, including keeping the funds in another VANTAGE
Annuity, placing them in a more traditional flexible premium annuity where the
interest rate can be changed on a quarterly or more frequent basis or – in the
30-day period prior to the fifth and tenth policy anniversaries – withdrawing
the funds without a surrender charge.
The
VANTAGE Annuity, along with our Flexible Premium Annuity, both provide the
guarantees that Knights of Columbus members have come to expect – guaranteed
interest rates along with absolute safety of principal. In addition, we can easily accommodate
rollovers and transfers free of charge.
I will
be happy to meet with you at your convenience – in your home – to discuss with
you in detail how the Knights of Columbus can help you to secure the
comfortable, worry-free retirement you want and deserve.
Jim Welter
828 329 1391
James.welter@kofc.org
We live
in a world of options and we are constantly bombarded by choices. Some of these
make our lives more complicated, but many of these choices are created with the
public in mind.
At the
Knights of Columbus, every product we offer has been designed solely for the
benefit of our members and their families. When I present an option to you,
it’s because a team of experts has discussed it at length to be certain it
serves your best interest.
That said, we have a few options on how you can provide and pay for
the whole life coverage that your family needs. Many whole life policies call
for premiums to be paid for your entire life or to age 100. But we also offer
permanent life coverage with guaranteed cash values (and the potential to earn
dividends, which are not guaranteed) through policies that offer a limited
period of premium payments.
First, we
offer “10 Pay Life” and “20 Pay Life.” Consider paying premiums for 10 or 20
years, and never having to pay for the coverage again. The plan is “paid up”
and no more premiums are due. The plan stays in force, the death benefit
remains intact and the guaranteed cash value continues to grow.
A plan
with similar benefits is “Life Paid Up at 65.” The difference over 10 or 20 Pay
Life plans is that this permanent product requires you to pay premiums until
age 65. Then, premiums stop (just in time for retirement), but the plan remains
in force.
Finally,
the ultimate in limited pay is our Single Premium Life product. Imagine buying life insurance – permanent
life insurance – and only paying one single premium? It’s possible.
To learn
more about these products, our long-term care insurance or retirement products,
please call me today.
Jim Welter
828 329 1391
James.welter@kofc.org
As Baby
Boomers have reached retirement years, long-term care (LTC) insurance products
have gotten more public attention, but they’re still not well understood,
especially when it comes to how to pay for care.
For
example, many Americans believe that Medicare pays for long-term assistance
with the basic activities of daily living — but it doesn’t. It applies only to those who have been in the hospital 72 hours and are diagnosed as
requiring “skilled care.” Medicaid covers care only if and when the person has
gone through a “spend down” and has no
other means to pay for it. Not a good situation to be in.
Another
common issue is that Boomers think they can wait to buy LTC. Unfortunately,
this could be a financial devastating choice. What happens if you suddenly
become ill or uninsurable before you have made this purchase? Again, not a good situation.
Waiting
to buy will also increase the cost of the premiums you pay. Consider this example. If you buy a Knights of Columbus
Comprehensive Long-Term Care policy for yourself with a $200 daily benefit,
lifetime benefit duration and 30-day elimination period at age 40, your annual
premium will be $739.20. The total premium paid by age 85 will be $33,264. If you decide to wait to buy the same policy
until you are 60 years old, your annual premium will be $2,374 and the total
premium paid by age 85 will be $59,350. That’s a difference of more than
$26,000. (This example is for comparison purposes only.)
Personal
service is crucial in choosing LTC policy options, and for adjusting them as
necessary. Group LTC may indeed be a viable option for you, but as your Knights
of Columbus agent, I can help you compare the details so you can make an
informed decision.
Jim Welter
828 329 1391
James.welter@kofc.org
As life
expectancy increases, the number of people in need of long-term care, in their
homes or outside facilities, has grown also. Since its addition to the Order’s
product portfolio in 2000, long-term care (LTC) insurance has provided the
Order with an excellent opportunity to further serve Knights and their
families. Since 2005, every Knights of Columbus long-term care policy comes
with an added value.
That
added value is in the form of a service called “Provider Pathway,” a program
offering access to a network of long-term care providers at discounted
rates. The network covers: home health
care, personal emergency response systems, adult day care, assisted living,
skilled nursing facilities and durable medical equipment.
Eligibility
for participation in this program is open to Knights of Columbus long-term care
insurance policyholders, their spouses, dependent children, parents and
parents-in-law. All providers are fully
credentialed and meet state licensing requirements.
If you
are not currently a LTC policyholder, I suggest that we schedule some time
together so that I can provide additional information on how you can avail
yourself of this significant, value-added benefit.
Jim Welter
828 329 1391
James.welter@kofc.org