YOUR INSURANCE OR ANNUITY POLICY HELPS MORE THAN JUST YOU AND YOUR FAMILY… The Supreme Convention was held in August and this is some of what was reported: • The Order set a new record in the amount of money we donated to charities – 185 Million Dollars. • The Order set a new record in the number of hours volunteered – 76 Million Charitable Hours. We already know that our insurance program had another record year ending in December 2018; now 18 consecutive years of growth! (And congratulations to the many of you who protected your families last year and helped set that record.) We have given a substantial amount of money to Pope Francis from the Vicarius Christi fund. Our Asset Advisors have more dollars under management; managed, of course using the investment guidelines from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. We added to our surplus, which means our strength to pay claims and to weather poor economic times will improve. The Supreme Knight Carl Anderson reported that the Order will have provided more money to rebuild homes for persecuted Christians in the Middle East. Donated more money to disaster relief in the wake of hurricanes, flooding and typhoons. Placed more ultrasound machines in service to save lives. Given more support for religious freedom. He announced that the Knights will give $250,000 in immediate humanitarian aid to help refugees at the US Southern border. Anderson elaborated: “We are prepared to expand it, with additional resources, to help those in refugee camps in every border state — including Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California. ” “Let me be clear: This is not a political statement. This is a statement of principle. This is about helping people who need our help right now. It is a natural and necessary extension of our support for refugees across the world. It shows our nation and the world that where there is a need, there is a Knight to answer it. And on our southern border, the Knights of Columbus will be there.” This organization, started by a simple, humble parish priest with men at St. Mary’s Parish in New Haven, Connecticut in 1882, has grown to spectacular heights. All of these efforts and worthwhile projects are a source of pride for us members! But here’s the reality: For the Catholic folks in this council and in these parishes here—you, my brother knights…you, are the Knights of Columbus. When locals think about the Knights, they may have some general notion about all these good works we do and the Order’s amazing impact around the world. But to the local parish and the community, you represent all that is good in this Order. When you are volunteering at a Special Olympics event, when you are visiting the sick, helping your pastor, handing out coats for kids, selling Tootsie Rolls, raising money for a charitable cause right here in your own backyard—this is what people see, they see you; to them you are what it means to be a Knight of Columbus. When you lead with faith, protect your family, serve others and defend your values, you are a witness inspired by our founding principles. Congratulations on another record-breaking fraternal year! I look forward to helping protect your families and reaching Star Council this next fraternal year! Vivat Jesus! Ken Zinn
NEVER INVEST IN AN ANNUITY!! You’ve no doubt seen this kind of headline in the financial pages, seen pop-up ads on your computer, or watched a TV commercial from a fee-based money management company. Are they serious?
Let’s start with the basics: An annuity is a tax-favored savings instrument. The government gives it special tax treatment because it’s designed for retirement income. An annuity can be qualified or in other words, funded with money that you have not yet paid taxes on, like an IRA or a rollover 401k or 403b. Or it can be non-qualified - funded with money you’ve already paid the tax - like money you take from your paycheck or out of your savings account. Either way, the tax on the growth in your Knights of Columbus annuity each year is deferred…you pay no current tax on it and pay only when you withdraw. I think an annuity is a is a great product in the right situation. Especially a Knights of Columbus annuity. In addition to tax deferred growth, here are a few more reasons why I think that way:
1. Your minimum interest rate is guaranteed…for life! There is a floor that the interest rate will never drop below.
The good news is that we’ve always paid a higher current interest rate than the guarantee. This means nobody has ever lost a dime in a K of C Annuity…and never will!
2. Your principal is guaranteed by the Knights. Now that kind of guarantee is only as good as the company backing
it…and we’ve had 40+ years of Superior ratings from A. M. Best for financial strength. (As of January 2019,
rated A+ Superior by A. M. Best)
3. You are charged no administrative fees each year…100% of your money goes to work for you earning interest
from day one.
4. Even though annuities are designed for long-term growth, after one year you can access 10% of the value without
any KofC penalty.
5. Owners of annuities name a beneficiary; this means that at death, the proceeds bypass probate. This saves
time and usually money, too.
6. You can enjoy an income that you (and if you wish, your wife) can never outlive!
But let’s be fair; an annuity is not the answer every time. It’s not a short-term product. It’s not designed to be a “put
and take” account where you stick some money in and then take it out a short time later. There is a reducing early
withdrawal penalty over the first seven years if you take out more than the 10% as a free withdrawal. However, there
are even exceptions to those early withdraw penalties that make K of C Annuities even more attractive as you age. In
all annuities, not just those of the K of C , folks are encouraged to leave the money alone until retirement age.
And we haven’t even talked about effects of triple compounding, protection from creditors, and other features.
Any Catholic man and his spouse is eligible for this K of C investment. How do you know if an annuity is right for you?
Meet with me and let’s look at your goals. It might be the perfect fit.
Let’s start with the basics: An annuity is a tax-favored savings instrument. The government gives it special tax treatment because it’s designed for retirement income. An annuity can be qualified or in other words, funded with money that you have not yet paid taxes on, like an IRA or a rollover 401k or 403b. Or it can be non-qualified - funded with money you’ve already paid the tax - like money you take from your paycheck or out of your savings account. Either way, the tax on the growth in your Knights of Columbus annuity each year is deferred…you pay no current tax on it and pay only when you withdraw. I think an annuity is a is a great product in the right situation. Especially a Knights of Columbus annuity. In addition to tax deferred growth, here are a few more reasons why I think that way:
1. Your minimum interest rate is guaranteed…for life! There is a floor that the interest rate will never drop below.
The good news is that we’ve always paid a higher current interest rate than the guarantee. This means nobody has ever lost a dime in a K of C Annuity…and never will!
2. Your principal is guaranteed by the Knights. Now that kind of guarantee is only as good as the company backing
it…and we’ve had 40+ years of Superior ratings from A. M. Best for financial strength. (As of January 2019,
rated A+ Superior by A. M. Best)
3. You are charged no administrative fees each year…100% of your money goes to work for you earning interest
from day one.
4. Even though annuities are designed for long-term growth, after one year you can access 10% of the value without
any KofC penalty.
5. Owners of annuities name a beneficiary; this means that at death, the proceeds bypass probate. This saves
time and usually money, too.
6. You can enjoy an income that you (and if you wish, your wife) can never outlive!
But let’s be fair; an annuity is not the answer every time. It’s not a short-term product. It’s not designed to be a “put
and take” account where you stick some money in and then take it out a short time later. There is a reducing early
withdrawal penalty over the first seven years if you take out more than the 10% as a free withdrawal. However, there
are even exceptions to those early withdraw penalties that make K of C Annuities even more attractive as you age. In
all annuities, not just those of the K of C , folks are encouraged to leave the money alone until retirement age.
And we haven’t even talked about effects of triple compounding, protection from creditors, and other features.
Any Catholic man and his spouse is eligible for this K of C investment. How do you know if an annuity is right for you?
Meet with me and let’s look at your goals. It might be the perfect fit.
YOUR MOST IMPORTANT ASSET
I’ll start by asking a question…What’s your biggest asset? Some of you may say it’s your home. Others who own a business may say that’s their biggest asset. There may be some who have saved well and put aside a substantial amount of money for retirement in a fund like an IRA or a 401K.But I would suggest that your earning power is your most valuable asset. Consider this: a 35-year-old who makes $50,000 a year will earn $1.5 million dollars before retirement at age 65. That’s quite a sum, but consider this: with only a 3% increase in pay each year, that figure grows to nearly 2.5 million dollars before retirement! But…you say, that’s all well and good, what are the chances I’m going to become disabled and unable to work? According to United States government statistics a staggering 1 in 4,
yes, 25%, of 20-year-olds will become disabled before reaching age 67. And according to the Social Security Administration, 95% ofthose disabilities happen outside the workplace…so worker’s compensation will not pay.
Some companies generously give disability benefits to their employees. If you are one of those lucky ones…congratulations! Now the question is…how long are those benefits payable and how much of your income is covered
and how much of that benefit is taxable? Seven of 10 Americans say they would feel a financial pinch in a month
or less without their paycheck. Fortunately, I can help sort out all these issues. The Knights of Columbus
offers a flexible disability income insurance policy. Call me and we can discuss how it can be tailored for you !
I’ll start by asking a question…What’s your biggest asset? Some of you may say it’s your home. Others who own a business may say that’s their biggest asset. There may be some who have saved well and put aside a substantial amount of money for retirement in a fund like an IRA or a 401K.But I would suggest that your earning power is your most valuable asset. Consider this: a 35-year-old who makes $50,000 a year will earn $1.5 million dollars before retirement at age 65. That’s quite a sum, but consider this: with only a 3% increase in pay each year, that figure grows to nearly 2.5 million dollars before retirement! But…you say, that’s all well and good, what are the chances I’m going to become disabled and unable to work? According to United States government statistics a staggering 1 in 4,
yes, 25%, of 20-year-olds will become disabled before reaching age 67. And according to the Social Security Administration, 95% ofthose disabilities happen outside the workplace…so worker’s compensation will not pay.
Some companies generously give disability benefits to their employees. If you are one of those lucky ones…congratulations! Now the question is…how long are those benefits payable and how much of your income is covered
and how much of that benefit is taxable? Seven of 10 Americans say they would feel a financial pinch in a month
or less without their paycheck. Fortunately, I can help sort out all these issues. The Knights of Columbus
offers a flexible disability income insurance policy. Call me and we can discuss how it can be tailored for you !
St. Joseph Parish is blessed to have Knights of Columbus Hanover Council #871 seated firmly in our Parish's ministry. With over 190 Brother Knights in our ranks here at St. Joseph, we offer service to our parish in volunteer manpower, philanthropic financial resources, and in our support to important Catholic ministries addressing our faith, our family, our community, and protection of life. These four areas of concern are the thrust of the Knights of Columbus' 2019 "Faith in Action" ……. it's our current mission to meet Jesus' call to love one another. We ask more Catholic gentlemen to step up and join us in these "Faith in Action" efforts. It's not overwhelming to become a member of Council #871 here at St. Joseph…and you'll be glad you did! I can be reached to inquire about joining our Council and also about your interest in the Fraternal Benefits. Benefits with insurance and guaranteed fixed annuity options for protecting your family, or investments, or your retirement savings.
A big “hello” from Ken Zinn to fellow Knights in Hanover Council #871. Effective February 1st, I’ve accepted the responsibility to serve the Brotherhood in a new role as Field Agent for Knights of Columbus Insurance and Retirement Fraternal Benefits. I feel blessed knowing my work will surround me with men and families of fine character and Catholic values. Not every worker has that advantage. For instance, it’s great to attend a general insurance agency meeting or product training event that starts with a prayer. I serve Brother Knights and their families in Hanover Council #871, St. Vincent de Paul #14865, and McSherrystown Council #2551 - reviewing and servicing Fraternal Benefits that every Knight of Columbus member is eligible to consider. It’s a major feature of membership in the Order. Father McGivney founded the Knights of Columbus in 1882 and the financial security of his Catholic families was his utmost concern. I look forward to a contact with each and every Knight in Council #871 during 2018 to review your K of C Fraternal Benefit opportunities. My phone number is 717-633-9876 and email address: ken.zinn@kofc.org
…ARE THEY GUARANTEED?
Although we may be best known for our fine Whole Life, Term Life, & Disability Income Insurance Products, another Fra-ternal Benefit of the Knights of Columbus are Guaranteed Annuity Options for Brother Knights and their spouses who are longer-term investors or have Company or Individual Retirement Plans in place for their future. Currently, the Knights of Columbus are paying 2.5% on new annuity investments. With interest rates trending upwards, our annuity rate just moved up ¼ % in April. This current Knights of Columbus annuity rate might compare favorably to your current guaranteed investments invested somewhere else. Many Knights have told me their CD’s have lagged below that rate in recent interest earnings. It’s important to remember that many IRA, 401k, or investment portfolio holdings labeled “fixed” or “income” are many times not “guaranteed”……. All investments with the Knights of Columbus are guaranteed with a record of reliability dating back to our founding in 1882. With recent market volatility, nearly everyone should consider at least a portion of their investments for this kind of long term guaranteed investment. Your “rollovers” do not need to be the entire investment portfolio. Maybe we should talk about it and find out what’s best for you and your future financial security.
Although we may be best known for our fine Whole Life, Term Life, & Disability Income Insurance Products, another Fra-ternal Benefit of the Knights of Columbus are Guaranteed Annuity Options for Brother Knights and their spouses who are longer-term investors or have Company or Individual Retirement Plans in place for their future. Currently, the Knights of Columbus are paying 2.5% on new annuity investments. With interest rates trending upwards, our annuity rate just moved up ¼ % in April. This current Knights of Columbus annuity rate might compare favorably to your current guaranteed investments invested somewhere else. Many Knights have told me their CD’s have lagged below that rate in recent interest earnings. It’s important to remember that many IRA, 401k, or investment portfolio holdings labeled “fixed” or “income” are many times not “guaranteed”……. All investments with the Knights of Columbus are guaranteed with a record of reliability dating back to our founding in 1882. With recent market volatility, nearly everyone should consider at least a portion of their investments for this kind of long term guaranteed investment. Your “rollovers” do not need to be the entire investment portfolio. Maybe we should talk about it and find out what’s best for you and your future financial security.
Did October give you the jitters? I'm not talking about jitters from haunted house visits or the trick or treaters that visited your neighborhood. As we witnessed this month in the investment markets, there can be some volatility and possibly downturns in stock and bond type investments. Some people called it a correction but others say what we saw was only a "burp" - the correction is still ahead of us. By most opinions, US investors have ridden a "Bull" market since March of 2009. - one of the longest in American history. Some folks find the economic future uncertain. Will Rogers, the American Humorist, is credited with the quote: "I'm more interested in the return of my money than the return on my money." It's no joke! The Knights of Columbus prides itself in offering only guaranteed retirement and portfolio investments to its members and families. If you are feeling the jitters in your preset investments, let's set up a meeting to show you how you can protect the right portion of your assets or savings and get a respectable return on guaranteed money. Not a Knight of Columbus member yet? Let's talk about becoming a member to gain access to the advantages of Knights of Columbus investments and security in our life, long-term care, and disability insurance offerings. Your parish contact is Ken Zinn at 717- 633-9876 or email to ken.zinn@KofC.org
