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, "It's May!" And after all the April rain, we should have a
"boat load" of May flowers! (No pun intended!)
It is kind of hard to believe, though, that we are just 23 days and counting to Memorial Day 2014 and the official start of Summer Vacation. And after the long cold Winter we had, it can't get here soon enough for us. We certainly know, that Mike's lab, Gracie, is looking forward to a little pool time too.
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| Why Your Family Should Take a Summer Vacation
"Wish You Were Here?"
|  Year after year, a few numbers of families make the decision to take a summer vacation. Despite the fact that a large number of individuals and families do take off and have a summer vacation, there are even more families that do not. Which type of family are you? How often have you said or have heard someone else say "I need a holiday". Listen, it doesn't matter whether you spend a few days at the beach, travel to the closest amusement park, stay a few days at a camp site, or travel overseas, they can all be considered as a summer vacation. Sadly, more and more families are unable to take a family vacation due to their busy schedules. Summer vacations are popular because they are often the only time that a family can take a break from their work commitments and routines. I strongly recommend that you set aside time, whether it be three days or three weeks, to schedule a summer vacation with your family or grandchildren. We regularly find that when we do, we appreciate the untold number of benefits. Perhaps, the greatest benefit of scheduling a summer vacation with your family is the amount of time that you will be able to spend together, enjoying each other's company and having fun together. Many families are rarely able to spend time together.
In addition to our kids, we need time to relax, to switch off and, hey, even have some fun! It's absolutely vital for our personal well-being and that of our families that we take the time to relax and recharge in the way that a summer vacation allows us to do. If you have agreed with me so far, I have another suggestion...If you are seriously thinking about taking a summer vacation, involve the whole family in the decision making process. Let the kids feel they are making an important contribution. Who knows, their ideas may be the best ones when it comes to choosing the "right" vacation for your family. One final question - why would you want to continue to spend your summers around your home, especially when everyone could be having a great "Wish You Were Here" time enjoying themselves away from home?
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| Why Folks Should Purchase a Fixed Index Annuity
|  Sometimes folks can be so afraid of being sold something that they stay with what they are used to. Last week I was explaining the mechanics of a fixed index annuity to a client. When I was through he said that he had no idea that a fixed index annuity worked that way and if everyone understood how it worked everyone would purchase one. I told him he was actually correct. If folks would take the time to learn about the product not only would they be purchasing one but they would be telling all their family and friends. Although I can't teach you about all the mechanics of a fixed index annuity in this article, I can tell you what I feel are the top five major benefits. 1. A number of fixed index annuities today offer an immediate premium bonus of anywhere from 8% to 10% on all monies received for the first 5 to 7 years. 2. Protection against principal lost. Meaning: If the index goes down, you don't lose a penny. 3. The power of the annual reset feature. This allows you to lock in gains every year the index is positive. 4. Most fixed index annuities have no management fees. 5. Guaranteed income for life (With the guarantee income rider) At this point you may be thinking,"Well, if this is such an amazing place for me to put my money, why haven't I heard about it?" This is probably my favorite question people ask, because I get to respond back with,"Where would you hear about such a product?" Your stock broker? Nope! Your financial advisor who happens to be under the influence of Wall Street? No! Your CPA? I don't think so! It is too risky for the CPA to step out on this branch from a liability side because most are not insurance licensed. Last year over 40 billion dollars of fixed index annuities were purchased primarily through insurance brokers and insurance agents. The biggest fear of retirees is outliving their money. In the past, people could live on Social Security and interest on their savings because the rates of return were in the double digits. With the current interest rates of 1% or less, there's a strong possibility that you will have to invade the principal of your savings. This could prove catastrophic if you live too long. How much of our savings must you deplete each year to maintain a standard of living that is acceptable to you? Yes, there are surrender charges with annuities, but this typically applies if you take more than 10% per year. How many people are going to spend more than 10% per year of their qualified retirement plan? In conclusion, where can you get the potential for an inflation-beating return and have 100% protection against market risk of not only your principal, but also of all your previous years of gains? For the past 12 years, our clients have enjoyed the guarantees fixed index annuities provide, along with the upside potential of market indexes. If you would like to learn how a fixed index annuity can fit into your retirement plan, give us a call. |
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How Much Will I Receive In
Social Security Benefits?
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How much you will receive in Social Security Benefits is based on a number of factors.
First, it's based on how much you earned over your lifetime. The more you earned, the greater your benefit will be - up to the maximum benefit amount. In 2014, the maximum full retirement benefit is $2,642. In order for your full retirement benefit to be $2,642, you must be turning 66 in 2013 and have earned the maximum Social Security wages basically every year of your career.
Your benefit amount is also determined by the age at which you apply for benefits. If you apply earlier than your full retirement age, they will be reduced. If you apply at age 62, you will only receive 75% of your full retirement benefit. If you apply after your full retirement age, you will get more.
Benefits are also impacted by your marital status. Married couples can use the rules of spousal benefits to their advantage and collect much more in benefits. Also survivor benefits for widows and widowers have their own set of rules that may be advantageous to you. Finally, if you are divorced, you may be eligible for a divorced spouse benefit on your ex-spouse's earnings record.
Trying to put all the pieces of the Social Security puzzle together can be a difficult task. There are literally thousands of pages of rules you must sort through in order to understand all the factors that will impact your benefit. And while you may be able to learn about Social Security and make a good decision we want to help you make the BEST decision for your situation. We want to make sure you "leave no money on the table."
Or Give Us A Call At 410-758-1680
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Sincerely,
Mike Zimmer & Rebecca Thacker
Bay State Insurance Agency Limited
410-758-1680
1-877-411-3702
"Your Safe Money Team"
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Just A Little Humor
 Driver's licenses Two senior citizens were lamenting one day about getting old. The first one says, "My neck hurts so much I have a hard time turning my head left or right". The second one says, "My eyes are so bad with cataracts I can barely see four feet away". The first senior pipes in, "Yes and my arthritis in my hands is so bad some days I can't grip anything". The second senior replies, "My hearing is shot, couldn't hear a train coming if it was right in front of me". Then the first senior says, "But at least we still have our driver's license". LOVE....
If you love something, set it free.
If it comes back, it will always be yours.
If it doesn't come back,
it was never yours to begin with.
But, if it just sits in your living room, messes up your stuff, eats your food, uses your telephone, takes your money, and doesn't appear to realize that you had set it free..... You either married it or gave birth to it.
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A Sliver Lining for Your Retirement Account
If you transfer your IRA's, Annuities, old 401(k)s, or any other retirement account to us, one of our major insurance carriers will guarantee you an immediate 10% premium bonus;
$50,000 becomes $ 55,000
$100,000 becomes $110,000
$250,000 becomes $275,000
In addition to your premium bonus, for folks age 40 and above, how would you like to learn how you can add an income rider with a guaranteed 6.25% income growth for up to 10 years with an option to extend for an additional 10 years. This is not a prediction, this is a guarantee. You simply need to take a lifetime income.
Isn't it time you stop gambling in the risky stock market and get a good night's sleep? If you would like to have guaranteed growth and an income you can count on, give us a call at 410-758-1680 to learn how to earn more.
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 Thanks to those you have served, who do serve, and most of all, to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to America. Let Freedom Ring. |
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Thanks to YOU the word is spreading. Thanks to all of our clients and friends who graciously referred us to their friends and neighbors last month! There's no question we have the BEST clients on the entire planet. Our business is built on word of mouth advertising and we would like to thank everyone who has been kind enough to recommend our services to their friends. We promise to treat your friends just like we treated you, with respect and understanding. We promise to always do what is right for our clients.
____________________________________ The purpose of this newsletter is to provide information of general interest to our clients, potential clients and other professionals. The information provided is general in nature and should not be considered complete information on any product or concept described. For complete information, please contact our office at 410-758-1680 or 1-877-411-3702. _______________________________________ |
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