Education Center

Below are brief summaries of some of the topics that may arise as we explore your long- and short-term financial goals. The information will give you something to consider as you prepare for our initial review.

+HSAs, HRAs, FSAs, Section 125 Plans - These are all plans that can help you save premium dollars.  Ask us to explain these with you when we are discussing your employee benefit plans.



Accumulating Retirement Assets Retirement can signify a lot of things to a lot of people: sailing off into the sunset with your beloved; never having to worry about waking up early to catch the morning train; finger-painting with your grandkids. But to make these dreams a reality, you'll need to create a nest egg that will make your retirement years as comfortable, if not more, as when you were working. Essentially, it's never too early to think about saving for your golden years. As the average lifespan increases, you should be prepared to put aside more to accommodate a longer retirement. At New York Life, we understand the importance of having enough to spend during your retirement. That’s why we offer a variety of insurance and financial products that can help you fund your retirement, and make the money you’ve worked for years to save go even further.

Charitable Giving: The 10 Advantages Of Donating Life Insurance Proceeds

1. Your Gift Is Maximized. In addition to your current outright gifts, life insurance offers the opportunity to make a significant ultimate gift. Life insurance can help create a major gift that otherwise may have been unaffordable.
2. Your Legacy Lives On. You get tremendous satisfaction helping your church, school, or other favorite charity. And when you give the gift of life insurance, you are assured that your support and its impact lives on. Your gift might create a scholarship fund, or help continue a program well into the future.
3. Your Personal Assets Remain Intact. Using life insurance as the gift helps avoid invading your assets, which are intended to benefit and provide for your heirs. The premium can fit easily into your annual or monthly budget. (Note that you will need sufficient funds to pay the premiums to keep the policy in force.)
4. Your Charity Receives The Proceeds Of Your Gift Promptly. Your gift of life insurance is not subject to probate delays or estate settlement costs.
5. Your Premiums Are Income Tax-deductible.* Your gifts of premiums to purchase life insurance, if the policy is owned by the charity, are income tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. (Of course, the charity must qualify as an exempt non-profit organization.)
6. The Policy’s Proceeds Are Not Included In Your Estate. Life insurance proceeds paid to the charity you name as beneficiary are not included in your estate if the charity owns the policy. Should you choose to retain ownership of the policy, the policy’s proceeds are included in your estate, but the amount paid to charity is estate tax deductible as a “charitable bequest”.
7. Your Charity Has Access To The Cash Value Of The Policy. If your charity is the owner of a permanent life insurance policy, any cash value build-up within the policy is available to the charity for emergencies via policy loans, which will reduce the available death benefit.
8. Your Privacy Is Private. Since the gift of life insurance is a private matter, it can be kept confidential, without being exposed to public or family view, if that is a desire.
9. Simple To Arrange. Your New York Life agent can show you several ways to give the gift of life insurance, all assuring that your intentions will be honored.
10. Your Insurance Gift Is Backed By The Strength Of New York Life. Since 1845 New York Life has served the needs of individuals, families, and businesses. As one of the nations top insurance and financial institutions, New York Life has honored its commitment to policyowners.

*Laws vary from state to state. Individuals should consult with their own professional advisors concerning tax, legal or accounting advice.

Creating a Lasting Legacy for Loved Ones With hard work and careful planning during your income-earning years, you may have built a healthy nest egg, sufficient to ensure a comfortable, independent retirement. You may actually be in the enviable position of being able to leave something to those you love the most: your spouse, children, grandchildren, and perhaps your favorite charities. Now's the time to seize the moment and put together a plan that creates a legacy for those you love.

Your Children's Education Consider this scenario: The car's packed and the teary good-byes have been exchanged. You may feel as though your baby's leaving you, but this is one of the proudest moments of your life. You've scrimped and saved to afford your child's education, and now that the day is finally here, you can breathe a sigh of relief. Thank goodness you planned ahead and started saving early so that the next four years won't be so financially stressful. Now, consider the alternative: What if you didn't plan? Then those next four years could be your worst nightmare, turning into a juggling act of student and parent loans, financial aid requests, and semesterly payments. Fortunately, New York Life and its subsidiaries understand the importance of funding your children's education, and, therefore, offer a selection of products to help you meet that goal. Of course, we can't promise that you won't get the occasional phone call, "Mom? Dad? I'm a little low on cash.…"

Safeguarding Your Home Mortgage There's nothing like the feeling of owning your own home. It's a part of the American Dream - to live in a home that you can truly call your own. Between picking out curtains and paint samples, you should also remember that your house is an investment. Your home represents many things – a place to raise a family, comfort, and a major financial commitment. Like other valuable assets in your life, it too needs to be protected. Realizing how important your house is to you and your family is the first step. Deciding on ways to safeguard your investment is an important step that will help guarantee the joy of owning your home for years to come. As a New York Life agent, I can help alleviate some of the worry that comes with ownership. One major concern may be that your family will face difficulties paying off the mortgage in the event that you pass on. One of the ways to help assure your family's financial security is to consider life insurance products as mortgage protectors. Products such as Permanent Life and Term Life insurance are personally-owned and portable. If purchased in an adequate amount, the death benefit can help retire the mortgage, and also help provide money to cover other expenses. Ensuring your family's future now will help ease your mind, and let you concentrate on the really important things…like choosing between carpet or hardwood floor for the dining room.

Need a little help in deciding which products and services would be right for you and your family? Please use the Contact Us button on the left to e-mail us. We can help you analyze your needs and recommend appropriate products.