PRODUCTS

As an investor, you may find the key to tax control is annuities. You are given the opportunity to choose between fixed and variable annuities.

Tax Control: All earnings grow tax-deferred until withdrawn.^*   Your money works harder without the drain of current taxes.

Access to your money: In most cases, you have the flexible access to some percentage of your money.

• Fixed Annuities:  Fixed Annuities are backed by highly rated insurance companies which guarantee your principal amount deposited (Guarantees are based on the claims-paying ability of the issuing insurance company. Subject to the claims paying ability of the issuing insurance company). Because you earn compounded interest on the money that would have gone to pay taxes, savings grow faster than they would in taxable investment at the same rate.

• Variable Annuities: A variable annuity is a long-term retirement investment vehicle. It’s an insurance contract that is specifically designed to build your retirement savings. When you’re ready a variable annuity can provide you with retirement income in several ways, including options that can help you receive an income stream that you cannot outlive. Most variable annuities offer a broad range of investment objectives among the portfolios, so that you can choose from relatively conservative portfolios with a lower level of risk, or more aggressive investment portfolios with a higher degree of risk, having the potential for higher investment returns. Highly qualified, works-class portfolio managers professionally manage these investment portfolios. Keep in mind your annuity’s value will vary over time according to the performance of the individual investment portfolio you choose. Variable annuities can be a valuable asset to your investment portfolio:
• Defer paying taxes until you begin taking distributions
• Take advantage of  market opportunities
• Control the quality of your retirement
• Receive monthly or yearly income that you cannot outlive
• Ensure that your beneficiaries receive the full value of their inheritance on a timely basis

Variable Annuities are sold by prospectus. Investors should carefully consider the funds investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses before investing. The prospectus contains this and other information about the investment company. A prospectus is available from an investment Executive. Please read the prospectus carefully before investing.

Whether you’re a small or large investor, prefer conservative or aggressive investments, mutual funds work to give you an opportunity for capital appreciation or competitive yields, liquidity and relative safety. That is because mutual funds (companies that pool the assets of many shareholders) provide diversification-with the added benefit of professional management.
Whatever your investment objectives and desired level of risk, there are mutual funds to match. From conservative to aggressive; from immediate income to long-term growth; you choose the fund or funds that best meet your investment needs:

• Money market Funds
• Fixed Income or Bond Funds
• Equity or Growth Funds
• Balanced Funds
• Specialized Mutual Funds

If you are looking for a versatile investment that offers opportunities for everyone, consider mutual funds; the choice of many investors.
Mutual Funds are sold by prospectus. Investors should carefully consider the funds investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses before investing. The prospectus contains this and other information about the investment company. A prospectus is available from an investment Executive. Please read the prospectus carefully before investing.

A brokerage account offers the opportunity to purchase, sell, and hold a variety of securities. The securities can be held in the account for safekeeping and reporting. Cash in the account can be swept into a money market account on a daily basis. The securities that can be held in the account include stocks, bonds, government securities, mutual funds, unit investment trusts, etc. The decision about what assets classes and what securities to purchase are up to the individual with advice from the Investment Executive.

 Some of the benefits of a brokerage account are: 

• Safekeeping of securities

• Record keeping

• Immediate access to assets

• Monthly or quarterly statements

• Simplified 1099 reporting at year end

Stock

Stock represents ownership of a specific company measured by shares. The shares may be entitled to receive a portion of the earnings of the company in the form of dividends, paid quarterly or annually. Common stock can be bought and sold on a variety of exchanges on a daily basis.

Corporate Bonds

Bonds are loans or obligations made between an individual and a corporation. The bonds have a maturity date and a fixed rate of interest which is usually paid quarterly. Some bonds may be convertible to stock under certain circumstances. Bonds may be bought at original issue, and they may be bought and sold in the secondary bond market.  Due to fluctuating conditions, the value may be lower than face (par) if sold prior to maturity.

For every investor, there is an appropriate mix of investments based on risk tolerance. To determine appropriate asset allocation for your portfolio, your Investment Executive considers several personal factors:

• Time horizon for investment
• Ability to withstand declines
• Attitude toward volatility
• Preference for types of assets
• Attitude toward risk and reward
• Amount of investment

Life insurance is a contract with an insurance company that provides a sum of money (death benefit) upon the death of the insured in return for an annual premium payment. The death benefit can be paid to the beneficiary as a lump sum or as an income for life. Life insurance can provide financial support for loved ones upon unexpected death of the insured. It can also be used as an estate planning tool or to provide immediate funds to protect a business or other purpose upon death. ^***

Many types of life insurance are available including Term Life, Whole Life, Universal Life and Variable Life. Each type has a specific purpose and a person may need more than one type to adequately provide the coverage they need.

An insurance policy check-up should be done every few years to make sure that the amount of your insurance coverage is adequate with changes that have taken place, that the beneficiaries are still correct, and that there is the right amount of whole life insurance versus term insurance.

Your risk of needing long term care is probably much greater than you realize. Assistance may be needed on a temporary or permanent basis for performing such daily activities as bathing, dressing or cooking.

Care might be provided in an assisted living facility, an adult day care center or hospice. Or it might be provided in a nursing home, an extended care facility, or in your own home. You may need long term care services if you have an illness or injury and you're not able to perform one or more activities of daily living at home or you have accident causing a nursing home stay. (or you are stricken with Alzheimer's disease or senility.)

Medicare does not cover the cost of these expenses for the duration of a typical stay, if at all. Long Term Care insurance provides coverage for nursing home care and often in-home care in the event that a person is unable to carry out the basic life skills required for independent living. The insurance is flexible in the dollar amount of coverage, the length of time the coverage will last, and the amount of inflation protection to cover rising medical costs.

Individual Retirement Plan (IRA)

An Individual Retirement Plan or IRA is a retirement account that provides some tax advantages to the person who wants to save money for retirement. These plans allow a person to set aside money over their working years and invest the money so that when they retire, they can supplement their income. There are several types of IRA with different features. An Investment Executive can explain the types of IRAs available and help you determine what will work the best for you.

Traditional IRA

Contributions are often tax deductible in the current year depending on income and availability of other plans. Investment earnings are not taxed as long as they stay invested in the plan. Withdrawals before age 59½ are generally penalized and all withdrawals are taxable as income. Withdrawals must start at age 70½. An IRA can use a variety of investment types such as mutual funds, annuities, individual stock or brokered certificates of deposit.

Roth IRA

Contributions are not tax deductible in the year they are made but generally withdrawals after age 59½ are not taxed as income. Earnings accumulate tax free. A wide variety of investment can be used in a Roth IRA. Your Investment Executive can help you with your investment decisions so that your IRA will help you achieve your financial goals.

College Savings Plan

Saving for college expenses is usually a major priority for families with children. The cost of college continues to go up and for most families saving must be accomplished over a number of years. The 529 Plan is a college savings plan that allows individuals to save and invest on a tax advantaged basis in order to provide funding for college expenses for a child or other beneficiary.

The 529 Plan offers several advantages:

• Funds grow tax deferred.
• Withdrawals for education expense are not subject to income tax or penalty.
• Funds are controlled by the donor.
• The 529 Plan can be started with a lump sum contribution or small systematic payments.
• The investments can be made in a variety of mutual funds of all types or in a managed fund.