Fraternal Agent's - October Report

Field Agent's Report

Brother Knights,
November 1st will mark the 8th Anniversary of my career as a Field Agent and I thank the Good Lord for the opportunity to serve you and your families. It also marks the beginning of the 3rd stage of my life, in Spain they call it Jubilation which sounds so much better than retirement.
I also thank all of you and your families for the warm welcome and kind hospitality that you have always extended. It has been a joy to share time with you on life's journey. There have been many memorable moments, one happened just last evening. I visited a active duty USMC Brother Knight , his lovely wife and two young daughters ages five and nine. The younger one was happy to hear that the Queen who sponsored Columbus' voyage had the same name she has, Isabella.
Then as we sat at the kitchen table, I was in awe as the nine year old started asking me questions about the Faith. Now realize here I am in my late 60s talking to a nine year old sharing Biblical history, consequences of Vatican II, changes in the Liturgy and her eyes are focused on me and she is really engaged. Her ability to absorb the information was remarkable. It made me think of the Jewish elders who were transfixed when the 12 year old Jesus was teaching them about the Scriptures in the Temple.
It is young families like this one that give me great hope for the future of our Faith and the promise of vocations.
Bonnie joins me in thanking you for all the joys you have shared with us and some sorrows along the way. We ask the Good Lord that He continue to watch over and protect you all as we are certain that He will.

Fraternal Agent's September Article

Fraternal Agent's Article
Yesterday, Bonnie and I were baby sitting and while the grandkids were napping I watched some of the daytime old cowboy shows like Gunsmoke and Bonanza. I hadn't seen either in many years and it was wonderful to see Marshall Matt Dillon and Patriarch Ben Cartwright in action. I noticed that all the commercials were directed toward seniors with the Six Million Dollar Man, the host of Jeopardy and similar icons touting products including a guaranteed issue life insurance product.
Isn't it amazing how these companies can promote their products at tremendous cost and attract so many seniors to buy their products?
I looked up the A.M. Best rating  for the life insurance company in question and found it to have a B+ financial  rating with a bbb- credit rating, not exactly stellar.
Many of our members have taken out baby policies on their children and grandchildren with an internationally famous baby food company which has an A.M. Best financial A and credit a rating.
By contrast, the Knights of Columbus have more competitive rates, build higher cash values and have an A.M. Best rating financial rating of A++ and a credit rating of aa+, the highest in the industry.
Over the past eight years I have visited with many families that have policies with companies that have lower ratings than the Order, build significantly lower cash values, do not pay dividends and sadly in the cases of universal and variable not infrequently go belly up. Many of the older seniors lament later in life that they didn't secure their family's protection with the Order.
What about you?
Is your family protected through the Order?
If not, why not?
I'm now 60 days away from retirement. If it makes sense to meet with me before the end of October, give me a call and let's get together for a Fraternal Visit.
Fraternally,
Tom

Frateral Agent Report

Brothers,

Hope that this year will be the best ever for you and your families.

I noticed that the DOW Jones opened the year below it's opening 5 years ago. I meet many members who have been upset about the performance of their portfolios. Many have moved IRA, 401k, CD money to KofC annuities for the safer and more secure investment, especially those near and in retirement who are more concerned about the return of their money than the return on their money. For many the Single Premium Life Policy is a bonanza as it increases the death benefit and provides a tax free benefit and is not tied up in an estate at death.

Many of those younger members cling to their group term policies at work believing that is all they need. Many others have seen their coverage erode or their premiums grow this past year as employers seek to cut their cost.

Is it any wonder that in a year when many markets and companies suffered the Knights of Columbus set new records for growth and coverage?
Are you an insured member?
Should you be?
Why not call for an updated Financial Review?

Happy New Year,
Tom

813-625-2444
thomas.cummings@kofc.org

FRATERNAL AGENT'S REPORT

November 1st will mark my 5th Anniversary as a Field Agent. I want to thank all of the Brother Knights who have warmly welcomed me into their homes and shared their hospitality with me. I have made about 2,500 visits and handled 143 Death Claims. Four questions stand out in my mind from my experiences:

WILLS - While everyone acknowledges the importance of them, only about one in four Knights have wills, living wills, health care surrogacies and powers of attorney in place. Why do so many leave these important documents unprepared? What about you?

PLAN - What's your plan for when you pass away. Eighty percent of the time the Knight will pass before his spouse. Yet few can articulate a plan for preservation and growth of assets. Few can name who would act as a trustee if necessary. Few have analyzed in any detail how their family would be protected from an economic point of view. What about you?

INSURANCE - Fr. McGivney founded the Order on the principle of Unity , that all Knights would be insured members. Only about 55% of our local members protect their families through the Order. I'm curious about why so members are so loyal to their commercial insurers, especially in view of the events of the past year, and not to the Knights of Columbus. What about you?

PRIESTS - I find it interesting that 75% of the priests who live in my area are insured members of the Order. Why is their participation rate so much higher?
_________________________________

Why do I believe so much in the Order? Here is an example. At age 29, 30 years before I became a Field Agent, I took out a $10,000 Whole Life Policy with the Order. What is it worth today?
Original Death Benefit $10,000
Annual Premium $242 (The last year's dividend was $605, 2.5 times the premium)
Premiums Paid to date $8,470
Cash Value $27,263 (3.2 times amount paid)
Death Benefit $33,600 (3.36 times original Death Benefit)
That's why 85% of my family members are insured with the Order.

Tom Cummings
Your Field Agent
813-625-2444
thomas.cummings@kofc.org

Fraternal Agent's Report

The Advent Season is upon us and once again we prepare to celebrate the Incarnation of Our Lord. We believe (our FAITH) that Christ is the Son of God; that His coming assures us of the HOPE of everlasting life and that the LOVE he expressed for us and urged us to share is His everlasting gift to us. During this season of preparation, let us measure our work as Knights by the Theological Virtues of Faith, Hope and Charity.

Our Founder, Fr. Michael J. McGivney had a deep and abiding FAITH in His God. His HOPE was that he could encourage Catholic men to act in LOVE supporting one another. He sought everyday to know, love and serve God through his service to the Catholic community. We are his legacy. Let us keep the beacon shining brightly as we Keep Christ and His message in our
hearts during this Holy Season.

A Blessed Christmas to all,

Tom

Fraternal Agent's Report

As we begin the month of November let us remember our Brother Knights who have passed on along with those spouses who have entered into their holy reward. Remember it was because of such tragedies that Fr. Michael J.
McGivney was inspired to start the Knights of Columbus. What if each family were to remember our Founder by praying for his canonization?

We have been overwhelmed these past months with Brother Knights moving money from their IRAs, 401Ks, 403bs portfolios to the safety (A.M. Best A++ and S&P AAA) of the Order. No Knights have lost any of their principal and their annuities continually grow.

Effective October 1st, the new 800 Series of products has been issued. Premiums are lower as the new mortality tables are in force. This would be a good time to review your situation.

There is now a Guaranteed Issue Whole Life Policy available to those who would otherwise not be insurable. It can be issued through age 65.

The popular Term to Age 30, the lowest premium (about $3/monthly) child policy will be phased out. If you want it you must apply before the end of the year.

If you want to make deposits into or start an IRA or Roth IRA for this year, let me know.

In view of the market conditions, the importance of your annual Fraternal Review is paramount.
Call me and let me know when you would like to meet.

Fraternally,
Tom Cumming