5 key things to know when you create a will and make other end-of-life plans

27 Mar
estate plan

Contemplating your own death may not be on the list of things you’re eager to do. Yet for your family or other loved ones who would find themselves trying to sort out your affairs while also dealing with the emotional fallout from losing you, you having a so-called estate plan is important, experts say. And this is the case whether you are wealthy or not. More>>

9 tips for creating a home that is safe for aging in place

27 Feb
Home

It’s never too early to start thinking about how your home can adapt to meet your changing needs over time, as well as what modifications might be required to make it safer, easier to use, and more accessible, says Melissa Birdsong, an interior designer and the board chairwoman of Raleigh Village East, a nonprofit organization focused on helping people age in place.

“Plan it, do it, and enjoy the benefits of a home that is easier to use now,” says Birdsong, 73. “And remember that you can make these changes and still maintain the style of your home. A safe home will increase its value and be more comfortable and more accessible for you, for other seniors who visit you, and for family members of all ages.” More>>

Why Insurance May Help You Feel Better

30 Jan

Just imagining a scenario where you can’t pay your bills is stressful. Now imagine how stressful it would be if you really couldn’t pay a bill. One’s mental health could be put to the test.

Dealing with an emergency is likely to raise anyone’s blood pressure. Oftentimes, it comes with a high price. Many Americans feel unprepared to pay for one — whether the emergency is related to their health or home. A recent Bankrate survey reports that 58 percent of adults are concerned about how much money they have saved for these unexpected expenses.1

These concerns can lead to real stress. Having insurance may positively impact your mental health. More>>

16 commonly misunderstood insurance words

16 Jan
Underwriting, premiums, contestability period—terms like these can make insurance words seem foreign. Fortunately, a good insurance professional can help you understand everything. So can the definitions below. Read on to understand some commonly misunderstood insurance words. More>>

Why Insurance May Help You Feel Better

28 Nov

Just imagining a scenario in which you can’t pay your bills is stressful. Now imagine how stressful it would be if you really can’t pay a bill. One’s mental health could be put to the test.

Dealing with an emergency is likely to raise anyone’s blood pressure. Oftentimes, it comes with a high price. Many Americans feel unprepared to pay for one — whether the emergency is related to their health or home. A recent Bankrate survey reports that 58 percent of adults are concerned about the amount of money they have saved for these unexpected expenses.

These concerns can lead to real stress. More>>

Static Assumption Do Not Account for Unforeseen Risks

23 Nov
Guest contributor Reggie Phillips, CLU, ChFC, CASL, is manager—insurance strategists at Truist Life Insurance Services.

How do financial professionals incorporate conversations around the risk of long-term care into their planning? Although the financial impact can be quantified by analysis, the focus first should be on the emotional impact on the family and the struggles of caregivers who would provide care.

Read on for some positioning statements and questions to help your clients think through their potential future need for long-term care. More>>

10 Advantages of Hybrid Life Insurance with Long-Term Care

21 Nov
You probably know about hybrid cars. But do you know about hybrid life insurance?

This coverage combines long-term care and life insurance into one policy. Like hybrid cars, these hybrid policies are increasingly popular. That’s because they have some unique benefits. More>>

Three Ways Life Insurance Can Help with Long Term Care Needs

17 Nov

Guest contributor Reggie Phillips, CLU, ChFC, CASL, is manager-insurance strategists at Truist Life Insurance Services.

In the spirit of National Long-Term Care Awareness Month, let’s answer some questions about using life insurance with LTC riders instead of traditional long-term care insurance as a potential solution for extended care planning.

When addressing clients’ concerns about overpaying for LTC, the typical and often the most efficient approach is a solution involving a traditional or asset-based LTCi policy. However, there are ways that life insurance can be beneficial for addressing LTC concerns. More>>

Planning for LTC: The 4 Words That Drive the Conversation

16 Nov

At some point in our lives, most of us will likely need some kind of long-term care support. But although people find it easy to talk about the experiences of a friend or family member who is going through a long-term care event, they are reluctant to have a conversation about their own need for care. More>>