What’s Ahead for Social Security?

Social Security is supposed to be a security blanket for most Americans, but lately it hasn’t felt all that comforting. Because of the cost-of-living formula used by the Social Security Administration, benefits recipients are not receiving an

increase in 2011 for the second year in a row. And under current rules, the entire Social Security system is in danger of becoming insolvent. To avoid that, the cochairs of a bipartisan commission on the federal deficit recently proposed raising the normal re-tirement age, increasing the annual limit on income that is subject to the Social Security payroll tax and other controversial changes.

Bottom Line/Personal asked Social Security expert Theodore Sarenski to address some of the questions and concerns that many people have…

Q: Why are benefits not rising when it feels like living expenses are going up and up? The Social Security cost-of-living formula has not been particularly fair to retirees lately. The formula’s inflation index

hasn’t climbed for two years largely because home values have plummeted and car prices have stagnated. But retirees typically don’t buy a lot of homes and new cars. Many of the things that they spend on—health care, heating fuel and utilities, for example—have in fact increased in price.

Cost-of-living increases are likely to resume once real estate values stabilize. Mean-while, remember that there was a big 5.8% cost-of-living increase in benefits three years ago. The system wouldn’t seem quite so unfair if that increase had been spread evenly over the past three years. However, under a proposal by the deficit commission’s cochairs, cost-of-living ad-justments would become less generous starting in 2012 under a new formula.

Q: Are benefits going to end if the Social Security system starts to run out of money? No. It is true that the system is expected to run a deficit by 2015, and its reserves are indeed on course to be depleted—

but not until 2037. Most likely, the government will make changes in the tax and/or benefits rules in time to prevent that. Even in the very unlikely event that the reserves are completely depleted, the system would still be able to pay around

75% of its obligations through 2084 by distributing the taxes paid into the system each year by those still in the workforce. Q: How likely is it that the government actually will make changes to Social Security? My prediction is that politicians will keep feeding us Social Security scare stories every election year, but they will not

substantially alter the system for many years, perhaps even decades. In the 75-year history of the Social Security system, law-makers have always waited until disaster was imminent before making changes. That said, America’s budget problems are very pressing, and politicians might conclude they cannot solve these problems without slashing the cost of the Social Security system.

Q: What are the possible changes? In addition to changing the cost-of-living formula, the commission cochairs made the following proposals, which the full

commission had not yet voted on as of press time… Slowly raise the normal retirement age to 68 b 2050 and to 69 by 2075…increase the early

retirement age from 62 to 64…and at the same time provide a “hardship exemption” for people physi-cally unable to work past age 62. The normal retirement age increase would affect only people born after 1960. Currently, the normal retirement age for people born in 1960 or later is 67.

Gradually raise the annual limit on income subject to the Social Security payroll tax from the current $106,800 until it’s near $190,000.

Give retirees an option to collect half their benefits early and the other half at a later age. This would allow early retirees to draw some income from the Social Security system, perhaps to supplement income from a part-time job, while also allowing some of their benefits to continue to grow by delaying them until age 70.

Establish a new special minimum benefit to keep low-wage workers above the poverty line. Provide a “benefit bump-up” for older retirees equal to 5% of the average benefit. The bump-

up would be phased in over five years, starting 20 years after a retiree first becomes eligible for benefits.

The cochairs also proposed several alternative changes, which include increasing benefits for low-income widows or widowers…capping the spousal benefit at one-half the average worker’s benefit, rather than one-half the partner’s benefit…and reinstating college benefits for child survivors—benefits that were eliminated in 1981.

Q: How can I maximize my benefits? Unless poor health or family history suggests that you are likely to pass away before age 77, you’ll get more money

from the system by waiting until your late 60s or age 70 to start receiving your benefits. Delaying the start of benefits until at least age 66 is attractive if you are married because it increases your partner’s spousal and survivor benefits, too, by up to 8% per year.

Strategies to maximize benefits… “62/70 strategy.” Married people should consider this. The lower-earning spouse, usually but not always the wife,

claims benefits based on her own earnings at age 62, with her husband claiming spousal benefits on her earnings as soon as he reaches his full retirement age—66 if he was born between 1943 and 1954. then the husband switches to his own benefits when he turns 70, with his wife switching to spousal benefits based on his earnings. This couple receives the largest possible benefit checks after the husband turns 70 but still gets benefits before then.

“File-and-suspend” strategy. If one spouse has no significant earnings history, this strategy is a second option. Here, the wage-earning spouse files for benefits when he reaches the normal retirement age, then immediately asks that those benefits be suspended. Then his partner can claim spousal benefits based on his suspended account, while the amount that will be on the wage earner’s eventual monthly checks continues to grow until he ends the suspension in his late 60s or at age 70, the age at which the benefits rate stops rising.

Q: For someone who would like to work a few more years, is there a risk that taking a low-paying job at the end

of a career will drive down the earnings history on which his/her future Social Security checks will be based? Continuing to work is far more likely to increase someone’s eventual Social Security benefits than it is to reduce them

even if the late-career job doesn’t pay well. Benefits are computed based on the 35 highest-earning years among your final 40 working years, not on the final salary, as they are with some pension plans.

If someone has worked for fewer than 35 years, even a small paycheck will boost benefits because it will replace $0 earning years in the calculations.

If the person already has 35 working years, the small pay-checks might not boost the earnings history but will make it easier to delay the start of Social Security benefits past age 62, thereby in-creasing eventual monthly checks by up to 8% per year, simply based on age, until age 70. just try to avoid starting benefits while you’re still working—that would increase the odds that your benefits will be taxed.

Working additional years is likely to reduce Social Security benefits only if someone already has worked 40 years and had high earnings in the early years relative to the rest of his career. Continu-ing to work in this situation could bump those long-ago high-earning years out of the most recent 40 working years, removing those years from the benefits equation.

Q: For someone in debt who is worried that creditors and debt collectors are going to grab his Social Security

benefits, is there anything that can be done to protect those benefits? Creditors and debt collectors usually cannot legally garnish Social Security benefits. Unfortunately, when banks receive

court orders directing them to freeze accounts, they often do so, even when the accounts contain Social Security assets. Most account holders don’t fight this because they don’t realize it is illegal.

If this happens to you, be sure to contact the bank and point out that Social Security income is in the account and cannot legally be frozen. Then insist that the assets be released. Be aware, however, that Social Security benefits can be legally frozen or garnished if the debt involves unpaid federal income taxes or child support. Reprinted with the permission of: Bottom Line Publications Boardroom Inc. 281 Tresser Blvd., 8th floor Stamford, CT 06901 www.bottomlinesecrets.com

Financial Planning for the Decade Ahead Having concluded the first decade of the 21st century, now is a good time to reflect back on the last 10 years. This review can offer insight into what expectations should be going forward. Most would agree that it has been both a volatile and unpredictable period. We experienced an economic environment in the U.S. that many could compare only to the Great Depression. America’s unemployment rate has led many people to deplete both personal and family member’s savings, the stock market has left many people fearful of any non-guaranteed alternatives, and with interest rates at historic lows, alternatives are simply measured by opportunity for return of princi-pal as opposed to return on principal.

Ten year time horizons have typically provided for a good “sample set” of data for planners to provide broad perspectives for their recommenda-tions. The S&P 500 opened ten years ago on Jan 2, 2001 at 1320.28. With only a few trading days left in 2010, it is on pace to close at an approxi-mate loss of 5% for that ten year period.

Despite this long term reduction, many financial plans are maintaining their traditional investment strategies. Investment philoso-phies such as Long Term Planning, Staying the Course, or Buy and Hold positioning are still considered the order of the day. The prudence of these strategies lies solely within their abilities to provide relatively consistent returns above guaranteed options. In this reflection, below is a quick list of events that prohibited this consistency:

Stock Market Correction of 2008 (S&P 500 declines 56% from October 1, 2007 to March 2, 2008) Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) Flash Crash of 2010 (DJIA declines by 9.2% in 1 day) Tech Bubble Real Estate Crisis Financial meltdown of various European countries Federal Reserve’s Quantitative Easing Policy Unprecedented Ponzi Schemes uncovered General Motors Declares Bankruptcy

The future decade will undoubtedly bring with it more unexpected turns. While resiliency will likely prevail, many ill-prepared financial plans are likely to fail. The uncertainty surrounding this economy has led many people to look for ways to find financial security. Achieving this type of security comes only with proper planning and an understanding of current conditions and alter-natives, coupled with a regular review of progress.

Whether your goals include guaranteed lifetime income or a hedge against future inflation, CLA offers alternatives to help you achieve your goals. Contact your CLA representative today to start planning for the future.

CLA does not give legal, investment or tax advice. Only an attorney can provide legal advice. You should consult with your own attor-ney to discuss your specific estate planning needs. You should always consult with your tax professional on issues related to taxes.

If you have any questions regarding this article, please contact our offices to schedule an appointment with one of our agents. Our toll free number is 1-888-404-6848, Monday-Friday,

8:30am-5:00pm Central Time.

Family & Friends

Dear CLA Client, I would like to announce a new program available to all of our clients here at CLA. This new program is called Family & Friends, and is designed to help you make sure that the people you care about receive an education about planning. Over the years we have been told over and over,

“I wish my brother could hear this.” Or,

“My friend from church really needs this information.”

Now, we have developed a way to help you. All we need at CLA is their name and contact number. Our Family & Friends Enrollment Counselors will do the rest. Because we are a nationwide service organization, it is very likely that there is a Planning Class scheduled in their area soon.

So, all you have to do is let us know which of your Family and Friends would enjoy our presentation. Here is how you make it happen for the people you care about:

Call Direct to Family & Friends Enrollment Counselor 1-888-889-8888

Monday-Friday 9am-5pm CST

That’s it! That’s all you have to do. We will take it from there.

I hope and trust we have done a good job for you. We look forward to serving you in the future.

Best Regards, John Long Vice President, CLA Estate Services

CLA USA │ JULY 2010 │ 1-888-404-6848

CLA USA │ JULY 2010 │ 1-888-404-6848

CLA USA │ JULY 2010 │ 1-888-404-6848

CLA USA │ JULY 2010 │ 1-888-404-6848

CLA USA │ JULY 2010 │ 1-888-404-6848

CLAUSA │ JULY 2010 │ 1-888-404-6848

INSURANCE how much COVERAGE is enough?

There are many aspects to consider when purchasing home and auto insurance:

• What company can secure a combi-nation of the best coverage, service, and price?

• How much coverage is needed to protect my family and assets?

• How can insurance scores, based on credit history, lower rates?

• What is the difference between PIP and Medical Payments in regards to auto policies?

• How valuable is towing and rental coverage, and to what situations does it apply?

• What can be done to save money on home and auto insurance policies?

By Winona Travis, CISR

o your current auto and homeowner’s policies supply the coverage you need? Insur-ance is not a one-size-fits-all product; it should be tailored to protect you in the event

of a loss. The coverage purchased should be determined by needs. Advice from a licensed professional is the best gauge in deciding whether or not you are properly insured.

Make sure that your family and assets are covered with the proper insurance policy.

What company can secure a combination of the best coverage, service, and price?

When shopping for insurance, great importance should be placed the source of the purchase. The common misconception that this “does not matter” could cost you time, money, and peace of mind. There are several different avenues through which to purchase home and auto in-surance. These include captive agents who sell for only one company and independent agencies who offer a multiple options and companies.

Independent insurance agencies can offer excellent service and policies to fit particular needs, because they have access to several A rated companies they can shop to ensure competitive rates for the coverage needed to protect families and their assets.

It is important for an agent to gather infor-mation needed to secure coverage with the company that best suits each individual. Your

insurance program is unique and should be custom fit to your particular needs.

After gaining a full understanding of a clients needs, the agent will be able to work with an insurance carrier to find that perfect fit.

How much coverage is needed to protect my family and assets?

Visiting with an agent is imperative in the pro-cess of ensuring proper coverage. Unfortunate-ly, many people find themselves under-insured due to the agent’s lack of attention to important details which dictate how much coverage is ac-tually required.

Not having enough coverage on an auto policy could be financially devastating in the event of an at-fault accident! Many clients are not aware of the possibility of higher policy limits that require little extra premium. The best way to ensure you have enough protection is to have a professional agent who can determine how much coverage you really need.

How can insurance scores, based on credit history, lower rates?

In today’s time, most insurance companies use insurance and/or credit score as a tool in de-

termining rates. Many clients ask about the correlation between credit scores

and premiums being charged. They also inquire as to the necessity

of a Social Security number when obtaining insurance.

Through studies, insurance companies have gathered that people who are respon-

ot mees osla yenom htiw elbisbe responsible on the road. This

same group also tends to file few-er quantities of small claims as well

as choose to self-insure in efforts to keep their insurance rates low.

What is the difference between PIP and Medical Payments in regards to auto policies?

Personal Injury Protection (PIP) is intended to cover the insured in the event of injury while in the vehicle. PIP will not only cover medical payments, but also covers lost wages as well. Many clients are retired, and therefore do not need coverage of lost wages. In which case, medical coverage would be a sufficient option for senior clients, as it is less expensive. In the same light, those without medical insurance might find it beneficial to consider a higher limit on this coverage.

How valuable is towing and rental coverage, and to what situations does it apply?

Towing is a great addition to your auto policy because not only can it be utilized in the event of an accident, but also it can be used if the vehicle breaks down and requires towing to a mechanic.

Rental coverage can only be used when the ve-hicle is unavailable because it is be-ing repaired in the event of a loss. Household with only one ve-hicle ben-efit greatly from this op t i ona l

.egarevocFa m i l i e s with mul-tiple cars can cut their premium by not selecting this coverage.

What can be done to save money on home and auto insurance policies?

The best way to save money on insurance is to have an agent who will take the time to get to know you and your financial situation. The more information given to an agent, the more advise can be rendered on how much cover-age is needed to protect your family and assets without over (or under) insuring you.

Furthermore, take the time to ask questions until you are comfortable with the insurance being purchased. An insurance professional should strive to take the time to get to know each client resulting in best possible decisions regarding individual insurance programs.

Insuring your assets is important so make sure your agent is taking the time to look at your financial situation and has an understanding of

how to properly protect you and your family.

Eat Your Way to Low Cholesterol

If you have high cholesterol, your primary objective should be to find a way to lower it without drugs and their side effects. The good news is that just eating the right foods often can reduce cholesterol by 50 points or more. Most people know to eat a low-fat diet, but there are certain foods that can help lower cholesterol that may surprise you… MACADAMIA NUTS Macadamia nuts are among the fattiest plant foods on the planet, about 76% total fat by weight. However, nearly all of the fat is monounsaturated. This type of fat is ideal because it lowers LDL (bad) cholesterol without depressing HDL (good) cholesterol. A team at Hawaii University found that study participants who added macadamia nuts to their diets for just one month had total cholesterol levels of 191 mg/dL, compared with those eating the typical American diet (201 mg/dL). The greatest effect was on LDL cholesterol. Macadamia nuts are higher than other nuts in monounsaturated fat, but all nuts are high in vitamin E, omega-3 fatty acids and other antioxidants. Data from the Harvard Nurses’ Health study found that people who ate at least five ounces of any kind of nut weekly were 35% less likely to suffer heart attacks than those who ate less than one ounce per month. Caution: Moderation is important because nuts—macadamia nuts, in particular—are high in calories. Limit servings to be-tween one and two ounces—about a small handful a day.

RHUBARB Rhubarb is ideal for both digestive health and lowering cholesterol because it contains a mix of soluble (see “Oats” on page three) and insoluble fibers. A study reported in Journal of the American College of Nutrition found that participants who ate a little less than three ounces of rhubarb daily for four weeks had an average drop in LDL cholesterol of 9%. This tart-tasting vegetable isn’t only an ingredient in pies. You can cut and simmer the stalks and serve rhubarb as a nutritious side dish (add some low-calorie strawberry jam for a touch of sweetness).

RICE BRAN It’s not as well-known for lowering cholesterol as oats and oat bran, but rice bran is just about as effective and some people enjoy it more. A six-week study at University of California, Davis Medical Center found that people who ate three ounces daily of a product with rice bran had drops in total cho-lesterol of 8.3% and a reduction in LDL of 13.7%. You can buy rice bran in most supermarkets—it’s prepared like oatmeal. Or you can try pre-pared rice-bran breakfast cereals, such as Quake Rice Bran Cereal and Kenmei Rice Bran.

RED YEAST RICE Made from a yeast that grows on rice, red yeast rice contains monacolins, compounds that inhibit the body’s production of cholesterol. One study found that people who took red yeast supplements and did nothing else had drops in LDL of 23%. When the supplements were combined with healthy lifestyle changes, their LDL dropped by about 42%. Red yeast rice may be less likely than statins to cause the side effect myopathy (a painful muscle dis-ease). Recommended dose: 600 milligrams (mg), twice daily. It is available online and at health-food stores.

GREEN TEA Green tea is a concentrated source of polyphenols, which are among the most potent antioxi-dants. It can lower LDL cholesterol and prevent it from turning into plaque deposits in blood vessels. In one study, men who drank five cups of green tea daily had total cholesterol levels that were nine points lower than men who didn’t drink green tea. Three to five cups daily are probably optimal. Black tea also contains polyphenols but in lower concentrations than green tea.

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provide you the excellent service you have come to expect.

VITAMINS C AND E These vitamins help prevent cholesterol in the blood from oxidizing. Oxidized cholesterol is more likely to cling to artery walls and promote the development of atherosclerosis, the cause of most heart attacks. I advise patients with high cholesterol to take at least 400 international units (IU) of d-alpha-tocopherol, the natural form of vitamin E, daily. You might need more if you engage in ac-tivities that increase oxidation, such as smoking. For vitamin C, take 1,000 mg daily. People who get the most vitamin C are from 25% to 50% less likely to die from cardiovascular disease than those who get smaller amounts. THE BIG THREE In addition to the above, some foods have long been known to reduce cholesterol, but they are so helpful that they bear repeating again… Cholesterol-lowering margarines. I use Benecol every day. It’s a margarine that contains stanol esters, cholesterol-lowering compounds that are extracted from plants such as soy and pine trees. About 30 grams (g) of Benecol (the equivalent of about three to four pats of butter) daily will lower LDL by about 14%.

Similar products, such as Promise Buttery Spread, contain sterol esters. Like stanols, they help block the passage of cholesterol from the digestive tract into the blood-stream. We used to think that sterols weren’t as effective as stanols for lowering cholesterol, but they appear to have comparable benefits. Oats. They are among the most potent nutraceuticals, natural foods with medicine-like properties. Both oat bran and oatmeal are high in soluble fiber. This type of fiber dissolves and forms a gel-like material in the intestine. The gel binds to cholesterol molecules, which prevents them from entering the bloodstream. A Harvard study that analyzed the results of 67 scientific trials found that even a small amount of soluble fiber daily lowered total cholesterol by five points. People who eat a total of 7 g to 8 g of soluble fiber daily typically see drops of up to 10%. One and a half cups of

cooked oatmeal provides 6 g of fiber. If you don’t like oatmeal, try homemade oat bran muffins. Soluble fiber also is found in such foods as kidney beans, apples, pears, barley and prunes. Also helpful: Psyllium, a grain that’s used in some breakfast cereals, such as Kellogg’s All-Bran Bran Buds, and in products such as Metamucil. As little as 3 g to 4 g of psyllium daily can lower LDL by up to 20%. Fish. People who eat two to three servings of fish a week will have signifi-cant drops in both LDL and triglycerides, another marker for cardiac risk. One large study found that people who ate fish as little as once a week reduced their risk for a sudden, fatal heart attack by 52%. I eat salmon, tuna, herring and sardines. Other good sources of omega-3 fatty acids include walnuts, ground flaxseed, tofu and canola oil. Fish-oil supplements may provide similar protection, but they are not as effective as the natural food, which contains other beneficial nutrients as well. Reprinted with the permission of: Bottom Line Publications Boardroom Inc. 281 Tresser Blvd., 8th floor Stamford, CT 06901 www.bottomlinesecrets.com