Raising children is probably the hardest job you’ll ever take. It requires you to wear more hats than you ever thought possible. Cook, chauffeur, nurse, counselor and many more… and that’s often in one morning. One of the most important roles you accept as a parent is that of a teacher. Before they even get to school, you’ll teach your children so much, and before they get out into the world, you’ll instill values that they will carry with them.

Sometimes the values you want to impart (respect, compassion, accountability, financial responsibility, etc.) often run counter to what our instant-gratification driven society values. So, we strive to teach by example.

This is one good reason to carry enough life insurance to protect your family. This one simple act can show what you value. You’ll show them that you love them and are concerned about their welfare. You’ll show that you take your responsibility to provide for your family seriously, and that you want to make sure they’re provided for even if you’re not around.  You’ll show them that investing money in your life insurance protection is more important than the new set of golf clubs you might want, the newest and best home theater system you’ve had your eye on, or whatever else you might be sacrificing to pay the premiums.

It will teach them about priorities. Sure, it may not sink in at the time, especially if any of the sacrifices made prevent them from filling what they see as their immediate “needs” (really things they want, not need, like the newest DVD, video game or article of clothing). In the long run, they will learn from what you do and what you don’t do. Only you can choose the lessons you will teach.

Let’s meet to review your existing coverage. My needs analysis, provided free, will help teach you where your coverage may be lacking. We can plan today to secure your family’s future and set in motion lessons that will last a lifetime.

Philip De Leon (CA License #OK63623)
(916) 607-1645
philip.deleon@kofc.org
www.philbetterinsured.com

Brothers, it was my great honor to be one of the witnesses during the ordination of 3 new priests for our diocese on June 3rd. There were 24 members of the Knights of Columbus Color Corps who participated in this sacred ceremony. Likewise, I also noticed many brother Knights with their families who attended the
ordination.

Bishop Jaime Soto gave an instruction to the candidates before they were ordained and presented with the Book of Gospels. The one phrase that resonated with me is a thought that can apply to all of us in relation to our Christian faith. “Believe what you read, teach what you believe, and practice what you teach.”

This past year, we have seen so much division, violence, and controversy throughout the world and in a multitude of facets of our daily lives. As members of the Knights of Columbus, the Venerable Michael J. McGivney founded our order, first and foremost, on the principle of Charity. As I have always said, we are brothers helping brothers. We accomplish that generous task in many ways, both locally and globally.

Many of those good works are accomplished through the legacy that the Venerable Michael J. McGivney left for us though the KofC Insurance Program. But, there are other vehicles within the Knights of Columbus that can help, too.

In the past year, I have seen attendance at some council general meetings begin to dwindle and waning participation in events in that help do good things for our parishes and communities. While I understand that we all get busy with our families and work, we should not neglect our spiritual life and the charitable contributions that we do for the Knights. You don’t have to be active in every event. At least participate in one or two events during the year.

Finally, do something for your loved ones if you haven’t already. Remember that you can take advantage of the legacy that Fr. Michael J. McGivney left for us through the Insurance Program by leaving an estate for your loved ones. That will not only leave a lasting legacy for your family, but it can also benefit your brother
Knights, their families, and so many of our Catholic programs and causes.

Finally, we need to always remember to recruit new members. There was a really great article in the Columbia this past month. It talks about a generation of Knights from just one family. If you have a moment, go online by following the link to: http://kofc.org/en/columbia/detail/generations-of-brotherhood.html

May God bless you, our families, and all our friends.

Philip De Leon (CA License #OK63623)
(916) 607-1645
philip.deleon@kofc.org
www.philbetterinsured.com

Did you know that there is more to the Knights of Columbus Insurance Program than just Permanent (Whole Life) insurance and Temporary (Term Life) insurance? Many are not aware that we also have Long Term Care insurance, Annuities, and Disability Insurance products, too.

The month of May is designated as Disability Income Insurance month. So I ask, is your income protected if you become sick or injured and cannot work? Your ability to work and earn an income is your most valuable asset. Yet a disability could prevent you from earning that income. Just one year of a disability could eliminate
your savings and devastate your family’s financial stability.

Income Armor, an individual disability income insurance product from the Knights of Columbus, should be a key part of your overall financial plan and family’s protection.

If you are ill or injured, Income Armor provides tax-free monthly benefits to help you meet living expenses and maintain you and your family’s standard of living. Your monthly benefits help you pay your mortgage and other monthly bills, while your savings and retirement assets remain intact.

In short, if you have a job and don’t have a way to protect that paycheck, you should seriously consider Income Armor today. As always, I am always happy to meet with you and your spouse.

Fraternally,
C. Philip De Leon (CA License #OK63623)
(916) 607-1645
philip.deleon@kofc.org
www.philbetterinsured.com

April 15 (tax day) is right around the corner. It’s become popular this time of year to encourage the opening of an IRA or similar retirement annuity, or the depositing of additional funds into an existing account, as a tax savings vehicle. A secondary approach is to tout the rate of interest that money in one of these accounts can
earn. Let me join the chorus of folks encouraging you to open or add funds to an annuity, but for a different reason.

Certainly, contributing money to a Knights of Columbus annuity will allow you to save some money on your income tax return. And our annuities do pay a very competitive interest rate, consistent with our primary goal of absolute safety of principal. Opening or adding to an annuity for these reasons, however, strikes me as
taking a short-term view of a product that is designed to provide long-term security. How much security? How does retirement income that you cannot outlive — guaranteed — sound to you?

Here at the Knights of Columbus, you can open a retirement annuity for as little as $300. Consistent and disciplined savings placed into that annuity over time can guarantee you an income at retirement that you cannot outlive. That guarantee — along with the fact that no one has ever lost money left in a Knights of Columbus annuity (remember – absolute safety of principal) — really will provide you with peace of mind.

I am happy to meet with you – at your convenience and in your home – to explain in detail the benefits of opening a Knights of Columbus annuity, along with the benefits of our top-rated life insurance, disability income and long-term care insurance plans.

Fraternally,
C. Philip De Leon (CA License #OK63623)
(916) 607-1645
philip.deleon@kofc.org
www.philbetterinsured.com

When I meet with new Knights and their spouses for the first time, I always try to conduct a fraternal briefing so they have a brief understanding of how the Knights of Columbus started and what the legacy that our founder, Venerable Fr. Michael J. McGivney left for us.

I also try to show a sampling of the many good works that we as the Knights of Columbus perform locally, nationwide and throughout the world. I cite many of my examples from one of our publications, Did You Know? It’s important that we all understand the foundation of who and why we exist.

For example, did you know the Knights are the creators of a $25 million Vicarious Christi Fund that is conveyed to the Holy Father to fund his many projects of good works? Did you know that we raised $11 million to support persecuted Christians in the Middle East? Did you know that after the Supreme Knight toured the devastation left by the 2010 Haitian earthquake that we provided medical services by fitting youths with prosthetic devices who were crippled by the earthquake?

The Knights of Columbus also generated $175,000,000 and provided 73,000,000 hours of volunteer hours to the Church and communities.

As for the insurance program, we paid in in excess of $609,000,000 in benefits and $275,000,000 in dividends to our insured members. We provide insurance to more than 2 million Knights and their family members.

My brothers, the insurance program has earned the distinction of as being one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies for its 3rd year in a row by the Ethisphere Institute. We also continue to earn the highest rating by A.M, Best who independently rates insurance companies. If you haven’t yet, protect your most valuable asset, you and your family.

So why the Knights of Columbus? Because we make miracles happen with the legacy that the Venerable FatherMichael J. McGivney left for us!

May God bless us and our families!

Fraternally,
C. Philip De Leon (CA License #OK63623)
(916) 607-1645
philip.deleon@kofc.org
www.philbetterinsured.com

I happened to be donating blood the other day and one of the staff happened to ask what I do. I mentioned that I am a Field Agent with the Knights of Columbus at which time he proudly snapped back, “My dad was a Knight of Columbus.” Naturally, my response was, “Have you considered becoming a Knight?”

Another of the staff members happened to overhear our conversation and said that he heard about the Knights of Columbus for the first time last week. That started a brief discussion about all the good things we do, both for the good of the Order, the Church and the community.

Sadly, when most think of the Knights of Columbus, the things they know us for are the good works that we provide such as Coats for Kids, Special Olympics, Habitat for Humanity, Free Throw and Soccerball Challenges, and our infamous Pancake Breakfasts and Crab Feeds.

We tend to forget the legacy that the Venerable Fr. Michael J. McGivney left for us, specifically the Knights of Columbus and their families. That legacy is stated in our original charter of 1882 and the goal remains the same. “To render financial aid to its members and beneficiaries of its members.” That legacy is our Insurance Program and it is specifically for the Knights and our families.

When we think of the insurance program, most think of just whole and term life insurance. But, did you know we also do annuities, long term care, and disability insurance? Right now with tax time just around the corner, many should consider starting an annuity. Also, our long term care program is something most should consider. While many of the other long term care programs have increased their premiums to a member with an existing plan, the Knights of Columbus has never increased a LTC premium to a member with an existing plan …. NEVER! So, maybe it’s time to consider starting an LTC or supplementing your existing plan. It’s not too late to start an LTC in your 50’s. But you won’t know what good value you could have or what an investment could be with the Knights of Columbus if you don’t meet with your Field Agent.

If you would like to setup and appointment or simply just chat, you may call me at (916) 607-1645. You can also follow me on Facebook by searching @PhilipDeLeonKofC or you can go to my website at
www.PhilBetterInsured.com

May God bless us and our families!
Fraternally,
C. Philip De Leon (CA License #OK63623)
(916) 607-1645
philip.deleon@kofc.org
www.philbetterinsured.com