Do you know anyone whose life or career has been drastically changed during the past economic downturn? It’s very likely that someone in your immediate or extended family or group of friends is facing financial uncertainty now. Maybe there’s a possibility that you (or your spouse) could lose your job or change employers.

Too many people have often relied on group term life insurance as their only safety net. Often, this insurance is an employee benefit provided at low or no cost. The existence of this coverage might convince someone that personally-owned life insurance is not necessary.

Only having “through work” insurance can leave you and your family vulnerable. Most group life insurance policies are limited in amount, which may be tied to salary or some other benchmark. These numbers are often capped, and this cap may be dangerously low when compared to your family’s actual needs. In fact, without a detailed needs analysis, any employer-provided coverage will likely cause a shortfall at the insured’s death.

In addition, the amount of group insurance offered is almost always reduced, sometimes dramatically, when you retire. You could one day find yourself without coverage, and if your health has changed (which it will as you age), you might also find yourself unable to secure individual protection. It will definitely be more expensive.

While group life insurance can help, it does not replace the need for individually owned life insurance. I’ll be happy to meet with you and provide a no-cost needs analysis, so you’ll know exactly where you stand.

Fraternally,

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

As a father, you worry about your children and do many things to protect them. We try to raise them right and make sure they are prepared to become adults. But have you ever thought about buying life insurance on your child?

When you insure a child, you are protecting his or her future. Did you know that one out of every six adults get rated, postponed, or denied for insurance coverage? If you purchase a policy for your child from the Knights of Columbus, it guarantees that more insurance can be purchased for that child without proving insurability.

Unfortunately, as fathers we don’t have a crystal ball to tell us the future of our children. Your child could eventually have a rare disease, cancer, or be overweight. Did you know you can purchase a child’s policy, in many cases, for less than $10 a month?

I’ve heard it said that people don’t want to “profit” from the death of a child, so they won’t purchase coverage on their children. God forbid something tragic happens, those funds can come in handy at a time when finances will be the last thing on a parent’s mind. I have never heard a story about someone who regretted buying coverage on a child.

Contact me today to discuss the many policy options for child plans, including 10- and 20-Pay life insurance, as well as your other insurance needs.

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

The Knights of Columbus is known throughout the world for its charitable giving and its tireless service to the Church. But since its founding, the Knights has had another way to minister to Catholic families: its insurance program. Beginning with the Order’s first insurance member – our founder, Father Michael J. McGivney – the Knights have sought to provide financial protection to prevent against devastating hardship. Here are a few numbers that will help you understand how the Knights of Columbus Insurance program is doing today:

$100 Billion. That’s the amount of “in force” coverage the Knights of Columbus has. Put differently, the Knights of Columbus has active policies which are expected to pay out death benefits to members and beneficiaries in the total amount of $100 Billion. It’s $100 Billion of real money, of financial protection for Catholic families made possible by the Knights of Columbus and their insurance products. We are the only Catholic insurer in North America to exceed $100 Billion of life insurance in force.

$21 Billion. The Knights of Columbus manages $21 Billion of assets from their international headquarters in New Haven, Conn., putting the Knights in the top five percent of largest life insurers in North America. We manage our assets in an ethical and responsible way. We do not invest in companies that deal in: abortions, contraception, human cloning, embryonic stem cell research, for-profit healthcare that pays for any of the aforementioned, or pornography.

2 Million. The Knights of Columbus has more than two million active contracts in force. That means that hundreds of thousands of brother Knights have elected to help protect their family and their futures with us.

15 Years. That’s the number of years in a row that the Knights of Columbus insurance program has continued to grow in sales. Despite a rough economic climate, we have sold more insurance each year since 2000.

40 Years. That’s the number of consecutive top-mark ratings we’ve earned from A.M. Best. Since 1975, the Knights of Columbus has earned the highest rating possible for financial strength (A++, Superior).

There’s never been a better time to turn to the Knights of Columbus to help protect you and your family. Contact me today, and I’ll be more than happy to tell you more about the wonderful benefits that the Knights of Columbus Insurance program has to offer.

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

We live in a world of options and we are constantly bombarded by choices. Some of these make our lives more complicated, but many of these choices are created with our satisfaction in mind.

At the Knights of Columbus, every product we offer has been designed solely for the benefit of our members and their families. When I present an option to you, it’s because a team of experts has discussed it at length to be certain it serves your best interest.

We have a few options on how you can provide and pay for the whole life coverage that your family needs. Many whole life policies call for premiums to be paid for your entire life or to age 100. But we also offer permanent life coverage with guaranteed cash values (and the potential to earn dividends, which are not guaranteed) through policies that offer a limited period of premium payments.

First, we offer “10 Pay Life” and “20 Pay Life.” Consider paying premiums for 10 or 20 years, and never having to pay for the coverage again. The plan is “paid up” and no more premiums are due. The plan stays in force, the death benefit remains intact and the guaranteed cash value continues to grow.

A plan with similar benefits is “Life Paid Up at 65.” The difference over 10 or 20 Pay Life plans is that this permanent product requires you to pay premiums until age 65. Then, premiums stop (just in time for retirement), but the plan remains in force.

Finally, the ultimate in limited pay is our Single Premium Life product. Imagine buying life insurance — permanent life insurance — and only paying one single premium? It’s possible.

To learn more about these products, our long-term care insurance, disability income or retirement products, please call me today.

Fraternally,
Phillip De Leon
(916) 607-1645
philip.deleon@kofc.org

As a member of this council, you know how important spouses can be to the charitable works of the Order. If you’re married, your wife is probably involved in a few of the many events that happen each fraternal year. This support adds great value and impact to what a council can achieve.

When the Order was founded in 1882, Father Michael J. McGivney and the other brave men were setting out to protect Catholic families, but especially wives and children. We know today this is done through our insurance products which are designed with that goal in mind. One specific policy rider that you may not know about is called Spousal Waiver of Premium. This rider is unique to the Knights of Columbus philosophy of helping our widows.

This rider is available on most permanent and Discoverer plans purchased at standard rates by a member and his wife on the same day. When both spouses apply, the rider provides for waiver of premiums on the spouse’s contract in the event of the insured’s death. Best of all, for members and spouses ages 18 to 60, this waiver can be added for no charge. The rider stays in effect until the spouse attains age 65 or certain other triggering events occur.

Our products are designed with your needs and budget in mind. With a solid portfolio of life insurance, longterm care, disability income and retirement products, the Knights of Columbus can help you meet all of your financial goals. To learn more about these solutions, contact me today.

Fraternally,
Phillip De Leon
(916) 607-1645
philip.deleon@kofc.org

The initial reaction for many people when you mention life insurance as a gift is a quick step back and a questioning stare. How morbid, they may think quietly or aloud. While it may seem that way when you first mention it, life insurance is a really thoughtful gift that can be a financial life preserver in tough times.

The problem with life insurance is the general perception. Many think of life insurance only in cases where someone dies. Life insurance should, in fact, be thought of as a precautionary protective measure for a family unit. The purchase of this product can mean saving your home, sending your children to college, and preserving your spouse’s quality of life in the event of your death.

One of the times you may want to purchase life insurance for someone is when a family has a new baby. It’s a great, low-cost way to set money aside for the future (i.e. college tuition, housing, business start-up, etc.). Of greater importance, it ensures these children will have insurance as adults, in case an illness later in life makes him or her uninsurable.

Newlyweds are also ideal recipients for life insurance. As they join their lives and financial responsibilities, young couples need to make sure that their early investments are fully protected. If something were to happen to one of them, the other may be faced with serious financial hardship. A life insurance policy is an ideal way to ensure their future and protect their assets.

As nontraditional as it may be, life insurance is a wise and caring gift to purchase for many people. To learn more about our various life insurance products, contact your agent today.

NOTE: Brothers, we currently do not have an insurance agent assigned to our council. If you are interested in meeting with a Knights of Columbus Insurance agent to discuss new or existing coverage, please contact the Todd Cabral Agency at 916-350-4390.