Life and health insurance have many variables and decisions, such as, how much is enough and what type of policy is the best for you and your family. With this in mind we have put together a quick reference guide with definitions that will familiarize you with the common terms used in the breakdown of coverages available.

Needs vary for life insurance and your choices can be Term Life, Universal Life, Whole Life, Variable Whole Life or a Variable Universal Life policy, each type of insurance has its advantages.

Health insurance has evolved over the years and the most common choices of plans are: *Fee-For-Service (or Indemnity) Plans or Managed Care - consisting of: *Health Maintenance Organizations (HMO s), *Preferred Provider Organizations (PPO) or *Point of Service (POS) plans.

Depending on the life or health insurance needs, whether it be on a individual or group basis, our agency will provide you with the most comprehensive plan based on your individual or group current and future financial needs.

Financial Services

Common sense planning for the future! We offer a range of products to help you build and secure your future. Whether your finanacial future includes paying college tuition, purchasing a new home or retiring with security, we look forward to helping you reach your goals.

Some of the products you might wish to consider:

Traditional IRA
IRA Rollover
Roth IRA
Education IRA
529 College Savings Plan
Annuity
Mutual Funds
Employer Retirement Plans (i.e. 401 (k) plans, etc., see Business/Qualified Retirement Plans
Variable Universal Life Insurance, see Life/Health Insurance

Traditional IRA: This is a tax favored account that allows anyone under the ago of 70 1/2 who has earned income from employment to contribute up to $3,000/year, and is subject to certain income conditions. These contributions are tax deductible, though earnings are tax-deferred. Withdrawals are taxable and are required to begin at the age of 70 1/2. If you withdraw from the account prior to age 59 1/2 a tax penalty may apply and there are federal restrictions.*

IRA Rollover: This is a tax favored account which savings are transferred from an existing, qualified retirement plan (i.e. 401 (k) plan) to a Traditional IRA. Though contributions and withdrawals follow the guidelines as a Traditional IRA.*

Roth IRA: This is a tax favored account that allows anyone, regardless of age, with earned income from employment to contribute up to $3,000/year, and is subject to certain income conditions. Contributions are not tax deductible. Earnings are tax deferred. Withdrawals are tax-free under certain conditions, but if you withdraw from the account prior to age 59 1/2 a tax penalty may apply and there are federal restrictions.*

Education IRA: A tax favored account that allows anyone to contribute on behalf of a child. These contributions can not exceed $2,000/child per year. Limitations do exist on the contribution of any one person.*

529 College Savings Plan: This is a national college savings program authorized and created under Section 529 of the IRS code that enables individuals to save and invest on a tax deferred basis at a variable rate of return to fund college or graduate school expenses. Parents, grandparents and others are able to contribute up to $10,000/year per beneficiary.*

Annuity: This is a contract with an insurance company that you agree to deposit a specific amount of money with that insurance company. The insurance company agrees to pay a fixed rate of interest on your funds, as long as the contract exists. The interest you earn accumulates as tax deferred. Also available are variable annuities which pay a variable rate of return. Withdrawals are taxable and if you withdraw from the account prior to age 59 1/2 a tax penalty may apply and there are federal restrictions.*

Mutual Funds: This is an open-end management investment company that combines the money of many investors and hires an investment manager to invest that money in an attempt to gain one or more financial objectives. These financial objectives can be classified as current income, capital growth and capitol preservation.*

*Our agency does not provide legal or tax advice. For specific legal or tax advice based on your situation, please contact your attorney of tax advisor.

Business Group Plans

Types & Uses of Retirement Plans for Business/Group/Employees*

Simplified Employee Pension (SEP) Plan: For self-employed people and small business owners who wish to make tax-deductible contributions of up to $40,000 or 25% of their income, whichever is less, and that of their eligible employees.

Simple IRA Plan: For firms of 100 or fewer employees to establish an employee savings program for pre-tax contributions of up to $7,000 per year.

Profit Sharing Plan (Keogh** Plan): For business owners who wish to make tax-deductible contributions of up to 15% of each participant's pay, and have vesting and loan schedules not available with a SEP.

Money Purchase Pension Plan (Keogh** Pension Plan): For business owners with predictable incomes who wish to make pre-determined tax-deductible contributions of up to 25% of each Participant's pay.

Age-Weighted or Comparability Plan: For business owners who are older and more highly paid than most of their employees and wish to allocate contributions under a formula based on both age and salary.

Defined Benefit Pension Plan: For business owners who wish to contribute enough money each year to provide a specific benefit upon retirement. This may be beneficial to older employees with a high, stable income who need a rapid accumulation of assets over a short period of time.

401(k) Plan: For employers who wish to allow employees to make pre-tax contributions through payroll deductions of up to $15,500 per year (for 2007) or 25% of their pay, whichever is less.

Safe Harbor or DASH 401(k) Plan: For business owners who wish to give their employees the advantages of a 401(k) plan, while maximizing the amount they can put away for themselves.

403(b) Plan: For employees of public schools, non-profit hospitals and other certain tax-exempt organizations. Also known as a Tax-Sheltered Account.

Our agency does not provide legal or tax advice. For specific legal or tax advice based on your situation, please contact your attorney of tax advisor.

** The term "Keogh" or "HR-10" describes any type of retirement plan established by an incorporated business - whether it be a profit sharing, money purchase or defined benefit plan.

Life, Health, Disability, Long Term Care and Related Insurance

Financial Services

Business Group Plans