Category Archive: Financial Planning

First Comes Love, Then Comes Insurance?

Bridal bouquet close up and blurred newlywedsAs unpredictable as life may seem, if you step back and look at the big picture, you’ll see it tends to flow in an orderly fashion. You’re born, go to school, find a job, get married, have children, and so on.

In many ways, your insurance needs follow an equally predictable path. In fact, they tend to change in lockstep with many common life events:

Marriage: When you’re just starting out, your primary financial concern is usually income replacement. Since you haven’t had much time to save, term life insurance can be an affordable first step for many newlyweds.

Adding a child: As your family grows, so do your responsibilities. Not only do you have more mouths to feed, but a host of future expenses – such as college – to consider. Permanent life insurance can address both needs by giving you dependable, lasting protection, plus the growth potential of cash value.

Changing careers: When you switch jobs, chances are any life insurance you had through your employer will come to an end. Buying an individual policy before you leave will eliminate any gap in coverage, and give you the freedom to take your coverage with you wherever you go.

Transition to retirement: There are many reasons to add permanent life insurance prior to retirement. Not only are you likely to lose your employer-sponsored coverage (see above) but you can also use the cash value to help pay retirement expenses. Having life insurance at the time of retirement may also allow you to enjoy the higher monthly payments of a single life pension (since your spouse will have a death benefit to live on after you are gone).

Creation of an estate: In addition to paying final expenses and eliminating outstanding debts, life insurance can help you leave behind a substantial legacy. Even if you have no other assets, your death benefit is a tax-free give that can make a real difference to your loved ones – or favorite charity.

If you are about to experience these common or major life events, please give me (Larry Cook) a call at 858-361-0734 for assistance you may require. That way you can make sure that your life – and life insurance are headed in the same direction.

Larry Cook specializes in life, health, disability and long term care insurance planning for individuals, families and businesses. Larry has an ability to offer multiple types of insurance coverage from many different insurance companies. Larry’s motto is to tailor the insurance plan to the individual’s needs, preferences, and budget.

“There is no need to shop, we shop for you.”

Permanent link to this article: http://www.cookandcookassociates.com/2014/06/18/first-comes-love-then-comes-insurance/

The High Cost of Turning 50

With people living longer these days, turning 50 no longer feels like a big deal.

We hear it all the time – 50 is the new 40, right?

In fact, many people look forward to their fifties, when they’re well established in their careers, their children are grown and they have more time to get out and enjoy life.

But did you know that there can be a high price to turning 50?

I’m not talking about wrinkles, aching joints or the price of enduring the occasional mid-life crisis.

I’m talking about the huge rise in insurance premiums.

Between the ages of 49 and 50, the cost of long-term care insurance takes a sizable jump.

Business Chart SkyrocketingThe best time to buy long-term care is before your good health or age changes.

50 may be the new 40, but it costs a lot more when you reach the big 5-0.

Now, I know what you’re saying:

“I’m perfectly healthy!  I don’t want to think about long-term care insurance in my forties.”

But the truth is, that’s exactly the time you should be thinking about it.  Before it gets too expensive.

The cost of long-term care is on the rise. In 2012, in San Diego County, the average cost of one year of care in a nursing home facility with a private room was $92,710.

And since 2012, that number has continued to rise by approximately 7% annually.

Imagine what it might cost when you actually need it. 

Staggering!

Think about it this way:

  • You wouldn’t think of being without home owners’ insurance, yet your chances of losing your home to fire is approximately 1 in 1,200.
  • You wouldn’t think of being without automobile insurance and yet your chances of being in an auto accident are approximately 1 in 280.

Why would you consider being without long-term care insurance when your chances of needing long-term care services after age 65 are approximately 3 in 5?

Financial planning involves much more than owning a house or saving for retirement.  It involves a complete strategy to ensure that your family and finances are protected – and the earlier you start, the better.

Photo via: Bigstock/msv

 

Permanent link to this article: http://www.cookandcookassociates.com/2014/05/28/the-high-cost-of-turning-50/

Costs to Consider in Retirement

Calculate CostsHave you considered how much some basic needs will cost you in retirement, such as health care?  Did you know that a 65-year-old couple that retired in 2012 need about $240,000 to cover medical expenses throughout retirement?

The rising cost of health care in the United States has become one of the primary risks to a financially secure retirement.  Health care costs are expected to continue increasing faster than inflation.

Costs to consider include:

  • Long-term care services:  How will you pay for any needed long-term care services?  Do you have long-term care insurance?
  • Health Care Costs: Do you know what your out-of-pocket health-care costs might be after you retire?  Are you aware that Medicare, while it covers man health-care costs, has significant limitations?  Are you familiar with the various types of insurance that can help pay health and long-term care costs not covered by Medicare?
  • Life Expectancy: In 2011, men reaching age 65 had an average additional life expectancy of 17.3 years, while woman reaching age 65 could expect to live an additional 20.0 years on average.
  • About one-third of individuals who turned 65 in 2010 will need at least three months of nursing home care, 24% will need more than a year, and 9% more than five years.
  • The average daily rate in 2012 for a private room in a nursing home was $248.
  • The average length of a nursing home stay is 835 days.
  • At an average daily rate of $248, an average nursing home stay of 835 days currently costs over $207,000.

Concerned about potential costs in your retirement?  Consider contacting Cook & Cook Associates for a complimentary Retirement Planning consultation.

Permanent link to this article: http://www.cookandcookassociates.com/2013/09/20/costs-to-consider-in-retirement/

Retirement Planning Should Include Social Security Claiming Decision Strategy

Social Security - Yes or noWhen to take Social Security Benefits can affect a client’s financial bottom line.  When you elect Social Security is one of the most important decisions you will make in your retirement life.  When you claim benefits will impact the amount of income you receive, the amount of taxes you will pay, and how you utilize your other retirement assets.

A financial advisor can help you develop a strategy to maximize your benefits.  The importance of having a strategy and making an informed decision is critical as once you claim, your benefits become permanent after twelve months; there are no “do-over’s”.

Permanent link to this article: http://www.cookandcookassociates.com/2013/08/30/retirement-planning-should-include-social-security-claiming-decision-strategy/

Safety Net Concerns?

Safety Net ConcernsMany consumers have expressed concerns about the safety of entitlement programs.  Some have expressed concerns about the future of social security.  There are concerns about future funding for social security and the call by some politicians for means testing as a way to reduce social security payments.

Clients can address these concerns by creating a backup plan.  One strategy that clients can employ is to utilize life insurance to address a shortfall in benefits if a future full means test excludes them from having the benefits they thought they would have.  Life insurance can contribute to a family’s financial security regardless of what happens to entitlement programs in the future.

Permanent link to this article: http://www.cookandcookassociates.com/2013/08/16/safety-net-concerns/

A Fixed Index Annuity Can Help Reduce Your Risk

Reduce RiskThough investors have been getting great returns with bonds, and more recently with equities, one should always consider looming investment risks.

What happens if inflation goes up?
What happens if stocks decline or interest rates rise? 

As a protection from market volatility and inflation or interest rate risk, rebalancing into a fixed indexed annuity might be the answer to reduce these risks.  Fixed indexed annuities reduce interest rate risk, lower volatility, and provide better inflation protection than cash.  Most clients nearing retirement need to reduce market volatility.  Annuity cash value offers growth potential linked to a market index with no downside risk.

Permanent link to this article: http://www.cookandcookassociates.com/2013/08/09/a-fixed-index-annuity-can-help-reduce-your-risk/

Involve Your Teen in College Planning

graduating student - girl sally Advisor Today’s Teen’s Take Action explains the level of a teen’s interest in their own college funding.  If you have child who will be attending college within the next 5 to 10 years; Cook & Cook Associates can assist you with planning strategies & information for how to prepare for college funding.  Contact us at cook_and_cook@yahoo.com or by phone at 858-361-0735 or 858-361-0734.

Permanent link to this article: http://www.cookandcookassociates.com/2013/07/02/involve-your-teen-in-college-planning/

Baby Boomer Aftermath

Couple holding hands.Financial Planning is more important than ever for the 78.2 million people labeled “baby boomers” (those born between 1946 and 1964). Part of the reason is we have a lot of Baby Boomers who are dealing with aging parents. In addition, those same boomers have lived through two huge setbacks in the stock market the last 12 years. Finally, boomers are concerned about the consequences of living longer and the resulting reality that they will likely live longer without a continuing employment based source of income. Utilizing the services of a trusted insurance & financial advisor can help boomers prepare for & navigate their future financial life in a positive way.

Permanent link to this article: http://www.cookandcookassociates.com/2013/06/20/baby-boomer-aftermath/

Retirement Catch-Up

Seascape and cloudscape from water villa in Maldives

Have you turned 50? Are your retirement savings going to be insufficient when you retire? Individuals age 50 and over are allowed to make “catch-up” contributions to their 401(k) or IRA accounts in addition to their regular contributions.

Call me for details.

(We do not provide tax or legal advice).

Permanent link to this article: http://www.cookandcookassociates.com/2012/12/02/retirement-catch-up/

Why “Not” To Delay Estate Planning Any Longer

house in  handOn January 1, 2013, the federal estate exemption is scheduled to fall from $5,120,000 to $1,000,000 and the federal estate tax rate is scheduled to rise from 35% to 55%.

Contact me for assistance on getting your estate plan in order now.

 

(We do not provide tax or legal advice).

Permanent link to this article: http://www.cookandcookassociates.com/2012/11/23/why-not-to-delay-estate-planning-any-longer/

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