ACLI Perspectives
Industry Tool Helps Families Find Unclaimed Life Insurance Policies
Almost twenty years ago, my grandfather passed away. Like most people, he was committed to his family, his church, and his community. He provided for his wife through his estate, which included a few small life insurance policies. This allowed her to comfortably live out her days. Fast forward 18 years, and his estate received notice from an insurance company. His beneficiary was entitled to the benefits from a long-forgotten life insurance policy. This was a complete surprise to our family, and although the benefit was small, it had everyone wondering whether additional "lost policies" existed. And if they existed for our family, we wondered how many existed for other families?
ACLI Expands Advocacy Portfolio to Include Supplemental Benefits
At its core, ACLI is about securing access to financial protection for Americans and their families. And our members and their customers know that financial protection isn't achieved with just one product – there is no one-size-fits-all financial protection plan. A healthy, balanced financial picture requires a diverse financial protection plan that accounts for individual and family circumstances.
What Tax Reform Means for the States
One of my favorite quotes comes from Ben Franklin, made shortly after President Washington signed the Bill of Rights. In a letter penned to French scientist Jean-Baptiste Leroy in November 1789, Franklin wrote: “Our new Constitution is now established, and has an appearance that promises permanency; but in this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.”
Why the Senior Safe Act Matters
In the last year of my dad’s life, he was living at home in Alabama. He had a caretaker who came a few times a week to make sure he was taking his medicines and to see if he needed anything, like groceries or household supplies. My father appreciated the help of a caretaker.
Addressing Necessary Long-Term Care Insurance Rate Increases
Most of us don’t want to think about a day when we might not be able to take care of ourselves on our own. But the reality is, many of us will need some type of long-term care later in life. That’s why many people have turned to long-term care insurance. This line of insurance has helped families cover costs for assisted living, nursing homes and home health care when they can’t live on their own anymore.
Who Needs Disability Insurance? The Answer Might Surprise You.
26-year-old Michael Sizemore was training for a marathon and enjoying work at a nonprofit organization. Then, his life changed when he was out one night with his friends. Here’s his story.
New Retirement Plan Marketplace Makes It Easier for Americans to Save
Jonathan Clements, former personal finance columnist for the Wall Street Journal, once quipped, "Retirement is like a long vacation in Las Vegas. The goal is to enjoy it to the fullest, but not so fully that you run out of money."
A Better Path for Consumer Protection
As appeared in Morning Consult, March 26, 2018
The U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals delivered on March 15 one of the most positive, pro-consumer decisions in years by overturning an ill-conceived and harmful U.S. Department of Labor “fiduciary” regulation.
Retirement Enhancement and Savings Act
As appeared in The Hill, March 11, 2018
Everyone loves an upgrade. Whether it’s upgrading to business class on a flight or to a nicer rental car, upgrades offer a little more comfort and happiness.
Now Congress is considering improvements to something that is central to our comfort and happiness, as well as our peace of mind: retirement savings. The Retirement Enhancement and Savings Act (RESA) will not only make some improvements to the current system, but also provide access to workers who may not currently contribute to an employer-sponsored retirement plan.
What Your Age Reveals About Your Retirement Security
My family looks forward to attending our “family reunions” every summer. Fortunately, the reunions on my mother’s side take place on the even years, and the reunions on my father’s side take place on the odd years. Regardless of the side, it gives us a chance to catch up with family members and hear all about what is going on in their busy lives. Graduations, marriages, births, retirement—these are exciting milestones. However, because of my particular lens, I look at each milestone as being tied to a different financial goal—and I encourage others to do so as well.
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