Memorial Day provides a perfect platform for us to take a moment and put our lives in perspective. We have the opportunity to reflect on the sacrifices made by millions of Americans to preserve and protect our freedom- freedoms that most of the world will never experience:

• Freedom to say what we think
• Freedom to worship whenever we desire
• Freedom to choose our electorate.

These freedoms, that we often take for granted, make us the envy of the world. I say this in spite of an American and worldwide press that would have us believe that we are despised and detested. In fact, we are what others only dream about.
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I had the opportunity of having the responsibility for growing a Luxembourg and Bermuda insurance company. We purchased that company in December of 1993. It was a small ($79 million in assets) company without product and without representatives. I volunteered to take responsibility and headed off to Europe to build a field force, oversee the operations, and turn the company into a profitable organization. We were, by far, the smallest of our competitors, plus I had never been to Europe!

My staff of twenty spoke nineteen languages! I felt a little insecure knowing only bare bones Italian that I had learned from my mother and grandparents, a little French, and a ton of grammatical errors!

But, I had one great advantage over my staff- I was an American. That didn’t grant me immediate acceptance, but it gave me a basis from which to help grow that little company into a force to be reckoned with. I assured my staff that I didn’t want to change their culture or heritage. I wanted to combine the best of American ingenuity and entrepreneurialism with the traditions, pride, and culture of Europe. We were off to the races! A true success story.

The Europeans hungered for American marketing. They liked the fact we made decisions quickly. They also like the fact that everyone, including myself, would get their “hands dirty.” There was no job to menial for the head guy!

I was proud of America and never hid that fact. My new and ongoing European friends took me on many tours. In Sweden, I went to the border and saw the Russian tanks standing guard. I took the train from Milan to Switzerland and saw the remnants of Nazi occupation. I saw the US cemetery in Luxembourg which looks like Arlington in Virginia. The headstones are shiny and the gates are rimmed in gold.  American flags fly in abundance. The locals care for this cemetery. General George Patton’s birthday is a national holiday! Contrast this with the German cemetery 50 yards away that is overgrown, dark, and dingy.

Oh, some Europeans and others will disagree. Some governments go to great lengths to distance themselves. But, they admire and respect what we have been able to do in just over two hundred years. Maybe that’s why we are referred to as “The Great Experiment”.

So, our forefathers have given us an opportunity to chart our own course and seek out our own destiny. This opportunity was, and still is, protected by Americans who gave and continue to give their lives so that we can continue our wonderful way of life.

I can never give to America what our brave men and women have given- their lives. I can only thank them. I can also put my “woes” in perspective, live my life, work my job, and be the best I can be. it would be an insult to our soldiers to do less.

Retirement Income planning is like a puzzle. We usually start with the outside pieces, and move inward. We start with essential income needs,  and then the discretionary needs like vacations, gifts etc.  We then take a look at available assets.  If the person is a "pre-retiree" we look at the assets and estimate growth. We factor in Social Security and come up with the income that will be available. Many times, it stops right there.  The client purchases a financial instrument and then we close the book.  Everyone feels pretty good and things aren't that stressful.  

One thing that reduces the stress is that the client underestimates how much money he/she will need in retirement.  They also don't worry about the "lost social security check" (remember that if the client is married, the smaller check goes away when one spouse dies).  

Most will agree that they will need more money to continue in the life they have become accustomed to.  You can only work with what is available.  However, many have the "secret stash" that they keep around  for emergencies. And, if it isn't needed, they will pass it to the kids or grandkids.  But, there may be a better place for that money and it might just "complete the puzzle".  Let's look...
 
I am speaking about many of the hybrid life and annuity products on the market today.  Some are so simple and they are "custom made" for the annuity professional to present.  In short, these products have an accelerated death benefit. The death benefit can be used For "LTC Type" expenses.  In most cases, the client does not have to be confined in a nursing home. They qualify if they cannot perform 2 of the activities of daily living.

The money comes to them tax free -  they never have to go back to the doctor to be "re-certified" and they can use as needed for their expenses.  And, (this might be just as important), this benefit may keep them independent and not dependent upon their children.  Plus, with many... no exam, fluid draws... just a phone interview.  Oh, in case I forget, cash value growth linked to an index.  Let's keep looking.