Reasons to Revisit Your Life 
Insurance Policies
WEEKLY EDUCATIONAL UPDATE - JANUARY 17, 2018
In This Issue
For most of your adult life, you may have had the protection of life insurance to help safeguard you and your family. But as your life changed, so did your family's needs and financial goals. With every transition and milestone, you should take the time to reexamine your life insurance policy to make sure you have the proper coverage.  
Here are 5 reasons to take a second look at your policy:  

1. It's time for your annual review.
Each year, you should get an annual health checkup with your doctor to make sure you're in good shape. The same thinking applies to your life insurance policies. Generally, it's a good habit to review your policy every 12 months. This will help you identify where you are today versus what you may need in the future. [ 1]  You can also ensure that nothing has changed in the market to affect your coverage. You may find that you have adequate coverage and do not need to change any details, or that you need to make more adjustments than you initially anticipated. You'll only know what strategy to pursue if you complete an annual policy review with your financial advisor.

2. You no longer have financial dependents.
Retirees often revisit their life insurance because they no longer financially provide for their loved ones. [2] When your children or grandchildren are young and depend on you financially, protecting your family with life insurance makes sense should anything happen to you or your spouse. Once children and loved ones move out and begin managing their own financial lives, they will no longer be as financially affected when one of you dies.  As a result, you may want to review your policy to help ensure you have the proper coverage.

3. You are newly married or divorced.
A change in your marital status affects how many people you must account for in your life. Whether you have married, remarried, or divorced, your needs are different. When you experience one of these changes, you'll want to revisit your life insurance policy to ensure it accurately reflects your marital status and financial profile. [3]

4. You and your spouse are no longer employed.
While you were working, you may have had life insurance coverage through your employer. Once you left your employment, your policy may have lapsed, requiring you to consider other insurance. [4]

5. Your beneficiaries changed.
Whether you want to name a new grandchild or remove someone who has passed, revisiting your life insurance to ensure your beneficiaries are up to date is essential. [5] Any time you have a change in your beneficiaries, you should make adjustments to those particular policies. Failure to make policy changes may block access to funds and put in jeopardy the money you've invested during the policy's duration.  

Overall, your unique financial needs will drive what strategies make sense for you. A variety of considerations will affect whether you need to revise your life insurance policy beyond what we've shared here. To learn what strategy is right for you, feel free to contact us. We're happy to discuss the options available to you as you pursue your financial goals.

"Strive not to be a success, but rather to be of value."

- Albert Einstein

Shaved Zucchini and Prosciutto Grilled Pizza

Serves 4

Ingredients:  
  • 1¼ pound pizza dough
  • 4 tablespoons olive oil, plus more for greasing
  • ½ cup marinara sauce
  • ¾ cup shaved pecorino cheese
  • 2 medium zucchini, trimmed
  • 1 jalapeño chile, thinly sliced
  • ¼ cup packed fresh mint leaves, torn
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 2 ounces thinly sliced prosciutto, torn into strips
Directions:  
  1. Take the pizza dough out of the refrigerator 30 minutes prior to cooking.
  2. Preheat grill at medium.
  3. Use oil to brush clean grill grates.
  4. Stretch and roll dough into a 13-inch round on lightly floured parchment paper.
  5. Generously brush the top of the pizza with 2 tablespoons of oil.
  6. Use the parchment paper to place dough, oiled side down, on the grill. Remove parchment paper. 
  7. Cook the pizza for 2 minutes or until the bottom is crisp and charred. 
  8. Flip the dough and layer on sauce and add ½ cup of cheese. 
  9. Cover and cook for another few minutes until the dough is lightly charred on the bottom.
  10. Cut the zucchini into long, thin slices with a vegetable peeler. 
  11. Mix zucchini, jalapeño, mint, lemon juice, the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil, a ½ teaspoon of salt, and ¼ teaspoon of freshly ground pepper in a medium bowl.
  12. Spread zucchini salad, prosciutto, and ¼ cup of cheese on top of the pizza.

  Recipe adapted from Good Housekeeping [6]

Letters from the IRS *

Benjamin Franklin may have recognized life's 2 certainties: death and taxes, but a letter from the IRS can certainly produce a similar sense of doom. IRS representatives understand the angst a letter from the agency can produce in American taxpayers. Their initial advice to recipients is: Don't panic. Simply responding to the agency's query usually resolves the issue.

Here are 4 more tips to help relieve the stress and address the IRS's questions:

1. Read the letter completely and carefully. The agency is typically looking for an answer to a particular question. Follow the steps closely and do exactly what the letter requests.


2. Compare the issues flagged in the letter with your tax return. If the IRS is pointing to changes or corrections in your return, review the information and compare it with your original return.

 

3. Reply to the letter only if the agency is asking for a response. The IRS only wants a response when it specifically requests one.

 

4. Respond promptly. If you don't agree with the issues the IRS is raising, explain in a letter exactly why. Mail the letter to the address listed at the bottom of the letter; include documents and other information. Allow at least 30 days for the IRS to respond.


 

Other details may apply, and you can find more information on the  IRS website .  

* This information is not intended to be a substitute for specific individualized tax advice. We suggest you discuss your specific tax issues with a qualified tax advisor.


Tip courtesy of IRS.gov [7]
Increase Your Distance

Accurate short drives may make for more strategic games, but they sure don't make approach shots any easier or less intimidating. In the long run, short drives translate into more shots and higher scores. Who wants that?  

How do you improve your long game, knock the balls closer to the greens, and put a little more swagger back into your step?

Here are 3 easy tips to get you swinging more smoothly and to send your ball sailing for the long journey:

No more swing swaying: Turning your right foot outward during the swing helps prevent swaying, but only if you're a little stiff in the first place. If you have good hip flexibility and are able to maintain a neutral hip position, you may proceed to the next step.

Grip strength: Improving your grip is one of the easiest and most useful tips to going long. While it may take you a while to get accustomed to the hold, a stronger grip packs more punch in your swing. Rotate your hands to the right (for right-handers) on your club, which turns the clubface to create a draw spin.

Move the ball closer: This enhances the prospects of hitting a draw, which sends the ball on a lower trajectory but with greater roll. Hard and dry terrain is the best for this type of maneuver.  

Sometimes a few simple changes in how you play can make a big difference in your game.


Tip adapted from Age Defying Golf [8]
Understanding ADHD

What is It?
Sufferers of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) display symptoms of inattentiveness, impulsivity, and hyperactivity. Formerly called attention deficit disorder, ADHD afflicts both children and adults.

Adult sufferers may experience difficulties managing their time, getting organized, setting goals, and retaining employment.

How Do You Treat It?
Doctors typically prescribe stimulants to treat ADHD, which help sharpen concentration and curb distractions. Drugs help rewire brain circuits that direct attention and focus.

Doctors will prescribe antidepressants if stimulants don't mitigate ADHD symptoms. Antidepressants or other drugs stabilize moods and control impulsive tendencies.  


Tip adapted from WebMD [9]
Doing an E-Cleanup

High technology ushers in the inevitable glut of gadgets, devices and tech toys. While technology enhances our personal lives, it also adds clutter and can damage the environment and harm our health. 

Here are 4 tips to manage the rising tide of technological waste and lower stress levels: 

1. Use products for their duration: Popular culture and commerce have taught us that we have to get the newest, the latest, and the most advanced gadgets on the market. This has led to a mass influx at landfills and other disposal sites of functional devices while rapidly depleting world resources. Consider carefully why you're buying the newest or the latest products.

2. Used or pre-owned: Most refurbished electronic devices - phones, computers, cameras - possess the same quality and function as newer ones at a fraction of the cost. Going pre-owned also means you're helping to preserve the planet.

3. Do recycling right: Recycling provides an excellent opportunity for going green, but the industry lacks adequate regulatory oversight. Old devices are often exported to Third World nations where chemicals in electronics poison small communities.  

4. Refill those ink cartridges. Refilling empty cartridges saves you a lot of money and protects the environment.  


Tip adapted from EarthShare [10]
Guaranteed interest rates are based on the claims-paying ability of the underlying insurance company. Surrender penalties may apply. Additional benefits and riders may increase the cost of the premium or reduce the interest rate earned. Applicants are subject to underwriting, which may include medical history and current health.

These are the views of Platinum Advisor Marketing Strategies, LLC and not necessarily those of the named representative, Broker dealer, or Investment Advisor, and should not be construed as investment advice. Neither the named representative nor the named Broker dealer or Investment Advisor gives tax or legal advice. All information is believed to be from reliable sources; however, we make no representation as to its completeness or accuracy. Please consult your financial advisor for further information.

By clicking on these links, you will leave our server, as they are located on another server. We have not independently verified the information available through this link. The link is provided to you as a matter of interest. Please click on the links below to leave and proceed to the selected site. 

[1]  www.allbusiness.com/how-often-should-you-review-your-life-insurance-policy-9443-1.html

[2] www.thestreet.com/story/13884266/1/5-questions-to-know-what-insurance-coverage-you-need-in-retirement.html

[3] fbsbenefits.com/5-times-update-life-insurance-policy/

[4] fbsbenefits.com/5-times-update-life-insurance-policy/

[5] www.mass.gov/ocabr/government/oca-agencies/doi-lp/life-insurance-have-you-reviewed-your-life.html

[6]  www.goodhousekeeping.com/food-recipes/a44186/shaved-zucchini-prosciutto-grilled-pizza-recipe/

[7] www.irs.gov/newsroom/individual-taxpayers-seven-things-to-do-when-an-irs-letter-arrives

[8] www.agedefyinggolf.com/3-super-simple-tips-senior-golfers-get-distance/  

[9] www.webmd.com/add-adhd/default.htm

[10] www.earthshare.org/2009/06/eliminating-ewaste.html


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