Protecting Your Family’s Financial Future Key Part of Feeling Secure

No one knows what tomorrow will bring, so there’s always some concern about being truly ready for what comes next.

When it comes to money matters, it’s often even more concerning — many worry about the effects on their loved ones should they pass away. In fact, according to the 2022 Life Insurance Barometer Study by LIMRA and Life Happens, 44% of U.S. households would feel financial hardship within six months.

“There are still over 100 million people in this country who don’t own enough life insurance” said David Levenson, president and CEO of LIMRA and LOMA when the study was released. “And, while new policy growth jumped last year to the highest levels since 1983, there is still a lot that our industry can do to ensure that families are properly protected.”

Gary Gilliam, 57, a WoodmenLife member¹ from Appomattox, VA, understood this when he contacted his Representative, Josh Harrison, for guidance on how to make his life insurance do the most good for his financial situation.

Gilliam wanted to know how to protect his family with life insurance and how to be prepared for the future. He also wanted options for how he could potentially build cash value in case of an emergency or to supplement his retirement income².

“I’ve known Josh for a long time; he’s a really good guy,” Gilliam said. “Josh assessed my current financial situation, and he listened to what I wanted.”

What Harrison saw was an opportunity for Gilliam by purchasing a My Choice IUL® certificate.

“Gary was attracted to the life insurance coverage he received with the certificate, knowing his loved ones will benefit should the unexpected happen,” Harrison said. “Plus, he was looking for a place to put his money with an upside potential³, which also had some downside protection.

“The IUL was the perfect complement to Gary’s financial portfolio.”

Building Cash Value

With the IUL you have the option to grow your funds in either an indexed account or a fixed account — or a combination of both. You also have the option to transfer these funds from one account to the other⁴.

Indexed Account

• For the indexed account option that Harrison mentioned, the growth comes from credits, linked to the performance of an index over a specific time period, up to a maximum cap rate
• The downside protection against a down market comes from a guaranteed 0% floor⁵, which means an IUL certificate’s interest rate in the indexed account will never be less than 0%, thus offering some protection in a fluctuating market

Fixed Account

• For the fixed account option, it grows at a set interest rate
• Your account will earn interest at a competitive current interest rate that will never be lower than the minimum guaranteed interest rate
• The account may be outperformed by the indexed account in up markets, but provides an opportunity for steady, stable growth

Preparing for the Future

Gilliam saw the IUL certificate’s attributes as tools to help in his retirement planning². In addition to the potential to build cash value, the ability to access that cash⁶ was appealing.

“You want money to be available in case something unexpected should occur⁶,” he said.

He had begun thinking hard about retirement when his three now-grown children completed college. In addition to a pension from his state job as an environmental health supervisor, Gilliam also has a long-term annuity investment.

Gilliam sought Harrison’s advice when he was ready to make another move focused on the future.

“I had an amount of money that I didn’t need right now, and this had growth potential and wouldn’t be tied up⁷,” he said. “And it had the benefit of life insurance that would take care of my wife and family.

“I want to leave my children something that they could put to their use, whether it’s a need or it’s a pleasure.”

That brought Gilliam a sense of security that many Americans feel when they own life insurance. According to the 2022 Life Insurance Barometer Study, among insureds with financial dependents, 68% feel secure, compared with 47% of non-insureds.

Now knowing his family is taken care of, Gilliam is looking forward to a retirement where he “doesn’t notice a loss in lifestyle after leaving work.”

He and his wife, Thea, 54, who also will receive a pension from her county social services job, want to be able to take vacations and see their children and two grandchildren whenever they want.

“In retirement, I don’t want to be tied to home,” Gilliam said. “I want a little bit of freedom to put myself wherever I want.”

For more information, contact your WoodmenLife Representative or visit WoodmenLife.org/MyChoice

Additional Riders an Attraction for IUL Holders

The IUL offers protection with a Chronic and Terminal Illness Accelerated Death Benefit Rider⁸. This rider allows you to access a portion of your life insurance benefits while you’re still living. You will be able to access up to 50% or 65% of your death benefit⁹, with one or more qualifying conditions.

1. An individual becomes a member by joining our shared commitment to family, community and country, and by purchasing a WoodmenLife product.

2. The IUL product is not intended to serve as a primary source for retirement, pension income or deferral of taxable income.

3. IUL is not an investment. It is a life insurance policy product that provides growth potential through index interest crediting. You cannot invest directly in an index.

4. Some transfer restrictions may apply.

5. Guarantees are backed by the claims-paying ability of Woodmen of the World Life Insurance Society (“WoodmenLife”)

6. Loans and withdrawals will reduce the policy’s death benefit and available cash value. Excessive loans or withdrawals may cause the policy to lapse. A loan, withdrawal or surrender may be a taxable event. For tax advice, consult with your professional tax advisor.

7. There may be tax implications for policies recognized as modified endowment contracts (MECs). Distributions, including loans, from a MEC are taxable to the extent of the gain in a policy, and may also be subject to a 10% additional tax if the owner is under age 59½. Loans and withdrawals will reduce the policy’s death benefit and available cash value. A loan, withdrawal or surrender may be a taxable event. For tax advice, consult with your professional tax advisor. Surrender charges may apply.

8. All contractual provisions apply and may vary by state. Benefit payments may affect eligibility for public assistance programs. Certain eligibility requirements apply. This rider is not long term care insurance, nor is it intended to replace long term care insurance. Not available in CA or NY.

9. Maximum benefit for terminal illness is the lesser of $250,000 or 65% of death benefit amount available and usually paid in one lump sum. Maximum benefit for chronic illness is the lesser of $250,000 or 50% of the death benefit amount available, subject to the annual per diem limitation declared by the Internal Revenue Service. Payments made under this rider are intended to qualify for favorable tax treatment under the Internal Revenue Code. As with all tax matters, a tax professional should be consulted to assess the impact of this benefit.
Universal Life insurance products contain fees, such as mortality and expense charges (which may increase over time), and may contain restrictions, such as surrender periods. This certificate could lose money. WoodmenLife will provide notification if the guaranteed monthly deductions and interests are expected to exhaust the plan’s cash values prior to the maturity date. This certificate is not guaranteed to stay in force until maturity based on minimum guarantees.
Flexible Premiums Adjustable Indexed Life Certificates ICC18 8730 4-18, 8730 4-18 (XX). Rider Forms: 8731 4-18, 8731 4-18 (XX), 388 4-10 (XX) & O-388 4-10 (XX).
All products may not be available in all states.

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