Making Retirement Possible

MAKING retirement POSSIBLE

C

Section

Wednesday March 26, 2014

LEADER SPECIAL FOCUS & CLASSIFIED PAGES

Retirement surprises

No matter how carefully you plan, there are always surprises for those who retire. Sometimes these are unwelcome, such as unexpected expenses or an investment portfolio that did worse than expected.

Sometimes these are welcome, such as being busier than ever in retirement.

We asked a few retired people about their surprises. As you’ll see below, these are the happier ones.

Helen Brink

Retired teacher, Port Townsend

“I’m obviously not really retired. I’m still very involved in school activities, sports, the education foundation. I’m surprised at how busy I am with doing things that I did before [while still working]. But they’re things I love.”

It’s not easy to plan 20 or 30 years ahead, but that’s what those heading into retirement must do. Fortunately there are tried and true practices and good professional help.

Retirement 101

A little of everything you should know Humans like to plan. It’s one of the things that separates us from the butterflies and the weasels. Older humans especially like to plan. It conserves energy and usually makes things work out for the better.

But the evolutionary fact is that none of us is all that perfect at planning a retirement. Retirement planning requires looking 20, 30, even 40 years into the future. It requires guessing what stocks and bonds and the housing market and medical care costs are going to do. It requires thinking about what happens if some part of our body gives out, perhaps even some part of our brain.

But huge industries in this country are built around retirement planning and services – investment advisers, insurance companies, medical services, assisted living homes or home care services, lawyers. As a result, there is a lot of information out there (and a lot of services being sold). The odds, while they cannot be eliminated, can be managed

to make retirement planning possible.

Thinking ahead is the key.

And, for you younger people, investment advisers all say the same thing – the sooner you start this planning, the greater your ability to get where you want to go.

(Information in this article was drawn from several retirement planning resources, including Motley Fool, Edward D. Jones, Olympia Area Agency on Aging, AARP and local advisers.)

About That Job, That House

People in their 50s and 60s have been in the workforce for 30 or 40 years. That’s probably enough. The average life expectancy is about 84, so retiring at 60 or 65 leaves 20 or 25 years more to enjoy the fruits of your labors. Life expectancy is on the rise, so it will likely be even more years.

The goal? Live them enjoyably, not fretfully.

Retirement is a question of balancing your expenses

The experts say you need 60 percent to 85 percent of your gross household income today for retirement. .

on the one side and your savings, retirement earnings and other income on the other.

Some financial advisers note that expenses can take a jump after retirement, as the former worker is “free at last” to travel and do all the things that were deferred. But those things cost money, and most of them cost more than expected. Some expenses go down upon retirement. No more FICA taxes; no more diversions to retirement plans, probably lower tax rates.

One industry rule of thumb is this: To maintain your pre-retirement standard

of living in retirement, you’ll need roughly 70 percent to 80 percent of your preretirement income.

Inflation looms large for retirees. Inflation has been running at around 2 percent to 3 percent annually, and it eats into a fixed nest egg over time. It will make sure that the $50,000 a year you’re living on comfortably today will buy much less in 10 or 20 years.

Your investment earnings may, or may not, keep up with inflation.

Housing is a huge question. If your home is paid off, you only worry about property taxes. You can sell your big place and move into a smaller, more efficient one. You can decide to rent a home or an assisted living apartment. Any choice is a matter of costs and benefits.

Insurance? Any group plan you have today will likely be gone when you’re no longer employed. Insurance is for when things go bad – a medical emergency, a disability, a chronic condition. The See RETIRE 101, Page 2▼

Bob Carter

Retired insurance broker, Port Townsend

“I’m surprised that I haven’t slowed down. I’m just as busy as I was before. I’m no longer sitting in the office eight hours a day. Instead, I’m golfing and I’m in an active inventory reduction program from my wine cellar. I’m volunteering more.”

He recalled a conversation with his wife Jan two years ago in which she said he should consider retirement. He studied his portfolio and assets, and was just a little surprised to realize that yes, he could do it. He was able to give his company, McDonald Insurance, nine months’ notice for an easy transition.

David Backman Retired petroleum executive, Port Townsend

“My surprise was probably a good thing. For me, it was choosing to be very active and involved.

I’m active in Rotary, the Elks, my church. It’s to the point where I find I’ve scheduled two meetings at the

same time.”

He’s also involved in Port Townsend athletics.

A Port Townsend alum, he returned to the area 14 years ago from the Bay Area and his job with Chevron, and immediately got involved in things.

About this section “Making Retirement Possible” focuses on retirees, or those thinking about it (of any age) with guidance on financial, legal, health, lifestyle and residence choices. It features informational articles written by Leader staff and sponsored informational articles from advertisers, which are distinguished by color headlines. These articles are also available online: www.ptleader.com, scroll down to “Special Sections” on the right side of the home page.

Key Retirement Strategies for Small Business Owners retire that can be rented out for positive cash flow.

Pay down debt. While working, lower your lifestyle expenses enough so that the yearly business profits can reduce your family debt. Set up an arrangement where the debt is paid down over the period prior to retirement.

By Charley Kanieski. CPA The Business Guides Running a business of your own is a lot of blood, sweat and tears. Yet, we do it because we’ve got something to contribute in our chosen field. Wouldn’t it be great if, at the end of it all, you knew you had the money to retire securely?

As a component of a solid financial life plan, your business can become a great retirement vehicle. Here are three key strategies:

Charley Kanieski

Generate cash. It goes without saying that your business needs to be profitable over a period of time to be able to be part of a successful retirement strategy.

Fund tax deferred retirement plans. The IRS lets small business owners aggressively fund retirement plans and save on taxes while doing so. If the profit of your

business puts you in a high tax bracket now, take the deduction, and pay taxes upon retirement at a potentially lower bracket.

Use profits to buy assets.

Often business owners can own their own building allowing the rent of the business to pay the mortgage so that there is a large asset when the business owner is ready to

1. Operate it profitably.

2. Sell the business.

Selling your business might be the biggest financial transaction of your life – it’s not something to approach lightly. You’ll want to make sure that you’re set up for success with a strong business, and by working with someone who has a depth of experience in negotiating sale and purchase deals.

A business is valued based on two main factors: 1. Cash flow it generates and 2. An evaluation of the systems in place so that the business is not dependent solely on the efforts of the owner.

It is important that a sale of the business be considered well before the point of retirement. Knowing how many dollars you need to retire will help you craft a plan that you can back into, and work on over time. It may influence decisions about your business model, who you hire, and much more. Most business owners prefer to tackle this when they have the energy, not when they’re on the verge of burnout and want to retire tomorrow.

3. Manage your invested assets the best way to serve your retirement lifestyle needs.

Running a variety of scenarios can be helpful in knowing which choices will lead to the optimal outcome.

A few of the moving parts that we look at include: • When and how to take social security • Whether to pay down

remaining debt or invest the proceeds.

• Setting up a retirement living budget.

At The Business Guides, we specialize in helping you look at the details that sometimes appear inconsequential but can have a major influence on the outcomes. We’d be happy to help you with any or all of the financial life plan of your business: making your small business more profitable in the present, raising its eventual value by designing systems and increased revenue, determining your endgame for retirement (and knowing the dollar figure for the sale of your business that goes along with that), as well as the actual sale of the business. Start to look at securing your retirement today – call us to schedule a complimentary consultation.

Contact The Business Guides at 385-6961 or visit thebusinessguides.com

Own a small business?

Let’s build a retirement strategy together.

Schedule a complimentary 1-hour consultation today!

385-6961

www.thebusinessguides.com

... Retire 101 C 2 • Wednesday, March 26, 2014

Port Townsend & Jefferson County Leader

Tax-Advantaged Options

▼Continued from page 1

key question: How will you pay unexpected expenses? You may be too young for Social Security or Medicare. You may want to consider long-term care insurance.

These are good questions for retirees. Here’s the simple fact: You don’t have work until your knees buckle and they carry you out the door by your arms and legs. But you do have to plan carefully. People of any age should start today.

The earlier you start, the easier it will be for you to build your retirement nest egg. If you put $1,000 per year for 25 years into an investment earning 10 percent annually, you’ll end up with $108,182, notes the Motley Fool investment website. Wait just five years before starting that process, and on the same date in the future, you’d end up with only $63,002. That $5,000 you “saved” by waiting just cost you $45,180.

The experts say you need 60 percent to 85 percent of your gross household income today for retirement. The ideal retirement income would be that which equals your gross income today, minus savings and federal income taxes.

But how much will you need? Some people can tighten up comfortably. Others may decide they want more. It’s a

MAKING retirement POSSIBLE choice you have to make.

Retirement Income Sources

If you’re still employed, now is the time to study any retirement plans or taxdeferred income options from your employer.

Most companies offer some kind of plan. Their employee handbooks should have details. There could be some free money in there.

In a “defined benefit plan” or a “company pension,” employers may offer substantial funding or may share the cost with employees. For example, in some plans, the employee can set aside as much as 6 percent of their salary, and the employer matches half of that, or an additional 3 percent.

Good planning today will ease your worries tomorrow. The proper mix of public and private retirement income is key.

The plan tells you how long you have to be on the job until the money is 100 percent yours, called vesting, and what the penalties are if you depart before you retire, or withdraw the retirement fund early.

Contributions to a 401(k) plan help reduce your tax bill, because they don’t count against your taxable income for the year. It’s tax-free money toward your retirement savings. Most 401(k) plans use medium-performing mutual funds as their investment of choice.

You should always look for ways to put your retirement savings in tax-advantaged accounts and plan to keep them there. Remember: Retirement savings are for retirement! Don’t use them for anything else.

1. Employer plan with a match This is described above. It includes a tax deduction, tax deferral and automatic investments.

2. Roth IRA This option includes taxfree growth. While there’s no tax deduction, you don’t pay taxes on the earnings when you begin withdrawals.

3. Employer plan without a match This is a plan offered by an employer, usually a small business, in which there is no separate employer match. The money you contribute comes out of your paycheck automatically, and you’re getting a tax deduction by contributing pretax money.

4. Traditional IRA This tool is tax-deferred and is taxed as ordinary income upon withdrawal.

Contributions are tax-deductible if your employer does not have a retirement plan or your adjusted gross income is below a certain level. In 2013, the level was $59,000 for a single tax filer, and $95,000 for married filers.

5. Taxable investment This is just what it says – you’ve maxed out your taxdeferred options, but are still setting money aside for retirement.

6. Annuity See RETIRE 101, Page 7▼

Think ahead Almost everyone does some retirement planning.

Tom Johnson

Fisheries biologist, Port Townsend

Johnson retired from the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife in mid-2011 after 34 years. But almost immediately he took a full-time job doing fisheries planning and work for a coalition of Native American Indian tribes, including the Jamestown S’Klallam, and he’s very happy with that choice – for many reasons.

“I had the job lined up before I retired. I had been looking. I didn’t want to just leave, with nothing to do.” His state job includes a decent pension and other benefits. His new job sustains a full-time salary, and it’s work he enjoys – it’s “not just any job. I like it.”

Wife Linda has a couple of more years to go toward retirement in her job with the Port Townsend School District. “We could retire anytime, but this helps with cash flow,” said Tom. More planning is ahead. “We have to line up Social Security, investments, see how the kids are doing. We want to have everything paid off.” The couple got financial planning help from one of the local Edward D. Jones investment advisers.

Rich Hill

Assistant manager, Safeway, Port Townsend

“I’ve done quite a bit of planning. I have had a Roth IRA for a long time, and a 401k that I’ve put money into.”

His employer, Safeway, also has a pension plan, said the 46-year-old. Included in his financial planning for retirement is having his house paid off by the time he retires.

See AHEAD, Page 3▼

Will you be able to retire when you want?

Despite the soaring stock market of the past few years, some Americans are nervous about their ability to retire comfortably — or even retire at all.

Consider these somewhat sobering statistics:

Almost half of American workers report being “not too confident” or “not at all confident” about being able to afford a comfortable retirement, according to the Employee Benefit Research Institute’s 2013 Retirement Confidence Survey. The 28 percent who say they are “not at all” confident is the highest level recorded in the 23 years of this survey.

Between 2010 and 2012, the percentage of people 45 to 60 who planned to delay retirement rose to 62 percent from 42 percent, according to the Conference Board,

a non-profit business membership and research organization.

If you’re in either of these groups — that is, if you’re concerned about having enough resources to enjoy your retirement years or you’re afraid that you’ll have to work longer than you anticipated — what can you do to possibly alleviate your worries?

Your first step is to get specific about your retirement goals. Have you set a target date for your retirement yet? If so, how many years until you reach this date?

Once you know when you want to retire, you’ll need to come up with some sort of “price tag” for your retirement years. By taking into account your hoped-for lifestyle and your projected longevity, you should be able to develop a reasonably good estimate of how much money you’ll need as a retiree. You may find it helpful to work with a financial professional — someone with the tools and

experience to plug in all the variables needed to calculate your retirement expenses.

Next, review your retirement savings vehicles, such as your 401(k) and IRA. Are you contributing as much as you can afford to these accounts? Are you increasing your contributions when your salary rises?

Within these vehicles, are you choosing an investment mix that can offer the growth you’ll need to accumulate a sufficient level of retirement savings?

Even after you’ve “maxed out” on your IRA and 401(k) or other employer-sponsored retirement plan, you can find other tax-advantaged vehicles in which to invest for retirement. Again, your financial advisor can help you evaluate the ones that may be suitable for your needs.

Still, even after maximizing your investments, you may come up short of what you’ll need, given your desired retirement date. Consequently, you may need to consider working

a couple of extra years. If you like your career, you may find that moving out your retirement date isn’t so bad — you’ll bring in more earned income and you may be able to delay taking Social Security, which would eventually result in bigger monthly checks.

Plus, you could postpone your withdrawals from your 401(k) and IRA, giving these accounts more time in which to potentially grow.

(Keep in mind, though, that once you turn 70-1/2, you’ll have to start taking money from your 401(k) and your traditional IRA.) In any case, do what you can to retire when you want — but be flexible enough in your thinking so that you won’t be shocked or dismayed if you need to slightly extend your working years. By “covering your bases” in this way, you can be ready for whatever comes your way.

This article was written

by Edward Jones for use by the local Edward Jones Financial Advisors.

It’s likely that your retirement income may come from many sources, such as Social Security, pension distributions, a 401(k) or IRA withdrawals. That’s why, if taxes are a concern for you, it’s important to choose the right investments for your portfolio. At Edward Jones, we have many options that can give you more control over your taxes, so you can enjoy what you’ve worked so hard to achieve.

Edward Jones, its employees and financial advisors cannot provide tax advice. You should consult with a qualified tax specialist for professional advice on your specific situation.

Call today to see how our unique, face-to-face approach makes us best suited to help long-term investors meet their current needs and future financial goals.

Russ Hoover Financial Advisor Port Townsend 385-6710

Al Bowman Financial Advisor Port Townsend 379-2528

Larry Wiener, AAMS®, CRPC® Financial Advisor Port Ludlow 437-5113

Shelli Cates Financial Advisor Port Hadlock 379-0170

Brock A. Tidball Financial Advisor Port Townsend 385-2243

Retirement planning: Simplify, diversify

By Randall Maag Financial Advisor ProEquities, Inc.

In my wallet I carry a note to myself that I read every day to remind me of my mission with my clients. Here’s one of its tenets.

“Simplify everything. Life is complex. Our business shouldn’t be. Tear down the walks of complexity.

Relentlessly use common sense. Communicate clearly, streamline, clarify and simplify everything we do.”

This is especially important for my older clients. Because I specialize in financial options for retirees, my job is to clarify the complicated web of services so they all fit together for financial security.

It’s important to include all the pieces of retirement including: Social Security, Medicare and Medicare supplements, long term care insurance and life insurance.

Communication with your tax specialist and attorney are also very important elements to building your retirement portfolio.

Every client I meet with has a unique set of circumstances and it’s my job to create an approach that fits

choose a investment advisor or a financial advisor you should have a clear picture of exactly what the costs and fees are. It’s important to understand what you investing in and what it will do for you. Does the investment fit the need of the client - or the advisor?

Diversify Here is a key principle.

Asset location is more importRandall Maag ant than asset allocation. This means your portfolio needs the client’s needs. Most clito fit your overall financial ents have a current financial objectives. You must have advisor or investment advisor. the proper amount of safe I believe something as immoney vs invested money to portant as your retirement is cover emergencies, mediworth a second opinion. cal issues and life’s many challenges. You need enough Advising differences of your portfolio invested to stay ahead of inflation and It helps to understand the difference between a financial to refill your short term need advisor and an investment ad- requirements. I believe the most important element when visor. An investment advisor pulling money from an inis paid through ongoing fees often based on the total value vestment portfolio is to have a fixed bucket of money from of the portfolio. A fee-based which to draw. This allows advisor can make sense if he or she is doing a lot of active your aggressive portion of your portfolio to ride out the work with the portfolio on downturns of the market and the client’s behalf. Instead, a not require selling in a down financial advisor like me is paid when a financial product market.

Planning with Social is initiated. Whether you

Security, Medicare, insurance and advice from a good tax professional can make the difference in not out-living your money. Poor planning and unexpected medical costs are huge risks to our financial security.

Proper planning can help with taxes and legacy gifts to your family.

It’s a good time to look I believe the best time to make adjustments to your portfolio is when things are going well in the market. We have had really nice returns in the market the last five years. Do you have a plan in place for the next market downturn? We know the market moves in cycles and nobody knows for sure when that will be. Murphy’s Law says the market correction will come just when you need money from your portfolio.

Do you understand the goals of your money? Is it currently set up to meet those goals?

Isn’t something as important as your retirement worth a second opinion?

For information contact Randall Maag 360-301-9921 randall.maag@pesmail.com

You deserve a secure retirement

I can help Call for a free consultation randall.maag@pesmail.com

360-301-9921

Randall Maag Financial Adviser

ProEquities, Inc.

3560 Bridgeport Way West, Ste 3E University Place, WA 98466

Phone: 253-564-8521, Ext. 107 • Cell: 360-301-9921 randall.maag@pesmail.com Securities offered through ProEquities, Inc. a Registered Broker/Dealer and Member FINRA & SIPC. Insurance Products are offered by and insurance agents are contracted with Bankers Life and Casualty Company (BLC).

BLC is independent of ProEquities, Inc.

We’re No. 1!

Jefferson is Washington’s oldest county

• Population: 29,854

• Homeownership rate, county: 72.8 percent

• Persons younger than 18 years, county: 13.9 percent

• Homeownership rate, state: 63.8 percent

• Persons younger than 18 years, state: 23 percent

• Median household income, county: $46,870

• Persons 65 years and older, county: 29.1 percent

• Median household income, state: $59,374

• Persons 65 years and older, state: 13.2 percent

• Persons per square mile, county: 16.6

• Median age, county: 53.8 years

• Persons per square mile, state: 101.2

• Median age, state: 37.2 years

Tips for a happy retirement

Plan ahead, watch the spending, look for deals

By Viviann Kuehl Contributing Writer

Having enough money to retire is a dream often fraught with fear. But local people are showing how to do it, and sooner than you might think.

A happy retirement is all about planning ahead, said Jackie Ploof, successfully retired Chimacum math teacher. Her husband, Brad Ploof, a carpenter, was disabled by a motorcycle accident that forced an early retirement.

As with any surprise medical issue, that complicated their planning. But they adapted.

Jackie recommends making a savings push at least five years ahead of the target retirement date, and making sure that you have enough to meet expenses.

If that sounds overwhelming, she also says that she has found you don’t spend as much when you are not working. There are no commuting expenses, no wardrobe requirements and no savings for retirement, she points out.

“People don’t think of these things that seem to be common sense when you think of them,” said Ploof. “Before you retire, do the research, and make sure you have enough to cover what your expenses will be, or take care of expenses to get them down to what you can afford. If you need lots more money, you can work longer, up to 75, and then you don’t have to save as much. And your Social Security is more.”

Pay Down Debts

It’s important to pay off as much debt as possible on things like cars and credit cards, said Ploof. It would be nice to have a paid-off mortgage, although Ploof said mortgage payments may be tax-deductible.

Only a portion of Social Security income is taxed, adding another boost to income.

Ploof was inspired by a book titled Retire on Less Than You Think by Fred Brock.

The American Association of Retired People (AARP) also has a lot of good information, she noted, and a good starting place is the AARP website, aarp.org.

“You gotta dig and find out the information. That’s how you’re going to feel comfortable,” said Ploof, who described herself as wanting to take few risks related to finances. “Talk to people who are doing the same thing.”

Downsizing or using equity in a home can help change the bottom line for living expenses.

Senior property tax breaks can also help if you meet income guidelines.

Wednesday, March 26, 2014 • C 3

LIFE PLANNING SEMINAR

FREE

Absolutely

Port Townsend & Jefferson County Leader

Join us for a FREE Life Planning Seminar with Elder Law & Estate Planning Attorney, Richard Tizzano

APRIL

Wednesday, April 9th, 10am-12pm

Reid Realty 9564 Silverdale Way, Suite 100, Silverdale

Thursday, April 24th, 10am-12pm Port Ludlow Bay Club 120 Spinnaker Place, Port Ludlow

MAY

Tuesday, May 20th, 10am-12pm Fairfield Inn & Suites 239 4th St, Bremerton

Thursday, May 22nd, 10am-12pm Lakeland Village Community Club 470 E Country Club Dr, Allyn

JUNE

Thursday, June 12th, 10am-12pm Northwest Maritime Center 431 Water Street, Port Townsend

Tuesday, June 17th, 10am-12pm

Bainbridge Island Senior Community Center 370 Brien Drive SE, Bainbridge Island

Reserve Your Seat Today www.legalpeaceofmind.com or call 360-779-5551 Our Seminars are Designed to Share & Highlight the Concerns of

HEALTHCARE Learn the roles of Medicare, Medicaid, VA Benefits & LTC Insurance HOUSING Maintain Quality of Life - Aging in Place & Retirement Communities FINANCIAL Preserve your wealth from taxes & uncovered medical costs LEGAL Estate Planning & Safe Harbor Trust Planning

Solutions to secure a successful & safe retirement

19717 Front Street NE, Poulsbo 360-779-5551 • sherrardlaw.com We provide solutions that give you Legal Peace of Mind.

Massage-Reiki-Craniosacral at Seaport Landing - Residential Discount

Stone Feather Healing Arts People who’ve already retired have tips on changes in your lifestyle that will make retirement pleasurable and easier.

pretty cheap dates,” she said.

Now Jackie directs her research toward savings on travel, their biggest budget item. She recommends charging everything to an airline-related credit card and paying the bills off each month to get air miles without adding expense.

ly plan their purchases.

Stretching out the life of a car also extends retirement income.

Saving money by limiting restaurant visits can also control costs. Eating lunch out is cheaper than dinner, and making a meal into a picnic adds no extra expense.

Carol Colley: Cash Is King

The Ploofs have always enjoyed camping, and now they can choose times to go when it’s less crowded and cheaper.

“That’s true on flights, and everything,” said Brad Ploof.

Another surprise benefit of retirement is the time to take walks and work out, something that didn’t make it into the Ploofs’ busy work schedule. Using a DVD player, a gift from their daughter, saves the cost of a gym. The side effect of improved health is that it feels good and cuts down on medical costs.

“It’s addictive,” said

Off-Season Helps

Jackie, who works out three times a week, “but it’s a shame that health insurance is our biggest cost and concern.”

Medicare can help reduce insurance costs starting at age 65.

Making retirement work also involves a shift in lifestyle apart from finances.

“You’ve got to have a really good sense of humor, about your partner and yourself,” said Jackie.

Jackie was around people constantly in her teaching.

She had to adjust to more solitude. Brad, on the other hand, was used to working alone, and was able to convert his work skills into a hobby. Wanting something different, the couple joined a church and made new friends.

These are happy retirees. With expenses under control and their finances secure, they look forward to contributing their time to community and church work.

Faced with a decline in her pension, retired accountant Carol Colley uses a simple strategy to limit expenses.

“I came up with a simple budget technique that has surprised me,” said Colley.

“Instead of using my debit card for purchases, I estimated what we need in the way of groceries and entertainment for a week and went on a cash basis.

I literally withdraw the same amount of money each week for groceries, meals out and entertainment.

Since I started doing this in January, most weeks I have money left over because I think before I buy. It is amazing how seductive plastic can be because one easily loses sight of how ▼Continued from page 2 much is being spent.”

Many retirees limit their errands to save on Owner/operator, Penny Saver, Port Townsend transportation costs and Research “I’ve been at the store for 33 years, to be more efficient. Not the Savings and I may have another 33 years to go! using a vehicle until you Thanks to good plan- have at least three things But seriously, we’ll have the property to ning, Jackie and Brad to do helps contain costs, sell; that’s part of our retirement. My son have a retirement income for example. may take it on; he would be the third genthat is almost as much as eration,” since Roger bought the business Becoming a member when they were working. from his father, Jim Ramey. Roger also of Costco can also help “You really do spend save, said some retirees, has been investing in a 401k for a long less, but we are not high- who added that they go time, putting money in each year at the end of the year. “I maintenance people. We’re only monthly and careful- started that a very long time ago.”

... Ahead

Roger Ramey

360 385-0399 debcwood@msn.com Book online at empowerreclaim.com

Lic# MA 60131460

Inspiring Students to Learn

NEWSPAPERS IN EDUCATION During the school year, The Leader supplies more than 300 free newspapers/week to teachers who request them, using local news to bridge the gap between the classroom and the community. There are ways you can help us deliver the paper to students in Port Townsend, Chimacum, Quilcene and Brinnon. $8 funds one student for the school year. $24 funds three subscriptions $200 pays for a whole class for the year! Y

Together we can build a community of informed young readers!

Newspapers In Education Form I’d like to fund: ❏ 1 Student: $8 ❏ 3 Subscriptions: $24 ❏ A Whole Class: $200 Name: __________________________________________ Address: _________________________________________ City: ____________________________________________ State: ___________________________________________ Zip: ____________________________________________ ❏ Cash ❏ Check ❏ Credit Card: __________________________ Exp. Date: _______ Mail your payment, call 360.385.2900, stop by The Leader, 226 Adams, Port Townsend WA 98368

Choosing a home

C 4 • Wednesday, March 26, 2014

Port Townsend & Jefferson County Leader

Stay at home? Assisted living?

Jefferson County has many choices

By Viviann Kuehl Contributing Writer

Aging can be a wonderful thing – the golden years, the good years … all of that.

But when the demands of daily living get to be too much, where can you turn for help for your parents – or yourself?

There are three key options.

• Move in with family.

• Stay in your home and line up assistance from public services like Jefferson Healthcare’s Home Health, or private services like Home Instead.

• Move into an assisted living center or “retirement home.”

Moving in with family, at first glance, seems like a great option. But both you (the senior) and the family should think and talk long and hard about it. It’s a major obligation on the part of both, and a very personal decision.

This article will focus on

the second and third options.

Stay At Home With Services

If you choose to stay in your home, resources abound, and many of them may cost less than you think.

A study by the AARP concluded that 89 percent of retirees would prefer to age gracefully in their own homes for as long as possible. One advantage is that keeping your home allows you to continue to leverage its value as an asset to fund services or other elements of your retirement.

Jefferson Healthcare offers home services for homebound seniors (or injured adults) based on a written order from a physician for certain kinds of help. The services include scheduled skilled nursing care, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, certified nurse’s aide care and social worker assistance.

Jefferson Healthcare’s Home Health program has grown significantly in its outreach and abilities, and has the advantage of connecting with additional services as needed. Providers are highly professional, pleasant and care about the quality of their work.

“Whatever the doctor requires, we try to provide,” explained one provider.

Visits are scheduled according to need, with staff available to respond (if needed) around the clock.

For those who qualify, Medicare can cover the services, and that takes into account about 90 percent of those served, according to Lisa Holt, executive director for Jefferson Healthcare Home Health and Hospice.

Costs paid through insurance or privcosts paid privately or through insurance vary widely, based on coverage and options, she noted.

“To qualify, they have to

Some retirees stay at home. Some enter assisted living. In either setting, having an active social life is important.

be under the supervision of a doctor,” emphasized Holt. “If people don’t have a doctor, we can make referrals.”

Who Qualifies?

Home Health’s home care services mainly cover shortterm needs, such as recovering from surgery, but can stretch over a longer term.

The services can cover all ages except children.

“There has to be a clear and taxing effort to get out of the home, but that doesn’t mean you can’t leave your home,” said Holt of the conditions that can prompt Home Health services. “You can go

Assisted living facilities have the advantage of a built-in social life. Many experts say that social isolation is one of the biggest problems for elderly people, affecting both psychological and physical health. to the doctor, or get your hair done. It just has to be a strain.

There is a perception that you need to be elderly, but that’s not the case. Home Health can be very temporary.”

Holt said hip replacement surgery is an example of a short-term need that can

bring Home Health assistance to your home.

“We are not meant to replace any outpatient services, but we can get the patient strong enough to get back to their daily life,” said Holt.

Information on Home See HOME, Page 5▼

Home Health - Care for you and your family Jefferson Healthcare Home Health When my mother had an exacerbation of her congestive heart failure a couple of years ago, I knew exactly what she needed to help her recover after her hospitalization. Home Health! Thankfully, I knew all about Home Health, as I had been practicing as a nurse in that specialty for a couple of decades, but I have also realized over the years that not everyone knows about this fantastic benefit.

My mom was in great hands.

She had a Home Health nurse who helped her learn how to manage her symptoms and medications; an occupational therapist who helped her learn how to be independent in her daily chores and daily living activities while conserving her energy; and a physical therapist worked with her to help rebuild strength and endurance. As a Medicare beneficiary, there was no out of pocket cost to her. Home Health services have no co-pays and no deductibles for Medicare beneficiaries. Soon, she was able to get back to her favorite activity, which is shopping for cute clothes for her grandchildren!

Not only did Home Health assist my mother in regaining her independence, but she also acquired new knowledge and skills that have helped her stay out of the hospital and enjoy her life.

The facts are in! Research shows that receiving skilled Home Health services in the home environment can help reduce the need

The services provided: Home Health Nursing: Licensed nurses can assist with wound care, catheter changes, IV antibiotics, medication management, and empower you to learn how to manage your condition independently.

Physical and Occupational Therapy: Licensed therapists assist in maximizing your independence through strengthening and home exercise programs. We can conduct safety assessments, home modifications, and make recommendations for special medical equipment.

Lisa Holt Speech Therapy: Licensed Executive Director speech therapists assess and treat swallowing and speech difficulties for urgent, unplanned medical and can also work with patients on care. Jefferson Healthcare Home Health, a Medicare certified agen- memory and judgment strategies.

Certified Nursing Assistants(Ccy, can deliver skilled intermittent NA): CNAs can assist you with care through pre-scheduled visits increasing your abilities to bath to your home, whether that is a and take care of personal hygiene private residence, an adult family home, or an assisted living facility. independently.

Medical Social Worker: These Our highly trained medical team of professionals offer assessments nurses, therapists, certified nursing and counseling regarding financial assistants, and medical social workers are here to ensure the best and emotional support needs and can help connect you to communioutcome in your recovery after ty resources. surgery, illness, or an accident.

Our Home Health team works Who Qualifies for Home directly with you and your doctor Health Care? to customize your own plan of In addition to a doctor’s refercare. We are an extension of the ral certifying the need for skilled medical care directed by your care, a patient must have an illness doctor and in fact, can only proor injury that makes it difficult vide services under orders written to leave the home and/or require by your doctor. Our goals are to the assistance of a device, special optimize your health, assist you transportation, or the help of in regaining independence, and another person to leave the home. remain safely in your home!

This can be for a very short term

period (where you and your doctor expect that you’ll be getting out and about in days or weeks) or for longer periods, depending on your individual needs.

Who Pays for Home Health Care?

Medicare covers Home Health services at 100%. We accept most health insurances and can bill your insurance company directly for services. As each insurance plan can have different co-pays and deductibles, our business office team can help you find out more about your own individual benefit plan.

What Types of Medical Issues Qualify for Skilled Home Care?

Post-operative care, wound care, or a new ostomy Infusion treatments such as nutrition, antibiotics, or hydration Difficulty with movement or performing daily activities to be self-sufficient Changes in chronic illness such as congestive heart failure (CHF), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), diabetes, stroke, or other conditions causing frequent trips to the doctor’s office or hospital Recent admission to the emergency room or hospital Require education about health care needs, medications, and your treatment.

So whether you’re dealing with a debilitating illness, recent injury or hospitalization, you can count on the qualified team at Jefferson Healthcare Home Health. Our team brings a blend of extensive clinical experience,

Bringing compassionate

CARE to

YOUR DOOR Whether you’re dealing with an illness, recent injury or hospitalization, you can count on the qualified and compassionate medical team at Jefferson Heathcare Home Health to be there when you need us.

Home Health 2500 Sims Way | Port Townsend WA | 385.0610 JeffersonHealthcare.org

understanding and sensitivity to each patient’s needs. An initial screening is available at no charge to assess skilled Home Care need.

For questions or to arrange care, please call us at 360-3850610 or look us up on the web at JeffersonHealthcare.org/HomeHealth.

Perfect retirement home: It’s your house

By Sandy Boughner Home Instead Senior Care According to a study by the American Association of Retired People (AARP), 89 percent of retirees want to age in their own homes for as long as possible. For retirees the financial and emotional investment in a home should be weighed carefully before making the decision to “Age in Place” or seek out alternative living arrangements.

Leveraging a home as a long-term investment after retirement brings about many questions and is a complex decision to undertake. Retirees should calculate their current financial assets and determine if they can cover long term expenditures like home maintenance, taxes, unexpected health issues, declining mobility and living safety at home.

Aging in place vs. other housing options In the past five years of survey results, Genworth Financial identified emerging trends in long-term care services. Overall, the cost of living for facility-based providers steadily increased. In 2013 the median annual rate of a private nursing home room was $83,950, approximately $16,425 more per year today than in 2008, a 4.45 percent increase in compound

Sandy Boughner annual rate.

Also, in the John Hancock 2013 Cost of Care Survey, the average cost for a month in an assisted living facility was $3,427 per month, or $41,124 annually with an average annual growth of 2 percent per year.

Conversely, the 2013 average cost for a home health aide ($19 hourly/$29,640 annually) has remained relatively flat at an increase just over 1 percent per year.

Based upon these figures it is easy to see how staying at home longer can prevent higher long term living expenses. So what forces older Americans from their homes into assisted living or full-time nursing facilities if there is such an increased hardship in cost? It’s not necessarily declining health itself but how ailments prevent people from living independently in their homes.

I see housing as a part of the health care continuum.

The impact on wellness and daily living is a function of where one lives, so the home is a place worthy of long term investment. What actually forces someone out of their home and into an institution is the functional consequences of disease – you can’t stand long enough to cook or lift your leg over the tub to bathe.

Home modifications for aging in place In order for retirees to age in place they’ll likely need to make some modifications to their home in order to increase access and maneuverability.

Modifications can range from the installation of bath and shower grab bars, adjustments of countertop heights or the installation of chairlifts and other mobility devices. In most circumstances even if someone isn’t interested in staying in their home long-term but is interested in investing in their home for resale, making a home accessible can be a great investment.

Some retirees may have enough savings to cover the renovations but most will need to find financial alternatives to fund these modifications.

Private funding Sometimes home modifications can be prescribed by

a physician and claimed as a medical deduction on a federal tax return or private health insurance companies may pay for certain assistive devices. If the insurance company says no, getting a written letter of denial is suggested to have on file.

Some other financial options include a home equity loan, especially if there is sufficient income to cover monthly payments, or a reverse mortgage which could also free up funds to pay for other services such as in-home care. Reverse mortgages are complex and have considerable consequences for the estate. Seek the advice of an attorney and financial planner before entering into such agreements. For more information call the Housing Counseling Clearinghouse at 1-800-569-4287 to obtain the name and telephone number of a HUD-approved counseling agency and a list of FHA approved lenders.

Public financial assistance Public sources are normally income and need-based.

Funds may be available for home modifications under the Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services Waiver.

Low-income homeowners can often receive assistance and zero-interest loans from a variety of public and private agencies to pay for home modifications.

For details, contact the Olympic Area Agency on Aging, 360-385-2552 or http:// www.o3a.org/. The agency also has publications about agingin-place and how to make simple changes in your home for safety. Another website to search for benefits is www. benefitscheckup.org from the National Council on Aging.

Lastly, those eligible for veterans’ benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs can apply for an Aid and Attendance (A&A) benefit in which the VA will pay for some medical care at home. In some areas the VA also offers disabled vets a Special Housing Adaptation (SHA) Grant. Learn more by going to: http://www.benefits. va.gov/, calling the toll-free VA Health Care Benefits number, (877) 222-8387, or contacting the closest VA medical center.

Study your options There are many funding options so it is wise to fully research options before committing to any aging in place or other home improvement project. Making an investment in your home today can potentially pay off with greater independence in the years to come.

Contact Sandy Boughner, Home Instead (360) 437-9884; www.homeinstead.com

To us, it’s personal Call to learn about extraordinary in-home care and companionship.

Your loved one can live independently at home.

www.homeinstead.com

360-437-9884

Port Townsend & Jefferson County Leader

Retirement Planning Online Great resources for retirement planning are available.

Here are a few:

Retirement planning

Edward D. Jones has online calculators for retirement or other financial planning questions.

Web: www.edwardjones.com/en_US/ resources/calculators/index.html The Motley Fool Web: www.fool.com/calcs/calculators.htm#ret

The Business Guides in Port Townsend, specialists in small business owners, walk people through a set of financial FAQs and investment questions.

Web: www.thebusinessguides.com/ financial-guide

Retire with Integrity

Olympic Area Agency on Aging

Invest with your values

OAAA is a friendly, capable and wellinformed non-profit resource center.

Web: www.03a.org Phone: (360) 379-5064

Girard Securities, Inc. Now a resident for four years, Emily Lamberton, 103, enjoys life at Victoria House. Jefferson County has several high-quality assisted living complexes. Photo by Viviann Kuehl

▼Continued from page 4

Health services is available at 385-0610 at any time.

Private Care In Your Home

In addition, there are several private companies that offer a full range of home health or home aid services – meals, cleaning, company and limited medical assistance (sorting medicine, etc.), depending on the state license provisions.

They include Home Instead Senior Care, Caregivers Home Health, Kwa Home Care and others.

Under certain circumstances, some or all of these services can be covered by longterm-care insurance policies. In other circumstances, they are pay as you go, and rates hover around $18-20 per hour. However, private care in your home can help avoid steady increases in the costs of assisted living facilities, which tend to go up 2 percent to 3 percent a year.

The private home care services customize their work to fit your need. That can range from weekly to daily visits, and from lighter tasks, such as driving, shopping, cooking, cleaning, to more intense assistance, such as with getting around and bathing.

Having good company is a side benefit of these relationships.

Many of these relationships become long-term. One advantage of a caregiving company is that if your regular caregiver is unavailable, there are others to fill in.

Yet another option for private home services is to personally hire a professional caregiver. There are several at work in the community who hire themselves out for a variety of home help tasks. Costs?

Plan on $12-20 an hour.

Assisted-Living Option

Assisted living is a residential option, endeavoring to meet the physical, mental, social, religious and health needs of those whose energy is low for the long term, or for recuperation periods. In many

• • •

cases, people choose assisted living when they want to “retire” from the upkeep of a home and yard, want meals provided, and seek nearby senior company.

Assisted living is suitable for those who are alert but need ongoing help with daily living. They get that help, along with a private living space with an emergency pull cord system that has help available 24 hours of the day.

Assisted living facilities such as Seaport Landing, Victoria House and Discovery View provide meals three times a day in a dining room and sometimes in rooms; snacks; housekeeping and laundry; cable; phone; power; Internet; as well as daily group activities, including outings.

Additional help with medications, bathing or other care is available for an additional cost. Bonaventure’s Seaport Landing, as one example, has one wing devoted to independent living, in which residents take some of their meals together. Another wing is devoted to a higher level of daily assistance, including help with medications and the like, with 24-hour coverage.

Cost is a major factor in the decision to move to an assisted living facility. Most residents pay in the range of $2,400$3,500 a month. The lowest rate is $900 a month through a state program available for those who qualify, and it can be as much as $7,000 a month for higher levels of care.

Still, assisted living facilities can be more economical than living in a private home with all services hired from the outside, and there is the advantage of a built-in social life. Experts on aging like Mark Harvey, Information & Assistance Regional Director for the Olympic Area Agency on Aging, say that social isolation is one of the biggest problems for elderly people, affecting both psychological and physical health.

Port Townsend’s major assisted living providers have spaces available. There are also several in Sequim and in See HOME, Page 6▼

James Frazier, CFP

Local, Green and Sustainable Investing Specialist

naturalinvestments.com 360.379.0295 james@naturalinvestments.com

Betty A. Abersold, PFP

... Home

Wednesday, March 26, 2014 • C 5

James Frazier is an Investment Advisory Representative of Natural Investments LLC.

Registered Principal Investment Advisor Associate

The Leader

Phone: 360.379.8678 Securities & investment advisory services offered through Girard Securities, Inc. Member FINRA & SIPC 220 Saddletree Drive, Port Townsend, WA 98368 email: betty.abersold@gsirep.com

Medicare Solutions Made Simple • Health • Life • Disability • Long Term Care • Employee Benefits • Medicare • Annuities

Faithfully serving Jefferson County since 1889

Call 385-2900

Retirement age?

You deserve better auto insurance!

Over 50?

You could save $395

Linda Lopeman Licensed Producer

Call today.

AUTO • HOME • BUSINESS • MARINE • LIFE

HOMER SMITH INSURANCE

360-385-4400 kristinmanwaring.com

offers

Port Townsend: 360-385-3711 • Sequim: 360-683-4970 • 800-464-4140 www.homersmith.com

Rich Gastfield 1951 East Sims Way Port Townsend, Wa 98368 360-385-3300 360-301-1295 rich.gastfield@lpl.com

Member FINRA/sipc

MKT-06048-0410 Tracking #638367

“Ask us about the ...

AARP® Auto Insurance Program from The Hartford.”

NOW AVAILABLE IN YOUR AREA! Find out more about the Special Benefits of The Hartford’s Program for AARP members and our Competitive Rates!

Confused about investing today?

Need more income from your investments?

I can help. I am an independent, feeonly financial advisor who can coach you to manage investments yourself, or I can manage them for you. The first consultation is free.

• • • Hurry In! Subscribe to The Leader & Save!

360 385-2900 ptleader.com

Henry Krist Personal Financial Planner Registered Investment Advisor 360-379-9878 • hkrist@q.com

The Peninsula Insurance family, from left: Shannon Severn, Ed Davis, Sara Wills-Davis and Melissa Pernsteiner.

Call today for your FREE, no-obligation quote:

360-385-4739

You’ll also enjoy a Six-Point Claim Commitment – designed to exceed your expectations from the moment you report your claim, to the moment your settlement check is issued!

This auto insurance is designed exclusively for AARP members – and is now available through| PENINSULA INSURANCE CENTER INC!

PENINSULA INSURANCE CENTER INC 10364 RHODY DRIVE, CHIMACUM, WA 98325 Ed@peninsulaic.com Peninsulaic.com

Harry Holloway III

The AARP Automobile Insurance Program from The Hartford is underwritten by Hartford Fire Insurance Company and its affiliates, One Hartford Plaza, Hartford CT 06155. CA license number 5152. In Washington, the Program is underwritten by Trumbull Insurance Company. AARP does not employ or endorse agents or brokers. AARP and its affiliates are not insurers. Paid endorsement. The Hartford pays royalty fees to AARP for the use of its intellectual property. These fees are used for the general purposes of AARP. AARP membership is required for Program eligibility in most states. Applicants are individually underwritten and some may not qualify. Specific features, credits, and discounts may vary and may not be available in all states in accordance with state filings and applicable law. You have the option of purchasing a policy directly from The Hartford. Your price, however, could vary, and you will not have the advice, counsel or services of your independent agent.

107792 2nd Rev

Attorney-at-Law

Providing Legal Assistance to You and Your Family for Over 40 Years

260 Kala Point Drive, Port Townsend • ptlaw@cablespeed.com

Wills • Trusts • Probate • Estate Planning • Real Estate & Other Select Matters

360-385-1400

10 steps to protect yourself from fraud

C 6 • Wednesday, March 26, 2014

Port Townsend & Jefferson County Leader

What do you need to know about possible theft or fraud related to your credit cards, other digital forms of payment, or identify theft?

One word: Target.

Experts say it’s likely that you have been the target of someone who has at least prowled around for a way to gain access to some part of your digital payment system.

And then there’s the retail chain Target. The 1,800-outlet chain was the victim of the biggest hacking scandal in commercial history.

Nothing that you personally could do would have prevented it. It resulted in the theft of some 40 million credit card numbers – representing one in three American consumers.

Experts now understand that sometime around Thanksgiving 2013, someone installed malware (software designed to infiltrate a computer system) into Target’s payments system. This malware went to work stealing every credit card used at Target stores in the U.S. The malware stored the stolen credit card

information on one of Target’s own computer servers, which had been secretly taken over by the hackers.

Eventually, the stolen data was withdrawn from the store’s network and made its way to computers in Ukraine or Russia. Some batches have been sold through a black market to other criminals who have incurred or will try to incur charges on them.

Even more chilling is the fact, revealed by the business press, that Target security experts were notified of the breach in late November, but failed to act until mid-December.

Identity theft of some sort is by no means a distant crime only involving international hackers and thieves. A Jefferson County man, Adam Lysiak, 38, was arrested on Feb. 12, 2013 by Port Townsend police who identified him as a mail thief who took more than 2,000 pieces of mail from residents of this and neighboring counties. Lysiak prowled the streets in the middle of the night to steal mail.

When the police raided Lysiak’s residence, they nabbed two dozen mail bags of stolen mail. That mail included credit cards, bank accounts, Social Security information, driver’s licenses and much, much more. The combination of information allowed Lysiak to obtain credit cards and otherwise use identity theft toward illegal ends.

Nine million Americans have suffered from some form of identify theft or stolen digital banking access, according to the Federal Trade Commission. Only about 2 percent of Americans have faced the kind of identity theft problems that can affect their credit scores.

10 Steps to Maximize Your Protection

Here are some steps you can take to maximize your credit or debit card security: 1. Only carry with you the card you need that day; leave the rest in a secure place at home.

2. Memorize your personal iden-

tification number (PIN); never write it down on or near your card. Don’t use easily remembered PINs, such as the last four digits of your Social Security number, phone number or date of birth.

3. Regularly review your transactions through mobile or online banking, and study your monthly reports carefully for any oddities.

Immediately report problems to your bank or credit card provider.

4. Guard your purse or wallet.

Unoccupied vehicles and unlocked office drawers are targets of credit card thieves.

5. Never give out bank account or credit card information in response to an email that insists it must have this information. Fake emails pretend to be from a security official of your bank, or a credit card supervisor, or a routine maintenance check.

They often have legitimate logos.

If you receive such an email, don’t reply and don’t click on any links.

Instead, call your bank or the credit card company and talk it over with

them.

6. Clear your logins and passwords at the end of each computer session in which you have done some kind of online commerce or banking.

7. Monitor your credit report.

By law you are entitled to a free report every year from one of three bureaus: Equifax, Experian or TransUnion. Order your report through one of the agencies, or through annualcreditreport.com.

8. Shred sensitive documents – bank statements, credit card applications, bills.

9. Consider identify theft protection if you do lots of online banking or shopping and don’t have time to closely review your statements.

Costs for such services are approximately $150 per year. Almost all of them include fraud alerts.

10. If you’ve found a problem, notify the financial institution affected, and possibly either the local police or the Federal Trade Commission.

... Home: Consider costs, services, social web

▼Continued from page 5

ments. Most residents stay the Poulsbo area. five to seven years, or the rest We took a look at two of of their lives, said Resident them.

Director Denise Mecartea.

Everyday chores can take Victoria House up so much of the energy of Victoria House is the small- older people that they don’t est of the three local facilities, do the things they enjoy, with 33 current residents, said Mendi Short, commuages 70 to 103, and has room nity relations senior resource for as many as 39 residents in adviser. Residents find that studio or one-bedroom apart- when they don’t have to cook

or clean or take care of anything, they can be themselves again.

“They are very obliging,” said four-year resident Emily Lamberton, 103. “They will do anything for you. They make you feel at home. I love it because it’s home.”

That’s the goal.

“It’s really fun to watch people come alive again,”

noted Short.

Many of the daily activities designed to engage residents as a group, which include live music, exercise, painting, Bible studies, games and movies, take place in a large front room with the goal of creating a family atmosphere. Pets are welcome.

“We really have a happy bunch,” said Short. “The

residents seem to enjoy each other’s company. Everyone knows everyone, and a majority of the residents are longterm community members. A lot of the history of our town is living in this building. It’s pretty neat when you think about it.”

Seaport Landing

Seaport Landing is a larger

facility, with something of the atmosphere of a grand hotel.

There are about 40 units occupied in assisted living and 40 in independent living, with half of the units currently open, said executive director Renee Levesque.

The average resident age is around 90, and four residents are older than 100.

See HOME, Page 8▼

How will you be remembered? Path to a legacy.

By Doug Van Allen Treasurer Jefferson County Community Foundation Most of us, I know, would like to be remembered in a positive light that reflects our core values and aspirations.

Although we may accumulate wealth, status, a unique skill set or a powerful position in life, the fact is we can’t take any of those things with us when we die. There are ways, however, that we can leverage what we accomplish in life. Good parenting is one example; if our children – and later their children – honor and magnify our values and commitments, our legacy will survive in future generations.

Another important way to create a legacy is to provide lasting, tangible support for causes we believe in. In Jefferson County, it’s easy to establish the framework for such a legacy by becoming a member of the Jefferson Legacy Society of the Jefferson County Community Foundation.

The Society is made up of individuals and couples who have committed to the future of Jefferson County by including the Community Foundation in their long-term giving plans. Some designate specific charities or

Doug Van Allen causes they want to support by creating or adding to a permanent endowed fund at JCCF. Other Legacy Society members are more focused on supporting JCCF itself as an umbrella organization that assists and trains non-profits to be more effective, creates area-of-interest funds such as the Fund for Women and Girls, and makes annual grants to local nonprofit organizations from endowed funds.

If long-term charitable planning appeals to you, it is easy to join the Jefferson Legacy Society. Although current contributions to support the Foundation are certainly welcome (and needed!), the Legacy Society was created for those who want to make future gifts to the Foundation, perhaps at a level that is

not affordable right now.

Two simple ways to join the Legacy Society are to include a bequest to the Foundation in a will or trust, or to designate the Foundation or one of its endowed funds as a beneficiary of a life insurance policy or retirement plan. Other, somewhat more complex legacy giving options include the establishment of trusts that can provide significant tax advantages and retirement income to donors while they live, then benefit the Foundation after the donors have died.

Whatever specific form of legacy giving you choose, it may offer opportunities to strengthen the bonds between generations. Sharing your estate plans with your children—and perhaps also your grandchildren, if they’re old enough— may provide a portal to dialogue and understanding. Studies have shown that families with charitable intent create more connection from generation to generation and tend to preserve family wealth for longer periods.

If you’re interested in exploring legacy giving possibilities, the Jefferson County Community Foundation will be glad to help. We can send you some basic materials to get you started, and we can refer you to well-qualified attorneys and

financial planners who know how to incorporate your charitable interests into your estate plan (you do have an estate plan, don’t you?).

If you decide, as we hope you will, to provide long-term support to local charities by joining the Jefferson Legacy Society, there’s no need to disclose the details of your future charitable plans, even to us. All you need to do is let us know that you have included the Jefferson County Community Foundation in those plans. We’ll be honored to list you as a Jefferson Legacy Society member—or not to list you, if you prefer. We’ll also keep you informed about the Foundation’s programs and opportunities for current support.

So, while we can’t take it with us, we can leave our marks.

Regardless of your motivations, your financial circumstances or your charitable preferences, the Jefferson County Community Foundation may be able to help you realize a way to make your legacy a unique gift. Every day presents us with chances to start anew and to start something new. How will you be remembered?

For more information, please contact JCCF Executive Director Carla Caldwell at 360-385-1729 or carla@jccfgives.org. Visit our website: www.jccfgives.org

Here’s what your JCCF has been up to lately ...

2013 JCCF GRANT AWARDS Grant Awards in Jefferson County: Clemente Course & Dove House Copper Canyon Press Fort Worden Public Development Authority Habitat For Humanity – Nora’s Neighborhood JC MASH & Boiler Room Jefferson County YMCA Jefferson County Food Bank Garden Instructor Jefferson Land Trust Jefferson Co. Farm to School Coalition Key City Public Theatre Northwest Maritime Center Organic Seed Alliance Port Townsend Library Foundation Port Townsend Marine Science Center Sunfield Waldorf School

3,000 1,000 15,000 1,000 6,000 5,000 500 21,500 1,500 750 118,000 250 1,000 1,000 1,000

And more! Call and get a copy of our annual report!

360-385-1729 www.jccfgives.org