Blue Slipper Stories - July, 2020

Blue Slipper Stories

Widows’ Guild Newsletter ̵ July 2020

NO LONGER ALONE: ONE WIDOW’S STORY

Dorothy’s husband, Larry, embodied the principles of Freemasonry.

“He was just really nice and easy to love,” Dorothy says.

“He cared about people.”

After Larry passed away in 2016 of liver failure, Dorothy opted to continue receiving the quarterly “Pennsylvania Freemason” magazine. While the magazine reminded her that her husband was no longer here, it also brought her happiness to know there was still a bond among all the “good men out there.”

One day, while Dorothy was casually flipping through the articles inside the latest issue, she stumbled upon information about the Masonic Outreach Program.

When Larry died, Dorothy was given her blue slipper pin and became a member of the Widows Guild. She was both surprised and relieved that she was also eligible for assistance through the Masonic Outreach Program.

In her early 60s, Dorothy had gotten sick and was forced to leave her job and apply for disability. Her financial situation became even less stable after Larry’s death.

“I remember it was just a really bad day when I read that article,” Dorothy said. “I was praying. I went from living on both of our Social Security checks to just mine after he was gone. I was really in a lot of trouble. Honestly, I didn’t know if I’d have a home to live in or not.

Financially, I was devastated.”

After hearing Dorothy’s story, the Masonic Outreach Program provided her with gift cards to Walmart to help make ends meet.

“The gift cards were a blessing because I could get my groceries there,” Dorothy said. “I could also get my

glasses there and use my cards to pay my insurance co-pay. It was such a relief.”

When Dorothy’s heat pump went out in her home, the Masonic Outreach Program helped her pay the bill.

“I’m thankful for everything the Masonic Outreach Program and Widows Guild have given me,” Dorothy said.

While it’s difficult for Dorothy to travel, she looks forward to attending a Widows Guild tea in her area, or a similar event, to build relationships with other women in the Guild. She also hopes her story will help others to realize it’s okay to ask for help in a time of need. It can be difficult to move on after losing a spouse, but there are ways for Masonic widows to alleviate the financial and emotional burdens that may be preventing them from properly grieving or healing from their loss.

“When I get ‘Blue Slipper Stories,’ I realize I’m not the only one out there,” Dorothy said. “My husband and I had been together 24/7. It’s taken me years to discover who I am again. I didn’t have anyone really helping me until now. All you have to do is ask.” *Due to the sensitivity of this story, the widow’s name has been changed.

SOME INCOME TAX HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE NEW CARES ACT

By Brother Alvin Blitz, Esq. Chief Gift Planning Officer, Masonic Villages The economic stimulus provisions of the CARES Act are crucial to saving our economy during this crisis. There are a couple of provisions that you should be aware of in planning your own financial affairs when we finally get out from under this locked down economy.

Here are the highlights from the Act that I find most relevant for charitable planning: No RMD in 2020 - For the current year, the requirement that anyone age 70 ½ (or age 72 beginning this year) or older receive a required minimum distribution (RMD) is suspended.

Many charities, including our charities, rely substantially on qualified charitable distributions (QCDs), which are tax-free for donors. Although directing an RMD to charity as a QCD to save on tax is not required this year, it is not forbidden to request a distribution from your IRA to charity anyway and avoid the tax. For many, this method may still be the best way to give to charity if you don’t itemize your taxes.

Non-itemizer Donation Relief - Contributions of up to $300 are now allowed as an “above the line” deduction starting in 2020. This permits individuals who would otherwise get no tax benefit for charitable contributions due to the inability to itemize to realize a tax benefit. So, everyone who files a tax return should consider giving at least $300 to charity this year.

Dollar-for-Dollar Deductions for Itemizers - For taxpayers who do itemize deductions, the Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) limitation on charitable contributions is removed for 2020.

The current limitation is 60% for cash gifts. For 2020, individual taxpayers can deduct charitable contributions up to 100% of AGI. Any additional contributions not deducted in 2020 can be carried forward to offset income in the future for five years. For those wanting to make a large cash gift

to their favorite charity or to fund a charitable gift annuity (CGA) or charitable remainder trust (CRT) this is the year. In fact, the largest cash gift in Masonic Charities’ history for The Masonic Library and Museum of Pennsylvania was received in 2005 when an anonymous brother and his wife gave $1 million from his IRA to the Masonic Charities at the recommendation of his accountant since he received a 100% dollarfor-dollar deduction against his contribution.

For anyone age 59 ½ or older, this gift strategy may offer a once-in-a- lifetime opportunity.

Roth Conversions - In the last issue of “The Blitz,” I discussed the use of the Roth conversion as a tax planning tool for your Traditional IRA in light of the limited 10-year distribution rule for inherited IRAs. This was a great strategy during the stock market crash in March this year, but at the moment, this could be a unique opportunity to convert some of your Traditional IRA to your Roth IRA at deflated values if the market tanks again this year. Talk to your financial advisor about this strategy if you are 59 ½ or older.

GREETINGS FROM LINDA JACKSON, Relations Administrator It is my hope that by the time you are reading this edition of “Blue Slipper Stories,” a sense of normalcy is slowly returning to your lives. Your vacation plans may have been canceled, so personal contact with children, grandchildren and friends is needed now more than ever as a respite during these unprecedented times.

Prior to the virus, there were several Widows’ Guild receptions planned, then canceled. Your safety and well-being are paramount, but I am optimistic that we will once again have the opportunity to celebrate and honor our Masonic widows in the near future.

As the saying goes, “timing is everything,” and we were fortunate enough to host one Widows’ Guild event earlier this year.

On March 3, more than 20 guests met for lunch at the Black Powder Tavern in Wayne, PA, to welcome new members to the Masonic Widows’ Guild and to celebrate and honor current members of the guild. I was joined by Joyce Michelfelder, Director of Gift Planning for the Masonic Charities Eastern Region, as many residents from the Masonic Village at Lafayette Hill campus attended the event.

“It was a wonderful opportunity to meet other women and make new acquaintances,” remarked one guest who attended with her son. After a wonderful meal, the women engaged in conversation, learning about each other and their unique, yet similar circumstances as Masonic widows. They are now bound to each other through the Masonic Widows’ Guild.

Many of you have asked for and received a copy of the Widows’ Guild Directory. The directory has served a useful purpose during a time when social distancing has prevented us from seeing one another in person. The directory is updated consistently, so if you do not see your information, please call or email me at lmjackson@ masonicvillages.org or 1-800-599-6454. You may also now share your contact information and request a copy of the directory by visiting masonicvillages.org/widows and completing the contact form at the bottom of the page.

Be well, and stay safe.

How did you cope during the quarantine? Did you make masks for health care workers? Take up a new hobby? Cook meals for families in need? Further your relationship with a fellow Masonic widow via a phone or video call? If you have an inspirational story about how you personally managed during the COVID-19 quarantine, please let me know so I can share your story in a future edition of the “Blue Slipper Stories” newsletter.

Photo: Residents of the Children’s Home writing uplifting sidewalk chalk messages to our residents

RESOURCE CORNER It seems that each day, there is new and changing information with regard to the COVID-19 virus.

Listed below are two resources you can access for state and regional information: • The United Way of Pennsylvania has created a website, uwp.org/pacovid/ with valuable state and regional information to keep you updated with current information for your health and well-being. There, you will find information in categories such as health, communications from the Governor, fraud and scam protection, pet information, food access and much more. For updates, text PACOVID to 898-211 or call 211 for local resources.

• Highmark, Allegheny Health Network and Gateway Health are also providing an online social care network called “Aunt Bertha” where you can find resources such as food, housing, utilities, legal services and more. “Aunt Bertha” is free and simple to use. Visit auntbertha.com, enter your zip code and select the category you wish to search.

Masonic Widows’ Guild Program 12 Village Green Drive Elizabethtown, PA 17022

Blue Slipper Stories

Widows’ Guild Newsletter ̵ July 2020

Contact Us

If you or someone you know is interested in the services offered by the Masonic Outreach Program:

Masonic Outreach Program One Masonic Drive Elizabethtown, PA 17022 1-800-462-7664 outreach@masonicvillages.org www.masonicvillages.org/outreach If you want to be removed from our mailing list, please contact us and let us know.

In This Issue...

NO LONGER ALONE: ONE WIDOW’S STORY SOME INCOME TAX HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE NEW CARES ACT GREETINGS FROM LINDA JACKSON RESOURCE CORNER The Pennsylvania Masonic Widows’ Guild is in place to recognize, honor and support the widows of Pennsylvania Masons. If you have questions about the Widows’ Guild, or would like to become a member and receive your blue slipper pin, please call Relations Administrator, Linda Jackson, at 1-800-599-6454.