5 SIGNS YOU MIGHT BE UNDERINSURED
President’s Message
At Trusted Fraternal Life, we are united by a higher purpose: to be a source of light, instruments of peace, and beacons of hope. This purpose is captured beautifully in the prayer we recite at monthly meetings.
We ask God to:
“... Help us to be light where there is darkness, channels of peace in places of division and leaders who bring hope to all in need ...”
We know that members like you make this prayer a reality.
From building beds for children to providing meals for the hungry, your acts of service are the threads that strengthen the fabric of our communities. Just read through the pages of this Honor issue and you’ll get a sense of the good that can come when you consciously and deliberately care for others.
This past January, we welcomed Catholic United Financial based in St. Paul, Minnesota, to the Trusted Fraternal Life family, joining Catholic Financial Life, Degree of Honor and Woman’s Life. Together, we are stronger, with over 215,000 members working to make a difference.
Our collective strength enables each brand to do more than ever. We are well-positioned to fulfill our higher purpose—with our members leading the way. Together, we can accomplish even greater things in the future— grounded in faith, service and love for others.
God Bless,
John T. Borgen President and CEO
Board of Directors
John Borgen, Hubertus, WI President and CEO
Amy Bellows, Eagan, MN Corporate Secretary
Sandra Dempsey, Menomonee Falls, WI
Jim Gibbons, Lake Elmo, MN
Mike Giffhorn, New Berlin, WI
Coral Grout, Winchendon, MA
Jim Hunsanger, DeWitt, MI
Joe Kopinski, Greenfield, WI
Kari Niedfeldt-Thomas New Brighton, MN
Bill O’Toole, Pleasant Prairie, WI
Jeff Pedretti, Rochester, MN
Bill Stone, Brookfield, WI
Jeff Tilley, Franklin, WI
Jim Wensel, Rice, MN
Degree of Honor 1100 W. Wells Street Milwaukee, WI 53233
yourvoice@degreeofhonor.com
Before You Click ...
Beware of Toll Scam Texts
Drivers across the United States are being bombarded with fraudulent text messages claiming to come from toll operators like E-ZPass.
These messages threaten fines for unpaid toll fees and aim to steal personal and financial information. Security experts warn that these scams are becoming more sophisticated.
Recently, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) issued an alert about a smishing campaign targeting users of its EZDriveMA tolling program. Victims who click the links in these texts are asked to provide credit card details and, in some cases, verify a one-time password sent via SMS or authentication apps.
Similar scams have been reported in other states, including Florida, Texas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Washington. These phishing attacks often involve realistic-looking websites that mimic official toll authority sites but only function on mobile devices, making them even more convincing to unsuspecting users.
According to Ford Merrill, a security researcher at SecAlliance, the volume of toll-related phishing attacks surged after the New Year. This spike coincides with updates to commercial phishing kits developed by cybercriminal groups. These kits now include templates designed specifically to impersonate toll operators in multiple states.
Merrill notes that these kits, sold widely in underground markets, are part of a larger trend. Criminals have used similar tactics to impersonate shipping companies, tax agencies, and immigration services, often targeting individuals new to a country or in vulnerable positions. The ultimate goal is to steal payment card details, add them to mobile wallets, and make fraudulent purchases or launder money through shell companies.
To protect yourself from these scams:
• Verify the source: Avoid clicking links in unsolicited text messages. Instead, visit the official website of your toll provider directly
• Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA): Use MFA for online accounts to add an extra layer of security
• Monitor your accounts: Regularly review bank and credit card statements for unauthorized transactions
• Report scams: Notify your local toll authority and file a report with the Federal Trade Commission if you receive suspicious messages
As these scams grow more sophisticated, staying vigilant is essential. By understanding how these phishing schemes operate, you can better protect yourself and your personal information.
Source: KnowBe4.com. Used with permission.
5 Signs You Might Be Underinsured
If you have dependents—or loved ones who you want taken care of after you die—life insurance is critical. This coverage helps ensure your lost income doesn’t translate to tangible material losses for your family once you’re gone.
But how much life insurance is enough? The answer can change over time, and it’s important to answer correctly.
You may be underinsured with life insurance coverage if…
1. Your only life insurance coverage is through your employer.
While some life insurance is certainly better than none at all, if your only coverage is through your employer, you may not have enough. Employer plans generally offer very limited coverage (like a year’s worth of your salary, maybe two), which is unlikely to be enough to meet your family’s needs if you have any significant debts or children whose college educations you’re hoping to help fund.
Furthermore, life insurance offered through your employer is usually contingent on you keeping your job, so if you leave your position for any reason, the coverage ends.
Finally, buying an individual policy gives you access to different types of life insurance policies, including permanent life insurance, which has living benefits you can use while you’re alive.
2. Your income went up.
Getting a raise is almost always a good thing, but if you’re making significantly more income today than when you first bought your life insurance policy, you may find yourself underinsured. A higher income usually comes with associated lifestyle changes, and learning how to live with less is likely the last thing your loved ones will want to do if you depart unexpectedly.
3. Your stay-at-home spouse doesn’t have life insurance.
If your stay-at-home spouse doesn’t have life insurance coverage, you’ll want to consider purchasing a policy. Even if he or she doesn’t have an income that would need replacing, valuable services like childcare would need to be paid for if something happened.
4. You had a child.
As every parent knows, having a child is expensive—in fact, a Lending Tree study shows that in 2023, raising a child costs more than $21,000 per year on average. (And that’s before you factor in college.)
All of which is to say, if you’re a new parent or you brought an additional child into your family, it’s a good time to review your life insurance coverage and ensure you have enough to meet your dependents’ long-term needs, including food, shelter and education, until they’re of age. Given the high cost of childcare (and the precarious financial position of an underinsured single parent), even one child can increase your life insurance needs significantly.
5. You bought a new home.
Paying the mortgage is one of the most pressing financial needs for any family—and more pressing, still, for a newly widowed spouse. If you purchased a new home since you first got your life insurance policy, you may find that you need more coverage to help ensure your loved ones can successfully pay down that debt. After all, moving is never fun, especially in the face of a tragic loss.
While it can feel overwhelming to determine how much life insurance coverage you need as your financial situation changes over time, it’s also well within your power to ensure you’re sufficiently covered. Your representative can easily conduct a quick needs assessment to identify how much coverage you need.
It’s worth your time. Because a half hour of work today can translate to years’ worth of financial stability in the future.
Sources: Life Happens. Used with permission.
Purchase Life Insurance in Less Than 10 Minutes!
There’s no reason to wait to purchase the Term Life Insurance protection you’ve been thinking about.
We offer an instant decision online application for Term Life Insurance for ages 18-55 up to $500,000 in coverage . With a quick phone call to your representative, you’ll know in minutes if you’re approved, denied, or referred to underwriting. And when you’re approved, you’ll know the premium amount and can sign electronically. Just like that, you’ll have Term Life Insurance and protection for your family’s financial future!
Contact your representative today or call (800) 965-2547.
Important Advisories
• Term Life Insurance can be converted to permanent life insurance with Trusted Fraternal Life at any time during the level term period or the contract anniversary following the insured’s 75th birthday, whichever comes first. Conversion is subject to the age and minimum face amount requirements of the permanent plan.
• Like all life insurance policies, this policy has exclusions, limitations, reduction of benefits, and terms under which the contract may be continued in force or discontinued. For costs and complete details of coverage, contact your representative or call (800) 927-2547.
Term Life Insurance ICC20 TRM (30), ICC20 TRM (30) SPN, 2020 TRM FL (30) and 2020 TRM FL (30) SPN.
Catholic Financial Life is a Trusted Fraternal LifeTM brand. Life Insurance products issued by Trusted Fraternal Life, Milwaukee, WI. Not available in all states.
What’s Happening at Trusted Fraternal Life
It’s Official: Catholic United Financial Joins the Family of Brands
Catholic United Financial, located in St. Paul, Minnesota, officially became a brand of Trusted Fraternal Life on January 1, joining Catholic Financial Life, Degree of Honor and Woman’s Life in the family of brands.
The merger of Catholic United Financial with Trusted Fraternal Life represents a significant milestone toward building the NextGen fraternal benefit society, serving more “Main Street” families, and making an even greater community impact across the country.
Trusted Fraternal Life is now the sixth-largest fraternal in the United States (there are about 70 fraternals in the country) with nearly $3 billion in assets and over 215,000 members.
For more details, visit trustedfraternallife.org
KBRA Affirms Trusted Fraternal Life's ‘A’ Insurance Financial Strength Rating
Trusted Fraternal Life has maintained an “A” insurance financial strength rating with a stable outlook from the Kroll Bond Rating Agency (KBRA), a global, full-service rating agency.
The agency’s report states that the rating reflects Trusted Fraternal Life’s ability to effectively manage reserves that are well balanced between annuities and life insurance and are supported by a conservative, high-quality, fixed-income investment portfolio.
The report further mentions how strong governance and the recent mergers with Woman’s Life Insurance Society and Catholic United Financial have strengthened Trusted Fraternal Life’s position as a leader in fraternal consolidation, increasing reserve balances and providing operational efficiencies. Given Trusted Fraternal Life’s strong leadership team and risk-adjusted capital position, KBRA believes Trusted Fraternal Life’s financial strength can withstand a range of stress scenarios.
“This independent rating affirms our financial strength and our ability to deliver on the promises we make to our members—to be there for them through every stage of life,” said President and CEO John Borgen.
Factored alongside Trusted Fraternal Life’s financial strength, the report noted the organization has earned recognition as a Top Workplace for 11 consecutive years and achieved a milestone in 2024 by becoming the first and only company to receive the Southeast Wisconsin Award for Social Responsibility.
“This recognition underscores our commitment to our associates and our dedication to creating a positive social impact,” said Borgen. “It also aligns with our vision to engage more people to enjoy financially secure, purposeful lives.”
John Borgen, President and CEO of Trusted Fraternal Life, and Mike Ahles, President, CEO and Board Chair of Catholic United Financial.
Members have a chance to join us at the 2025 Fraternal Celebration!
In a world that often lacks inspiration, our members continue to inspire us!
For the first time ever, members from Catholic Financial Life, Degree of Honor, Woman’s Life and Catholic United Financial will gather as one united fraternal family.
Together, we will celebrate member impact and achievements, deepen connections, and explore how we can strengthen communities and secure financial futures for generations to come.
September 26-28, 2025
Baird Center | Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Featured Guests
Keynote Speaker: Becca Stevens
Entertainment Headliner: Charlie Berens
Colin Cloud, Matt Havens and Jimmy Yeary
Enter our drawing to attend the celebration if you‘re:
• Passionate about serving others
• Open to meeting like-minded people
• Eager to be inspired and impact more lives for good
Enter by April 30, 2025 at trustedfraternallife.org/drawing
Winners will be notified by May 31, 2025.
Space is limited so enter today!
Visit trustedfraternallife.org/drawing or scan the QR code.
Grammy-Nominated Songwriter
Jimmy Yeary
Colin Cloud
Mastermind: The Real Life Sherlock Holmes
Matt Havens Generational Expert
Entertainment Headliner Charlie Berens, Comedian and Emmy-Winning Journalist
Becca Stevens, Founder and President of Thistle Farms
Keynote Speaker
1100 W. Wells Street
Milwaukee, WI 53233
Because you’d face a dragon for her ...
There’s no reason to wait to purchase the term life insurance protection you’ve been thinking about.
We offer an instant decision online application for term life insurance for ages 18-55 up to $500,000 in coverage.
With a quick phone call to your representative, you’ll know in minutes if you’re approved, denied or referred to underwriting. And when you’re approved, you’ll know the premium amount and can sign electronically. Just like that, you’ll have term life insurance and protection for your family’s financial future! Contact your representative today or call (800) 965-2547.
Important Advisories
• Term Life Insurance can be converted to permanent life insurance with Trusted Fraternal Life at any time during the level term period or the contract anniversary following the insured’s 75th birthday, whichever comes first. Conversion is subject to the age and minimum face amount requirements of the permanent plan.
• Like all life insurance policies, this policy has exclusions, limitations, reduction of benefits, and terms under which the contract may be continued in force or discontinued. For costs and complete details of coverage, contact your representative or call (800) 927-2547.
Term Life Insurance ICC20 TRM (30), ICC20 TRM (30) SPN, 2020 TRM FL (30) and 2020 TRM FL (30) SPN. Catholic Financial Life is a Trusted Fraternal LifeTM brand. Life Insurance products issued by Trusted Fraternal Life, Milwaukee, WI. Not available in all states.