Catholic United Financial, a Trusted Fraternal Life™ brand, is a memberowned not-for-profit, connecting people of faith, protecting their future and generously impacting parishes, schools and communities. Insurance products issued by Trusted Fraternal Life, Milwaukee, Wis.
Our Catholic Journey is the official publication of Catholic United Financial, a Trusted Fraternal Life brand.
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In life and finances, confidence comes from consistency—from wise decisions, trusted relationships, and the support of a community that stands with you.
Confidence is earned. Not given.
Right now, the world feels uncertain. Economic volatility, rising costs, and shifting markets can make it hard to know if you’re making the right decisions for your future. If you’ve ever wondered, “Am I doing enough? Will my family be OK?”, you’re not alone, and you don’t have to figure it out alone.
At Trusted Fraternal Life, we’re here to help you build financial confidence with the products, services and guidance you need to move forward.
For 157 years, we’ve remained a strong, steady presence through every kind of storm. And in this year’s annual financial report—starting on page 10 of this Our Catholic Journey magazine—you’ll see how we continue to earn your confidence. In 2024:
1. We protected more than 3,300 new lives across our family of brands.
2. We paid over $288 million in death benefits to families counting on us.
3. We protected your assets with a record surplus—built to weather volatility and ensure long-term strength.
This issue also includes content designed to help you make confident decisions for you and your family. You’ll find:
• Smart investment strategies for today’s volatile markets.
• A practical guide to annuities and how they fit into retirement plans.
• Financial habits to help the next generation thrive.
Whether you’re raising a family, growing your career, caring for loved ones, or entering retirement, confidence comes from knowing you’ve got a trusted partner in your corner.
And for many of you, that confidence is rooted in something even more profound: faith. We believe financial stewardship is one way we live our faith, trusting God to guide our decisions and help us plan wisely for the future.
Thank you for trusting us. We’ll continue working every day to earn that trust—and help you move forward with faith and confidence.
God Bless,
John T. Borgen President & CEO
“...confidence comes from knowing you’ve got a trusted partner in your corner.”
TO WORRY...OR TO TRUST
Most Reverend Jerome E. Listecki | Spiritual Director
I remember when I once had just three hours to make an important decision that would forever change the course of my priesthood. That’s when God worked through Sr. Ursula to give me the sign I needed to move forward.
Let me explain.
It was fall of 2000 when my long-held desire to be appointed pastor of my own parish was about to be realized. I was thrilled to shepherd St. Ignatius parishioners, a hub of faith on Chicago’s north side.
Then I received a call from Archbishop Francis Cardinal George. He needed to meet with me right away. Upon my arrival at his residence, Cardinal George told me that the Holy See had named me bishop and needed my decision that same day!
“With those simple words, God worked through Sr. Ursula to encourage me. Two months later, I became a bishop”
I could hardly believe it. I was praying over the opportunity when Sr. Ursula entered the room to serve lunch and gently brushed my arm. “Here, don’t be afraid, have a hamburger,” she said. With those simple words, God worked through Sr. Ursula to encourage me. Two months later, I became a bishop.
While the situations that cause doubt, worry and fear will vary wildly throughout our lives, believers are called to guard against these powerful emotions by trusting in God’s provision over our lives.
In Matthew 6:25-34, Jesus beautifully illustrates our dependence on God.
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat [or drink], or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds in the sky; they do not sow or reap, they gather nothing into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are not you more important than they? Can any of you by worrying add a single moment to your life-span?…Learn from the way the wild flowers grow. They do not work or spin. But I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was clothed like one of them. If God so clothes the grass of the field, which grows today and is thrown into the oven tomorrow, will he not much more provide for you.”
God promises to provide for His children and asks us to trust in His faithfulness. I’ve been a priest for 50 years, a bishop for 25 years, and an archbishop for 15 years, and I can attest that a night of worry has never brought me peace in the morning. It’s by choosing to trust God in all things that we can experience a peace that surpasses all understanding—and get a good night’s rest!
God bless you and keep you in His peace,
Most Reverend Jerome E. Listecki
Archbishop Emeritus of Milwaukee
St. Isidore Parish Volunteer Team #378 in St. Charles, Minn., held a Baccalaureate Reception to honor the community’s graduating high school seniors of 2025. The Team also provided a drawing for a basket of items that incoming college freshmen need in the fall. High school senior and Member Keegan Spitzer won the drawing, with congratulations from Member Advisor Travis Schmitz.
Thanks to the volunteers of St. Michael’s Council #49 in Morgan, Minn., who helped make possible the annual rummage sale matching grant fundraiser that will support religious education at St. Michael’s parish.
Member Engagement Representative Kristina Sherrett (left) puts together a care kit during a service event at the American Fraternal Alliance Spring Symposium in Cleveland, Ohio. The symposium event brings together employees and leaders of fraternal insurance companies for education, fellowship and service.
They know how to fry a tasty fish at the St. Anthony Parish fish fry in St. Cloud, Minn. Sr. Member Advisors Dave Stang (left) and Greg Gall (right) delivered a $500 grant to Father John Paul Igbokwe and event coordinator Dean Fladmo.
the 2025 Catholic United Financial Raffle had been sold through their school, and that the winner was in the room!
Grand prize winner Alyssa Niedenfuer of Ramsey, Minn., purchased the winning
ticket from her friend’s children, who attend The Way of the Shepherd school. The school was one of 72 Catholic schools that participated across Minnesota and South Dakota. In total, the schools raised $1.3 million in 2025. Since its inception in 2009, the Catholic United Financial Raffle has raised more than $16 million for Catholic education. Sole sponsor Catholic United Financial covers all tickets, promotional materials, and prizes, so every dollar raised by the Raffle program stays with the schools.
Niedenfuer said she plans to use part of her winnings to help pay for her children’s Catholic school tuition. The family have five children, three of which are enrolled in Catholic school in Coon Rapids, Minn. Niedenfuer’s ticket was drawn during the Catholic United Financial Raffle Prize Ceremony on March 27, 2025 at the Catholic United Financial office in St. Paul, Minn.
During the gathering, Catholic United Financial staff also recognized student Isabelle Stoll, the school’s top ticket seller. Stoll received a $50 LEGO gift card and a $200 tuition scholarship as rewards.
A complete list of prize winners from the raffle can be found at www.catholicunitedfinancial.org/raffle.
Left: Member Advisor Tim Amireault congratulates Isabelle Stoll, the top ticket seller at The Way of the Shepherd Catholic Montessori School in Blaine, Minn.
Pictured left to right with the winner: Tim Amireault, Member Advisor; Mike Ahles, Senior Vice President of Distribution; Alyssa Niedenfuer, Grand Prize Winner; and Nate Lamusga, Director of Mission Engagement.
Lights, Camera, Raffle!
Videos from the 2025 Catholic United Financial Raffle Schools Take Center Stage
Calling all aspiring Spielbergs! Every year, partner schools in the Catholic United Financial Raffle amaze us with attention-grabbing methods to inform local communities about their ticket-selling efforts. With that creativity in mind, we challenged school staff and families to make Raffle promotional videos for social media with the hashtag #2025cufrafflevideo. The schools that did so had a chance to win an additional $500 grant for their Oscar-worthy creations.
At the end of the Raffle, the Raffle Committee at Catholic United Financial made popcorn, gathered around a big screen, and held our own premiere party to view each school’s submission. After enjoying the entries, we voted on our favorite. Spoiler alert: St. Philip’s Catholic School in Bemidji, Minn., won the contest! Here are some of the standout stories behind the videos and the people who brought them to life.
St. John’s Area Catholic School-Foley, MN
Toni Hammond and Karen Thorsten served as Raffle Coordinators at St. John’s Area Catholic School in Foley, Minn. They produced a superhero-themed video featuring students, complete with costumes and comic-style action. The superhero theme carried on throughout the Raffle, appearing in several of the school’s social media posts. “[The students] were so excited to be superheroes,” said Toni.
St. Philip’s Catholic School-Bemidji, MN
Raffle Coordinator Stacy Ness at St. Philip’s Catholic School in Bemidji, Minn., said students embraced creating a video with a more comedic take. When Stacy was short on time and space, she gathered sixth graders into a conference room to help make a last-minute video. With minimal direction, the students came up with a hilarious skit. They acted out a business meeting with serious expressions and repeated use of the catchphrase, “Indeed!”
“That was all them,” Stacy said. “They thought it was hilarious.” That spontaneous creativity earned an additional $500 for their school. But the St. Philip’s effort didn’t stop there. Stacy rallied the school to create multiple videos, including a comedic playground skit created by two students, videos of Father Tom Niehaus promoting the Raffle, and more with enthusiastic teachers highlighting their progress.
Scan this code to watch the videos
Enjoy the creativity of Catholic school students and staff with us. Visit bit.ly/2025RaffleVideos to see the winning video from St. Philip’s and more entries produced by the partner schools, or find them by typing #2025cufrafflevideo into the Facebook search bar.
Practical Financial Strategies When the Market Isn’t Practical
Sara Walker Vice President of Investments
Financial headlines blare from more sources than ever these days. Whether you get your news from an old transistor radio or TikTok, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by all the opinions about the economy and the capital markets.
This information overload can cause what I call “paralysis by analysis” –getting stuck in research until you’re too exhausted to act. Similarly, it’s just as easy to avoid dealing with finances altogether. Before you know it, the goal of managing your money gets put on the shelf for yet another week or year. While completely understandable, neither path is a good investment strategy.
What is a good investment strategy in volatile times?
A 40-plus-year career in investment management has taught me that the best answer to that question is: “It depends.” But don’t worry—I’ll explain what that means for you—our treasured member! Your financial well-being is our priority, and here are a few ideas to consider.
1. Start With Self-Awareness
My first suggestion is something you don’t always see in an investment guide—but it should be. It’s all about knowing yourself. Think of it like gathering personal data about how you react to different financial situations. This helps you build your own investment approach.
For example, imagine a 20 percent drop in the value of your investments. While not enjoyable for anyone, if such a drop puts you in a panic and you lose sleep at the thought, that’s a sign.
You may want to keep some of your portfolio in a stable investment. One way to do that is money market mutual funds, which at the time of printing yield over 4 percent.
If the thought of a 20 percent drop in value gives you a level of excitement similar to finding a bargain in the clearance aisle, that tells you something, too! You may be more comfortable with long-term, growth-oriented investments such as stock mutual funds or exchange-traded funds.
2. Match Your Investments to Your Needs
If you’ll need to use part of your portfolio soon— for a down payment on a home, living expenses during retirement, or required minimum distribution schedules—avoid putting that money at risk in the stock market.
The most significant damage to an investment portfolio is forced selling in a down market in order to raise needed cash. Investments are sold at fire sale prices, and money is being withdrawn rather than being reinvested. It’s the worst double-whammy of all.
The good news is, such a predicament can be avoided. When near-term expenses are known or expected, it makes sense to hold that sum in safe cash-equivalents and away from volatile investment markets.
3. Keep a Balanced Portfolio
A third investment strategy to defend against uncertainty is to maintain a balanced investment portfolio. While investment gurus may tell younger investors to be fully invested in the stock market at all times, balanced portfolios are no shrinking
violets! Balanced portfolios—mixing stocks, bonds, and cash—can still offer solid returns over time, with less risk.
With patience and discipline, balanced investing can help you earn a reasonable return while reducing the emotional roller coaster. And let’s be honest: peace of mind is an important investment in your mental health.
4. Avoid the Hype
Here’s a fourth hot tip: Ignore hot tips! They typically involve one-hit wonders where the horse is already out of the barn. Hot tips are speculative and risky. Investing is not the same as gambling— stick to sound, long-term strategies.
“...it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by all the opinions about the economy and the capital markets....”
“...This information overload can cause what I call ‘paralysis by analysis.’”
Investing Is a Tool for the Long Term
You may be asking, “What if I don’t have a long run in front of me?” If you’re enjoying retirement and have adjusted your portfolio for this stage in your life, you might not need to change a thing.
Except for this. One of the most impactful things you can do is share your experience with the young people in your life. Anything you can do to encourage them to save and invest early will be a winning strategy. You may see some eyes rolling, but keep at it. You will be heard, and your loved ones will benefit down the road.
Talk about a winning investment strategy. That might be the best one yet!
Annual Report
Family of Brands
Statements of Financial Position and Operations
Financial Strength
In December 2024, Trusted Fraternal Life’s Financial Strength Rating of an “A” with a stable outlook was affirmed by Kroll Bond Rating Agency. This affirmation reflects another year of consistent accretions in capital and profitability—a direct sign that your financial future is backed by a strong and reliable partner.
The rating also affirms our strong governance and how the recent mergers of Woman’s Life and Catholic United Financial have strengthened Trusted Fraternal Life’s position as a leader among fraternal benefit societies in the United States.
These mergers have increased our reserve balances and provided operational efficiencies— which means we can offer better support, stronger protection and more value to our members across all brands.
In September 2024, Woman’s Life of Port Huron, MI, merged with Trusted Fraternal Life, adding $191 million to the Society’s combined total assets, 23,000 members and $14 million to the combined surplus.
In January 2025, Catholic United Financial of Arden Hills, MN, merged with Trusted Fraternal Life, adding $952 million to the Society’s combined total assets, 71,000 members and $20 million to the combined surplus.
The impact of the Woman’s Life merger is included in the 2024 financial results, while the impact of the Catholic United Financial merger will be shown in 2025 results.
These milestones are more than numbers—they represent our commitment to help members build financial security and strengthen their communities through our unique family of brands.
Statement of Financial Position
As of December 31, 2024. Numbers have omitted
Measures of Financial Strength
$14,116
Gain From Operations 1,309% Risk Based Capital Ratio (RBC)
Total Adjusted Capital (TAC)
Statement Of Operations
Net Gain From Operations
These are the unaudited financial statements for Trusted Fraternal Life as of December 31, 2024. Numbers are for Catholic Financial Life and Woman’s Life, which merged in 2024
As a fraternal benefit socie , Trusted Fraternal Life has been protecting our members for 157 years. Here are a few ways we positively impacted their lives in 2024.
$462,000 interest paid to members
member benefits distributed including nearly $192,000 in school scholarships
$31.5 MIL dividends paid to members $1.5 MIL LIVES ENHANCED LIVES IMPACTED
$22.9 MIL LIVES PROTECTED death benefits issued $288 MIL new lives 3,304
paid $36.2 MIL annui
$747 MILLION IN FORCE annui retirement funds
returned to members in dividends and interest close to $33 MIL
GIVING BACK
136,000 members strong nearly MEMBERSHIP CHAPTERS
109,776 volunteer hours raised by chapters with $1.37 million matched and donated by Trusted Fraternal Life, bringing the total outreach to more than $2.2 million close to $850,000
with an economic impact of $3.7 million
7th largest fraternal benefit socie Based on net admi ed assets as of June 30, 2024 BILLION IN ASSETS $1.9
27 states with 1,101 volunteer leaders chapters located in 281
2,395 chapter activities with more than 6,000 participants regional & discounted ticket o ers 20
A with a stable outlook
Trusted Fraternal Life’s financial strength rating
Building Financial Confidence
For Young Families Through Life Insurance
By Gabby Barton
Starting a family brings joy and many first-time experiences—like shared holidays, a new home, and the blessing of children. With every milestone comes new responsibilities. Between busy schedules and big dreams, it’s easy to put off thoughts of needing to “do more” to protect your family’s financial future. In addition, you simply may not have a good understanding of financial planning. That alone can make it hard to feel confident in the future.
Why Life Insurance Matters
One way young families can feel financially secure is through the purchase of life insurance. Contrary to what many young adults believe, life insurance isn’t for later in life, it’s for right now. It ensures that if the unthinkable happens, your family has the financial means to grieve, recover, and move forward.
Unfortunately, many young families don’t realize how important life insurance is until a friend’s GoFundMe post shows up on social media appealing for donations to help pay for a funeral after the loss of a loved one. A fundraiser is a poor substitute for life insurance. Chances are high that without life insurance, the family will struggle to keep their home, pay the bills and pursue dreams for the future.
Overcoming Obstacles
The number one reason young adults don’t have life insurance is the misconception that it’s unaffordable. Yet, studies conducted since 2011 have consistently shown that consumers overestimate the cost of life insurance.1 For most young and healthy adults, life insurance can cost less than what most pay for an online streaming subscription or purchases at the coffee shop every month.2
Another obstacle is lack of knowledge concerning different life insurance options. Guidance from a friendly Advisor can help you find a plan that fits your life for today and tomorrow: whether its term life
insurance that offers budget-friendly protection for a set period of time or whole life insurance that offers a lifetime of permanent protection.
Thinking about life insurance can bring up the uncomfortable “what-ifs” most people would prefer to avoid. Or, the other extreme is living in a state of denial that the unexpected won’t happen anytime soon. Neither scenario plays out well for your family when there is no plan in place to financially care for them.
A More Confident Future Starts Today
Yes, you’re busy, but getting started is easy. You won’t regret spending an hour with an Advisor to secure a financial future for your loved ones with a policy that fits your family’s budget. With life insurance in place, you can feel confident and at peace.
Catholic United Financial has helped generations of families to protect what matters most. Our Advisors will help you understand your options, work with your budget, and guide you forward so you feel secure about your family’s financial future.
Find an Advisor at catholicunitedfinancial.org/ rep-finder or call (800) 568-6670.
1LIMRA https://www.limra.com/en/newsroom/industry-trends/2024/life-insurance-awareness-month-a-time-to-help-more-consumers-get-the-life-insurance-coverage-they-saythey-need/ 2$250,000 coverage for $19.58 a month based on a 30-year-old female, second best rating, 20-year term policy. Final pricing and coverage limits determined by underwriting guidelines.
Start Them Young
Teach Kids About Good Money Habits
Provided by LifeHappens.org
Good financial habits should start early in life—from a child’s first lemonade stand to saving his first $20 bill. Being open about money habits with kids can help them grow into financially confident adults who will be equipped to make smart financial decisions. Starting the conversation while they’re young can be both fun and educational. Here are a few simple ways you can teach your kids about smart money habits!
Have Open Conversations About Money
Kids are naturally curious, so when they ask questions about money, don’t shy away from answering. Talk to them about how you budget, what things cost and how you make choices about spending and saving. You don’t have to get into every detail but being honest builds trust and creates a strong foundation for financial literacy. Even something as simple as explaining why you’re choosing to cook at home instead of going out to a restaurant can be a great teaching moment.
Allowance & Budgeting
Give your kids a weekly allowance and encourage them to budget their money for different purposes, such as saving for a toy, spending it on treats and donating to a cause. Managing their own money teaches kids the value of budgeting and prioritizing their spending.
Interactive Games
Use board games like Monopoly and Life to introduce concepts like earning, spending, saving and investing. Games make learning about money enjoyable and interactive, helping kids understand financial principles through play.
DIY Projects & Entrepreneurship
Help your kids start small businesses or DIY projects, like a lawn care service or crafting items to sell. Guide them through the process of planning, budgeting and pricing. These activities foster creativity, responsibility and an understanding of how money is earned and managed. Not to mention the lesson of how hard work is an important component to earning money!
Tell Them About Life Insurance
This one may not seem like a typical “kid conversation,” but introducing the idea that adults plan ahead to take care of their loved ones is important. Explain in simple terms what life insurance is and why it matters. These early conversations help normalize smart financial planning and show kids that being prepared is part of life.
“Even something as simple as explaining why you’re choosing to cook at home instead of going out to a restaurant can be a great teaching moment.”
Unlock the Advantages of Annuities
By Susan Detlefsen
How does an annuity fit into real life? You may have discussed annuities with your Advisor, or have read about them in past issues of this magazine. However, understanding what this financial tool can achieve in real life is key to making wise financial decisions. Here are three scenarios where an annuity can be a smart move to help achieve your financial goals as you near retirement.
Running On Empty
Last month, Bill celebrated his 62nd birthday and met with his Advisor over coffee to discuss his concern about running out of retirement assets.
Bill’s not alone in thinking about this possibility. A survey conducted by the Alliance for Lifetime Income in 2025 found that more than 60 percent of Americans are more afraid of running out of financial resources later in life than they are of dying!1
Bill’s Advisor discussed the importance of creating multiple sources of protected income for retirement. Protected income sources include social security, pension and income from annuities.
Bill decided to add a fixed-rate deferred annuity to his portfolio. The annuity will grow at a guaranteed rate with no risk of principal loss.
Annuities are in demand by Americans more than ever before. In 2023 and 2024, Americans bought annuities in record numbers,
far exceeding sales in years past.
According to industry organization LIMRA, what’s driving the popularity is the “growing demand for products that protect investment principal while offering guaranteed growth.”2 In other words, people want their money to grow and yet avoid loss if the market drops. Annuities are designed with those features, along with providing retirement income that the owner can’t outlive.
Upon his retirement, Bill can receive structured payments from his fixed-rate annuity, which can be an income stream for the rest of his life. He looks forward to many more coffee shop meetings with his Advisor to check on the growth of his protected income.
Risk Reduction
Evelyn has a substantial portfolio of stocks and bonds but is worried about market volatility as she approaches retirement. She’s concerned that a market correction, or even a crash, could drive her portfolio value down substantially and delay her retirement from her paralegal career. When corrections happen, as has occurred 13 times in the last 25 years3, it can take months or years for retirement accounts to recoup losses. That kind of risk doesn’t work for Evelyn, who wants to retire in five years.
Evelyn still has time to reduce risk in her portfolio and create a foundation for retirement income. After talking with her Advisor, she purchased fixed-rate annuities to
“Understanding what this financial tool can achieve in real life is key to making wise financial decisions.”
protect her retirement savings from market corrections, generate predictable growth, and provide reliable income streams. Having mitigated her volatility risks, Evelyn is feeling confident enough to make some specific retirement plans, including how she will spend more time with her friends and grandkids.
Catching Up After Lagging Behind
Calvin, age 58, has a big financial regret–he didn’t start saving for retirement until after his 55th birthday.
Working as an independent contractor for most of his adult life, Calvin appreciated the freedom of being self-employed. However, he lacked an employer-provided retirement plan, such as a pension or 401(k). While his wife had some savings in a 401(k), Calvin was concerned that Social Security benefits wouldn’t cover the couple’s daily living expenses after they retire. Unfortunately, Calvin’s situation is not unique. It’s estimated that 40 percent of people age 45 and older aren’t saving for retirement.4
Last year, Calvin received an inheritance after the death of his father, and he saw an opportunity to finally build his retirement savings. But he faced a dilemma. Investing in the stock market seemed too risky at this stage of life. And while he
considered opening an IRA (Individual Retirement Account), the federal annual contribution limits on IRAs would slow his efforts to catch up on his savings.
Needing help, Calvin met with an Advisor, who reviewed his overall financial picture. The Advisor suggested that Calvin purchase a flexible premium deferred annuity–a type of insurance product that allows you to contribute varying amounts over time, with earnings growing tax-deferred.
Calvin used his inheritance to open the annuity, knowing that the account would grow at a guaranteed rate without any risk to his initial investment (principal). He liked that he could contribute additional money without facing annual contribution limits like those on an IRA.
With his retirement savings plan now in gear, Calvin felt more confident about his future–like he was finally in the fast lane to true retirement independence.
The Annuity Advantage
The demand for annuity products is increasing in part because they have the power to solve different types of real-world problems. If you’re facing financial concerns, your local Advisor is ready to listen and help you determine if an annuity can provide the best solution for you. To find your local Advisor by zip code, visit www.catholicunited financial.org/rep-finder. Set up a meeting with him or her and unlock your own annuity advantage.
1Almazora, L. (2025 April). https://www.investmentnews.com/retirement-planning/more-americans-fear-outliving-their-savings-than-dying-allianz-survey-finds/260231 2Hudgens, B. (2024 April). https://www.limra.com/en/trending-topics/publications/marketfacts/2024/Why-Fixed-Rate-Deferred-Annuity-Sales-Skyrocketed 3Williams, W. (2024, Oct.). https://www. investopedia.com/timeline-of-stock-market-crashes-5217820, 4Adamczyk, Alicia (2019 September). https://www.cnbc.com/2019/09/04/the-age-when-americans-start-saving-for-retirement.html
It’s About Peace of Mind
When Is a Good Time to Consider Final Expense Life Insurance?
By Karen Deschaine
When Rhonda turned 67, she marked the milestone not with a party but with a sigh of relief. After years of juggling her work and personal life—including raising two children—she retired. Her time was finally her own, and she was ready to start a brand-new chapter in life.
Rhonda’s days began to take on a different rhythm, with no alarm clocks or deadlines. Sunny mornings were for coffee on the back porch, attending Mass, catching up with friends, and researching piano lessons (something she had always wanted to do). She was planning a road trip to visit her son in Illinois and was counting down the days until her daughter and three grandchildren came from Virginia for a visit.
But even with all the freedom and joy retirement brought, a quiet worry lingered in the back of her mind. How can I ease the financial burden for my family when I die?
Life Insurance After Retirement
When Rhonda was working full-time, life insurance wasn’t something she gave much thought to. Her employer provided a policy as part of her benefits, and when her children were younger, she’d taken out a term life policy “just in case.” But that term policy was close to expiring, and with her work coverage gone, she found herself wondering: Now what?
Rhonda knew she didn’t need the same amount of coverage she did back then, but she also knew she
didn’t want to leave her children with the stress or financial burden of planning and paying for her funeral. She remembered how difficult it had been to manage those details when her mother passed away, and she was determined not to put her family through that stress and chaos.
Still, the thought of applying for new life insurance was intimidating. She was older, she had some ongoing health issues, and the idea of a medical exam and lengthy paperwork was overwhelming. “Maybe it’s too late,” she thought. “I really should have done this sooner.”
It’s
Not Too Late
Rhonda decided she couldn’t put off finding a solution any longer.
She mentioned her concern to a friend who was a member with Catholic United Financial and decided to contact the same Advisor.
During a friendly conversation, the Advisor told Rhonda about Final Expense Life Insurance. She couldn’t believe that people aged 50 to 80 are guaranteed a policy. It wasn’t about big coverage or complicated benefits; it was about planning ahead with love and care.
Her Member Advisor explained how easy it was to get started with just three simple steps:
1. Choose the amount of coverage that felt right:
$10,000, $15,000, $20,000, or $25,000.
2. Complete a straightforward application with no medical questions.
3. Submit the application with the first premium payment.
With guaranteed acceptance, no medical exam was necessary, and she had coverage the same day she applied. The simplicity of it all was such a relief.
Coverage Amount Options
Rhonda chose a Final Expense Life Insurance policy with a coverage amount of $15,000. The
“I’m not doing this because I’m afraid of dying. I’m doing this because I want to make things easier for the people I love.”
premium fit comfortably into her monthly budget, and with the rate locked in for life, she wouldn’t have to worry about unexpected increases down the road. More importantly, she felt a deep sense of comfort knowing her children wouldn’t need to scramble for money to pay for her funeral or any other expense during an already emotional time.
“I’m not doing this because I’m afraid of dying,” Rhonda shared with her friends over coffee the next morning. “I’m doing this because I want to make things easier for the people I love. That’s what I’ve always done, and this is just one more way I can take care of them.”
classes, standing video calls with her grandkids, and this fall, that long-awaited road trip around the Great Lakes and time with her son.
Rhonda’s lingering worry has been dealt with, and now her calendar is filled with things that bring her joy—those beginner piano
She may be retired, but Rhonda is still planning for the future, and thanks to her Final Expense Life Insurance policy, she’s doing it with a renewed peace of mind. For Rhonda, it’s not just about getting the most from the years she lives—it’s about the enduring love for those she will leave behind.
To learn more about Guaranteed Final Expense Life Insurance, contact your Member Advisor (see page 23), call (800) 927-2547 or email info@catholicunited.org.
Important Advisories: Graded Benefit Whole Life Insurance (Final Expense Life Insurance) may be a Modified Endowment Contract (MEC). As such, any distributions, including loans, may be taxable if there is a taxable gain in the contract, and must be reported as taxable income. In addition, distributions that occur prior to age 59½ may be subject to a 10% tax penalty. Therefore, it is important that Graded Benefit Whole Life Insurance is purchased with assets that you are reasonably confident will not be needed in the future. 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 Member Advisor. Graded Benefit Whole Life Insurance ICC16 GBWL; ICC16 GBWL SPN; GBWL 2020 FL and GBWL 2020 FL SPN.
Important Notice Regarding Privacy and Information Practices
(For information only – no action required)
Facts: What does Trusted Fraternal Life do with your personal Information
Why Financial companies choose how they share your personal information. Federal law gives consumers the right to limit some but not all sharing. Federal law also requires us to tell you how we collect, share and protect your personal information. Read this notice carefully to understand what we do.
What The types of personal information that we collect and share depends on the product or service you have with us. The information we collect and the information we share can include:
• Name, address, telephone number, email address, date of birth, driver’s license number and social security number
• Medical information
• Employment information
• Income and assets
• Account balances and payment history
• Credit history and credit-based insurance scores
When you are no longer our customer, we continue to share your information as described in this notice.
How All financial companies need to share customers’ personal information to run their everyday business. In the section below, we list the reasons financial companies can share their customers’ personal information; the reasons Trusted Fraternal Life chooses to share; and whether you can limit this sharing.
Reasons we can share your personal information
Reason Does Trusted Fraternal Life share?
For our everyday business purposes - such as to process your transactions, maintain your account(s), respond to court orders and legal investigations, or report to credit bureaus
For our marketing purposes - to offer our products and services to you
For joint marketing with other financial companies
For our affiliates’ everyday business purposes - information about your transactions and experiences
For our affiliates’ everyday business purposes – information about your creditworthiness
For our affiliates to market to you
For nonaffiliates to market to you
What we do
How does Trusted Fraternal Life protect my personal information?
We don’t share
How does Trusted Fraternal Life collect my personal information?
To protect your personal information from unauthorized access and use, we use security measures that comply with federal law. These measures include computer safeguards and secured files and buildings. We restrict access to your personal information to employees, representatives, agents and third parties who have been trained to handle nonpublic personal information and who “need to know” your personal information for Trusted Fraternal Life’s business purposes.
We collect your personal information, for example, when you
• apply for insurance or pay insurance premiums
• file an insurance claim
• give us your personal information
We also collect your personal information from others, such as credit bureaus, affiliates or other companies.
We don’t share
We don’t share
We don’t share
Why can’t I limit all sharing?
There are three instances, listed below, in which Federal law gives you the right to limit sharing. However, Trusted Fraternal Life does not share or sell your information for these purposes.
• sharing for affiliates’ everyday business purposes — information about your creditworthiness;
• affiliates from using your information to market to you; and
• sharing for nonaffiliates to market to you.
State laws may give you additional rights to limit sharing.
Who is providing this notice? Trusted
Questions
Questions or concers Call (800) 927-2547 or send an email to compliance@trustedfraternallife.org.
What other rights do I have with respect to my personal information?
Definitions
Applicable law may provide you with the right to inspect the personal information we have about you and to request corrections, amendments or deletion in certain situations. Call (800) 927-2547 or email info@trustedfraternallife.org for more information.
Affiliates Companies related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and non-financial companies. Our affiliates are Catholic Knights Financial Services, Inc.; Catholic Brokerage Services Corp.; Catholic Financial Services Corp.; Catholic Financial Life Foundation, Inc.; St. Jean Baptiste Educational Foundation; Catholic United Financial Foundation; Catholic United Financial General Agency, LLC; Catholic United Financial Credit Union; and Conventus Now.
Nonaffiliates Companies not related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and non-financial companies. Trusted Fraternal Life does not share with non-affiliates so they can market to you.
Joint marketing A formal agreement between nonaffiliated financial companies that together market financial products or services to you. Trusted Fraternal Life does not have any joint marketing partners.
CM DOC 0001 4844-9020-0684.3 – June 2025
Building Confidence Into Your Charitable Giving Plan
Currently, there are significant possible changes being discussed in Washington that will likely affect the tax benefits of charitable giving and planning. Lawmakers, nonprofits and donors alike are closely monitoring developments that could reshape philanthropic strategies in 2025 and beyond.
At the Catholic United Financial Foundation, we know that charitable giving is a deeply personal and impactful way to support causes that matter to you. However, navigating the financial, legal and tax implications of philanthropy can be complex. This is where your Member Advisor becomes an invaluable partner, helping you confidently align your charitable goals with your broader financial plans.
1. Clarifying Philanthropic Goals
Robert Heuermann Executive Director
4. Choosing the Right Giving Vehicles
There’s a unique joy that comes from giving. It provides a sense of purpose and fulfillment that material possessions cannot match. Knowing that we’ve made a positive impact on someone’s life is a reward in itself. Moreover, as stewards of the material gifts God entrusts to us during life, we need to be thoughtful as we plan to transfer these gifts to the next generation.
2. Maximizing Tax Efficiency
Giving fosters a sense of community and connection. It brings people together, strengthens our bonds, and creates a network of support. In a world where death and taxes are certain, the community we build through giving becomes a source of strength and resilience just as we see daily in our own Catholic communities.
3. Integrating Giving with Estate Planning
For donors interested in leaving a legacy, your Advisor can incorporate charitable giving into your personal estate plans. This might involve bequests, charitable trusts or naming charities as beneficiaries of retirement accounts. These strategies not only support causes long-term but can also reduce estate taxes and provide income for your family.
There are many ways to give, from direct donations to more structured approaches like donor-advised funds, charitable gift annuities or Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) from your IRAs. Each option has different tax implications, requirements and levels of control. Your Advisor can guide you in selecting the most appropriate vehicle based on your financial situation and charitable giving goals.
5. Monitoring and Adjusting the Plan
Your charitable goals and financial situation can change over time. Your Advisor provides ongoing support, helping you adjust your strategies as needed. This ensures that your donations remain aligned with both your personal values and financial realities. By offering personalized guidance, your Advisor helps you to give with confidence, knowing your contributions are making a lasting difference—both for the causes you care about and your own financial well-being.
Contact your Catholic United Financial Member Advisor to learn more about creating a lasting legacy or for help with creating your estate plans. Or, contact me at foundation@catholicunited.org or at (651) 765-6548. We would be happy to show you how to pay less on your taxes and give more than you thought possible to the Church or charities of your choice.
Preheat oven to 350°F. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In a separate bowl, beat butter and sugar with an electric mixer until fluffy. Add the egg and mix well. Beat in sour cream and vanilla. Add flour mixture in thirds, mixing until well combined. Stir in diced rhubarb. Drop dough by the tablespoon onto parchment-lined baking sheets, spaced about 2 inches apart. Bake for 10 minutes, or until the edges turn golden and the tops are lightly browned. Let cookies cool slightly then transfer to a wire rack. Optional: Finish with a light drizzle of powdered sugar for extra sweetness.
Find the solution to this puzzle at www.catholicunitedfinancial.org/solutions.
Across
1 The new Pope’s title
4 The new Pope has prayed and called for this many times since he was elected
8 “Green” prefix
9 School transport
10 Period of time spent in meditation and religious exercise
11 Facial features
12 Remove hair, as in tonsure
13 Sunday in Biblical terms
15 The son of Abraham and Sarah
18 Santa’s helper at Christmas
19 Retirement savings account, abbr.
20 Regret
22 Medical professionals, abbr.
24 Bowls for baptismal water
26 __ __ rule (usually)- 2 words
27 Peter, Andrew and Thomas, for example
31 That is in Latin, abbr.
32 Physical remains and effects of saints
35 One of the Gospel writers, 2 words
36 Large antlered mammal
37 Dessert with crust and filling
38 Created
39 Italian town where St. Francis was born
Down
1 It starts with “Our Father”, 2 words
2 Not home
3 The majority of people in this island nation are Catholic
4 Term used to describe the Bishop of Rome: it comes from the Latin word “bridge builder”
5 Avoid a particular type of food as an act of penitence or spiritual discipline
6 Actor’s prompt
7 Double bend shape
8 Carves into metal or glass
14 One of the elements in the Eucharist
16 The Sistine Chapel ceiling painting, for example
17 Long black garment used by altar servers under the surplice
21 The current Pope was born in this nation
23 The Catholic Church accepts people of all ____
25 Poetic form praising its subject
28 Unwell
29 Medieval stringed instruments
30 Celestial bodies created by God
33 Moses ___ the Israelites into the Promised Land
34 French word for island
35 Family girl in slang
37 Informal term for father
LOCAL MEMBER ADVISORS serving your area
Greater Twin Cities Metro Area
Countryside
Team Phone: 651-318-6719
Bill McMullen, FIC, 651-448-204 bmcmullen@catholicunited.org
Pete Herold, FIC, 651-829-9612 pherold@catholicunited.org
Rick Mathiowetz, FIC, 952-447-2546 rmathiowetz@catholicunited.org
Maple Trail
Team Phone: 763-645-0617
Tim Amireault, FIC, 612-322-3228 tamireault@catholicunited.org
Mark Douglass, 651-783-5003 mdouglass@catholicunited.org
Fred Swanson, 612-655-8818 fswanson@catholicunited.org
