teacHing
Message President & CEO’s
Dear MeMbers,
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 — included in this issue of Woman’s Life — you’ll see how we continue to earn your confidence. In 2024:
1. We protected more than 3,300 new lives.
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 yourself 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 yourself as a Woman’s Life member, confidence is more than just financial preparedness — it’s a tool for independence, community leadership, and long-term security for your family. That’s the kind of confidence we’re here to support.
Thank you for allowing us to walk with you. We’re committed to earning your trust and helping you move forward with clarity and strength.
With gratitude and service,
John Borgen President & CEO
Volume 131, Number 2
Publisher John Borgen President & CEO
Editor Karen Deschaine Director of Communications Member, Chapter 757
Port
Huron
Writing and Editorial Direction
Carla Kalogeridis
Kathryn Deen
Kaló Media
Graphic Design
Stewart Moon
Moon Design
Woman’s Life (ISSN 1093-9903) is published quarterly by Woman’s Life, a Trusted Fraternal Life brand, 1338 Military Street, Port Huron, MI 48060. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Woman’s Life, P.O. Box 5020, Port Huron, MI 48061-5020
Woman’s Life is the official publication of Woman’s Life, a Trusted Fraternal Life brand, serving the life insurance, financial, and fraternal needs of women and their families. Circulation 13,000. All manuscripts and editorial inquiries should be sent to the attention of the editor.
Questions or comments? Call Woman’s Life at 800-521-9292
®Woman’s Life is a registered trademark of Trusted Fraternal Life. All others are registered trademarks of their respective companies.
2025 Community’s Choice Awards
Woman’s Life was again honored to be selected among The Best of the Blue Water Area by members of the community in the 2025 Community’s Choice Awards sponsored by The Times Herald and LocaliQ. We were humbled to be selected as a finalist and recognized at the annual Awards Gala in two categories:
▶ Best Insurance Agency (winner)
▶ Best Place to Work (finalist)
We are proud to serve the women and families of the Blue Water Area and across the United States as they build financial security with our life insurance and annuity products and come together to make a positive difference for people in need.
Hello... Is it Scams You’re Looking For?
It seems innocent enough. You receive a text message from an unknown phone number that reads, “Hello.” The message seems harmless, and you might think it’s a genuine text meant for someone else. And because the message appears friendly, you may even be tempted to respond.
However, this message is actually a text-based phishing scam called a smishing attack. Scammers send thousands of these messages to random phone numbers, hoping to receive a reply. If you reply to the text, the scammer confirms that your phone number is active and that they have contacted a real person. They will continue texting you to try to gain your trust so that they can steal your data or financial information. What you thought was an innocent text from a wrong number is actually a scam!
Follow these tips to avoid falling victim to a smishing scam:
▶ If you think you have received a smishing message, block the number and report the text as junk or spam on your smartphone.
▶ You should never share personal or financial information in text messages, especially if you do not recognize the number!
▶ If you receive a text message from an unknown number, simply don’t respond. It’s not rude to protect yourself!
Source: KnowBe4.com. Used with permission.
Call us for assistance or to find a representative in your area: 800-521-9292. We’re here for you!
Volunteer with a Woman’s Life chapter in your community. To find a chapter near you, visit WomansLife.org/ Chapters/Locate or call us to learn how you can start a new chapter in your community. FIND US ONLINE: For information about our life insurance and annuity products, opportunities to participate in a Woman’s Life chapter, and the many benefits of membership in Woman’s Life:
PRACTICAL FINANCIAL STRATEGIES WHEN THE MARKET ISN’T PRACTICAL
By Sara J. Walker, CFA, VP 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% 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%.
If the thought of a 20% 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 exchangetraded 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.
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 do 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!
This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended to provide any specific advice. Consult with your personal financial advisor for advice specific to your goals and needs.
PHOTO: © ISTOCKPHOTO.COM/PORTFOLIO/WILDPIXEL
BUILDING FINANCIAL CONFIDENCE THROUGH LIFE INSURANCE
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 crowdfunding post shows up on social media appealing for donations to help support a family after the tragic loss of a loved one. That’s when many realize that 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 is affordable and can cost less than what most pay for an online streaming subscription or coffee 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 it’s 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.
the cost of Waiting
Thinking about life insurance can bring up the uncomfortable “what-ifs” that 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 no plan is 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. Once you have a life insurance policy in place, you can feel confident and at peace instead of continually unsure about whether you’ve done enough to protect your family. Woman’s Life has helped generations of families 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.
1 LIMRA, Life Insurance Awareness Month: A Time to Help More Consumers Get the Life Insurance Coverage They Say They Need, September 2024
2 Based on the $19.58 monthly premium for a 30-year-old female with standard rates on a $250,000 face amount Trusted Fraternal Life 20-year term policy. ICC20 TRM (30)
START THEM YOUNG: TEACH KIDS ABOUT MONEY
Good financial habits should start early in life — from a child’s first lemonade stand to saving their 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!
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 anD 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 anD 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 of earning money!
Discussions 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.
Trusted Fraternal Life
Important Notice Regarding Privacy and Information Practices
(For information only – no action required)
To view the privacy statement in Spanish, visit trustedfraternallife.org/espanialprivacy
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. Please 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
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
WHO WE ARE
Who is providing this notice? | Trusted Fraternal Life
don’t share
don’t share
WHAT WE DO
How does Trusted Fraternal Life protect 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.
How does Trusted Fraternal Life collect my personal information?
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.
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. What other rights do I have with respect to my personal information?
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.
QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS
Call (800) 927-2547 or email compliance@trustedfraternallife.org.
DEFINITIONS
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.
Trusted Fraternal Life
A Family of Brands | Catholic Financial Life | Degree of Honor |
4844-9020-0684.3 – June 2025
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.
member benefits distributed including nearly $192,000 in school scholarships $462,000 interest paid to members $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
MILLION IN FORCE annui retirement funds
returned to members in dividends and interest close to $33 MIL
136,000 members strong nearly
CHAPTERS GIVING BACK
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
Numbers are for Catholic Financial Life, Degree of Honor and Woman’s Life.
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
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 the 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
Measures of Financial Strength
As of December 31, 2024. Numbers have omitted 000s.
$161,518 $181,856 Total Adjusted Capital (TAC) $14,116 Net Gain From Operations 1,309% Risk Based Capital Ratio (RBC)
Total Adjusted Capital (TAC)
As of December 31. Numbers have omitted 000s.
Net Gain From Operations
As of December 31. Numbers have omitted 000s.
Clothed in Kindness
Chapter 703 Indianapolis, Indiana
Members of Woman’s Life Chapter 703 Indianapolis, Indiana, wore their hearts on their sleeves by helping clothe the less fortunate.
In a women’s empowerment collaboration, Chapter 703 cohosted a clothing drive with several other local women’s organizations, including Women Entrepreneurs of America, L.A.D.I.E.S. Inc., Voice of the Victim, and Women in Networking.
“Even a small donation can make a significant difference,” the flyer read. “Let’s show compassion and generosity to our neighbors in need.”
After advertising the event within their respective groups, they came together one February day at Harrison Hill Elementary School to collect clean winter clothing items for men and women, including everyday wear, coats, hats, gloves, and socks.
“It’s overwhelming the number of people who lose everything and have to start from scratch — especially today, after COVID and all of the problems with the economy and people having problems with their rent and housing,” says Chapter 703 Vice President Janice Cameron. “It’s amazing to have the opportunity and the partnership with Woman’s Life to be able to help those people.”
Once items were dropped off, they were sorted into 30-gallon
bags, filling at least 30 bags in total, Cameron estimates. The clothing was distributed to organizations such as Dove Recovery, Horizon House, Helping Veterans and Families, Dress for Success, Thrifty Threads/Julian Center, and Wheeler Mission.
“They were overjoyed to get those bags of clothes,” Cameron says.
At the collection site, volunteers also served refreshments, and each organization had a display table. Chapter 703 gladly provided informational materials about Woman’s Life and their chapter. “We had several people interested in becoming members,” Cameron says. “They were impressed with all of our information.”
Chapter Member Wylera Braxton brought the suggestion to the chapter, and about 15 of the chapter members helped in one way or another, by planning, collecting, and distributing the clothing. In addition, some members involved their grandchildren, making it a multigenerational affair.
“It was very exciting, and we are looking to do another
one,” Cameron says. They also plan to serve lunch to people experiencing homelessness this summer at the Central Library downtown.
While this was Chapter 703’s first clothing drive, they have poured their hearts into several other projects caring for the less fortunate, including a sock drive, serving hot meals for Thanksgiving and Easter to homeless veterans, and handing out toiletry bags to people in need. “They were so appreciative,” Cameron shares. “It was very rewarding to help them.” Chapter 703 has also supported women’s shelters by holding a Ladies Night Out bowling party for the Dove Recovery House.
There are about 30 active members of Chapter 703. “Most of the women in our organization have been volunteering together since 2003,” Cameron says. “It’s a good chapter. During COVID, we continued to meet virtually and never missed a month.”
Together, these longtime friends continue to make a long-term impact on their community.
Healing Hearts
Chapter 800 Fort Gratiot, Michigan
Woman’s Life Chapter 800 Fort Gratiot, Michigan, was honored to once again support Healing Hearts Home at this year’s Spring Tea — an uplifting event that raised awareness about sexual abuse and human trafficking.
With over 200 women in attendance, the three-hour gathering featured heartfelt testimonies, empowering messages, and a spirit of solidarity.
“Healing Hearts Home is an incredible organization that helps teens, women, and now men recover from the deep wounds of sexual trauma,” Chapter President Lisa Shagena says. Chapter 800 Member Christina Gallina-Flood is the founder and CEO of Healing Hearts Home. “Dr. Christina is known as a great counselor — generous, caring, and inspirational.”
Chapter 800 raised $5,200, including Matching Funds from Woman’s Life, through the silent auction they organized during the event for Healing Hearts Home. This year’s auction generated more funds than ever, thanks to the generous spirit of attendees and a diverse range of items available for bidding.
The Spring Tea was more than a fundraiser — it was a celebration of community and education. Guests dressed up for an afternoon of live music, powerful spoken word performances, and a live art raffle of a painting created on-site. Every attendee received a thoughtful gift and the sense that they were part of something special.
Other event highlights included an inspiring message from a spotlight speaker who shared her healing journey and a S.H.O.U.T. poem reading by a local youth. S.H.O.U.T. stands for Sharing Hearts Openly Understanding Truth; Healing Hearts Home’s weekly S.H.O.U.T. groups offer women and teen girls a safe place to begin their healing journey after experiencing sexual abuse and trauma.
Shagena says the Spring Tea was a resounding success. “All the ladies had a great time and learned something new about sexual abuse or human trafficking,” Shagena says. “They also poured out support to Healing Hearts Home, and that is most appreciated.”
As part of its ongoing efforts, Chapter 800 members organize volunteer service projects for Healing Hearts Home throughout the year. For instance, they’ve donated journals because journaling can be vital to the healing process. Chapter members also provided lunch for about 70 attendees at a Healing Hearts Home seminar about human trafficking earlier this year using $250 in Woman’s Life Volunteer Service Project Grant Funds, along with additional funds from Chapter 800’s treasury.
“Serving the food and hearing the message about human trafficking was very enlightening and eyeopening,” Shagena says. “It is a subject that, unless you have been through it, you do not have any knowledge. It is always good to be aware of your surroundings and what can happen. Education is key, and Dr. Christina provides several ways to become educated.”
Shagena continues, “Most people think it is a problem elsewhere, not in their community. But it is all over, especially in and around this border town community close to the I-94 and I-69 corridors. ”
There are plans for Chapter 800 to participate in another Healing Hearts Home event about human trafficking in early 2026. “The more we can raise awareness of sexual abuse and human trafficking, the better,” Shagena says. “It always warms our hearts to serve others.”
As Chapter 800 members look forward to continuing the partnership with Healing Hearts Home, the impact remains clear: Healing begins with hope, and hope grows stronger through community and shared knowledge.
Senior Spirit
Chapter 741 Hillsdale, Michigan
You never know what you’ll find at the annual Hillsdale Academy Silent Auction, but you know who you’ll find running it — members of Woman’s Life Chapter 741 Hillsdale, Michigan.
For over 15 years, the chapter has been enthusiastically heading up the silent auction during the annual spaghetti dinner fundraiser to help pay for the Hillsdale Academy senior trip overseas. Chapter 741 members diligently organize and conduct the auction, soliciting a wide variety of donations from local businesses and parents. In addition, students donate helpful services such as lawn mowing, raking leaves, and babysitting. “The highlight is always working with the students to set up the items and work the raffle,” Chapter President Mary Wolfram says. “We enjoy seeing the students, parents, and teachers every year.”
An impressive 300 people attended this year’s auction, helping to raise $1,318, including $500 in Matching Funds from Woman’s Life, Chapter Treasurer Kelly Lantis reports. The money was evenly distributed among all 25 seniors who attended the trip to help defray their costs.
The chapter has special connections to Hillsdale Academy — many chapter members are or were teachers there, and several members have children who have attended the school and the senior trip. “We believe in education and the mission of the school,” Wolfram says. “We want these kids to have this opportunity.”
It’s always exciting to see what fun items are being raffled off, seemingly anything and everything. Plus, there is plenty of repeat participation from area businesses — a local jeweler donates a high-end necklace; a local hotel covers a one-night stay; hair salons and restaurants provide gift certificates; local gift shops contribute gift baskets; and someone donates tickets to a University of Michigan football game. Chapter members give an eclectic variety of items that they have collected throughout the year, such as a fancy wok or Hillsdale College paraphernalia. Members also donate their time to help run the auction.
We believe in education and the mission of the school . We Want these kids to have this opportunity.
Mary Wolfram
“We are always happy to help these students, and it’s always fun,” Wolfram says. “We see the pictures that are posted on Facebook every year during the trip, and it’s nice to know that we helped.”
The trip has changed slightly over the years, but it is meant to be the culmination of the students’ high school education in this Classical studies school, Wolfram notes. All Academy students take Latin for four years and study the Classical world during their time at Hillsdale Academy. The senior trip takes them to Italy and Greece, where they visit museums of classical art and sculpture and visit important historical locations like the Colosseum and the Parthenon.
Although Hillsdale Academy is a private school, many of the students get financial aid to help with tuition. “The only way that most of these students can afford the senior trip is through the many fundraising opportunities that the school organizes for them,” Wolfram says. “The students also sell wrapping paper every Christmas and flowering plants in the spring. Many will never have the chance to go to such exotic places later in life, so it’s nice to be able to help them go on this trip.”
Serving Up Support
Chapter 814 St. Clair, Michigan
The St. Clair High School Girls Tennis Team
usually serves up aces on the court, but they hung up their racquets for one night to serve dinner during a special fundraiser with the support of Woman’s Life Chapter 814 St. Clair, Michigan.
The annual Celebrity Server Night is a fundraiser to benefit the tennis players, some of whom are chapter members’ daughters. Proceeds will help pay for the Saints’ tournament fees and equipment.
St. Clair Coney Island restaurant hosted the event. The classic American-themed restaurant — known for its delicious hot dogs, savory cheeseburgers, and ooeygooey cheese fries — normally closes in the afternoon, but it graciously stayed open through the evening for the occasion.
Thanks to the generosity of St. Clair Coney Island patrons, including Chapter 814 members, team parents, and other community members, a total of $2,510 was raised from proceeds and tips alone. In addition, Chapter 814 members raised $500 more, and with Matching Funds from Woman’s Life, donated another $1,000 to the team. Whether customers dined in or chose to carry out, they were
served solely by the tennis players. The event allows the teammates to engage with their community and learn what it takes to run a restaurant for a night, all while having fun and helping fund their next season.
The evening was a huge success for all involved. Chapter 814 President Danielle English says, “It was a fun night, and the team was very enthusiastic while serving meals and raising money for their season.”
As additional support, several chapter members donated gift cards from Jersey Mike’s, Tropical Smoothie, Pizza Hut, Starbucks, and other popular establishments to be raffled off during the evening. This brought much excitement and anticipation for customers as they enjoyed delectable comfort food.
“The community support was great, and the restaurant was very generous and accommodating,” English says. “Our chapter was happy to help support the team because they all work very hard on the court to be successful.”
It’s not every day you see restaurants and their owners entrusting non-staff to run the show for the evening, but strangers are far and few in this tiny 3.6-mile town nestled along the scenic St. Clair River. With vintage decor, bright red walls, and wait staff that make you feel like you’re at home, St. Clair Coney Island would say, “Keepin’ it Small Town.”
As for the cherry on top? The St. Clair Saints ended up undefeated in their league this season. Way to go, team!
GUARANTEED FINAL EXPENSE INSURANCE
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 brandnew 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, 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. There were gardens to tend and new hobbies to discover.
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 of Woman’s Life and decided to contact the same Advisor. After a friendly conversation, she learned about Final Expense Life Insurance. She couldn’t believe that people ages 50-80 are guaranteed a policy. It wasn’t about big coverage or complicated benefits; it was about planning ahead with love and care.
Her 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 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.”
Rhonda’s lingering worry has been dealt with, and now her calendar is filled with things that bring her joy — those beginner piano classes, standing video calls with her grandkids, and this fall, that longawaited road trip around the Great Lakes and time with her son.
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.
Learn More
To learn more about Guaranteed Final Expense Life Insurance, contact your Advisor, call 800-521-9292, or visit WomansLife.org/FinalExpense.
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 Representative or call (800) 927-2547.
Graded Benefit Whole Life Insurance ICC16 GBWL; ICC16 GBWL SPN; GBWL 2020 FL and GBWL 2020 FL SPN.
UNLOCK THE ADVANTAGES OF ANNUITIES
How does an annuity fit into real life? You may have had a discussion about annuities with your Advisor or may 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 the possibility of 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 over 60% 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, such as pensions, social security, 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 want to avoid loss if the market drops. Trusted Fraternal Life 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 have occurred 13 times in the last 25 years, it can take months or years for retirement accounts to recoup losses.3 That kind of risk doesn’t work for Evelyn, who wants to retire in five years.
self-employed. However, he lacked an employerprovided 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.
understanding W hat this financial tool can achieve in real life is key to making W ise financial decisions .
Evelyn still has time to reduce risk in her portfolio and create a foundation for retirement income. After talking with her Advisor, she purchased a fixed-rate annuity to protect her retirement savings from market corrections, generate predictable growth, and provide reliable income streams.
Having mitigated 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
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 the account would grow at a guaranteed rate without any risk to his initial principal. He also liked that he could continue contributing 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 a similar financial concern, your local Advisor is ready to listen and to help you determine if an annuity can provide the best solution for you. Visit WomansLife.org/Agents/Find to find an Advisor by zip code.
1 Almazora, L., More Americans fear outliving their savings than dying, Allianz survey finds, April 2025
2 Hodgens, B., Why fixed-rate deferred annuity sales skyrocketed, April 2024
3 Williams, W., Timeline of U.S. stock market crashes, October 2024
4 Adamczyk, Alicia (2019 September). https://www.cnbc.com/2019/09/04/the-age-when-americans-start-saving-for-retirement.html
This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended to provide any specific advice. Consult with your personal financial advisor for advice specific to your goals and needs.
Grow Your Money with Confidence — Even in Uncertain Markets
In today’s unpredictable economy, it’s natural to feel uncertain. That’s why more members are turning to annuities — a smart, stable way to grow their money while protecting what they’ve worked hard to earn.
Right now, you can take advantage of a 5.00% first-year interest rate with a Woman’s Life Single Premium Deferred Annuity.
Not sure if an annuity is right for you? Your Advisor can help you decide based on your goals and timeline. Contact your Advisor at 800-521-9292.