Blue Slipper Stories - July, 2019

Blue Slipper Stories

Widows Guild Newsletter ̵ July 2019

THE SURVEY SAYS…

Thank you to those who responded to the Widows’ Guild survey! The results are validating and inspiring to the development of this program. There is room to grow, but it is exciting to discover that the majority would refer a friend to the guild and find the newsletter relevant and helpful.

The goal is to reassure PA Masonic widows that services and support are available and to continue providing education on valuable subject matter.

According to the survey, most women want a better understanding of two Masonic Outreach programs: the Panel of Attorneys and the Finance Panel. Due to general curiosity about these programs, details can be found in the Outreach article of this edition!

Twenty-five percent of guild members are interested in living at Masonic Villages, but have not made arrangements to do so. This is helpful insight, since moving to any of our campuses is a process that requires timely planning. Interested individuals were mailed retirement living materials to help them explore

options. If you would like to live at a Masonic Village in the future, please contact us at 800-676-6452.

Importantly, women would like more opportunities to engage with each other. In addition to Widows’ Guild luncheons, the Gift Planning team hosts receptions throughout the year, covering topics like Planning for your Future, Estate Planning, Investment Opportunities and Outreach Programs. Please take advantage of these free workshops. Attending is a fantastic way to socialize with Masons, their spouses and guild members living in your area.

In nearly half of the returned surveys, guild members emphasized a desire for local get-togethers. With this in mind, developing a Guild Directory may promote more social opportunities. The directory will share contact information among Widows’ Guild members (not to be shared elsewhere). This is your chance to connect with others! A directory will also be a valuable resource to ladies motivated to leading groups within their own communities!

Build local relationships by participating in our first Guild Directory!

Please provide your contact information via email at tbthomas@masonicvillages.org or mail to the address below by AUGUST 1, 2019: Masonic Village Widows’ Guild, Berks Building, One Masonic Drive, Elizabethtown, PA 17022 ______ SHARE my contact information.

_____ DO NOT share my contact information.

FULL NAME _____________________________________________________________ PHONE # ___________________________________ ADDRESS

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* If we do not receive this completed slip, your contact information will not be included. THANK YOU.

“Word to the Wise”

by Brother Alvin H. Blitz, Esq. Chief Gift Planning Officer, Masonic Villages QUESTION: Fairly often, I am asked by Masons and widows alike, “How will the Pennsylvania (PA) Inheritance Tax affect my loved ones when I am gone?”

ANSWER: PA is one of the few states that taxes residents’ assets upon death, and there are few exemptions. It is important to make decisions to limit losses by understanding how PA residents are impacted by this inheritance tax.

Estates are subject to inheritance tax where a decedent is domiciled in PA at death. Domicile is defined as the place where one maintains her permanent abode and intends to return. If you live in PA year-round, then it is clear you are domiciled in PA. If you live in another state part of the year, then whether you are domiciled in PA is based on a number of factors. Under these circumstances, please see a tax professional and/or seek further information on determining residency for PA tax purposes by contacting the PA Department of Revenue: 717-7878201 or www.revenue.state.pa.us.

All real estate and tangible personal property (cash, oil, gas rights, autos, furniture, antiques, jewelry), located in PA at the time of death, is taxable whether the decedent was domiciled in PA or not. For one domiciled in PA, no matter the location, intangible property (stocks, bonds, bank accounts, loans, IRAs of those over 59 ½ years old) is also taxable. With the exception of spouses, jointly-held property with right of survivorship is taxable. A jointly-held account among two people, which has been in place for over a year, is 50 percent taxable since the other half is owned by the second account holder. If the joint account was created within one year of death, the entire account is taxed in the estate, less $3,000. This prevents people from making last-minute arrangements in order to avoid the tax.

Tax rates are as follows: • 0% on transfers to a surviving spouse or to a parent from a child less than 21 years of age; • 4.5% on transfers to direct descendants (natural

born children and descendants, adopted children, adopted descendants and step-descendants) and lineal heirs (grandparents, parents and their natural born, adopted or step-children); • 12% on transfers to siblings; • 15% on transfers to other heirs and organizations, except those that are exempt This is just a brief snapshot on the PA Inheritance Tax law. Please see your attorney on how to best structure your estate to minimize the effect of this tax law. My advice: be prepared and educated on this subject, but then enjoy your retirement years in a caring community. Although PA inheritance tax may seem burdensome, it is important to realize that it is a small price to pay for living with the security and comfort of being near friends, family and a place called home.

OUTREACH: FINANCE AND LEGAL PANEL OF ADVISORS Many widows are now familiar with Masonic Outreach programs, but some are more easily understood than others. The Panel of Attorneys and Finance Panel are valuable services offered to financially distressed Masons and their widows. Guild members have requested more information about who these professionals are, what they are offering, and how to receive such services.

We are fortunate to have professionals at Masonic Village with expertise in the areas of estate and trust law who can also assist in evaluating plans with adjusted estate values, new tax laws, and/or changed circumstances of a loved one’s health. Those individuals with more specific needs might require professional help from one of our Outreach panels.

The Outreach panels consist of properly licensed attorneys and certified financial planners who are members of the fraternity, Eastern Star, or family and friends of Masonic Villages. Services include, but are not limited to: advice on budgeting, foreclosures, bankruptcy, insurance and benefit questions, eldercare and establishing a will. Individuals who have difficulty retaining legal or financial counsel on their own may qualify for these programs.

The Outreach Office reviews an individual’s needs and determines appropriate professional services on a case-by-case basis, or when needed, makes a referral to other resources. If you have a need for these services, please call Relations Administrator Tiffany Brandt-Thomas at 717-367-1121, ext. 33497 to evaluate your options.

If you know a PA Freemason, Eastern Star member, family or friend who is a Licensed Attorney or practicing Financial Planner, please share this volunteer opportunity with them. We request a two-year commitment to the program and try to limit the number of referred consultations to one or two per year. Interested professionals are encouraged to call the Outreach Office at 1-800-462-7664 or email outreach@masoncvillages.org. Thank you for considering service to our program!

RESOURCE CORNER: WHERE CAN I FIND HELP? Some members face moments of hardship and others struggle to find resources daily. If you or someone you know is in need, please contact a federal, state and non-profit program listed below, or call Masonic Outreach at 800-462-7664.

PA Department of Aging: Services like transportation, health, housing, legal assistance www.aging.pa.gov 1-800-753-1550 717-783-1550 Supplemental Assistance Program: government provides funding for healthy food purchases. www.Fns. usda/gov/snap 1-800-692-7462 Meals on Wheels: nonprofit delivers nutritious food to seniors’ homes. https://www.mealsonwheelsamerica. org/ 1-888-998-6325 Hardship Funds: to reduce utility bills call your provider about Low Income Usage Reduction Program (LIURP) and PA Customer Assistance Program (CAP).

INSPIRING LADY IN LEADERSHIP! The PA Masonic Widows’ Guild proudly includes women from all walks of life. Some have been supporting women years prior to the guild’s formal establishment. One of these highly influential ladies in leadership is Madilyn Hanley.

Madilyn lost her husband in 1992, and a year later, she turned her solitude into purpose. She took action by calling other widows like herself and organizing monthly meetings. Twenty-six years later, she still spends many hours on the phone with “her ladies,” making plans and sharing updates on health, needs and good news. Madilyn confesses that her group has experienced a lot of loss over the years, but she emphasizes the positive influence of their bond.

The group now includes over 50 individuals! Madilyn listens to the interests of all involved and plans accordingly. Motivated by a few of her friends, she is planning a bus trip in their near future. It comes as no surprise that monthly meetings have been a priority to many, leading to the fortitude of this tight knit group!

It is an honor to partner with the grass roots efforts of those like Madilyn! Groups like this one drive the goal to serve ladies through local events and newsletters.

Guild members are encouraged to find inspiration in this group, refer others to the guild or invite us to speak about the program to your Masonic circle: 800-599-6454.

“It is hard to describe how special these ladies really are. They are so happy to talk with me over the phone and meet when we can ... It is just a true joy.”

-Madilyn Hanley

Masonic Outreach Program One Masonic Drive Elizabethtown, PA 17022

Blue Slipper Stories

Widows Guild Newsletter ̵ July 2019

Contact Us

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

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

In This Issue...

BUILDING CONNECTIONS WORDS TO THE WISE INSPIRING LADY IN LEADERSHIP OUTREACH RESOURCE CORNER The Pennsylvania Masonic Widows’ Guild is in place to recognize, honor and support the widows of Pennsylvania masons. If you have questions about the Widows’ Guild, or would like to become a member and receive your blue slipper pin, please call Relations Administrator, Tiffany Brandt-Thomas at 800-599-6454