Message from your Fraternal Counsellor…..Kevin Ready

Happy New Year! It gives me great pleasure to be in touch regarding the Fraternal Benefits that all members and their families are entitled to take advantage of. Remember that I’m available to meet with you in the privacy of your own home to provide details on any of the Fraternal Benefits that the Order provides.

Our Life Insurance Program is ranked among the best in North America! In a press release issued recently by the Insurance Marketplace Standards Association (IMSA), its President and CEO Brian Atchison congratulated four companies for “completing the stringent, independent review of marketing, sales and compliance practices necessary every three years to qualify for renewed IMSA membership. The companies are Massachusetts Mutual in Springfield, Mass., C.M Life Insurance Company in Enfield, Connecticut, MML Bay State Life Insurance in Enfield, Connecticut and the Knights of Columbus, from New Haven, Connecticut. “These companies have shown a continuing commitment to high ethical standards and we applaud them for their ongoing efforts”, said Atchison. “Their IMSA qualification is a demonstration of their dedication to serving customers with honesty and integrity.”

Long Term Care Insurance - If you have assets to protect…then you really should think about Long Term Care Insurance. What would happen if you or a loved one needed extended care? How would you cope with a loved one suffering a debilitating stroke or illness? Can you see yourself paying $1500-2000/month for extended care? You can avoid the heavy financial burden and the emotional strain associated with this type of situation by securing Long Term Care Insurance.

The Vantage Annuity….the Order’s newest Fraternal Benefit! The Knights of Columbus is finding new Fraternal Benefits for its members all the time. Our newest is the Vantage Annuity. It provides you with greater flexibility in choosing where to place your retirement savings dollars. The new Vantage Annuity gives you the opportunity to “lock-in” a guaranteed rate of return for your investment for a period of five years and enjoy the benefits of tax favoured growth regardless of how the economy is performing. At the end of five years, you can renew it or transfer your money to a short term interest account. Minimum deposits are $25,000, and current rates receive an additional 20 basis points for deposits of $100,000 or more (Please note that the Knights also still offers that Flexible Premium Annuity. It can be started with an initial deposit of $300)

Knights of Columbus pilgrimage to New Haven – In November, 2007 a delegation of 85 representing ten Montreal and area Councils visited the Supreme Headquarters in New Haven. The response was very positive. In fact, we’ve designated a weekend in November for the annual pilgrimage to New Haven. Mark it in your calendar for this year…November 7, 8 and 9th, 2008.
For details on any of this information, please don’t hesitate to call me at (450) 552-1022. It would be my pleasure to provide you with more detailed information!
    

A vision

Our Founder, Father Michael McGivney, had the vision of a society of Catholic men, joined together for mutual assistance, prepared to help in times of need and to bring spiritual help and material support to families in mourning.
Father McGivney had this vision for a very long time because as a parish priest he had visited many homes and had a clear idea of their needs.
Father Michael McGivney was a man of action; he decided to give substance to his ideas by calling together the men of his parish (St. Mary's). At that meeting, our Order was founded.
In founding the Order, Father McGivney had no intention of establishing a commercial insurance company, but rather to create a means whereby the security of its family-members would be assured.
Today, the story is well known. His vision has become a reality.


 A Reality

 As a fraternal insurance company (mutual insurance company), the Knights of Columbus maintain, for the protection of its members, an insurance program sufficiently comprehensive and flexible, that it can respond to practically any need.
The Knights of Columbus insurance program is intended solely for the benefit of its members and their families. It offers a wide range of insurance policies, comparable to those offered elsewhere - and at a competitive price. With more than $43 billion of insurance in force and assets of $8.6 billion, the insurance program has all the financial muscle and organisational structure to recruit new members and to ensure the loyalty and involvement of those who are already members of the Order. Throughout the Order, the insurance and its fraternal character make for a well-oiled team.

Every Knight and the members of his family (wives and children) may avail themselves of the products mentioned below.

The Products

Whole life (members and families)
Family income protection (in the event of death of a member or his wife)
Mortgage Insurance
RRSP RRSF Children's Insurance
Annuities (registered or non-registered)
Temporary Insurance
Needs Analysis
The Discoverer New Member Insurance
Family Assistance after a Death


To inquire on insurance matters,
please call Kevin Ready at 450-552-1022
You can also e-mail at kevinready.koc@videotron,ca        

 

Kevin Ready – Fraternal Counsellor


Our Fraternal Counsellor, Kevin Ready has served the English-speaking members of the Knights of Columbus since January, 2003. 

It’s his responsibility to meet with all members, and particularly new ones, to make them more aware of the wide variety of Fraternal Benefits that are exclusively available, as a result of being a member of the Knights of Columbus.  It’s important for all members to know how the Order can provide support for themselves and their family. 

Kevin grew up in eastern Ontario, and spent his adult years in Peterborough, Ontario, where he served as the Director of Recreation for the City of Peterborough.  He also played and coached Hockey and Baseball at the Elite level for many years.  In 1995, Kevin started working full time in hockey, in Management and as a Scout.  Eventually though, he and his wife, Annie Forget, a Montreal native, followed through on their long term plan of relocating to Montreal, settling here in January, 2000.

As a father of five boys, Kevin juggles his professional responsibilities, as your Fraternal Counsellor, with the typical duties as a husband and father, including being a hockey and soccer parent, involved in school functions and activities at Holy Cross Parish in Boucherville. 

During Kevin’s entire professional career, he’s been active in community initiatives and helping people.  It’s why Kevin believes that this is one of the best professional experiences he’s had.

 

Fraternal Benefits for Members….and their families  

The rationale for providing Fraternal Benefits to all of us, as members, is best documented on the Knights of Columbus website (www.kofc.org) It was part of Father Michael McGivney’s vision of providing a better life for Catholic families 125 years ago.  The principles upon which the Order was founded are as relevant today as they were then. 

There are a variety of Fraternal Benefits.  The most popular, of course is the Knights of Columbus Insurance Program.  From its humble beginnings over 125 years ago, the Insurance program has become one of the best in the Insurance industry….anywhere!  In a recent News Release, issued by the Insurance Marketplace Standards Association (IMSA), it was reported that the Knights of Columbus Insurance Program was identified as “…one of only four in North America to simultaneously earn IMSA certification and top rankings from both A.M. Best and Standard and Poor’s”  (Incidentally the other three are not available in Canada) 

Why is it so highly regarded?  Well, in short, its appeal is because of its “Non-Profit” status.  The benefits are intended to assist members and their families, unlike similar products in the commercial industry, where their primary goal has always been profit-making.  The non-profit status usually results in increased coverage, lower premiums, or a combination of the two.  

In addition to a broad range of insurance products, the Knights have RRSPs, again, with a higher return and a life-time guarantee.  The Order also has Long Term Care Insurance, which will become increasingly important as a result of shrinking Health Care budgets, and an “aging population”. 

Having Life Insurance and having the right Life Insurance are two different things!  Those who ask us to compare the insurance coverage they have, choose to switch to the Knights of Columbus coverage almost 92% of the time.  Why?  Because we concentrate on “covering your need” Sadly, most people who are insured in the commercial sector are inadequately protected.  It’s shocking and disturbing!  Obviously we would encourage all members to explore what we have to offer.  After all….it’s for you!  I’d be happy to help.  You’re fortunate to have access to one of the best in the business…anywhere!