- t 10 Important Facts About Your Personal Finances (NAPSA)—Did you know that women represent the world’s largest economy, influencing 83 percent of all U.S. consumer purchases, represent a majority of the management and professional positions, and earn 60 percent of the college degrees? Still, many don’t feel confident in their knowledge of financial matters and look for no-nonsense information to guide them. This basic financial information is available in a brochure, “Real Facts About Money For Women™created by The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America. Whether you're married, single or divorced...whether you have kids, a job, a business or inheritance, whatever your income or age, these facts are important: Fact #1: Women in the U.S. are living longer. Fact #2: Women in the U.S. are not protected against death as well as men. Fact #3: The probability of experiencing a long-term disability or nursing home stay is much greater than the probability of dying without a long-term illness. Fact #4: A large part of the financial impact faced by widows occurs BEFOREthe spouse’s death. Fact #5: During most of your lifetime, the annual rate of infla- tion has always been positive, which means that purchasing powerkeeps declining. Fact #6: For years, college costs in the U.S. have beenrising faster than generalinflation. Fact #7: If you systematically save money in retirement plans over many years, you can poten- Dip you knowthatlife insurance pays a death benefit to a beneficiary that is generally tax-free, for federal income tax purposes? tially accumulate well over $1 million by the time youretire. Fact #8: Women of all ages should have a written will that expresses their wishes in the event of death or incapacity. Many women should also consider other estateplanning techniques, includingliving wills, gifts and trusts. Fact #9: Life insurance pays a death benefit to a beneficiary that is generally tax-free for federal income tax purposes. Fact #10: For married couples, the greatest estate tax burden often falls on the estate of the second spouseto die. Statistically, this is more likely to be the woman. Visit The Women’s Channelat www.guardianlife.com/realfacts for information on the new “Real Facts About Money for Women” brochure, “Real Facts About Money for Women” women’s financial seminars, Guardian’s Girls Going Places scholarship program and entrepreneurship conferences, alliances with national women’s organizations, and much more!
