Page 40 - The Informed Fed--Hearn Wealth Management
P. 40

We can guarantee you one thing for sure, and that is           things are going
                                                                         e you feel any better, but the

                        fact is, change is a constant. How we deal with change is the real issue.
                            Do you fear change, or see it as an opportunity to grow; experience
                        new  things and  capitalize on  the  moment? As  we  start  each day, we

                        prepare  for  those  possible  changes  that  may  come  our  way.  The
                        employee  meeting  where  new  announcements  are  made  that  could

                        change the way you are to conduct your business. The evening news
                        telling  us  about  the  changes  proposed  concerning  a  city  ordinance.
                        Market news giving us an update on the change in the DJIA and S&P

                        500 values. The list goes on and on. A bit mind boggling if you think
                        about it. If you deny change, which is in operation 24/7, you will not be
                        prepared to deal with change when it inevitably occurs. Face change with

                        open arms and embrace it. After all, if you do not embrace change, it will
                        embrace you. No doubt you have experienced change with your benefits.
                        Ever had any of your TSP funds allocated in the C, S or I fund? Then

                        you know about change for sure!  Adapting to change is  a habit well
                        learned. To stay on top of your benefits you will need to keep pace with

                        these changes. Rates, insurance premiums and total benefits can change.
                        We can benefit from change only if we stay away from the fear factor.
                        Some of the best experiences in our lives have come as a result of major

                        changes  that  took  place.  In  most  cases  we  had  no  control  over  the
                        circumstances.  We  were  forced  to  adapt.  Painful  at  times?  Yes,  but

                        rewarding  in  most.  Think  of  a  change  you  experienced  that  at  first
                        seemed devastating, then as you adapted to the change, how differently


                        fear it! Here is a real-world scenario that a federal employee can relate to.

                        When we conduct a benefits review for an employee, one of the benefits
                        that  we  spend  a  lot  of  time  with  is  the  review  of  FEGLI  optional

                        selections. When the employee has option B, we have found that the vast
                        majority are not aware of the negative changes that are going to take
                        place as they age. The premium will increase dramatically every five years




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