The document discusses the important responsibilities and duties of being an executor of an estate. It notes that being named executor is an honor that shows the deceased trusted you, but it can also be a difficult and time-consuming role. Some key duties of an executor include arranging for the funeral, notifying agencies, protecting assets, inventorying property, paying debts and taxes, and distributing remaining assets according to the estate documents. The executor has an important fiduciary duty and could be held liable for any mismanaged funds. Researching state laws and consulting advisors can help make the process easier.

1. Cedar Point Financial
Services LLC®
Todd N. Robison, CLU
President
10 Wright Street
2nd Floor
Westport, CT 06880
203-222-4951
todd.robison@cedarpointfinancial.com
www.cedarpointfinancial.com
April 2018
Business Owners: Should You Consider a
Wellness Program for Your Employees?
Weathering the Storm: Are You Prepared?
How does working affect Social Security
retirement benefits?
Why is it important to factor inflation into
retirement planning?
Cedar Point Monthly Newsletter
Elegant solutions to complex financial issues
Settling an Estate: Executors Inherit Important Title
See disclaimer on final page
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Being named as the
executor of a family
member's estate is
generally an honor. It
means that person has
been chosen to handle
the financial affairs of
the deceased
individual and is
trusted to help carry
out his or her wishes.
Settling an estate, however, can be a difficult
and time-consuming job that could take several
months to more than a year to complete. Each
state has specific laws detailing an executor's
responsibilities and timetables for the
performance of certain duties.
If you are asked to serve as an executor, you
may want to do some research regarding the
legal requirements, the complexity of the
particular estate, and the potential time
commitment. You should also consider seeking
the counsel of experienced legal and tax
advisors.
Documents and details
A thoughtfully crafted estate plan with
up-to-date documents tends to make the job
easier for whoever fills this important position. If
the deceased created a letter of instruction, it
should include much of the information needed
to close out an estate, such as a list of
documents and their locations, contacts for
legal and financial professionals, a list of bills
and creditors, login information for important
online sites, and final wishes for burial or
cremation and funeral or memorial services.
An executor is responsible for communicating
with financial institutions, beneficiaries,
government agencies, employers, and service
providers. You may be asked for a copy of the
will or court-certified documentation that proves
you are authorized to conduct business on
behalf of the estate. Here are some of the
specific duties that often fall on the executor.
Arrange for funeral and burial costs to be
paid from the estate. Collect multiple copies of
the death certificate from the funeral home or
coroner. They may be needed to fulfill various
official obligations, such as presenting the will
to the court for probate, claiming life insurance
proceeds, reporting the death to government
agencies, and transferring ownership of
financial accounts or property to the
beneficiaries.
Notify agencies such as Social Security and
the Veterans Administration as soon as
possible. Federal benefits received after the
date of death must be returned. You should
also file a final income tax return with the IRS,
as well as estate and gift tax returns (if
applicable).
Protect assets while the estate is being
closed out. This might involve tasks such as
securing a vacant property; paying the
mortgage, utility, and maintenance costs;
changing the name of the insured on home and
auto policies to the estate; and tracking
investments.
Inventory, appraise, and liquidate valuable
property. You may need to sort through a
lifetime's worth of personal belongings and list a
home for sale.
Pay any debts or taxes. Medical bills, credit
card debt, and taxes due should be paid out of
the estate. The executor and/or heirs are not
personally responsible for the debts of the
deceased that exceed the value of the estate.
Distribute remaining assets according to the
estate documents. Trust assets can typically
be disbursed right away and without court
approval. With a will, you typically must wait
until the end of the probate process.
The executor has a fiduciary duty — that is, a
heightened responsibility to be honest,
impartial, and financially responsible. This
means you could be held liable if estate funds
are mismanaged and the beneficiaries suffer
losses.
If for any reason you are not willing or able to
perform the executor's duties, you have a right
to refuse the position. If no alternate is named
in the will, an administrator will be appointed by
the courts.
Page 1 of 4

2. Business Owners: Should You Consider a Wellness Program for
Your Employees?
Are employer wellness programs worth the
investment? A review of some of the key
studies examining the topic seems to indicate
that such programs may indeed bring a variety
of organizational benefits, depending on overall
objectives and program design. Focusing only
on return on investment (ROI) results, however,
could provide too narrow a view of the potential
advantages.
Review the findings
In 2010, an article in the Harvard Business
Review (HBR) detailed numerous wellness
program benefits realized at several different
companies. This article, which has been
frequently cited in the employee benefit arena
since its original publication, found that:1
• One large, well-known health industry
business saved $250 million in health-care
costs over 10 years through its wellness
program.
• Another company was able to see a $6 return
for every $1 invested in its wellness program.
• A third organization realized an 80% decline
in lost work days and a 64% decline in
modified-duty days over a six-year period.
Cost savings totaled $1.5 million over the
time frame.
More recently, a popular study by the RAND
Corporation questioned the 2010 HBR findings,
citing differing results. In fact, the RAND
Wellness Programs Study, which covered
nearly 600,000 employees at seven
organizations, concluded that "wellness
programs are having little if any immediate
effects on the amount employers spend on
health care." RAND also discovered similar
results after analyzing 10 years of data by a
Fortune 100 employer.2
In this second case, the employer's wellness
program had two different components: a
lifestyle management program, which focused
on employees with health risks such as
smoking and obesity, and a disease
management program, which was designed to
help employees who already had a chronic
disease. Overall, the program resulted in
average health-care cost savings of $30 per
member, per month. However, 87% of those
savings were attributed to the disease
management program (resulting largely from a
30% reduction in hospital admissions).
Moreover, the program returned just $1.50 for
every dollar invested, on average. But a closer
look at this figure revealed that the disease
management program returned $3.80 for every
dollar, while the lifestyle management program
returned just $0.50 per dollar invested.
However, RAND acknowledged that a lifestyle
management program can help reduce health
risks such as smoking, obesity, and lack of
physical activity, as well as rates of
absenteeism. "Thus," it concluded, "if an
employer wants to improve employee health or
productivity, an evidence-based lifestyle
management program can achieve this goal."
An even more recent HBR piece offered tips
that built upon RAND study findings. It
suggested that employers take steps to identify
at-risk employees through health risk
assessments and biometric screenings, and
encourage (rather than coerce) them to
participate in programs designed to address
specific issues. It also noted that since
chronically ill patients — those who currently
suffer from diseases such as diabetes and
heart disease — consume at least 50% of
health-care claim expenses, "enrolling the
chronically ill in disease-management programs
that ensure they get appropriate care has the
most potential to reduce insurance premiums."3
Finally, a Society for Human Resource
Management (SHRM) article emphasized an
additional benefit offered by wellness programs
that is difficult to quantify: the "employee
positivity factor." In this report, SHRM listed
some of the advantages a healthy employee
can bring to work, such as stronger
engagement, better idea generation, and more
positive interactions with customers and
co-workers. "While the concrete savings from
reductions in health care costs and employee
sick leave is a good method for calculating ROI,
the additional benefits achieved by improving
employees' health and well-being should not be
ignored," the article concluded. "The additional
contributions made by employees who are 'well'
could potentially bury the ROI estimated by the
hard-cost findings."4
Consider the big picture
When deciding whether to add a wellness
program to your benefit lineup, be sure to
consider both the financial and intangible
benefits, and how they align with your
company's objectives.
1 "What's the Hard Return on Employee Wellness
Programs?" Harvard Business Review , December
2010
2 "Do Workplace Wellness Programs Save
Employers Money?" RAND Corporation, 2014
3 "Meet the Wellness Programs That Save
Companies Money," Harvard Business Review , April
20, 2016
4 "The Real ROI for Employee Wellness Programs,"
Society for Human Resource Management, February
24, 2015
Note: Employers
considering the adoption of
voluntary wellness
programs that include
financial incentives tied to
medical screenings and
health risk assessments
should closely monitor
developments surrounding
these programs and their
compliance with the
Americans with Disabilities
Act and the Genetic
Information
Non-Discrimination Act. In a
December 2017 federal court
decision, Judge John D.
Bates determined that the
current rules governing the
incentive limits would be
vacated as of January 1,
2019, and ordered the Equal
Employment Opportunity
Commission to propose new
rules by August 2018.
Employers may want to
consult wellness program
professionals before making
any final decisions.
Sources: Benefitnews.com,
January 3, 2018, and Plan
Sponsor, January 10, 2018
Page 2 of 4, see disclaimer on final page

3. Weathering the Storm: Are You Prepared?
Severe weather can test even the most
seasoned homeowners. And while storm
hazards such as power outages, downed trees,
and flooding can result in costly damage to your
home, they can also put your family's safety at
risk. The key to making it through a storm
safely is to be prepared.
Protect your home
Before a storm arrives, you'll want to take
proactive steps to prevent damage to your
home, such as:
• Cleaning your gutters and downspouts so
that water can flow freely away from your
home
• Inspecting and repairing roof shingles and
flashing to prevent water damage
• Trimming overhanging tree limbs
• Securing loose objects (e.g., grills and patio
furniture)
• Parking your car and storing any heavy
equipment (e.g., lawnmower) inside a garage
• Investing in storm windows, doors, and
shutters
Have an emergency plan/stock up on
supplies
A severe storm can cause power outages that
last for days. It can also result in downed power
lines, fallen trees, and flooding that make roads
impassable. You'll want to have an emergency
plan that identifies a place nearby where you
can safely stay if you lose power for an
extended period of time.
In addition, you should gather the necessary
supplies you'll need to stay safe both during
and after a storm. The following are some items
to put together in an emergency supply kit.
Food/supplies. Stock up on enough
nonperishable food to sustain you and your
family for several days. You'll also want to store
other items that are specific to your family's
needs, such as infant formula, diapers, pet
food, clothing, and blankets.
First aid/medicine. Be prepared for any
possible medical needs by having a first aid kit.
Also talk to your doctor about obtaining an extra
prescription for important medications you take
such as heart and blood pressure medications,
insulin, and asthma inhalers.
Communication/safety items. Make sure your
cell phones and other methods of electronic
communication are fully charged before the
storm arrives. Also gather additional safety
items, such as matches, flashlights, batteries,
and an AM/FM radio.
Important documents/valuables. Place
important documents, such as personal records
(e.g., birth and marriage certificates), property
records (e.g., insurance policies), medical
records, financial information (e.g., bank or
credit card information), and any valuables in a
secure location that is easily accessible in case
of an emergency.
Review your insurance coverage
Review all of your insurance policies (e.g.,
homeowners, renters, and auto) to make sure
that you have appropriate coverage for your
property and belongings. Your home and its
contents should be insured to their full
replacement cost, including any new additions,
remodels, and furniture. To assist with
post-storm insurance claims, be sure to take
pictures/videos and make an inventory of your
home and valuables in case they are damaged
or destroyed.
Keep in mind that certain types of storm
damage (e.g., flood and hurricane) may not be
covered by a standard policy or may require
you to pay a separate deductible. If you live in a
high-risk storm area, you may need to purchase
insurance specifically designed for floods and
hurricanes. Contact your insurance agent to
determine if you need to purchase additional
insurance above and beyond traditional
coverage.
After the storm
If your home suffers severe storm damage from
a natural disaster, you may be eligible for
immediate disaster relief funds and special
programs through the Federal Emergency
Management Agency (FEMA) and various
state/local government agencies.
You'll also need to file a claim for storm
damage with your insurance company. To
make the claims process easier, take pictures
to document the damage — both inside and
outside of your home — as soon as possible.
While your claim is being processed, take steps
to prevent further damage (e.g., putting a tarp
on a damaged roof), since the insurance
company may not cover any additional damage
that occurs after the storm passes.
Keep in mind that the process for filing an
insurance claim can take time, especially if your
home is in an area that has been impacted by a
large-scale storm. As a result, you should
contact your insurer with any questions you
may have regarding the claims process.
Page 3 of 4, see disclaimer on final page

4. Cedar Point Financial
Services LLC®
Todd N. Robison, CLU
President
10 Wright Street
2nd Floor
Westport, CT 06880
203-222-4951
todd.robison@cedarpointfinancial.com
www.cedarpointfinancial.com
Prepared by Broadridge Investor Communication Solutions, Inc. Copyright 2018
Securities offered through Kestra
Investment Services, LLC (Kestra
IS), member FINRA/SIPC. Cedar
Point Financial Services LLC is a
member firm of PartnersFinancial.
Kestra IS is not affiliated with
Cedar Point Financial Services or
PartnersFinancial.
Why is it important to factor inflation into retirement
planning?
Inflation is one of the key
factors you will need to
consider when planning for
retirement. Not only will the
cost of living rise while you're accumulating
assets for retirement, but it will continue to rise
during your retirement, which could last 25
years or longer. This, combined with the fact
that you will not likely earn a paycheck during
retirement, is the main reason your portfolio
needs to maintain at least some growth
potential for the duration of your retirement.
Consider this: If inflation runs at 3% (which is
approximately its long-term average, as
measured by the Consumer Price Index), the
purchasing power of a given sum of money
would be cut in half in 23 years. If it averages
4%, your purchasing power would be cut in half
in 18 years.
A simple example illustrates the impact of
inflation on retirement income. Assuming a
consistent annual inflation rate of 3%, if
$50,000 satisfies your retirement income needs
this year, you'll need $51,500 of income next
year to meet the same income needs. In 10
years, you'll need about $67,195 to equal the
purchasing power of $50,000 this year. And in
25 years, you'd need nearly $105,000 just to
maintain that purchasing power!1
Keep in mind that even a 3% long-term average
inflation rate conceals periods of skyrocketing
prices, such as in the late 1970s and early 80s,
when inflation reached double digits. Although
consumer prices have been relatively stable in
more recent decades, there's always the
chance that unexpected shocks could cause
prices to spike again.
So how do you strive for the returns you'll need
to outpace inflation by a wide enough margin
both before and during retirement? The key is
to consider investing at least some of your
portfolio in growth-oriented investments, such
as stocks.2
1 This hypothetical example of mathematical
principles is used for illustrative purposes only and
does not represent the performance of any specific
investment. Note that these figures exclude the
effects of taxes, fees, expenses, and investment
returns in general.
2 All investing involves risk, including the possible
loss of principal, and there is no guarantee that any
investment strategy will be successful.
How does working affect Social Security retirement
benefits?
If you're thinking about
working as long as possible to
increase your retirement
savings, you may be
wondering whether you can receive Social
Security retirement benefits while you're still
employed. The answer is yes. But depending
on your age, earnings from work may affect the
amount of your Social Security benefit.
If you're younger than full retirement age and
make more than the annual earnings limit
($17,040 in 2018), part of your benefits will be
withheld, reducing the amount you receive from
Social Security. If you're under full retirement
age for the entire year, $1 is deducted from
your benefit for every $2 you earn above the
annual limit.
In the year you reach full retirement age, $1 is
deducted from your benefit for every $3 you
earn above a different limit ($45,360 in 2018).
Starting with the month you reach full
retirement age, your benefit won't be reduced,
no matter how much you earn.
Earnings that count toward these limits are
wages from a job or net earnings from
self-employment. Pensions, annuities,
investment income, interest, and veterans or
other government benefits do not count.
Employee contributions to a pension or a
retirement plan do count if the amount is
included in your gross wages.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) may
begin to withhold the required amount, up to
your whole monthly benefit, as soon as it
determines you are on track to surpass the
annual limit. However, even if your benefits are
reduced, you'll receive a higher monthly benefit
at full retirement age, because the SSA will
recalculate your benefit and give you credit for
any earnings withheld earlier. So the effect that
working has on your benefits is only temporary,
and your earnings may actually increase your
benefit later.
These are just the basics, and other rules may
apply. The Retirement Earnings Test
Calculator, available at the Social Security
website, ssa.gov, can help you estimate how
earnings before full retirement age might affect
your benefit.
Page 4 of 4