October 2022 - High Point FCU

Don’t Get Caught in an Election Scam

Democracy is a privilege that’s upheld by the election process. But scammers are out to hijack this process and cause havoc throughout election season. Here are three red flags to watch out for this time of year to avoid an election scam.

1. Eleventh-hour campaign contributions

This scheme targets voters right before elections by asking them to make a donation toward their chosen candidate’s campaign. They’ll claim to represent the candidate and suggest that the candidate just needs one big push to move to the front of the line.

Unfortunately, if the target believes the caller and makes a donation, they’ll be giving money helping to line a scammer’s pockets.

Stay safe: If you’d like to contribute to a candidate’s campaign, reach out to campaign headquarters on your own through their website.

2. Polling for information

During election season, informal poll-takers and petitioners are everywhere while canvassing voters. Once they have your attention, they’ll ask who you’re voting for, request that you fill out a survey or have you sign an election petition on a particular issue. But first, some will say they’ll need your personally identifiable information (PII), like your name, date of birth, home address and even your Social Security number. If you oblige, you’ll be sharing your information with a scammer.

Stay safe: Never share your PII with an unverified contact. If you do decide to fill out a voter survey, be super-selective about the information you share. Don’t share your Social Security number, driver’s license number or any other information that can be hijacked for crime.

3. Voter re-registration

In the weeks leading up to Election Day, you may get a bogus voter registration form, claiming your name has been mistakenly removed from voter rolls. They will say you can get back on by filling out this form and mailing it out. Alternatively, they’ll reach out over the phone, text, or email, and tell you to register by responding. Naturally, this is an election scam!

Stay safe: Remember that you can only register to vote by mail. In addition, there’s no reason to believe your registration is no longer valid. If in doubt, search your state’s Secretary of State website.

Stay safe, and may the best candidates win!

Step 10 of 12 Steps to Financial Wellness – Plan for Retirement

It’s never too early – or too late – to plan for retirement. However, the more time you allow for your savings to grow, the bigger the nest egg you’ll have when it’s time to cash in.

Here’s how to get started on planning your retirement.

Set a target number

First, determine how much you’ll need to have saved for living comfortably and independently throughout your retirement. Experts advise taking your current living expenses and multiplying the number by 400 to identify the amount you’ll need to sustain yourself based on a 4% return.

Choose your retirement account strategy

Next, you’ll need to select a place to keep your retirement savings. There are many options to consider, some of which you may already have if you are, or have been, employed. Here’s a quick review of the two most common retirement accounts:

1. 401(k)

If you’re employed, you likely have a 401(k) that’s working toward collecting money for your retirement. Take advantage of this retirement tool by maximizing your contributions. Also, many employers match a portion of (or all) contributions you make, which is basically free money, to help your retirement savings grow, tax-deferred.

2. IRA

There are two popular kinds of Individual Retirement Plans (IRA): Traditional IRAs and Roth IRAs. A Traditional IRA will let your money grow, tax-deferred, but withdrawals are taxable. A Roth IRA does not feature tax-deferred growth, but qualified withdrawals are not taxed. Like a 401(k), some employers match a portion of (or all) contributions. But, there are federal limits on how much money you are allowed to add to your IRA each year.

The table below shows a brief summary of the pros and cons of each retirement vehicle for easy comparison.

Features	401(k)	IRA	Roth IRA
Matching Funds	Yes	No	No
Tax-Deductible	Yes	Depends on income, tax-filing status and other factors	No
Tax-Deferred Growth	Yes	Yes	No
Taxable Withdrawals	Yes	Yes	No
Maximum Yearly Contribution (2022)	$20,500	$6,000	$6,000
Maximum Yearly Contribution Age 50+ (2022)	$27,000	$7,000	$7,000

After you’ve selected your retirement fund, you’ll also need to choose somewhere to invest. With a bit of work, and a lot of planning, you’ll have your future secured in the best way possible.

Explore the IRA accounts and Share Certificates offered at High Point Federal Credit Union today!

How Can I Help My Elderly Parents Manage their Finances?

Q: My parents are aging, and I believe they can use help in managing their everyday expenses, and may eventually need a proxy. How can I best help my parents with their finances?

A: Your parents are fortunate to have a child who’s proactively willing to help with this challenging task. Here are some ways you can help your elderly parents manage their finances.

Determine whether they need help

If you notice any of the following, it may be a sign that your parents need assistance with money management:

Unusual and unnecessary purchases.
Piles of unopened mail.
Physical setbacks.
Cognitive impairment and/or memory failure.

Communicate openly

Before you take steps toward managing, or assisting with, your parents’ finances, have an open conversation with them about your current and future intentions. You can share that you are only there to help and that you will not take any actions without their permission, whether before or at the time of need.

Gather information

Next, sit down with your parents and ask these questions about their finances:

Have you named a durable power of attorney (POA) for finances?
Where do you keep your financial records and assets?
What is the name of your mortgage lender?
What are your monthly expenses?
How do you pay your bills?
How much is your annual income?
What kind of health insurance do you have?
Have you written a will or a trust?

Establish a plan

Now you’re ready to establish a plan for managing, or assisting with, your parents’ finances. Be sure to honor their dignity as much as possible. Ask them if they’d like you to take responsibility for one or more of their monthly financial-related tasks. For example, you can pay their mortgage and car payments each month, or make decisions relating to their investments.

At this time, consider simplifying their finances in any way you can. For example, if your parents have multiple credit card balances, you may want to consolidate this debt into an unsecured loan, and then only have to pay back the one loan payment each month. You can also automate as many bills as possible.

Alternatively, you can talk about the future only, and have your parents agree to let you manage their money if one or both of them become incapacitated in any manner.

If your parents find it difficult to relinquish this bit of independence, start assuming responsibilities for their finances gradually; just one bill at a time.

Taking over the finances of elderly parents can be a delicate and daunting task, but it is often necessary. Use the tips outlined here to navigate this situation smoothly.