Mountain Views News, Sierra Madre Edition [Pasadena] Saturday, February 24, 2018

WHAT TO DO WITH CREMATED ASHES? 
Mountain Views-News Saturday, February 24, 2018 10 THE GOOD LIFE THE GOOD LIFE 
HOW TO GET CASH FOR YOUR LIFE INSURANCE POLICY 



Dear Savvy Senior,
I have a life insurance policy that I’ve been paying 
on for years that I really don’t need any longer. I’ve 
been thinking about letting it lapse, but I’ve heard 
that I can actually sell it for a nice payout. What 
can you tell me about this? 

Interested In Selling 

Dear Interested, 
Selling a life insurance policy, even a term life 
policy that you don’t want or need any longer – 
a transaction known as a “life settlement” – has 
become a popular option among retirees in recent 
years that could use some extra cash. Here’s how 
it works. 

A life settlement is the sale of an existing life 
insurance policy to a third party company for cash. 
Life settlements are typically best suited for people 
over age 65 who own a policy with a face value of 
$100,000 or more or someone younger who has 
experienced a significant change in health. 

Historically, if an owner of a life insurance 
policy decided they no longer needed it, they 
would either let the policy lapse or turn it in for 
a meager cash surrender value. But now, with the 
life settlement option, you can actually sell your 
policy for more than the cash surrender value 
would be, but less than its net death benefit. 

Once you sell it, the life settlement company 
then becomes the new owner of the policy, pays 
the future premiums and collects the death 
benefit. 

How much money you can expect to get with a 
life settlement will depend on your age, health and 
life expectancy, the type of insurance policy, the 
premium costs and the cash value of your policy. 
You may be able to receive four to eight times 
more than the policy cash surrender value.

If you’re interested in a life settlement here are 
some things you should know:

Shop around: Because payout can vary, to 
ensure you get the best price for your policy 
get quotes from several companies. Also, find 
out what broker and transaction fees you’ll be 
required to pay. Coventry, the nation’s first and 
largest provider of life settlements, offers some of 
the highest cash payouts for life insurance policies. 
To get started, visit CoventryDirect.com or call 
888-858-9344. To search for other providers or 

brokers, the Life Insurance Settlement Association 
provides a directory at LISA.org. 

Be prudent: Life settlements are regulated in 
most states. Find out from your state insurance 
commissioner (see NAIC.org for contact 
information) if the life settlement company you’re 
interested in is properly licensed.

Protect your privacy: When you sell your life 
insurance policy, you will have to sign a waiver 
authorizing the release of medical and other 
personal information so that the buyer can 
determine how much to offer for your policy. 
Before accepting any offer, make sure that the 
company has procedures in place to protect the 
confidentiality of your information.

Understand the tax implications: The Tax Cuts 
and Jobs Act recently updated the tax treatment 
of a life settlement to be treated the same as 
the surrender of a policy back to the insurance 
company. This can be complicated, so be sure to 
consult a tax advisor. 

Other OptionsIf you want to keep your life insurance policy butcould use some extra cash, you may have some otheroptions. For example, some life settlement companiesmay allow you to keep part of the policy’s deathbenefit while eliminating your premium obligations.
You can also ask your life insurer if you can borrowagainst your policy, or if you’re in poor health, seeif you’re eligible for accelerated death benefits. Youshould also find out if you’re able to convert thecash value of your policy into an immediate annuity(through a 1035 Exchange), which would makeregular payments to you for a set number of years orfor the rest of your life. 

Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. 
Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.
org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today 
show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book. 


GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANT 



Billy Graham has passed away.

There is little more to be said of 

the tremendous impact of the

Holy Spirit through his ministry

that has not already been said

by fellow believers and even

those outside the Church. That 
is why I’m going to try to keep this article simpleand to the point.

 While it is an understatement to say that BillyGraham was an engaging and articulate speaker,
when it comes right down to it, he was nothingmore than a tool in the Master’s hand --and he 
knew it. Billy Graham knew that there was nothinginherently special about him or his ability, it was allabout God and His saving love for us portrayed inthe sacrificial death of His Son on our behalf. This 
humility is precisely why God was able to workthrough him so effectively. Like Moses, who was 
called “the most humble man on the earth,” BillyGraham was humble, faithful, and obedient. And 
for those reasons, he was effective. 

His message was simple because the Gospel issimple. It has not changed since the Holy Spirit,
through Paul, wrote these words: “All have sinned 
and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23)
“The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God iseternal life in Christ Jesus, our Lord.” (Romans6:23) “God demonstrates His own love for us, in 
that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” 
(Romans 5:8) “If you confess with your mouth,
‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that Godraised Him from the dead you will be saved.” 
(Romans 10:9)

 Billy Graham didn’t need to dress up the Gospelor change it over the years to make it align withcultural trends. Billy Graham’s mission and visionstatement were Jesus’ mission and vision statement: 
“Go, therefore, and make disciples of all thenations, baptizing them in the name of the Fatherand of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teachingthem to observe all things that I have commanded 
you.” (Matthew 28:19-20). Pretty clear and simple, 
no changes needed. Brian Brodersen, another 
favorite pastor of mine, has pointed out that ifsomeone waters down the Gospel, or changes itto adapt to certain societal values, people see nodifference between the Church and the rest of the 
world. Why go to church if church is nothing morethan Starbucks or a sporting event? If the Church 
is just like the world, you might as well not wasteyour time. However, if Christians takes a firm, 
unwavering stand about what the Bible teaches,
even nonbelievers will respect their integrity.

 Billy Graham was not afraid to present theGospel unchanged and unadulterated. The heart ofthe Bible is Jesus. God sent Jesus to live the perfectlife none of us could live because we are sinners by 
nature. You did not become a sinner when youdid something wrong. You did something wrong 

because you are a sinner. A bird does not become a 
bird when it flies and a fish does not become a fish 
when it swims. Birds fly because they are birds andfish swim because they are fish. (I cannot take creditfor this analogy, I believe I heard it from Pastor RayBentley). You may be a good person compared toa murderer, thief, or even the selfish gossip at work.
But you are not a good person compared to God,
and that is all that matters in the end.

 Jesus had to become a human to be like us so 
that His death would atone for our sins. When 
Billy Graham stands before God, God doesn’tsee Billy Graham’s righteousness, He sees Jesus’righteousness. That is what saves him from Hell, 
the fact that Billy Graham put his trust in the perfectlife that Jesus lived, rather than his own good deedsand accomplishments, though they were many.

 Although Billy Graham was saved from Hell,
he, like all Christians, must appear before thejudgment seat of Christ. This is where Jesus tests 
the works of a believer, whether good or bad, andrewards them accordingly. Some will come away 
with nothing. Works done with wrong motives,
such as pride or self promotion, will be burned up,
although the believer will still be saved. Those who 
have led fruitful lives in service to God, their works 
will pass through the fire like gold, and they willreceive a rich reward. This is what every Christianhopes for, to hear Jesus say to them, “Well done,
good and faithful servant!” And that is what BillyGraham heard this past week.

 Some of us, like Billy Graham, live a long lifeand gradually come to an anticipated death. But 
others, like the victims of the horrible shooting inFlorida, are taken suddenly without warning. You 
do not know when will be your last opportunity toaccept Jesus and be saved from an eternity in Hell.
Some scoff at the Gospel and call it “fire insurance”
or a scare tactic. But Jesus didn’t shy away fromappealing to our very appropriate fear of eternal 
torment. That is why He spoke more about Hellthan He did about Heaven. So in closing, I urge youtoday to accept His free gift of eternal life. The giftis free but the cost was immeasurable --Jesus’ death 
instead of yours. And what’s even more amazingthan that is that He was glad to do it. God would 
rather send His Son to the cross than loose you toan eternity apart from Him. You cannot work yourway up to God, so God reached down and providedthe way for you. And the way is named Jesus.

 If you choose to accept Jesus as your Savior youcan pray this prayer and He will come into yourheart and give you peace with God --today andforever!

 “Dear Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner, and 
I ask for Your forgiveness. I believe You died for mysins and rose from the dead. I turn from my sinsand invite You to come into my heart and life. I 
want to trust and follow You as my Lord and Savior.
In Your Name. Amen.” 

SENIOR HAPPENINGS 



HAPPY BIRTHDAY! …February Birthdays* 

Beatrice DaRe, Cathrine Adde, Hilda Pittman, Anne-Marie Stockdale, Susan 
Henderson, Allie Attay, Ursula El-Tawansy, Gladys Moser, Sylvia Lorhan, Ana 
Ptanski, Winifred Swanson , Marian DeMars, Vickie Vernon, Mary Beth Knox, 
Sharon Lefler. 

* To add your name to this distinguished list, please call the paper at 626.355.2737. 
YEAR of birth not required 
ACTIVITIES: Unless listed differently, all activities are at the Hart 
Park House (Senior Center) 222 W. Sierra Madre Blvd., Sierra Madre 


Hawaiian & Polynesian Dance Class: Every Tuesday morning from 10a.m. to 
11a.m. Join instructor Barbara Dempsey as she leads you in the art of Hula. 

Bingo Time: Every Tuesday beginning at 1:00p.m. Cards are only $0.25 each! 
Everyone is welcome to join. Activity may be canceled if less than five people. 

Free Blood Pressure Testing: 2nd Tuesdays of the month from 11a.m. to 12p.m. No appt. is necessary. 

Brain Games - *New Activity*: Join us on Thursday November 16th, at 10:30a.m. to 11:30a.m for 

Scattergories. A creative thinking game by naming objects within a set of categories. Everyone is 
welcome, and no experience is needed. What a great way to strengthen your brain and make new friends.
Activities are facilitated by Senior Volunteers. 

Free Legal Consultation: Wednesday, November 15th from 10:30a.m. to Noon. Attorney Lem Makupson isavailable for legal consultation. Specializing in Family Law, Wills, Trusts, Estates, and Injury. Appointmentsare required by calling 626-355-7394. 

Senior Club: Meets every Saturday at the Hart Park House Senior Center. Brown Bag Lunch at 11:30a.m. 

Chair Yoga: Mondays & Wednesdays from 11:00a.m. to 11:45a.m. with Paul Hagen. Classes 

include yoga and balance exercises. All ability levels are encouraged and welcomed!* A voluntarydonation of $5.00 per week is suggested but not required. 

Birthday Celebrations: Every 2nd Thursday monthly at the Hart Park House, share some free birthday cakeprovided by the Sierra Madre Civic Club. 

Game Day: Every Thursday starting at 12:00p.m. Come join this group of Seniors in their poker game.
Other games are offered to all. 

Free Strength Training Class: Fridays from 12:45p.m. to 1:30p.m. with Lisa Brandley. This energetic class
utilizes light weights, low impact resistance and training conditioning. Class 
equipment is provided. 



Whale Watching Tour (Long Beach) 

Date: Friday, February 16, 2018 
Time: 10:30a.m. – 4:00p.m. 

Meeting Location: Hart Park House Senior Center Cost: $30 (Does not include lunch)
Join Harbor Breeze Cruises on an exciting California Whale watching journey to viewsome of the largest mammals on the planet! The experienced Long Beach crew and knowledgeable 
Aquarium of the Pacific educators will guide onboard guests and spectators asthey search all types of awe-inspiring marine life. Participants can bring their own lunch 
to enjoy on the boat or purchase snack items on board. Level of Walking: Low/ MediumRegistration for Sierra Madre Residents starts now through Monday, February 5th. Non-resident registration 
starts online or in person on Tuesday, February 6, 2018. 

SENIOR CINEMA - 1ST & 3RD WEDNESDAY 


February 7th at 1:00 p.m.
Lion (2016)

A traumatizing true story of a five year old, Saroogets lost on a train which takes him thousands of milesacross India, away from home and family. Saroo mustlearn to survive alone in Kolkata, before being adoptedby his AustralianParents. Twenty-five years later, with his unwavering determination and arevolutionary technology, Google Earth, he sets out to find his lost family.
Rated PG-13. Run Time: 2h. 


February 21st at 1:00 p.m.
Hell or High Water (2016) 


Toby is a divorced father who’s trying to make a better life for his son. Hisbrother Tanner is an ex-convict with a short temper and a loose trigger finger.
Together, they plan a series of heists against the bank that’s about to foreclose ontheir family ranch. This film received four nominated Academy Awards, including 
Best Picture and Best Supporting Actor for Jeff Bridges. Rated R. Run Time:
1h 42m. 


UPCOMING EXCURSIONS: 

Whale Watching Tour (Long Beach)

Date: Friday, February 16, 2018 

Time: 10:30a.m. – 4:00p.m.

Meeting Location: Hart Park House Senior Center Cost: 

$30 (Does not include lunch)

Join Harbor Breeze Cruises on an excitingCalifornia Whale watching journey to view some of the largest mammals on theplanet! The experienced Long Beach crew and knowledgeable Aquarium of thePacific educators will guide onboard guests and spectators as they search all typesof awe-inspiring marine life. Participants can bring their own lunch to enjoyon the boat or purchase snack items on board. Level of Walking: Low/ MediumRegistration for Sierra Madre Residents starts now through Monday, February 5th. Nonresident 
registration starts online or in person on Tuesday, February 6, 2018. 


Mountain Views News 80 W Sierra Madre Blvd. No. 327 Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 Office: 626.355.2737 Fax: 626.609.3285 Email: editor@mtnviewsnews.com Website: www.mtnviewsnews.com