JBL Financial Services, Inc.Jeff & Erin LapidusPresident7710 Carondelet AveSuite 333Clayton, MO 63105MO: 314-863-0008FAX: 314-863-0009jeff@jblfinancial.comhttp://www.jblfinancial.com

The Coach's Corner June 2017Setting Up a SIMPLE IRA Plan: It's Simple!

Expect the Unexpected: What to Do If YouBecome Disabled

I'm thinking about buying a new home. ShouldI consider the risk of climate changes?

What is a funeral trust?

The Coach's CornerFrom your Retirement Coaches and Advisors

Four Numbers You Need to Know Now

See disclaimer on final page

Happy summertime,

It’s June and Father’s Day is coming up,which means you’re more likely to spenda ton on Dad - just like Erin is planning todo for me...

But really, all kidding aside, expensespop up no matter what month! It’s toughto stick to a budget, especially when ona fixed income during retirement.Looking to change your saving strategy?Have a concerning question about howshifting policies are going to affect yourmedical coverage?

As always, Erin and I are here to coachyou through any part of your financialjourney. Call us at 314-863-0008 to setup your free Coaching Session. Thismeeting is cost-free and obligation-free.

Enjoy,

Jeff Lapidus

We hope you enjoy our show, StraightTalk On Retirement, on the Big 550KTRS Saturday's at 10:00 A.M.

When it comes to your finances,you might easily overlook someof the numbers that really count.Here are four to pay attention tonow that might really matter inthe future.

1. Retirement plan contribution rateWhat percentage of your salary are youcontributing to a retirement plan? Makingautomatic contributions through anemployer-sponsored plan such as a 401(k) or403(b) plan is an easy way to save forretirement, but this out-of-sight, out-of-mindapproach may result in a disparity betweenwhat you need to save and what you actuallyare saving for retirement. Checking yourcontribution rate and increasing it periodicallycan help you stay on track toward yourretirement savings goal. .

Some employer retirement plans let you sign upfor automatic contribution rate increases eachyear, which is a simple way to bump up thepercentage you're saving over time. In addition,try to boost your contributions when you receivea pay raise. Consider contributing at leastenough to receive the full company match (ifany) that your employer offers.

2. Credit scoreWhen you apply for credit, such as a mortgage,a car loan, or a credit card, your credit score isone of the tools used by lenders to evaluateyour creditworthiness. Your score will likelyfactor into the approval decision and affect theterms and the interest rate you'll pay.

The most common credit score that creditorsconsider is a FICO© Score, a three-digitnumber that ranges from 300 to 850. This scoreis based on a mathematical formula that usesinformation contained in your credit report. Ingeneral, the higher your score, the lower thecredit risk you pose.

Each of the three major credit reportingagencies (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion)calculates FICO® scores using differentformulas, so you may want to check yourscores from all three (fees apply). It's also agood idea to get a copy of your credit report at

least annually to check the accuracy of theinformation upon which your credit score isbased. You're entitled to one free copy of yourcredit report every 12 months from each of thethree credit reporting agencies. You can getyour copy by visiting annualcreditreport.com.

3. Debt-to-income ratioYour debt-to-income ratio (DTI) is anothernumber that lenders may use when decidingwhether to offer you credit. A DTI that is toohigh might mean that you are overextended.Your DTI is calculated by adding up your majormonthly expenses and dividing that figure byyour gross monthly income. The result isexpressed as a percentage. For example, ifyour monthly expenses total $2,200 and yourgross monthly income is $6,800, your DTI is32%.

Lenders decide what DTIs are acceptable,based on the type of credit. For example,mortgage lenders generally require a ratio of36% or less for conventional mortgages and43% or less for FHA mortgages whenconsidering overall expenses.

Once you know your DTI, you can take steps toreduce it if necessary. For example, you maybe able to pay off a low-balance loan to removeit from the calculation. You may also want toavoid taking on new debt that might negativelyaffect your DTI. Check with your lender if youhave any questions about acceptable DTIs orwhat expenses are included in the calculation.

4. Net worthOne of the key big-picture numbers you shouldknow is your net worth, a snapshot of whereyou stand financially. To calculate your networth, add up your assets (what you own) andsubtract your liabilities (what you owe). Onceyou know your net worth, you can use it as abaseline to measure financial progress.

Ideally, your net worth will grow over time asyou save more and pay down debt, at least untilretirement. If your net worth is stagnant or evendeclining, then it might be time to make someadjustments to target your financial goals, suchas trimming expenses or rethinking yourinvestment strategy.

Page 1 of 4

Setting Up a SIMPLE IRA Plan: It's Simple!Looking for a retirement plan for youremployees that's easy and inexpensive toadminister? Well, there may be a simpleanswer: the Savings Incentive Match Plan forEmployees of Small Employers, better knownas the SIMPLE IRA plan. A SIMPLE IRA planlets your employees defer up to $12,500 in2017 ($15,500 if age 50 or older). You promiseto match employee contributions dollar fordollar up to 3% of pay,* or to make a"nonelective" contribution for all eligibleemployees, whether or not they contribute,equal to 2% of pay. (No more than $270,000 ofpay can be taken into account in 2017.)

Your employees are eligible if they've earned atleast $5,000 during any two preceding years(whether consecutive or not) and are expectedto earn at least $5,000 in the current year.Eligibility does not depend on the employee'sage or how many hours the employee works foryou.

You can adopt a SIMPLE IRA plan for 2017only if you had 100 or fewer employees in 2016(excluding employees who earned less than$5,000) and you don't contribute to any otherretirement plan. If your business qualifies,follow these three simple steps to set up yourSIMPLE IRA plan. (You have until October 1 toset up a new SIMPLE IRA plan for 2017.)

Step 1: Adopt a written plan documentYou can set up a SIMPLE IRA plan bycompleting either a pre-approved documentprovided by a financial institution (for example,a mutual fund company, insurance company, orbank) or an IRS model document (either Form5305-SIMPLE or Form 5304-SIMPLE).

Form 5305-SIMPLE lets you specify the"designated financial institution" that will bothact as your plan's trustee/custodian and initiallyreceive all plan contributions. Form5304-SIMPLE, on the other hand, lets eacheligible employee select the financial institutionthat will serve as trustee/custodian and receiveall plan contributions.

Step 2: Provide informationYou must provide your eligible employees withthe following information before the beginningof each election period:

• An explanation of the employees' ability tomake or change salary reduction elections

• Whether you'll make matching contributionsor nonelective contributions for the comingyear

• A summary description of the plan• A notice that employees can transfer their

account balances to an IRA provider of their

choice without cost or penalty, if you use adesignated financial institution

The election period is generally the 60-dayperiod prior to the start of each calendar year(November 2 to December 31). However, theelection period will be different if you set up aSIMPLE plan mid-year, or if an employee firstbecomes eligible after the 60-day period ends.Forms 5304 and 5305 contain most of theforms you'll need to comply with these noticerequirements.

Step 3: Set up employee accountsA SIMPLE IRA account must be set up by or foreach eligible employee, and all contributions tothe plan must go into these accounts.Employees must make important decisionsabout investing their SIMPLE IRA retirementdollars based on the investment optionsavailable at the financial institution that holdstheir funds.

Key differences between a SIMPLE IRAplan and a traditional 401(k) plan

SIMPLE IRA 401(k) Plan

Employeedeferral limits

$12,500,$15,500 if 50or older

$18,000,$24,000 if 50or older

Rothcontributions?

No Yes

ComplexERISA/taxcompliance?

No Generally yes

Employercontributionsrequired?

Yes Generally no

Additionalemployercontributionsallowed?

No Yes, totalcontribution(includingdeferrals) upto $54,000 ormore possible

Loans? No Yes

Creditorprotection?

Yes inbankruptcy;unclearoutsidebankruptcy

Generally yes,inside andoutsidebankruptcy

Withdrawals Unrestricted Generallyrestricted

Earlywithdrawalpenalty

25% first twoyears ofparticipation,then 10%

10%

You can also set up a 401(k)plan as a SIMPLE plan.However, there's littleadvantage in doing so,because you'll have thesame lower contributionlimits as a SIMPLE IRA planwhile giving up the ease ofadministration that makesSIMPLE plans attractive inthe first place.

* The 3% of pay match maybe reduced to as little as 1%in any two of five years.

Page 2 of 4, see disclaimer on final page

Expect the Unexpected: What to Do If You Become DisabledIn a recent survey, 46% of retirees said theyretired earlier than planned, and not necessarilybecause they chose to do so. In fact, many saidthey had to leave the workforce early becauseof health issues or a disability.¹

Although you may be healthy and financiallystable now, an unexpected diagnosis or injurycould significantly derail your life plans. Wouldyou know what to do, financially speaking, ifyou suddenly became disabled? Now may be agood time to familiarize yourself with thefollowing information, before an emergencyarises.

Understand any employer-sponsoredbenefits you may haveDisability insurance pays a benefit that replacesa percentage of your pay for a designatedperiod of time. Through your employer, youmay have access to both short- and long-termdisability insurance. If your employer offersdisability insurance, be sure to fully understandhow the plan works. Review your plan'sSummary Plan Description carefully todetermine how to apply for benefits should youneed them, and what you will need to providefor proof of disability.

Short-term disability protection typically coversa period of up to six months, while long-termdisability coverage generally lasts for the lengthof the disability or until retirement. Your planmay offer basic coverage paid by youremployer and a possible "buy-up" option thatallows you to purchase additional coverage.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics,40% of private industry workers have access toshort-term disability insurance through theiremployers, while 33% have access to long-termcoverage. For both types of plans, the medianreplacement amount is about 60% of pay, withmost subject to maximum limits.²

Consider a supplemental safety netIf you do not have access to disability insurancethrough your employer, it might be wise toinvestigate other options. It may be possible topurchase both short- and long-term groupdisability policies through membership in aprofessional organization or association.Individual policies are also available fromprivate insurers.

You can purchase policies that cover you forlife, until age 65, or for shorter periods such astwo or five years. An individual policy willremain in force as long as you pay thepremiums. Because many disabilities do notresult in a complete inability to work, somepolicies offer a rider that will pay you partialbenefits if you are able to work part-time.

Most insurance policies have a waiting period(known as the "elimination period") before youcan begin receiving benefits. For privateinsurance policies, this period can be anywherefrom 30 to 365 days. Group policies(particularly through your employer) typicallyhave shorter waiting periods than privatepolicies. Disability insurance premiums paidwith after-tax dollars will generally result intax-free disability benefits. On the other hand, ifyour premiums are paid with pre-tax dollars,typically through your employer, your benefitpayments may be taxable.

Review the Social Security disabilityprocessThe Social Security Administration (SSA) paysdisability benefits through two programs: theSocial Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)program and the Supplemental Security Income(SSI) program. SSDI pays benefits to peoplewho cannot work due to a disability that isexpected to last at least one year or result indeath, and it's only intended to help suchindividuals make ends meet. Consider that theaverage monthly benefit in January 2017 wasjust $1,171.

In order to receive SSDI, you must meet strictcriteria for your disability. You must also meetrequirements for how recently and how longyou have worked. Meeting the medical criteriais difficult; in fact, according to the NationalOrganization of Social Security Claimants'Representatives (NOSSCR), about two-thirdsof initial SSDI applications are denied on theirfirst submission. Denials can be appealedwithin 60 days of receipt of the notice.³

The application process can take up to fivemonths, so it is advisable to apply for SSDI assoon as you become disabled. If yourapplication is approved, benefits begin in themonth following the six-month anniversary ofyour date of disability (as recorded by the SSAin your approval letter). Eligible family membersmay also be able to collect additional paymentsof up to 50% of your benefit amount.

SSI is a separate program, based on incomeneeds of the aged, blind, or disabled. You canapply to both SSI and SSDI at the same time.

For more information, visit the Social SecurityDisability Benefits website at ssa.gov, whereyou will also find a link to information on the SSIprogram.

¹ 2016 Retirement Confidence Survey, EmployeeBenefit Research Institute

² Bureau of Labor Statistics,National Compensation Survey, 2016

³ NOSSCR web site, accessed March 2017

About 20% of Americanslive with a disability, andone in four of today's20-year-olds will becomedisabled before retiring.

Source: SSA, DisabilityFacts, 2017

The average age of SSDIrecipients in 2015 was 54.

Source: Fast Facts andFigures About SocialSecurity, 2016

Page 3 of 4, see disclaimer on final page

JBL Financial Services, Inc.Jeff & Erin LapidusPresident7710 Carondelet AveSuite 333Clayton, MO 63105MO: 314-863-0008FAX: 314-863-0009jeff@jblfinancial.comhttp://www.jblfinancial.com

Prepared by Broadridge Investor Communication Solutions, Inc. Copyright 2017

There are many ways to receive morestraight talk and input from your favoriteAdviser and Retirement Coach:

Listen to my show "Straight Talk onRetirement" every Saturday from10-11am on KTRS 550-AM.

I am accepting new clients so please donot hesitate to offer your friends and familymembers the chance to visit me for a freecoaching session- let's help them get theirfinancial life on track!

Securities offered through LPL Financial,member FINRA/SIPC. Investment adviceoffered through Private Advisor Group, aRegistered Investment Advisor. PrivateAdvisor Group and JBL Financial ServicesInc., are separate entities from LPLFinancial.

The information in this article is notintended to be tax or legal advice, andmay not be relied on for the purpose ofavoiding any federal tax penalties. You areencouraged to seek tax or legal advicefrom an independent professional adviser.The content is derived from sourcesbelieved to be accurate. Neither theinformation presented nor any opinionexpressed constitutes a solicitation for thepurchase or sale of any security. Thismaterial was written and prepared byBroadridge.

What is a funeral trust?A funeral trust is anarrangement entered into witha provider of funeral or burialservices. Prepaying funeralexpenses may allow you to

"lock in" costs for future funeral or burialservices at an agreed-upon price. The funeralhome sometimes serves as trustee (manager oftrust assets), and you usually fund the trust withcash, bonds, or life insurance. A revocablefuneral trust can be changed and revoked byyou at any time. An irrevocable trust can't bechanged or revoked, and you generally can'tget your money out except to pay for funeralservices.

Irrevocable funeral trusts may also help youqualify for long-term care benefits throughMedicaid. For example, these trusts may befunded with assets that would otherwise becountable resources for Medicaid (i.e., includedin determining Medicaid eligibility). They areoften sold through insurance companies, inwhich case they are typically funded with lifeinsurance. And you can fund the funeral trustright before entering the nursing home — there'sno "look-back" period for these transfers, unlikethe case with certain other transfers that can

cause a delay in the start of Medicaid benefits.

Another advantage of funding your trust with lifeinsurance is that the trust will have no taxableincome to report, because life insurance cashvalues grow tax deferred. Otherwise, incomefrom trust assets may be taxed to you as thegrantor of the trust, unless the trustee elects totreat the trust as a qualified funeral trust byfiling Form 1041-QFT with the IRS, in whichcase trust income is taxed to the trust.

But what happens if you want to change funeralhomes, or the facility you selected goes out ofbusiness? Does your irrevocable trust allow youto change beneficiaries (e.g., funeral homes)?Are trust funds protected from creditors of thefuneral home? State laws regulating prepaidfuneral trusts often require funeral homes tokeep trust assets separate from their ownbusiness assets, keeping them safe fromfuneral home creditors. And most irrevocabletrusts are transferable to another funeral homeshould the initial business fail or you changefuneral homes.

There are expenses associated with thecreation of a trust and the purchase of lifeinsurance, and benefits are not guaranteed.

I'm thinking about buying a new home. Should Iconsider the risk of climate changes?If you're thinking about buyinga home, you probably have achecklist of qualities you'relooking for as you shop

around. But have you considered howenvironmental factors could affect your choice?In the event your dream home is in an area thatcould be affected by flooding or a storm surge,you'll have some additional factors to thinkabout before you make your purchase.

Do your research. Seek information on thelocations vulnerable to climate changes. Someof these regions are located in coastal areas.Climate changes have been linked to moresevere weather events and rising sea levels,which increases the risk of frequent and majorflooding. Even though there's uncertainty as tohow much sea levels could rise in the future, it'sstill important that you know the risks. You canfind more information on this subject on NASA'sglobal climate change website atclimate.nasa.gov or by reviewing FEMA's"Information for Policyholders" page atfema.gov.

Know your insurance options. Generally,homeowners insurance does not cover floods.

This means you'll want to look into coverageoptions (and the cost) if you're relocating to anarea susceptible to flooding. Many insurancecompanies participate in the National FloodInsurance Program (NFIP), which makes floodinsurance available through a partnership withFEMA. Contact your homeowners insuranceprovider to learn more.

Tour the home with weather-related andenvironmental risks in mind. When youcheck out your potential home's features, thinkabout safety. Will the home be able towithstand severe weather? Specifically, is thehome equipped with hurricane shutters? Do thewindows have special impact-resistant glass?What about a storm cellar? Is the roof in goodcondition? Are there many trees on theproperty?

Take time now to estimate the potentialfinancial impact of owning a home in an areaaffected by the risk of climate changes, and itmay help you avoid unexpected expenses andstress later.

Page 4 of 4

April 25, 2017

Kyle Smith Broadridge Business Process Outsourcing, LLC2 Journal SquareJersey City NJ 07036

Reference: FX2017-0420-0360/E Org Id :114212

REVIEW LETTER

1. Broadridge June Newsletter: 4Num; Wed; LTCI; StuLn; Disab; TSP; IRA; Info; Funrl; Pet; Clim; Wind; Rentl; Cartn (#BroadridgeNewsletter0617)Rule: FIN 221011 pages Fee: $650

Total Fee: $650 Attention: Kyle Smith

Our review is based on the understanding that in its final form, this communication will prominently disclose the name of the member, pursuant to FINRA Rule 2210(d)(3) as represented by your firm in the explanation uploaded with this submission.

The above-referenced material appears consistent with applicable standards.

Reviewed by,

Sara L. GaabAssociate Principal Analyst

aec

This year’s Advertising Regulation Conference will be held on October 5-6 in Washington, D.C. For more information and to register, please access the conference webpage at www.finra.org/2017adreg.

NOTE: This review is limited to the communication that was filed. We assume that the communication does not omit material facts, contain statements that are not factual, or offer opinions that do not have a reasonable basis. This communication may be described as “Reviewed by FINRA” or “FINRA Reviewed”; however, there must be no statement or implication that this communication has been approved by FINRA.

Please send any communications related to filing reviews to this Department through the Advertising Regulation Electronic Filing (AREF) system or by facsimile or hard copy mail service. We request that you do not send documents or other communications via email.