FINANCIAL KNOW-HOW What You Need to Know About Estate Planning Estate planning is not for the wealthy only. Even if you have a very modest estate, you can help ensure that your wishes for your assets and medical care are carried out in the future by reviewing the following documents today.1 1. Will. A will specifies how you would like your assets to be distributed after your death. Typically, assets covered by a will include your home, car and financial accounts other than insurance and retirement plans. A will may also be used to appoint guardians for dependents in your care so be certain to review it from time to time as family dynamics change. 2. Beneficiary forms.

Yet not all assets are covered under a will. Insurance proceeds and retirement plan balances are paid directly to the beneficiaries you named when setting up these accounts. Therefore, it’s wise to review these forms at least once per year in case your personal circumstances have changed. 3. Durable power of attorney. Suppose you become incapacitated through a disability, serious illness or accident — who will handle your financial affairs? You can designate an agent in advance using a durable power of attorney.

This person would make financial decisions on your behalf if you become unable to do so yourself. 4. Advance health care directive. Similarly, you can designate someone legally to make medical decisions for you, if needed. The person designated in an advance health care directive can make medical decisions for you if you are unable to communicate your own decisions.

This includes carrying out wishes you stated in a living will (see below). 5. Living will. We all have different opinions on the lifesustaining measures we wish to receive or avoid, should the time come. You can outline your wishes for a terminal or end-stage condition in a living will.

Such declarations can help relieve your family of these emotional decisions. This communication is not intended to be legal advice and should not be treated as such. Each individual’s legal situation is different. You should contact your legal professional to discuss your personal situation. 1 Ameritas Life Insurance Corp. of New York Retirement Plans Division 1350 Broadway, Suite 2201 New York, NY 10018 866-816-0561 ameritas.com This information is provided by Ameritas®, which is a marketing name for subsidiaries of Ameritas Mutual Holding Company, including, but not limited to: Ameritas Life Insurance Corp., 5900 O Street, Lincoln, NE 68510; Ameritas Life Insurance Corp.

of New York (licensed in New York), 1350 Broadway, Suite 2201, New York, NY 10018; and Ameritas Investment Corp., member FINRA/SIPC. Each company is solely responsible for its own financial condition and contractual obligations. For more information about Ameritas®, visit ameritas.com. Wealth Management Systems Inc.

is not an affiliate of Ameritas Life Insurance Corp. Ameritas® and the bison design are registered service marks of Ameritas Life Insurance Corp. Fulfilling life® is a registered service mark of affiliate Ameritas Holding Company. ©2016 Ameritas Holding Company Prepared by Wealth Management Systems Inc. in cooperation with WMSI Securities LLC, Member of FINRA/SIPC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Wealth Management Systems Inc. Your Financial Future is published by Wealth Management Systems Inc.

(WMSI), 100 Franklin Street, 4th Floor, Boston, MA 02110, www.wealthmsi.com. © 2016 Wealth Management Systems Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of DST Systems, Inc. Reproduction in whole or in part prohibited, except by permission. All rights reserved.

The opinions and recommendations expressed herein are solely those of Wealth Management Systems Inc. and in no way represent the advice, opinions, or recommendations of the company distributing the publication to its employees or affiliates. Information has been obtained by this publication from sources believed to be reliable. However, because of the possibility of human or mechanical error by our sources, this publication, or any other, WMSI does not guarantee the accuracy, adequacy, or completeness of any information and is not responsible for any errors or omissions or for the results obtained from the use of such information.

Nothing contained herein should be construed as a solicitation to buy or sell securities or other investments. The data in this edition were current as of the time of publication. RP 2178 12/15 .