One of the most Amazing Gift Catalogues in the World!

Heifer International's mission is to work with communities to end hunger and poverty and care for the Earth.

It all started with a cow.

Moved by the plight of orphans and refugees of the Spanish Civil War as he ladled out meager rations of powdered milk, Dan West, an Indiana farmer, volunteer relief worker and Church of the Brethren member, grasped that the people needed "a cow, not a cup"—cows that could produce milk so families would not have to depend on temporary aid. From that simple idea, Heifer International was born.

In 1944, the first cows sent abroad were donated by West's neighbors and distributed throughout Europe following World War II. More than 67 years later, Heifer has expanded its mission, just as it expanded to 30 types of animals it now provides—from goats, geese and guinea pigs to bees, silkworms and water buffalo.
 

Through their Web site Catalogue you can reach out and help change the face of the world through changing the human experience.
 

(Charity Navigator Rating for Heifer Int’l)

Social Security Update

Social Security Changes Statement Policy

On October 1, 2012, the Social Security Administration (SSA) took the following actions:

• Suspended all paper mailings of Social Security Statements, including mailings to people 60 and older and individuals age 25
  
• Suspended all on-request mailings and instructed SSA personnel to discontinue the distribution of the Form SSA-7004 to request a Statement

REMINDER: The SSA launched online statements earlier this year that all individuals should be able to access through MySocialSecurity.

We encourage you to use this opportunity to reach out to your clients who are approaching retirement to discuss this new development. A broad announcement from the SSA may not be made.

These changes were made due to the current budget situation. Prior to this change, workers and former workers age 60 or older who were not receiving benefits were sent Statements about three months prior to their birthdays. Additionally, workers who were approaching their 25th birthday were sent Statements about three months prior to their birthdays.

In the absence of Statements, you should download an Online Statement at MySocialSecurity at least annually. This online statement will provide the benefit estimates needed to run the Social Security Optimizer which aids us in creating an appropriate collection strategy for you as a planning client.

The Leak in Your (Information) Boat:

The latest press on John McAfee not withstanding (and no he is no longer affiliated with the data security firm that bears his name), the newest on-line scams seem to simply be more sophisticated versions of older scams. Tailored for the Christmas shopping season, tailored to look like the real deal – beware! The linked article: The 12 Cyber Scams of Christmas, by McAfee is a good guide to avoiding reindeer road apples this season.