Fall 2020 • Life Matters Newsletter • Volume 27, Number 32 Don’t put off medical visits3 Old traveler’s checks3 Lessons from abolitionist

who launched the Women’s Rights Movement

4 How long to store food

Voya Life MattersSM

I hope you and your loved ones are safe and well during these challenging times. As you may know from previous newsletter issues, fall is my favorite time of year, especially here in the Northeast. There are so many things to look forward to: the crisp air, changing of the leaves and football. But this fall will be a little different. From almost virtual-everything, we will have to make some necessary changes. However, that doesn’t mean you still can’t have some fun.

Being outdoors is a great way to enjoy yourself with family and friends, safely. My family will be spending lots of time apple picking in the coming months. My kids love the experience and I don’t think I’ll ever tire of apple crisp! If you can’t apple pick there are many other ways to enjoy the outdoors including: carving pumpkins, going on a hike or bike ride, going fishing, or just exploring your town. Like I have found out over the last few months, there are a lot of hidden gems just waiting to be uncovered in most towns.

If being outdoors is not your cup of tea, you can always call and speak with a member of the Financial Lifeline Team to discuss your account. We are standing by to assist you, safely. Enjoy the fall and be well.

Matthew D. Lynch, Product Manager Voya Financial Lifeline, Phone: 866-906-1362 option #2, Email: FinancialLifeline@voya.com, http://financiallifeline.voya.com

Be prudent with your insurance proceedsHave you ever wondered what would happen if somebody came up to you and handed you one million dollars, tax free? That was the premise of the hit television series, “The Millionaire,” in which a fictional reclusive billionaire selected people whom he had never met as recipients of a million dollars. He wanted to observe, from a distance, how the money would change their lives – either for the better or, sometimes, for the worse. The series ran weekly for five seasons during the 1950s’ Golden Age of Television.

Unlike the make-believe characters who received fictional money on TV, the life insurance proceeds you received represent real money. That money was specifically intended for you because the person who passed away cared very much about you and named you as his or her beneficiary to help protect your long-term financial security.

For someone who receives a large sum of money unexpectedly – whether by way of an anonymous gift from a billionaire or by winning a lottery – it might be perfectly reasonable to splurge with a portion of the windfall. It also would be perfectly reasonable for such a person to make generous gifts to family and friends or to make a meaningful contribution to a favorite charity as there still would be plenty of money remaining. That would not be prudent to do with your Voya Financial Lifeline account.

The typical life insurance death benefit is about $100,000 – just 10% of that hypothetical $1 million. Yet while $100,000 or so is still is a considerable sum, it’s not $1 million. If the life insurance money is to continue to serve what likely was its primary purpose – to help maintain you, supplement your other assets and provide you with a financial cushion that will last for many years – it does not leave

much room for splurging, gifting or donating. That’s why, as a beneficiary, it is important to regard the life insurance proceeds as fundamentally different from other money.

If you are subjected to repeated requests for money from family, close friends and charities, be prepared with a response and focus on why the funds were left to you. With so many people and organizations suffering financial stress as a result of disruptions related to COVID-19, pleas for money may seem almost unrelenting; but it’s important, for your sake, to be resolute. Your insurance proceeds were almost certainly designed to last you for a long time.

Unlike the situation with one’s wages, salary, Social Security benefits or other sources of ongoing income, life insurance is typically paid out in one lump sum. Once the life insurance money has been spent, imprudently “invested,” or given away, it will be gone forever. That’s another reason why the Voya Financial Lifeline account is so valuable. It is a reminder that the proceeds, which will continue to earn a competitive rate of interest, are different from your everyday funds and were designed for a different purpose. Take comfort in knowing that the proceeds are fully and easily accessible to you when and if the need arises.

Putting your health at risk by avoiding medical visitsBack in late March, the CDC suggested that patients delay non-emergency elective procedures and routine doctor visits to reduce the spread of the novel coronavirus and to reserve personal protective equipment (PPE) that was in short supply. Since that time, the availability of PPE has increased, and health care providers have learned ways to best meet with their regular patients while taking proper precautions to avoid spreading COVID-19.

However, many people are still unwilling to go to medical practitioners until the pandemic is over; and this could result in unnecessary health risks. While it is understandable to delay certain routine screenings, especially if you are at higher risk for coronavirus, preventive medical care is recommended to identify illnesses or diseases in the early stages when they are more likely to be treated easily. COVID-19 did not make other health problems go away.

Never delay getting care in an emergency. Some people were so afraid of the coronavirus that they wouldn’t go to a hospital when they had symptoms of life-threatening appendicitis, a heart attack or stroke. Contact your doctor right away if you don’t feel right, if new symptoms of a preexisting condition develop, or if you experience an unusual lump, leg swelling, chest pain, difficulty breathing, severe abdominal pain, high fever, unexpected weight gain or loss, or anything else of concern. Many physicians will schedule you for an in-office appointment or schedule a telemedicine conference to determine the next course of action.

It is time to consider resuming normal medical care for cancer screenings, eye exams, cardiology tests, updated immunizations, allergy treatments, physical therapy, and blood work. Call your doctor for advice on whether such care is recommended at this time.

The stress of worrying about potential illness can be detrimental to one’s health. Preventive care is important to protecting your overall health, and it is particularly important to get this year’s flu shot.

Road trip safety during COVID-19As most of us have spent the past six months at or near home, it’s no surprise that many are getting restless. A recent survey found that more than 60% of those surveyed said that they are thinking of taking a road trip soon, whether for enjoyment, work or to avoid air travel. While the CDC urges people to stay home, there are some ways to minimize risks of contracting the coronavirus when taking a road trip.

Avoid hot spots by checking coronavirus rates where you plan to travel. The NPR website updates the coronavirus map daily at https://tinyurl.com/wxrgkla. Travel with those in your immediate household or have other passengers tested before departing.

Keep sanitizing wipes or disinfectant spray handy. Stop at major rest areas for gas and bathrooms breaks. While heavily used, such locations are more likely to follow strict cleaning guidelines. Wear a mask when entering a building or when you can’t maintain a six-foot distance from others. Wear disposable gloves or use a paper towel when operating the gasoline pump, opening doors, flushing the toilet and turning off sinks. Pay with a credit card to avoid face-to-face interaction. Use hand sanitizers after touching surfaces.

Bring a cooler with your own food and drinks to minimize exposure from grocery stores and restaurants. Staying at lodging with a kitchen means that you can cook on your own or order take-out.

Find out about your hotel’s cleaning policy before booking. At check-in, ask if you can get a room that has been vacant for a couple of days. Spray or wipe down hotel room surfaces including light switches, door handles, bathroom fixtures, countertops, and any remote controls. Remove the bedspread and decorative pillows. Consider bringing your own sleeping bag and pillow. Request no housekeeping services during your stay, but exchange towels and linens at the desk. Limit time spent in shared spaces such as the elevator, gym and pool.

Once you return home, practice required quarantine procedures if you have traveled through high-risk outbreak areas.

If this seems like too much effort, you can explore your local region or opt for virtual tours of museums and cities online.

September 2020 marks the 100th anniversary of the adoption of the 19th Amendment that granted women a constitutional right to vote. It was a hard-fought victory that took decades during the mid-19th and early 20th centuries to achieve. The struggle to assure universal suffrage continued long after ratification as informal barriers that too often denied minority women the ability to vote remained in place.

One of the leaders of the women’s rights movement was Lucretia Coffin Mott. While some activists promoted violence to draw attention to the movement, Mrs. Mott believed in peaceful campaign methods. Born in 1793 in Nantucket, Massachusetts, she was the second of five children raised in a Quaker household. At age 13, she left to attend a Quaker boarding school where she later taught. At age 18 she married a fellow teacher, James Mott, and discovered that female teachers earned half the salary paid to males, thus sparking her quest for equality and justice.

The Quakers advocated for peace and equality for all. Mott was a staunch abolitionist and was one of the founders of the Philadelphia Female Anti-Slavery Society. She championed for the boycott of sugar and other products of slave labor. Her ideas were considered radical and were often not well-received. Mott and her family were threatened with violence and social persecution.

James Mott shared his wife’s ideals and even stopped working at his father’s textile business because it used slave labor. The couple had six children, and Mott continued to raise them while she gave lectures, attended women’s rights conventions, and met with slave owners to try to convince them to free their slaves. She also opened the couple’s home to fugitive slaves who were escaping on the Underground Railroad.

In 1840, the Motts went to London to attend the World Anti-Slavery Convention but were dismayed to find that the women delegates were unable to participate and forced to sit in a women’s only section. This prompted her to focus on changing women’s role in society. At the conference she met fellow suffragist Elizabeth Cady Stanton. Together they planned the famous 1848 Seneca Falls convention which launched the US women’s suffrage movement.

A powerful orator, Mott became a Quaker minister and continued to preach her anti-slavery beliefs despite criticism that giving public speeches was “improper behavior for a woman.” Nonetheless, Mott persisted, remaining undaunted in her efforts. Among her many other accomplishments, she was a founder of the prestigious Swarthmore College, a liberal arts college in Pennsylvania.

The 15th amendment to the Constitution, which was ratified in 1870, granted former male slaves the right to vote. Women were not afforded that right until 50 years later.

lightbulb-on Lessons: 1) Just causes, such as gender and racial justice, are worth fighting for.

2) The passage of the 19th Amendment was just the beginning of ongoing efforts to do what is right.

Lessons from LuminariesAbolitionist and feminist Lucretia Mott helped launch the women’s rights movement

People used to rely on traveler’s checks as a safe means of spending money when traveling, as they could be replaced if lost or stolen. These brightly-colored checks were accepted at major hotels, restaurants and stores throughout the world. Widespread availability of credit and debit cards and ATMs has made traveler’s checks largely obsolete, yet nearly $2 billion in traveler’s checks remain uncashed and outstanding.

Today, merchants rarely honor traveler’s checks as they are unfamiliar with them or fear they may be counterfeit. If you still have any traveler’s checks lying around, your best bet would be to try to deposit them into your personal bank account. Countersign them in the presence of a teller. If your bank doesn’t recognize the issuer, find out what company bought the issuer’s assets. For example, if a bank was acquired by Wells Fargo, then contact Wells Fargo about cashing the checks.

If your checks were issued in a foreign currency (such as British Pounds), the value may have fluctuated over the years although the checks still have value. Your bank may be willing to accept the traveler’s checks, convert the currency to US dollars, and deposit them to your account, sometimes with a service charge.

If the checks belonged to a deceased loved one, bring the checks to your bank along with the death certificate and proof that you are the deceased’s executor.

Even though traveler’s checks technically “never expire,” there really isn’t much reason to hang onto them. Try to cash them in or deposit them soon.

Old traveler’s checks

Many people stocked their freezers and pantries during the quarantine. How long do food items remain safe to consume?

According to the USDA, most canned and jarred goods are safe to eat for two to five years if kept out of high temperatures. Higher acidic foods such as juices, pasta sauce, tomatoes, barbecue sauce, pickles and fruit are good for 18 months. They may not be at the optimal taste or texture, but there isn’t a health risk. Typically, canned goods last longer than those in glass containers. Items packaged in plastic degrade faster.

Dried pasta, salad dressing, maple syrup, and ketchup taste best if used within one year. Sugar should be fine for many years. Use white flour within a year of “best by date.” Processed peanut butter should be used within six months of opening. Unopened beer and diet soda should be consumed within three months of purchase or by “best by” date. Soda with sugar and bottled juices should be used within eight months of their production date.

Check items for discoloration, signs of mold or an off smell. Do not consume anything if the container shows signs of rust or is swelling, bulging or dented.

Frozen foods have a shorter shelf life. Throw out unopened frozen dinners and vegetables 18 months after purchase or if they show signs of freezer burn. Try to use frozen ground meat or uncooked sausage within four months of purchase. Frozen bacon, chops, lean fish and chicken parts will taste best when used within six months; steaks can remain frozen for about eight months. Eat cooked meat within three months of putting it in the freezer.

How long should we keep stored food?

Tackling photo organizationThis year’s powerful storms and intense wildfires serve as a reminder to make sure that cherished family photos are protected. Fortunately, smartphones and social media sites have made it easy to back up digital photos on the virtual “cloud,” ensuring that they won’t be forever lost if hard copies are damaged in a fire or flood.

But what about those boxes of old slides and snapshots? Sorting through photos can be a daunting task. While it can take a lot of time, you’ll likely have fun reliving old memories.

Find a space where you can spread out and sort pictures. Do just a little at a time. Categorize photos chronologically or by theme such as holidays or travel. Once you’ve identified the pictures you want to preserve, invest in a scanner to make copies. You can store the originals in shoe box-sized containers, give them away or toss them if you are trying to save space. Then store the digital versions using a cloud-based subscription or a dedicated external hard drive (preferably with another backup drive in a separate location). You can also upload photos to an image hosting

and sharing service such as SmugMug or Shutterfly with secure unlimited storage.

Technology has a limited lifespan, so check that your storage solution remains current. It won’t help much if your pictures are backed up on an obsolete medium that can no longer be easily accessed.

Make it a goal to organize photos to not only safeguard them for future generations, but also make them accessible so that you can enjoy them.

Sources used in this issue include: John’s Hopkins University, Washington Post, Horizon BCBS, New England Journal of Medicine, NPR.org, UK Daily Mail, Forbes, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, USA Today, American Express, Madison Wisconsin State Journal, CBS Sacramento, Biography.com, National Women’s History Museum, US National Parks Service, Battlefields.org, History.com, Library of Congress, National Women’s Hall of Fame, HandCraftFilms.com, PhotographyLife.com, Good Housekeeping, Real Simple.

This complimentary Advice & Counsel Newsletter is provided as a service to Voya Financial Lifeline customers. While Voya Financial Lifeline is proud to offer this service to Voya customers, we do not take responsibility for materials published herein. We do not independently verify this information, nor do we guarantee its accuracy or completeness. Please contact Voya Financial Lifeline’s customer service team at (800) 625-7440 for specific questions about your account. Thank you for being our valued customer.Advice & Counsel Newsletter is published by Advice Publications, a unit of Advice Company, P.O. Box 1739, Mill Valley, CA 94942-1739, (415) 339-6510. Publish@AdvicePublications.com. The articles abstracted and this newsletter are for general informational purposes only and not intended as professional legal, financial or tax advice. You should consult with a knowledgeable professional for your personal situation.247165_09.20 WLT 250005134 © 2020 Voya Services Company. All rights reserved. Provided courtesy of Voya Financial Lifeline – proudly serving our customers.