Considering a Luxury Vehicle
You have been enjoying retirement for several years and now may be the time to consider a luxury vehicle to travel in. South Valley Bank & Trust’s staff is here to advise you on the benefits of financing or paying cash for your new dream car. Click on the links below to browse a few of the luxury vehicles available to you:
Selling a Vehicle
When selling your vehicle to a private party, there are guidelines that should be followed to ensure a smooth sale. Kelley Blue Book’s website http://www.KBB.com recommends the following steps when selling your vehicle:
Communicate with potential buyers
Car preparation (clean inside & outside of vehicle)
Negotiate like a smart salesperson
Know what not to say
Commit to a meeting time and place
Conduct a safe and well-planned test drive
Get to know your potential buyer
Omit possible objections
Find out how the buyer is planning to pay
Bargain with your buyer, but end with a “win-win”
Another option to selling your vehicle privately is to trade it in at the dealership where you plan to purchase your next vehicle. While trading-in a vehicle is often easier than selling it privately, but you are more likely to receive less money for the vehicle from a dealership. Before you go to a dealership make sure to check your vehicle’s trade-in value so that you can negotiate the best price for your vehicle. For more information on selling your vehicle, please visit the following link:
Vehicle Insurance
When purchasing a vehicle, it is critical to factor in the cost of auto insurance. Since insurance is required and lack of insurance is punishable by large fines and a one year jail sentence, finding and maintaining insurance should be a priority. Each state has its own set of insurance laws, for Oregon insurance requirements visit the Oregon Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) website. Insurance.com recommends the following eight items to think about when searching for auto insurance:
Determine appropriate coverage
Shop around
Look for insurance discounts
Consider taking a higher deductible
Look into stacking coverage if you file a claim
Check with your insurance company before you buy a vehicle
Notify your auto insurance company immediately if you change insurance companies
Pick the insurance payment option that best fits your budget
The following websites provide insurance information from a few well-known auto insurance companies:
Saving at the Gas Pump
It is always important to increase the fuel efficiency of your vehicle. The following tips may help increase your gas mileage:
Avoid speeding, rapid acceleration and rapid braking
Remove excess weight from vehicle
Avoid excess idling
Use cruise control when possible
Keep engine tuned
Check and replace air filters regularly
Keep tires inflated to recommended weight
Use recommended grade of motor oil and have regular oil changes
Be aware of competing gas prices in town and use the stations with the lowest per gallon price whenever possible. The following are websites that may help you find the cheapest gas in your area as well as additional tips on improving gas mileage:
Public Transportation
Owning and maintaining a vehicle can be challenging and may not be as rewarding as the trouble of its upkeep. Luckily, there are alternatives to owning your own vehicle. If you’re thinking about unloading your vehicle, you may consider the following options for your transportation needs:
Taxi Services
Bus Services
Medical Shuttle Services
The following websites may help you to find transportation resources in your area:
Most seniors have retired by this time in life; however, many continue to be mentally sharp and have much to offer. Here are a few ideas on how you can use your many years of practical experience.
Volunteering Numerous seniors fill in their time with volunteer work. Volunteering is an excellent way of giving back to the community without the pressures of a job. Consider donating your time to the following institutions:
Hospitals
Schools
Libraries
Senior centers
Chamber of Commerce
Children’s educational programs
Animal centers
Numerous not-for-profits
Let people know how you think you can best help given your experience and abilities. Start off slow and see how it goes. And don’t be afraid to back off if you’ve taken on too much!
Golden Years - College
College-bound Grandchildren Do you want to help your grandchildren with their college expenses?
Bankrate.com’s Saving for College is an article explaining the 529 Savings Account:
Trust Services South Valley Bank & Trust (SVBT), an Oregon banking corporation, is chartered to offer a full array of Trust services including Planning and Consultation, Trust and Estate Administration and IRA Services. By working with you, and if you wish, your advisors, our Trust officers can help develop your estate plan to insure that your wishes are fully addressed and your estate is fully protected.
Some of our clients choose South Valley Bank & Trust's estate services because they desire to set up a financial plan for their adult children or others. They want a professional with training and experience in investments and managing an estate to carry out their precise plan. Others simply want Trust services to make it easier on their loved ones, who may not be the best position for managing an inheritance.
Whatever your reason, you can be assured that our Trust professionals are trained and understand that they are managing your estate. Part of that means they are highly-regulated to carry out your wishes fully and giving you peace of mind.
There is no fee for a consultation and no pressure to sign up for their services.
Trust Options
Estate Planning and Consultation
Personal Representative of an Estate-Executor/Administrator
Conservatorship
Living Trust - Revocable or Irrevocable
Testamentary Trust
Property and Investment Management Agency
Custodial Account
Rollover IRA - Self-Directed and Specialty Assets
Charitable Gift or Portfolio Management
1. Estate Planning and Consultation
Estate Planning is a service where South Valley works with the client and their attorney or other advisors, to analyze the client’s assets and financial interests and arrange a plan for conserving estate assets. This service generally leads to SVBT being named personal representative and/or Trustee under the plan. The purpose of the plan is to minimize estate and other taxes, assure the security of the client’s family, arrange for the continuity of his business, and provide for the disposition of assets according to the client’s wishes.
2. Personal Representative of an Estate - Executor/Administrator
Serving as personal representative or administrator is settling the estate of one who has died either leaving a Will (testate) or without a Will (intestate). South Valley may have been named in the decedent’s Will as the personal representative or executor of the estate. If the decedent names an individual as personal representative, that individual may have SVBT appointed as agent for the personal representative. If the deceased died intestate, the court may appoint SVBT as administrator of the estate. In each of these cases (whether as personal representative, agent for the personal representative, or administrator) South Valley makes an inventory of the assets of the estate, prepares a budget for the settlement of the estate, pays all taxes and claims against the estate, prepares a final accounting for the probate court, and makes the final distribution of the assets to the heir and beneficiaries.
3. Living Trust - Revocable or Irrevocable
A Living Trust is a Trust for which South Valley, as Trustee, usually assumes full management responsibility for the assets placed in Trust. Such a Trust may be revocable or irrevocable, and established for a variety of reasons. The Trustor may need professional or specialized investment management, may not have the skills necessary to manage his wealth, may not have the time to give to managing his investments, or may have other priorities. A Trust established for investment management provides financial protection in the event of incapacity and can be structured to avoid probate and obtain tax savings at the death of the Trustor.
4. Testamentary Trust
A Testamentary Trust is created under a Will. A person writing a Will may leave property directly to the beneficiaries or leave it in a Trust for them, a Testamentary Trust.
Testamentary Trusts are established to protect the family, save on taxes, and manage investments, businesses, and farms. Family protection includes preserving the family home, relieving survivors of the responsibility for managing investments and other property, and supplying income necessary to maintain the family’s standard of living. It also includes providing for the special needs of children and eliminating the need to appoint a custodian for the children. (A guardian of the person of minor children is required and this must be an individual, not South Valley.)
A Testamentary Trust enables a person who has been remarried and has children from a previous marriage to provide for the surviving spouse and ultimately channel assets to his or her own children. It is also a way to provide life-long care for children who are suffering from physical, emotional, or mental disabilities.
5. Conservatorship
A Conservatorship is a court-appointed arrangement for the financial protection of the estate of an incapacitated person. Conservatorships are established for individuals who are considered legally incapacitated and own property not otherwise protected, have business affairs that are jeopardized by their incapacity and need funds for support or education of themselves and or their dependents. Common instances of legal incapacity are minors and adults who are incapacitated by medical causes, effects of aging, mental illness, addiction to drugs or alcohol, or confinement. The Conservator’s responsibility is much like the responsibility involved in estate settlement; gathering the assets, filing an inventory with the court, managing the property in the client’s best interest, making a periodic accounting to the court, and terminating the Conservatorship and distributing property at the appropriate time.
6. Property and Investment Management Agency
An Agency Account is a service where South Valley provides management or advisory service as complete as the client requests. The property managed may be securities, real property (a house, rental buildings or a farm), or other property.
Where securities are managed, SVBT may conduct periodic reviews and analyses of the securities; make recommendations for keeping or selling present securities and purchasing new ones; providing advance notice of maturity of bonds or notes; preparing an annual information statement for income tax purposes and watching for advantageous opportunities related to the securities held. The amount of discretion exercised by SVBT varies with the relationship from full discretion (South Valley is free to buy, sell and exchange securities within the principal’s portfolio without the client’s consent) to simply making recommendations to the client about proposed investment changes.
As managing agent for real property, South Valley may obtain tenants, arrange and handle leases, collect rents, advise the client of needed repairs and take care of those repairs, and pay insurance premiums, taxes, interest on the mortgage, or other assessments. As with the managing agency for securities, the management agency for real property will have varying degrees of discretion assigned to South Valley.
7. Custodial Account
A Custodial Account is a service where SVBT, as custodian for the principal, not only oversees the property but also takes care of the routine administrative tasks associated with it. This includes receiving dividends and interest and disbursing or reinvesting them as the client instructs; collecting the principal on matured or called bonds, notifying the client of corporate actions affecting the property (bond calls, defaults, tender offers, class action suits); buying, selling, receiving or delivering securities at the client’s direction and providing a periodic statement of account activity (receipts and disbursements).
8. Rollover IRA - Self-Directed and Specialty Assets
Rollover IRA services are provided in a variety of circumstances, including for individuals receiving a large distribution (over $250,000) from their employer’s retirement plan. A direct rollover from the employer’s plan can prevent current taxability. Direct transfers from other IRAs may also be made. Rollover IRA service includes allowing self-direction of investments or full management. By maintaining an IRA, taxes on investment earnings as well as the capital rolled over are deferred until withdrawn. A wide range of investment opportunities such as stocks, bonds and mutual funds is available with this service. Additionally, South Valley is able to accept specialty assets into Rollover IRAs such as closely held stock, real property and notes secured by Deeds of Trust.
9. Charitable Gift or Portfolio Management
Charitable gifts may be made outright to the charity, as a part of a Will or estate plan, and through a variety of different charitable Trusts. South Valley Bank & Trust serves as Trustee for these gifts, managing, administering and disbursing them to assure that the charitable intent established by the donor under the pertinent gift agreement is adhered to in perpetuity. South Valley also serves as an investment agent for the charity itself to professionally manage and account for gift funds in its portfolio.
Trust Services Locations:
Klamath Falls Trust Services
PO BOX 5210
801 Main Street
Klamath Falls, OR 97601 Phone: 877.487.8788 (toll-free) Fax: 541.880.5252
Medford Trust Services
PO BOX 1784
860 O'Hare Parkway, Suite 100
Medford, OR 97504 Phone: 800.695.0330 (toll-free) Fax: 541.779.1916
Please note: A Trust officer is available to clients in all areas, including Crook County, Deschutes County, Jackson County, Jefferson County, Klamath County and Lake County.
Trust and Estate Planning
South Valley Bank & Trust offers a wide variety of Trust and Estate Services to assist you in ensuring your financial security.
By working with you, and if you wish, your advisors, our Trust officers can help develop your estate plan to insure that your wishes are fully addressed and your estate is fully protected.
You can be assured that our Trust professionals are trained and understand that they are managing your estate. They are heavily regulated to carry out your wishes fully, giving you peace of mind.
The following services are offered through the South Valley Trust department. Please see a full description of each at the top of this document:
Estate Planning and Consultation
Personal Representative of an Estate – Executor/Administrator
Living Trust – Revocable or Irrevocable
Testamentary Trust
Conservatorship
Property and Investment Management Agency
Custodial Account
Rollover IRA – Self-Directed and Specialty Assets
Charitable Gift or Portfolio Management
Free Trust and Estate Consultation
For a free consultation on Trust and Estate services, please contact the SVBT Trust Department.
Wills
A Will is a legal document determining the following actions upon death:
Distribution of property
Designation of a guardian for minor children
Creation of a Trust and designation of a Trustee to oversee an estate
Designation of personal representative or “executor”
If a Will is not completed at the time of death, the state will determine resolution for the estate. For more information on the importance of Wills, visit the following websites:
Living Trusts
Revocable Living Trusts act much like a Will and perform many of the same functions. However, a Will is valid after being submitted to court for probate and a Trust is effective the day it is signed. People utilize Trusts to avoid a lengthy probate process required by the use of Wills, but Trusts can be complex and may not be the right option for everyone. For more information, visit the following websites:
Guardianships and Conservatorships In Oregon, guardians are appointed by the courts or by being named in a legal document. A guardian has custody of the protected person and may establish that person’s residence. Each state’s laws are different in regards to Guardianships & Conservatorships. Some states grant the authority over both the physical and financial well being of the protected person. Other states, like Oregon, separate the two obligations. For example, South Valley’s Trust department will only act as conservator and not guardian. South Valley will also not act as a health care representative under an advance directive. The guardian has a duty to provide care, comfort, maintenance, training, and/or education for the protected person.
Conservators are appointed by the court when a person becomes incapable of handling personal or business financial affairs and/or managing their property. When a conservator is appointed they have a fiduciary duty to follow strict reporting and administrative guidelines.
The following links may be helpful:
Advance Directives
An Advance Directive is specific healthcare instructions given by individuals outlining what actions should be taken if they become ill or incapacitated. An Advance Directive should be developed while the individual is able to clearly communicate their thoughts and must be expressly the person's own free will. It does not affect routine care for cleanliness and comfort, which must be given whether or not there is an advance directive.
Some investment products are offered through Trust Services:
Investment products offered by SVBT Trust Services are not a deposit, not FDIC-insured, not insured by any federal government agency, not guaranteed by the bank, and may go down in value.
Golden Years - Health and Wellness
Exercise
The ability to exercise becomes more difficult as we become older. While some seniors remain active well into their 90’s, others may struggle with even minor activity.
It’s important to find small ways in which you can exercise, even if it means gentle stretching. Local hospitals or other facilities may have such a program. Consult your primary care provider to develop an appropriate plan for your health and physical abilities.
The balance of these six elements is unique to each individual. Talk to your primary care provider to determine the best balance for a healthier you. In the meantime, WebMD.com suggests these tips to keep your meals healthy:
Keep it simple
Be salad savvy
Have a filling first course
Drink daintily
Pass on bread
For more on these six tips and to read more information on maintaining a healthy diet, check out the following websites:
Vitamins and Minerals
Vitamins and minerals are essential to good health and are needed for normal growth. While most vitamins and minerals are obtained through a healthy diet, you may need to take a daily supplement to make sure you’re getting everything you need. Since different levels of vitamins and minerals vary by age and gender, it is important to select the multi-vitamin that best suits your age. Consult your physician before beginning to take any vitamin or mineral supplement. The following website gives more information on vitamins and minerals:
Health Education and Seminar Links
Health education and seminars are provided by local medical facilities and are available to the public. Please visit the following links or contact the numbers listed below to find out about health education and seminars in your area:
Referral Links
Please call the numbers listed below or visit the following links for questions or concerns involving mental health issues and counseling, alcohol and drug abuse, gambling addiction, tobacco addiction and other health and mental health concerns:
Check around with your friends. Where are they living? What can they recommend? What can you afford, now and in the future? What is included for the price? Consider rents, meals, transportation and available healthcare. Visit the various places while you are still able. Be sure to ask plenty of questions and make sure you get references.
Most importantly, ask a trusted family member or attorney to help you “read the fine print.” This is a big decision and one that takes time. If you need help, but can’t afford an attorney, contact your local senior services center for their guidance. Your church may also be a resource.
Trust Services Have you acquired a significant amount of property? We recommend that you have a plan in place so that your estate can be managed as you choose. Be sure to check out the Estate Planning section of the Resource Center. South Valley Bank & Trust is chartered to offer a full array of trust services including Planning and Consultation, Trust and Estate Administration and IRA Services. By working with you, and if you wish, your advisors, our trust officers can help develop your estate plan to insure that your wishes are fully addressed and your estate is fully protected.
Some of our clients choose South Valley Bank & Trust's Trust services because they desire to set up a financial plan for their adult children or others. They want a professional with training and experience in investments and managing an estate to carry out their precise plan. Others simply want Trust services to make it easier on their loved ones, who may not be the best position for managing an inheritance.
Whatever your reason, you can be assured that our Trust professionals are trained and understand that they are managing your estate. As part of that, they are highly regulated to carry out your wishes fully, giving you peace of mind.
There is no fee for a consultation and no pressure to sign up for their services.
Trust Options Note: Investment products offered by SVBT Trust Services are not a deposit, not FDIC-insured, not insured by any federal government agency, not guaranteed by the bank, and may go down in value.
Trust Services Locations (a representative is also available to come to Central Oregon):
Klamath Falls Trust Services
PO BOX 5210
801 Main Street
Klamath Falls, OR 97601 Phone: 877.487.8788 (toll-free) Fax: 541.880.5252
Medford Trust Services
PO BOX 1784
300 Crater Lake Avenue
Medford, OR 97504 Phone: 800.695.0330 (toll-free) Fax: 541.779.1916
Identity Theft Protection
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) estimates that as many as ten million Americans have their identity stolen each year…
As your bank, we want to help protect you against such fraud. With a few precautions, you can save yourself countless hours of trying to restore your identity, avoid financial loss, preserve your credit rating and most of all, save yourself from the stress it creates.
What is identity theft? According to the FTC, identity theft occurs when someone uses your personally identifying information, such as your name, Social Security number, or credit card number, without your permission, to commit fraud or other crimes. Identity theft is a serious crime that is on the rise in the United States. Oregon is no exception.
Consumers can spend thousands of dollars and countless hours restoring their identity. Therefore, it is important to take the necessary steps to protect your identity. The FTC recommends the “3-D’s” of identity theft protection: Deter, Detect, and Defend.
Deter:
Shred financial documents and paperwork with personal information
Protect your Social Security number
Don’t give out personal information over the phone, through the mail, or over the Internet, unless you know who you are dealing with
Never click on links in unsolicited emails (use firewalls, anti-spyware, and anti-virus software)
Don’t use an obvious password
Keep your personal information in a secure place at home
Detect:
Be alert to signs that require immediate attention
Inspect your:
Credit report
Financial statements
Defend:
Place a fraud alert on your credit report and review the reports carefully
Close accounts
File a police report
Report your complaint to the Federal Trade Commission
For more information on identity theft and the FTC’s 3-D’s of identity theft protection, visit the following links:
At South Valley Bank & Trust, we go to great lengths to protect your identity and your accounts. Here are a few things we do:
First, we handle our client information very carefully and confidentially.
Secondly, we make sure who we’re dealing with! Although we try to know all of our clients by sight, we may need to occasionally ask a few questions or ask for identification to verify that you are the account owner. It’s better to be safe than sorry!
Finally, we make sure our system is safe and that no one can get to your account by hacking their way through using technology.
If you have any concerns whatsoever regarding your South Valley Bank & Trust accounts, please don’t hesitate to ask. Please let us help you with answers to your questions and any solutions you may need for safeguarding your hard earned assets - one of those being your identity! We mean it when we say its, “Your Business First.” We are here for you!
Golden Years - Insurance
Auto Insurance
If you’re still driving, terrific! Be sure to maintain your automobile insurance as it is required by law. A lack of insurance is punishable by fines and possibly a one year jail sentence.
For insurance requirements by state, visit the Unofficial Guide to the DMV’s website, http://www.DMV.org.
If you’re interested in learning more about auto insurance, here are some tips as provided by Insurance.com:
Determine appropriate coverage
Shop around for insurance
Look for insurance discounts
Consider taking a higher deductible
Look into stacking coverage if you file a claim
Check with your insurance company before you buy a vehicle
Notify your auto insurance company immediately if you change auto insurance companies
Pick the insurance payment option that best fits your budget
There are many auto insurance companies. A search in your local yellow pages under “Insurance” should provide you with a list of local resources.
The following are links to a few auto insurance companies as well as websites with more information on auto insurance:
Health Insurance
Chances are you are on Medicare. Whatever health coverage you have, be sure to maintain it! As you know, healthcare costs are expensive and can quickly force a person into inability to pay, or even bankruptcy.
Health Insurance Resources
Health insurance terms and conditions can be confusing and often overwhelming, but there are resources available to help navigate through the confusing terms and find the best coverage for you. CNNMoney.com recommends these top ten things you need to know about health insurance:
Insurance costs a lot but having none costs more
If your employer offers insurance grab it
Comparing plans is tough but necessary
The lowest premium isn’t always the cheapest plan
Even good coverage can have big loopholes
You’ll pay more for freedom
You can check out networks before signing up
You can keep your insurance if you lose your job
Working couples have more to think about
Tax breaks can help
For more information on other health insurance information, as well as price quotes and a discussion of the healthcare legislation passed in early 2010, visit the following websites:
Life Insurance
Life insurance is a valuable investment in your future and the future of your loved ones. If you already have a plan, keep it in place.
Long Term Care Insurance
If you already have Long Term Care insurance policy, keep your premiums current so that your policy isn’t cancelled.
Long Term Care generally provides coverage for certain needs that health insurance does not cover. Some of those needs may include:
In-home assistance with daily activities: physically moving from place to place, bathing, dressing, eating, cooking, and cleaning.
Each plan is different and may include:
In home care
Adult daycare
Assisted living (in assisted living facility)
Nursing home care
For more information on Long Term Care Insurance, visit:
Long Term Care insurance (LTC)is designed to provide assistance to you for daily living activities when you are medically unable to do them on your own. While it may be hard to admit that you need help with daily living activities, please ask for help and receive the benefit of what you have been paying for! Talk to your agent or ask your physician for help in meeting the documented requirements. Remember, we will all get to that point in our lifetime!
Home Insurance
Be sure you have renter’s insurance or home owner's insurance! Anyone could trip on your property and sue you, even a solicitor. Review on an annual basis your coverage with your agent.
Golden Years - Managing Your Money
Banking Terms
At South Valley Bank & Trust, we are always willing to explain any banking term to you. If you have a question, please ask and we will provide the answer. We want you to understand your account and its features completely. For additional resources on banking terms visit the sites below:
Saving
You could probably give us bankers a lesson or two about the importance of saving! That said, as responsible bankers, we believe it’s important to continue setting money aside, even at this point in life. You will still have special needs and you never know when an emergency may present itself. Tips:
Have your Personal Banker set up an automatic transfer from your checking account to savings to make it easy.
Another good idea is to make a list of all the things you want to save for, such as:
Emergency funds for car repairs or unexpected healthcare costs
Travel to see children, grandchildren or perhaps enjoy a cruise!
Savings Options
There are a number of options available to help you with your savings goals. South Valley Bank & Trust offers:
Traditional savings accounts
Money Market accounts for adults
A unique Money Market account for kids as a benefit of your BANKING FOR Life account
Certificates of Deposit (CD’s). (With you BANKING for Life account, you earn an extra .25%)
These four savings options are FDIC insured up to the current FDIC limit. Consult your local branch for current FDIC limits and to determine the savings option that best suits your needs. Please explore our Personal Finance section.
More about Kids Club Money Market
If you are a BANKING FOR Life client and have a Money Market account of your own, you can set up a Kids Club Money Market account for your grandchild under age 18. Be sure to talk to your Personal Banker to find out more. Your grandchild could earn substantially more money on even a small savings amount with no account fees!
FDIC
We are sure you have heard of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). The FDIC is an independent agency of the United States government that protects you against the loss of part or all of your deposits if an FDIC-insured bank or savings association fails. FDIC insurance is backed by the full faith and credit of the US government.
Would you like an easy way to calculate your FDIC insurance coverage for each FDIC-insured bank where you have deposit accounts? We are here to help. You can always check with your local branch and Personal Banker to help assess the best way to structure your deposits to maximize coverage.
If you would like to calculate this yourself, the FDIC created this easy to use EDIE Calculator that will help you calculate this information in a printable form for each bank you bank with.
Perhaps you have some specific questions about FDIC coverage. Are you unsure of what types of accounts are eligible for FDIC insurance? Are you confused about the coverage on single accounts vs. joint accounts? Would you like to know what is meant by certain retirement accounts? The following link will answer these questions and more!
South Valley Wealth Management is an affiliate of South Valley Bank & Trust. Their excellent licensed Investment Brokers can offer investment advice and brokerage services for investment options and retirement savings. There is no fee for a consultation. There is a representative in your area and a no obligation appointment can be easily made through your branch or by calling them directly.
Note: Investment products offered by South Valley Wealth Management are not a deposit, not FDIC-insured, not insured by any federal government agency, not guaranteed by the bank, and may go down in value.
The following websites have more information on saving:
Retirement Savings
Even though you may already be retired, with inflation and unexpected declines in account valuations, consider continuing to set money aside for your future retirement needs. Get some professional help in determining your current and future needs and in continuing with a plan that makes sense for you.
Trust Resources
Often at this point in life, people start thinking about the management of their estate once they are no longer able to manage their own affairs. Our Trust Department can help. Please see the Estate Planning section.
Tax Planning
Each year we look for new and creative ways to reduce our tax liability. It is important to have a tax plan in place to avoid last minute stress during tax season. There are several resources available to help with tax planning. Visit the links below to begin developing your plan today.
You should always consult with a tax planning professional if you are unsure of how to proceed in your personal tax planning.
Golden Years - Personal Finances (Financial Education)
Are you ready to spend more time with your family and less time worrying about the management of your finances? Planning for your current and future financial security can give you and your family peace of mind.
When you choose South Valley Bank & Trust to help manage your assets, we take our responsibility seriously. We spend time with you to ensure we understand your needs and priorities. Then our knowledgeable experts work with you to select the products and services that best meet your existing and long-term goals. Our desire is to build a lasting relationship by putting “Your Business First.”
Your Estate
You have undoubtedly worked hard through your lifetime. As such, it seems only right that your interests be protected and that your desires are carried out fully. It is important to have a plan. Please explore our Estate Planning section.
Trust Services
South Valley Bank & Trust, an Oregon banking corporation, is chartered to offer a full array of trust services including Planning and Consultation, Trust and Estate Administration and IRA Services. By working with you, and if you wish, your advisors, our trust officers can help develop your estate plan to insure that your wishes are fully addressed and your estate is fully protected.
Some of our clients choose South Valley Bank & Trust's Trust services because they desire to set up a financial plan for their adult children or others. They want a professional with training and experience in investments and managing an estate to carry out their precise plan. Others simply want our Trust's service to make it easier on their loved ones, who may not be in the best position for managing an inheritance.
Whatever your reason, you can be assured that our Trust professionals are trained and understand that they are managing your estate. As part of that, they are highly regulated to carry out your wishes fully, giving you peace of mind.
There is no fee for a consultation and no pressure to sign up for their services.
*Trust Options * Note: Investment products offered by SVBT Trust Services are not a deposit, not FDIC-insured, not insured by any federal government agency, not guaranteed by the bank, and may go down in value.
Trust Services Locations:
Klamath Falls Trust Services
PO BOX 5210
801 Main Street
Klamath Falls, OR 97601 Phone: 877.487.8788 (toll-free) Fax: 541.880.5252
Medford Trust Services
PO BOX 1784
300 Crater Lake Avenue
Medford, OR 97504 Phone: 800.695.0330 (toll-free) Fax: 541.779.1916
Golden Years - Social
Many seniors stay active in their golden years. They enjoy their friends and social activities. We hope you enjoy the tips we’ve provided below, especially those related to using the Internet to get the information you need!
Social Activities
When making plans with friends, the Internet is a great resource for everything from movie times to local concerts. The following are websites that may be of help in planning a get together.
Movies
Are you interested in finding out what is playing in your area? Here are some sites to help you get information on the new movies and even get your seats before you arrive.
Interested in movie trivia? Wishing you could remember what movies your favorite star has been in? Check out the Internet Movie Database or IMDB. It’s the Hollywood insider way to check the résumé of directors and stars.
Movies & Media for Grandchildren
If you have grandchildren, are you concerned with the types of movies they watch? Kids-in-mind.com provides objective and complete information about a film's content, so you can decide, based on your own value system, whether a movie is appropriate for your grandkids.
Movies, Music, Video Games… children are surrounded by media. It’s challenging to stay on top of what is appropriate and what is not. Common Sense Media is a national organization led by concerned individuals with experience in child advocacy, public policy, education, media and entertainment. Common Sense Media’s website sorts through the various forms of media your child or grandchild may be exposed to and helps you to arrive at your own conclusion as to what you feel your grandchildren are ready to experience.
Music
Do you love music? Here are a few sites to keep you up to speed on your favorite music.
Have you dreamed of being a soccer manager? Why not try starting a team in a lower division and slowly bring them up the ranks. Even if it’s a virtual reality, it’s still pretty cool. http://www.HatTrick.org
This site allows you to see the score for any major soccer game anywhere in the world! http://www.LiveScore.com
Basketball Is basketball your sport of choice?
The following website offers video clips, news and stats: http://www.NBA.com
Football
Do you and the pig skin have a special relationship on most Sunday afternoons and Monday nights?
ESPN
Are you an all around sports lover? Check out ESPN’s site, which happens to be one of the biggest sports websites in the world and covers all major sports:
Live Games
The Internet is a fantastic resource for keeping up with your favorite teams and high-definition televisions make you feel like you’re at the game, but nothing compares to seeing a live game. StubHub.com offers tickets to nearly every sporting event in the U.S.!
Other Internet Use
Reunions
Here’s a link to getting information about a reunion:
Relationships-Online Dating Seniors
Whatever happened to the days of meeting someone at a birthday party? The world of online dating has taken off. While it’s a new concept for many, it can be a way for singles to meet other single people.
The following are a few of the senior dating websites:
Ah, you’re in your Golden Years and still desire to travel. While you may not be climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro, there are still a number of options and possibilities! This includes visiting your friends and family members. As long as you’re up for it, travel need not stop just because you reach the wonderful age of 80!
However, some considerations might be:
Length of the trip
Physical requirements, i.e, walking or standing that may be required
Health or geographic travel hazards
Menu selections that fit with your eating requirements
Access to good healthcare, i.e., physicians or hospital
If you are interested in making travel plans, be certain that you work with a reputable travel agent or travel site that you trust, as seniors tend to be targets of certain people wishing to take advantage of someone. A good travel agent can help you find the best travel scenarios for your needs and attend to all the details, giving you peace of mind that your trip will be all that you hoped for.
For making your own travel plans, here are some links to access deals and information:
Two of the websites featured in the above CNN article are “aggregators” which allow you to compare flight prices from several travel websites at the same time. Try www.sidestep.com or www.kayak.com.
You are on the Golden Years Homepage. The sections on this page are in order according to the Topic Menu. To view all the contents of this page, please use your scrollbar on the far right of your Internet Browser. To view the entire content of each section, please use the scrollbar within that section.
