You know the importance of planning ahead

You care about maintaining your quality of life in the future, so you've worked hard to set aside money for your retirement.  Of course, that future depends heavily on your being able to make regular retirement plan contributions because you'll need a sizable nest egg to ensure your comfort and security. And as long as things continue the way you've planned, you can look forward confidently to a happy, prosperous retirement.

But what about a "Plan B?"

The problem is, sometimes the unexpected happens. For example, an accident or sickness can upset your long-term planning overnight- because if you become disabled and can't work for an extended period, you can also no longer contribute to your retirement plan. That's why it's important to put a fallback plan in place well before you ever need it.

Disability - More common than you may think

Consider the following startling statistics*

• If you're under the age of 35, chances are one in three that you will be disabled for at least 6 months during the course of your own career.
• Men have a 43% chance of becoming seriously disabled during their working years; women have a 54% chance.
• At age 42, it is four times more likely that you could become disabled at some point, it's important to have a backup plan in place - a layer of protection for the retirement nest egg you've worked so hard to create.

Retirement Protection Plus- Disability Insurance for Retirement Plan Contributions

Retirement Protection Plus (RPP) is not a pension plan. Rather, it is a program that provides disability income insurance that ensures that  contributions continue to be made to your retirement plan even if you become disabled.

Pays the amount you contribute now - plus the amount your employer contributes - into a irrevocable trust

The trustee, Guardian Trust Company, FSB**, then invests the funds- in consultation with you - until you reach the age of 65. At that point, the trust assets are distributed to you to supplement whatever you receive from your original retirement plan. You may choose an annuity to ensure tax-deferred growth, or investments that provide for a tax-free distribution.

Some important facts about Retirement Protection Plus (RPP):

• Retirement Protection Plus uses ProVider Plus***, our own-occupation, non-cancellable and guaranteed renewable to age 65 individual disability income insurance product
• Coverage under the Retirement Protection Plus program is issued as a separate policy, independent of other disability coverage you may have.
• The maximum benefit including Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) or Future Increase Option (FIO) increases to accommodate the federal maximum annual defined contribution limit. Limits may rise annually to keep pace with increases in federal limits.

Two optional riders are also available to enhance your coverage under the Retirement Protection Plus program. One is the Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) Rider^, which helps you offset the impact of inflation on your benefits if your disability lasts - as many do - for an extended period. The other is the Future Increase Option (FIO), designed for those who earn more each year. It offers you the annual option of purchasing additional Retirement Protection Plus benefits regardless of any changes in your health or occupation. Specific age limitations and income and underwriting rules do not apply.

* "Why Disability" booklet published by National Underwriter

** Guardian Trust Company, FSB, is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America, New York, NY. Fiduciary accounts and investments held in fiduciary accounts such as mutual funds, annuities and securities are not FDIC insured, are not deposits or other obligations of Guardian Trust, are not guaranteed by Guardian Trust, and involve investment risks, including possible loss of principal.

*** Disability insurance policy forms 0100, 1100 or 2100 underwritten and issued by Berkshire Life Insurance Company of America, Pittsfield, MA, a wholly owned stock subsidiary of The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America (Guardian), New York, NY. Policy forms NC111 or NC112 in California provided by Guardian

^This benefit is not necessarily protection against increases in the cost of living