SECU Announces Estate Planning Essentials Pilot Program

RALEIGH, N.C., Jan. 21, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- State Employees' Credit Union (SECU) is pleased to announce the offering of an Estate Planning Essentials Pilot Program to its member-volunteers.  The Credit Union has implemented this program to fill the need for basic estate planning and will preparation – a critical element of any sound financial plan. Knowing that many individuals do not have a will, SECU hopes this program will encourage members to take this important step.  Available in SECU branch locations throughout the State, the pilot program provides estate planning documents, prepared by participating attorneys, to its nearly 3,000 volunteers serving on local branch Advisory Boards or the Credit Union's Board of Directors.  The Credit Union is piloting the program to this group of volunteers to test the service, as they are an excellent resource group to critique the benefits of all new member offerings.  Upon successful completion of the pilot, the program will be made available to all SECU members.

The launch of its Estate Planning Essentials Program emphasizes SECU's commitment to providing financial planning services.  Recognizing the skill level that an experienced estate planning attorney has, the Credit Union has identified a slate of experienced attorneys who have agreed to prepare estate planning documents at a predetermined price.  Each estate planning package will include a will with possible trust provisions, a Durable Power of Attorney (POA), a Healthcare Power of Attorney (HPOA) and Living Will, and a HIPAA Authorization.  For wills that include trust provisions, SECU Trust Services through MEMBERS Trust Company can be named as the corporate trustee by the member to manage the trust assets and oversee the distributions on behalf of the beneficiaries.

Sara Trexler, Senior Vice President of SECU's Trust Services department, comments, "The Estate Planning Essentials Program is intended to cover the estate planning needs of most members whose situation can be addressed in one appointment with an attorney.  If a situation requires more complex planning, an SECU Trust Representative can also make recommendations regarding a specific need.  The Credit Union's goal with this program is to assist members in preparing for the future needs of their family and to ensure that their intended plans are defined and documented appropriately.  Estate planning documents are critical to a solid financial plan and SECU is happy to offer this valuable service to member-volunteers.  We also look forward to rolling this program out to the general membership in the near future."

Trust Services offered through MEMBERS Trust Company, a federal thrift chartered by the Office of Thrift Supervision.  Trust products are not credit union deposits, are not insured by the NCUA or any federal government agency, are not obligations of or guaranteed by the credit union or any affiliated entity, and involve investment risks, including the possible loss of principal.

About SECU

SECU is a non-profit financial cooperative owned by its members. SECU has been providing the employees of the State of North Carolina and their families with consumer financial services for over 70 years. Currently serving more than 1.6 million members, SECU provides services through 235 branch offices, nearly 1,100 ATMs, 24/7 Contact Centers and a website, www.ncsecu.org.

About MEMBERS® Trust Company

Since 1987, MEMBERS Trust Company has met the special needs of credit union members by providing trust and asset management services.  Owned by credit unions, MEMBERS®  Trust Company is managed by and for credit union members.  As a Credit Union Service Organization, MEMBERS® Trust Company adopts the philosophy of its owners to serve members with emphasis on quality service and low fees.

SOURCE State Employees' Credit Union