FirstCNB Partners with McIver’s Grant for Smart Women Event
This article is republished with the permission of the State Gazette and Rachel Townsend.

Tuesday, March 27, 2018
'Empowering women through financial literacy'

Pictured above FirstCNB President COO Judy Long is seen making opening remarks turning Thursday’s Smart Women event at McIver’s Grant Public Library.

Thursday, March 22, from 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. FirstCNB hosted a Smart Women program at McIver’s Grant Public Library, where guest speaker Susan Wood of Pacific Life Insurance Co. highlighted important need-to-know facts surrounding Social Security benefits in a presentation entitled, ‘Understanding Social Security Benefits’.

Opening the event, FirstCNB President and COO Judy Long welcomed guests and colleagues, followed by a word of thanks to all those who extended their talents and time toward making Smart Women such a great success, as well as FirstCNB community partner, McIver’s Grant and library director, Kathryn McBride, who played a key role in the Smart Women event by providing not only the venue, but also resource lists of material, which were handed out to all in attendance.

Additionally, Long emphasized the need for financial literacy in the community, and her hope that events such as those sponsored by Smart Women would empower mothers, sisters, family members, neighbors and friends to have more confidence in their money-management skills during life-changing events.

Guest Speaker Susan Wood discusses social security benefits and eligibility.

Following a light lunch, the hour-long presentation opened as FirstCNB Investment Services Advisor and Officer Sheila Jones introduced Wood, who then discussed the history of Social Security benefits and how it has evolved over the past 83 years, beginning as a lump-sum benefit plan before transitioning into the monthly payment program we have today.

Wood says that while Social Security benefits are virtually guaranteed for the baby boomer cohort, millennials should begin planning for retirement now, as benefits are expected to change greatly over the next 35+ years.

Wood also spoke on the receipt of Social Security benefits for those who have had multiple marriages. Wood says marriages lasting at least one decade or more qualify the former spouse for Social Security benefits should their own Social Security benefit not exceed that of their former partner.

The presentation by Wood was one of two made throughout the course of the day, with the other held from 5:30 - 7:00 p.m.

Long says the next Smart Women event will feature guest speaker Chris Hamm, who will discuss identity theft issues.