Your Words

Annuity Note
Nowhere in “Switching Gears” (“Money Matters,” Spring 2008) did the author mention buying an annuity. In my opinion, this should be the first option when planning for retirement. An annuity contract provides flexibility and the absolute guarantee that you will not outlive your income. In addition, you are relieved of any responsibility and worry about investing your money. Retirement is not the time to be gambling with your retirement funds.

—Russell Reister
Chelsea, Michigan

Editor’s Note: The article referenced was not intended to discuss every retirement planning option. An annuity is just one of several funding vehicles you can use when preparing for retirement. When considering what’s right for you, it’s important to work with a financial representative to determine an appropriate solution given your unique circumstances and goals.

'For Charity
“Switching Gears” (“Money Matters,” Spring 2008) includes a useful checklist of “Spending Considerations.” There’s one thing wrong with it, however: “For Charity” ought to have been first, not last! Its placement implies that you think of giving after you’ve taken care of everything else. But like tithing, which a letter in the same issue indicates should be a primary concern in life, what one does for others should not drop to the bottom of one’s concerns in retirement.

—Harland Nelson
Decorah, Iowa

On Tithing
I enjoy your magazine and especially liked the editorial comment on tithing (“Your Words,” Spring 2008). Every-one who works is providing for their support—their daily bread—and tithing is following God’s directive in Malachi 3:10-12. From what I have observed, the majority of people are not working for the sheer joy of work, rather for the remuneration provided.

I’ve always been interested in how people get from where they were to where they are in their finances, and I pay particular attention to the tithe. I would like to hear of others who have tithed. More than one person has said their financial situation turned around after they did so.

I have tithed for more than 30 years and wouldn’t consider not tithing.

—Carol McLean
Minneapolis, Minnesota

Editor’s Note: Do you have an opinion on tithing? Read our "What Do You Think?" question and let us know.

Note: Views expressed in these letters are not necessarily the views of Thrivent magazine or Thrivent Financial for Lutherans.