James Waldorf CLU Leads Pilot Financial Program for MS Patients

James Waldorf, CLU, EA has brought together a team of professionals to create a new career and financial program from the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Lone Star Chapter that will help people living with MS evaluate and plan their career path and financial future.

The successful pilot program was launched in January and from the response the program is poised to grow nationally. The PlanningWise Program provides a 90-day one-to-one consultation for people with MS that offers career and job coaching, financial planning and insurance benefit counseling, and direct financial assistance with COBRA health insurance payments, if appropriate.

The PlanningWise Program is available to persons living with MS who have recently lost employment, are at risk for losing employment or are considering a career change because of MS. Volunteer professional career and financial counselors provide assistance by phone to h help people living with MS plan productively for the future.

Waldorf is an affiliate with U.S. Wealth Management, LLC, a firm specializing in providing wealth management programs through professional firm affiliates. Waldorf is the former Managing Director for Ash Brokerage Corporation in Dallas, TX. Prior to joining Ash in 2002, he was an executive with Lincoln Financial Advisors for six years, serving as the executive director of the internal producer group for the top 200 representatives, and supporting advanced sales in the small business market. Waldorf was an advisor for Lincoln from 1971 through 1996 with a pension consulting and TPA practice in Dallas, TX. A member of MDRT, he is also an Enrolled Actuary who teaches ASPA, LUTC and CLU classes. Waldorf is a frequent speaker at industry meetings across the country including the recent AICPA PFS practice section meeting in Puerto Rico and the Austin Bar Association.

“Our goal is to reach out to people with MS early so that they can make wise decisions and have choices on how they work and live,” said Waldorf. “It is best for the individuals, their families, and society to have people with MS remain in the workforce and covered by insurance. The volunteers have already had a positive impact on the lives of the initial participants and we hope to grow this program all across the country.”

The PlanningWise Program is supported by the Society of Financial Service Professionals in Dallas. The Lone Star Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, the largest Chapter in terms of geography, population served and monies raised, was founded in 1955 to provide direct services to people affected by MS and to fund research in the movement toward a world free of MS. Currently, $5.3 million is being spent on MS research at medical facilities throughout our Chapter. The Lone Star Chapter serves 174 counties in Texas and 20,000 people with MS, their families and friends, the professionals who serve them, and the general public. For information on how to support the program or on enrollment contact Susan La Combe at 1-800-344-4867 or slacombe@nmsslonestar.org.