Mary Anne Ehlert | Source | President at Protected Tomorrows
Mary Anne Ehlert
I am founder and president of Protected Tomorrows and a partner in Forum Financial Management, specializing in assisting families of individuals with disabilities and the elderly,. Why I chose this path is really the story of my family. Most financial professionals are known for their analytical skills rather than their compassion, but I bring something more to the table: a first-hand understanding of the emotional and financial complexities of living with a loved one with a disability. One of six siblings, I was particularly close to my sister Marcia, who was born with cerebral palsy. I saw first-hand the difficulties our parents had in making sure Marcia would be cared for when they could no longer do so. I finished college at Loyola University in 1972 and launched into a corporate career, starting with A.C. Nielsen in Northbrook. I moved into the banking field with Weiland Computer Group in 1975 and climbed the executive ladder at Heller Finance and Deutsche Credit Corporation before taking a job at Citicorp Distribution Finance in Waukesha, Wisconsin.
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Protected Tomorrows
President
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Representative Payee Bank Account
Representative payees use bank accounts to manage the finances of Social Security and SSI beneficiaries.
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Empowering Women: Financial Planning for Aging and Long-Term Care
Mary Anne emphasizes the importance of planning ahead, especially for women, to avoid financial struggles in aging. She highlights the need for long-term care planning, including for disabled children, and offers insights on common missteps and tools to empower financial decision-making. -
Navigating Financial Talks with Aging Parents: Expert Insights
Mary Anne stresses recognizing parents' fears of losing control over driving, home, and finances. She advises starting conversations compassionately and ensuring Powers of Attorney are in place. Mary Anne suggests involving financial professionals early, allowing parents to build comfort. Her approach focuses on understanding parents' stories and maintaining their independence.
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A representative payee bank account isn’t much different from a standard checking or savings account—the primary difference being that the representative payee is specifically named to administer the account, even though the account itself is owned by the beneficiary. They’re basically checking accounts, the account would have the beneficiary’s Social Security number attached to it and the representative payee’s name as well.
