The Marine Corps Reserve Association Life Membership Trust received $1,753.50 in dividends and interest during the fourth quarter of 2023. This is in contrast with $1,834.54 received during the corresponding quarter of 2022, a decrease of $81.04. The total earnings total for 2023 is $6,106.48, an increase of $262.39 over the total earnings of $5,843.89 for 2022.
The market value of assets of the Trust as of the end of the day on 31 December 2023 was $173,710.49 compared with $166,084.01 at the end of 31 December 2022, an increase of $6,626.48. Part of this increase is due to the Life Membership Dues received this quarter of $2,055.73. This marks the last of the Life Membership Dues received by the Trust due to the change in dues structure authorized at the annual meeting. Future additions to the Trust will come from Benefactor dues as well as outright donations to the Trust.
Annual dividend increases of trust holdings during the 2023 calendar year are listed with the percentage increase in parenthisis: Abbvie (4.70%), American Electric Company (6.02%), Amgen (5.60%), Caterpillar (8.33%), Cummins (7.01%), Emerson (0.96%), IBM (0.61%), Illinois Tool Works (6.87%), Southern Company (2.94%), Old republic International (6.52%), and Williams Companies (5.29%). Johnson&Johnson shares were eliminated, however, a 5k bond which pays at 4.85% is being retained. This bond was purchased at a discount, so currently it has an unrealised profit of $280.27. Even before the New Year started, Abbvie announced an increase of 4.73%, a for the first quarter of 2024, and Amgen also announced an increase of 5.6%.
Note that over time the increases in dividends increases the market value of shares in a company. Interested parties may make donations directly to the Trust.
Interested parties may make donations directly to the Trust. Make your check payable to: MCRA Life Membership Trust and mail to:
MCRA Life Membership Trust c/o LtCol Thomas M. Howlett USMCR(Ret) 1370 Fox River Drive De Pere, WI 54115-2403
Questions about the Trust should be submitted to:
LtCol Thomas "LPM" Howlett USMCR(Ret) Founder and Investment Manager lpm.usmc@gmail.com
WHEREAS, the Trustor desires to create an independent organization, in the form of a trust, to provide a continuing source of revenue and support of the Marine Corps Reserve Association through the investment of membership dues and other donations as may be received by this Trust, all within the limitations of Section 501(c)(19) of the Internal Revenue Code.
To donate to the MCRA LIFE FUND TRUST click here or mail a check to: