Some answers to Frequently Asked Questions About The K of C

Membership Benefits
Are you a practical Catholic man as understood by the Church and 18 years old or older? Then it's obvious - we want you to join the Knights of Columbus! "But what's in it for me?" you might be asking. As a member of the Knights of Columbus you and your family enjoy many benefits. Among these are:

Columbia Magazine
As a member you receive free each month a copy of the world's largest Catholic magazine featuring articles on family life and many other issues important to Catholic families today; columns on the faith and the Church; and important news about the Order.

Daily Mass Remembrance
Mass is offered daily for deceased members of the Order at the Knights' Altar at St. Mary's Church in New Haven, Connecticut, birthplace of the Knights of Columbus.

Insurance Program
The Knights of Columbus life insurance program offers the member, his wife and his children the opportunity to provide for their security and well-being in the future through one of the strongest, soundest and safest insurance societies in North America. K of C insurance has received the highest ratings that can be given, AAA (Superior) by Standard and Poor's and A++ (Superior) by A.M. Best.

Annuity Program
Offers the member and his spouse an opportunity to provide for retirement and build an estate through tax-deferred savings at attractive interest rates.

Member-Spouse Fraternal Benefit
Accidental death coverage for a Knight and his spouse at no cost, provided both he and his council are in good standing.
Orphan Benefit
Provides monthly allotment and eligibility for college subsidies for orphans of eligible families.

Family Fraternal Benefit
For eligible families pays $1,500 for a child who dies before the age of 61 days; pays $750 for a child stillborn at least 20 weeks after conception; and offers guaranteed-issue insurance up to $5,000 to any child under age 18.
New Member Plan
Offers to a new member and his spouse an opportunity to apply for a low-cost whole life certificate.
Widow Benefits
The widow of a member continues to be covered under the Member-Spouse Fraternal Benefit; may purchase insurance or annuities up to 90 days after an insured member's death; receives a free lifetime subscription to Columbia; and is eligible with her children for scholarships, student loans, etc.
Scholarships/Fellowships
There are seven different college scholarship programs for members and their families; three different graduate fellowship programs; and scholarship programs for seminarians.

Matthews/Swift Educational Trust
Through this fund, full scholarships (tuition, board and expenses) to Catholic colleges are given to children of members killed or permanently and totally disabled from military service in armed conflict, or from criminal violence while performing duties as a full-time law enforcement official or full-time fireman.
Student Loans
Available to the member, spouse and children as well as to all pursuing a religious vocation.

Leadership Development
Each member has the opportunity to develop personal leadership skills by actively participating in the Order's unique structure, supported by the newsletters, Knightline and Program Supplement, mailed 18 times a year to state and local council officers and program chairmen.

Fourth Degree
One Year after becoming a First Degree Knight, a member is eligible to join the Fourth Degree, the patriotic degree. Since its establishment in 1900, members have provided honor guards for religious and civic functions. They are distinguishable by their official regalia of tuxedos, capes, chapeaux and swords.

Honorary/Honorary Life Membership
At age 70 after 25 years of continuous service, a member may receive special distinction as an honorary life member and is no longer required to pay annual dues. At age 65, after 25 years of continuous service, a member can request honorary status which reduces dues obligations to $10 per year.
Catholic Information Service
Makes available a wide variety of literature on the Catholic faith and spirituality.

Membership Card
This card entitles a member to participate in all Catholic, fraternal and social activities in his own council as well as in those of the nearly 11,000 councils throughout the world.