SECOND QUARTER 2016
Fund Your IRA
At the time of this writing the
deadline for 2015 IRA contributions
is fast approaching, which is the
same as your tax filing date (e.g.
Postmarked April 18, 2016). Taxpayers
can contribute up to $5,500 to a
Traditional or Roth IRA ($6,500 if
age 50 or over) if they meet certain
eligibility requirements. Once you
reach age 70½ however, you are
no longer eligible to contribute to
traditional IRAs, but you might be able
to make a Roth contribution.
Now is also the time to consider
funding 2016 contributions. The
power of compounding cannot be
overstated. Take, for example, a 35
year old individual that contributes
$5,500 for 2015. That single
contribution could grow to nearly
$59,000 over 35 years using a 7%
compounded rate of return.
Each situation is unique, but the
common underlying theme is the
power of contributing early and
taking advantage of the tax-deferred
compounding power of IRAs. In fact,
many parents contribute to their
child’s IRA as a bonus for working,
which can be a very effective tool
financially as well as instilling a firm
work ethic at a young age.
Because Money Matters.
The Cost of Fed Policy
T
he past 10 years have been very positive
for equity investors and borrowers, but
not for savers. Since 2006, the S&P 500
benchmark has appreciated more than 60% and
more than 200% if you measure from the market
low in 2008. Unfortunately, the low interest
rate environment driven by the Federal Reserve
in response to the mortgage crisis has punished
savers. The lost potential income to investors
from near zero – yielding savings and money
market accounts over that period is measured in
billions of dollars if compared to the norm.
Steve Soden
President & CEO
There is no question that
“As always, if an income
the aggressive search for yield
investment seems too good to
has pushed many investors into
be true, it probably is. ”
more risk than they normally
would be comfortable taking.
Faced with a shortfall in cash
flow, many have had to invade their principal to meet life expenses. The
basic goal of the low artificially depressed interest rate environment was
(Continued on page 3)
US 3-Month Treasury Bills
2006 - 2016
Interest
Rate %
6.0
5.0
4.0
3.0
2.0
1.0
0.0
-1.0
2006
2007
2008
2009
Source: Bloomberg
greatplainstrust.com
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
Employee Spotlight
Laurie Marchio, VP, Director of Operations
How long have you been employed at Great Plains, and what are your responsibilities?
 I have been with Great Plains 20 years and I am the Director of Operations. Prior to
working at GPTC, I worked in Operations at Kornitzer Capital Management for 4 years.
What do you like most about your job?
 Enjoying Birthday Bagel Day with my co-workers. I also like the challenge of my day to day projects.

What keeps you busy outside of Great Plains?
My three children ages 9, 13, and 16. I’m coaching two of my children in track. Also, I’m currently busy redecorating my home.
What is your favorite KC team to cheer for?
 Bishop Miege High School Girls Varsity Soccer.
What are you currently watching on Tv?
 House of Cards Season 1 on Netflix. It’s eye opening to what might actually be going on behind closed doors in politics..
What is one item on your bucket list?
 I want to attend the Kentucky Derby. Hopefully, I can bet on the winning horse!
What is your favorite restaurant in Kansas City?
 Q39 in Westport. Their bbq is fantastic! I give it two thumbs up!
Welcome to GPTC - William Lenker
Great Plains Trust of South Dakota has hired a
new regional account executive, William Lenker.
“We’re excited to welcome Bill to the team,
and know his talent and experience will help us
further our presence in South Dakota.” said Steve
Soden, president of Great Plains.
Lenker joined the company earlier this year
following 20 years of experience in institutional
retirement and trust management at Wells Fargo
Bank. At Great Plains he will be responsible for
managing and developing existing clients as well
as pursuing new relationships throughout the
state.
2
Great Plains Trust and Asset Management
Lenker earned his Bachelor of Science in
business administration from the University of
South Dakota in Vermillion, SD.
He has his Certified Retirement
Services Professional (CRSP)
designation from the American
Bankers Association. Lenker is
active in both charitable and
civic organizations in Sioux
Falls including the Boy Scouts
of America and United Way. Bill
and his wife Stacey, together
with their two children, are lifelong residents of
the Sioux Falls area.
Fed Policy
(continued from page 1)
to stimulate and drive dollars into
“riskier assets” such as stocks and
create a “wealth effect” that would
spread through the economy. That
wealth effect was anticipated to
produce further stimulus. The
economic growth however during
the post financial crisis recovery
has been mired in the 2% to 2.5%
range motivating the Fed to keep
rates depressed.
Stocks have been helped as
these low rates have led to “cheap
money” and the fueling of topline growth via debt throughout
many industries. This in turn has
driven the increases in stock prices,
although volatile at times.
The Fed is on record as
committing to normalize interest
rates. The trend will take time and
even when the Fed gets back on the
path to normalization, it probably
will be several years before savers
see significant rewards.
As always, if an income
investment seems too good to be
true, it probably is. These are tough
times for income alternatives but
the risk/reward equation always has
to be evaluated carefully. It makes
sense to work with investment
professionals on the investment
risk you are willing to take. As
the famous old quote goes, “I am
more concerned with the return of
my money than the return on my
money.” 
Wills vs
Living Trusts
Educational
Trusts for
Generations
There is often confusion
between a Last Will and
Testament “Will” and a Revocable
Living Trust “Trust”. However,
there are important differences
between the two documents
even though both can direct how
assets pass to one’s beneficiaries
at death.
W
Wills require Probate (the
court supervised procedure
ensuring the disposition of
property in accordance with
the Will) to be effective. Wills
are often used alone in simpler
plans whereby transfer on
death “TOD” or beneficiary
designations are implemented.
These designations bypass the
probate process and can be very
useful as long as the overall
plan is coordinated, because
sometimes people forget to
update designations and wind
up with an outcome they did not
foresee.
An often overlooked but very
effective vehicle for individuals to
leave a legacy to future generations
is to fund dynasty trusts for
educational purposes. These trusts
provide that funds can be segregated
and protected and provide
certain incentives to encourage
or discourage certain behavior to
reinforce family values or beliefs
while maintaining core principles of
the original grantor for generations.
A Trust is often used as a
way to avoid probate, maintain
privacy, and provide for more
complicated distribution patterns
and estate tax planning. A
Trust can also incorporate
disability planning. However,
because a Trust is typically more
complicated than a Will, it is
usually more expensive. A Will
is often used where a simple
distribution pattern is desired, or
when contentious beneficiaries
make court supervision
beneficial. 
hile dynasty trusts are
often used to provide
creditor protection from
the consequences of divorce or
uncontrolled spending , they are
also created to exclude assets from
one’s estate, and this can become
perpetual with each generation.
Because of the irrevocable nature
of dynasty trusts and potential
generation skipping transfer tax
issues, careful planning must be
done and legal counsel consulted.
However, a strategically planned
dynasty trust can have a lasting
impact for generations to come.
Take the next step. Consider
naming Great Plains Trust as your
Corporate Trustee in your estate
planning documents. Doing so
eliminates many of the above-noted
issues. As a Great Plains Trust client,
you have access to a full range of
investment professionals. For more
Trust-related questions, please
contact Jonathan Staton at 913-6471282 at Great Plains today. 
Because Money Matters.
3
COLLECTIVE FUND PERFORMANCE
NET PERFORMANCE (3/31/2016)
PENSION FUNDS
YTD
ANNUALIZED
1 YR.
ANNUALIZED
3 YR.
ANNUALIZED
5 YR.
ANNUALIZED
10 YR.
ANNUALIZED
15 YR.
ANNUALIZED
20 YR.
ANNUALIZED
25 YR.
GPTC Large Cap Fund
-2.19%
-2.16%
12.86%
10.22%
7.20%
N/A
N/A
N/A
GPTC USA Global Fund
0.24%
-1.21%
11.79%
9.84%
8.06%
6.49%
8.14%
N/A
10.84%
GPTC Equity Fund
-7.76%
-10.58%
1.28%
6.35%
6.08%
10.31%
11.39%
GPTC Small Cap Fund
-4.42%
-10.78%
4.08%
5.94%
5.21%
8.73%
11.38%
N/A
GPTC Science & Technology
-1.78%
-3.13%
12.78%
11.54%
9.25%
7.99%
N/A
N/A
GPTC Mid Cap Fund
-1.63%
-8.39%
7.71%
6.73%
6.10%
N/A
N/A
N/A
GPTC International Fund
1.26%
-3.45%
3.15%
3.51%
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
-15.30%
-21.29%
-3.50%
5.58%
5.35%
6.35%
7.10%
8.54%
YTD
ANNUALIZED
1 YR.
ANNUALIZED
3 YR.
ANNUALIZED
5 YR.
ANNUALIZED
10 YR.
ANNUALIZED
15 YR.
ANNUALIZED
20 YR.
ANNUALIZED
25 YR.
GPTC Fixed Fund
INDICES (3/31/2016)
MARKET INDEX
S&P 500
1.35%
1.78%
11.82%
11.58%
7.01%
5.99%
7.98%
9.28%
Russell 1000 Growth
0.74%
2.52%
13.61%
12.38%
8.28%
6.03%
7.39%
NA
Russell 2000 Growth
-4.68%
-11.84%
7.91%
7.70%
6.00%
6.86%
5.76%
NA
Russell Mid Cap Growth
0.58%
-4.75%
10.99%
10.00%
7.43%
N/A
N/A
N/A
Russell 3000 Growth Index
0.34%
1.34%
13.16%
12.00%
8.09%
6.09%
N/A
N/A
Russell Global ex US
-0.10%
-7.37%
1.58%
1.28%
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
BofA Merrill Lynch HY Master II
3.25%
-3.99%
1.75%
4.71%
6.85%
7.16%
6.77%
8.31%
Past performance is not indicative of future results. Investments are not insured by the FDIC, are not deposits or other obligations of Great Plains Trust, and
are not guaranteed by Great Plains Trust. Investments are subject to risk, including possible loss of principal invested. Performance for the GPTC Pension
Funds are net of the 1% annual fee and include the reinvestment of interest and dividends.
CONTACT US
When you work with Great Plains, you’re putting
your wealth in the hands of real professionals, not
just some algorithm. Real people who have built real
wealth. Real businesses. Not just for our customers,
but for ourselves. We know firsthand the hopes, fears,
ambitions and challenges that individuals and small
business owners in Kansas City and nationwide face.
It’s what makes Great Plains the first name in wealth
management. And it’s always on a first-name basis.
CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS
7700 Shawnee Mission Parkway, Suite 101
Overland Park, KS 66202
P 913.831.7999 | TF 888.529.2776 | F 913.831.0007
info@greatplainstrust.com
FLORIDA TRUST SERVICE OFFICE
Sarasota, FL | 913.831.9221
ATLANTIC REGION TRUST SERVICE OFFICE
Charlotte, NC | 704.552.3885
OUR MISSION STATEMENT
To be a premier provider of investment and trust
services to the business owner and high net worth/
income individual. We shall deliver responsive, reliable
and informed service combined with a commitment
to achieve superior long-term investment returns
for our customers. We shall at all times deal honestly
and respectfully with all clients and associates.
GREAT PLAINS TRUST OF SOUTH DAKOTA
Sioux Falls, SD | 605.271.5141
greatplainstrust.com