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A Survivor’s Financial Checklist

No one likes to think about death, and yet we all have to face it sooner or later. My clients often request a checklist when someone they know has passed away. It can provide some structure during a time that can seem overwhelming. This financial checklist is in no way meant to be legal recommendations. A couple of things to note: Continue Reading

Tips on Election Year Investing

Especially during these times of economic uncertainty, being able to predict the future with 85% accuracy is a tantilizing prospect. Suprisingly, that is what we get in considering that of past 21 presidential years, 18 have shown positive returns for the S&P 500.

Election year statistics have been the topic of much speculation. A leading theory suggests that administrations may use fiscal policy such as changes in taxation and government spending to tip voter sentiment in their favor. Continue Reading

ILIT As An Effective Estate Planning Tool

Protecting your estate from creditors, predators, in-laws, and outlaws. That is a key reason for clients with larger estates to consider establishing an Irrevocable Life Insurance Trust, or ILIT. Acronyms can be mystifying, so let’s start with a definition. An ILIT is a trust wherein the grantor gifts assets (and thereby gives up all incidence [...]

Controversy Over Inflation: Is There More Than We Are Aware Of?

How can it be that with gas prices flirting with $4 per gallon and with food prices on the rise, there only is a 3.2% annual Consumer Price Index increase through April 2011? Does there seem to be a disconnect to you? If your answer is yes, you are not alone. Despite repeated reassurances by [...]

Bond Investing: Is Following Conventional Wisdom Always Best?

When it comes to bonds, the old adage, “they ain’t what they used to be,” may hold good wisdom in this challenging economic climate. Bonds are essentially loans that investors make to domestic and foreign corporations, U.S. and foreign governments, as well as state and local municipalities. As such, they represent a wide spectrum of [...]

Year End Financial & Tax Planning Tips

A take-off on the old adage “significant savings can often be had to those who ‘don’t wait’” states the case with year-end tax planning. A few smart moves prior to Dec. 31st can make a significant difference in your April tax bill. The key for most of us will be to defer income and accelerate deductions.

Strategies to Minimize Impact of Current Economic Climate on Retirement Plans

So, what do you do now? With portfolio and home equity values having fallen by 1/3 or more over the past year, many planning for or already in retirement are asking this painful question as they hope to enjoy their “Golden Years.” Sadly, over 65% of workers age 45+ expect to delay retirement and work [...]

Reverse Mortgages as a Planning Tool

Paying the taxes associated with IRA (or other qualified retirement plan) withdrawals is without question the downside of the whole arrangement. But for those who have small or no mortgages on their homes, a “less taxing” approach for generating retirement income has been gaining attention. The strategy, albeit with a cautionary note, involves reducing or [...]

Managing Corporate Executive Benefits: Rule 10b5-1 Affiliate Transaction Plans

Corporate executives typically build their wealth through the accumulation of their employer’s stock. They are often compensated in the form of restricted stock shares or stock option grants, which give them the right to purchase shares. While many executives benefit financially from this build-up of employer stock, they are often extremely limited in their ability [...]

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