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The War Over Annuities with “Living Benefits” Continues

January 3, 2012

Variable annuity sales sagged after the 2000 stock market crash. They were restored after the industry developed “living benefits.” There are different versions, but they generally guarantee the account owner a minimum rate of return or lifetime income in return for higher fees. The annuities have their advocates and detractors, and they continue to fight […]

January 2012

January 1, 2012

January 27, 2012 01:30 p.m. Your Retirement Finance Week in Review Central banks dominated the news this week with significant changes at the Federal Reserve. The Fed and the European Central Bank have had a stop-and-go money creation policy since the financial crisis accelerated in 2008. That appears to be in the past. This year […]

Deducting Medical Expenses

January 1, 2012

Many people believe that they’re no longer able to deduct medical expenses. They don’t even track their expenses or enter them on their income tax returns. That can be a costly mistake. Medical insurance covers fewer expenses each year, and more people would save taxes by deducting medical expenses than realize it. Congress did make […]

The Changing World of Annuities

January 1, 2012

Annuities changed a lot in the last year. If you’re considering an annuity based on what was available a few years ago, you aren’t likely to find the features you’re looking for. Even many of those who own annuities are likely to have seen changes in their contracts. Low interest rates, volatile equity markets, and […]

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Estate Planning

Estate Planning Tips for Surviving Spouses

January 1, 2012

Life can be difficult and complicated for surviving spouses. Contending with some financial rules and procedures in addition to everything else can amount to piling on. Yet, widows and widowers need to make key decisions about their finances, and some decisions need to be made within deadlines. Social Security, IRAs, employer retirement plans, and investments […]

estate planning

Estate Planning – The Giving, Asset-Shifting Opportunity

January 1, 2012

A unique wealth and Estate Planning opportunity presents itself to many people in 2012. It could be the last year for such an opportunity, so take advantage if it applies to you. A deal was reached in Washington in December 2010 to reduce estate and gift taxes for 2011 and 2012. Among other things, a […]

Warnings, Changes on Self-Directed IRAs

January 1, 2012

You can own gold, real estate, private companies, hedge funds, and more in your IRA. You won’t hear this from most IRA custodians. They limit your investment choices to mutual funds and publicly-traded stocks and bonds and maybe a few other assets. Their idea of a self-directed IRA is that you can choose from these […]

Estate Planning

Estate Planning Lessons for Grandkids from the Crisis

January 1, 2012

The bubble, its bursting, and the continuing financial crisis provided many lessons in personal finance. The biggest beneficiaries can be today’s young people, if they learn the right lessons. News reports and some surveys indicate that some are taking away the right ideas, but others are drawing the wrong conclusions and making their futures more […]

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