Retirement Articles
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The New Asset Protection Rules for Estate Planning
A new bankruptcy law is making its way through Congress this spring. It makes major changes in the protection afforded to some assets. Asset protection strategies need to be reviewed in light of the new law. The bulk of the law addresses the bankruptcy process. In general, it is harder for someone whose disposable income […]
Six Costly IRA Myths and Blunders
Individual Retirement Accounts are a long-standing and well-known part of the tax code. Yet, distributions from IRAs are one of the most misunderstood sections of the code. The situation is further complicated because the rules changed in recent years. There still are people – even financial professionals – who follow the old rules. Mistakes about […]
Investment Strategies for a Sluggish Market
The markets across the board have had corrections. The first quarter of 2005 was the worst quarter in two years for the S&P 500. Investors’ problems for the quarter did not end with the big company stocks that make up that index. My database of mutual funds and exchange-traded funds showed negative returns in March […]
Why A Living Will Isn’t Enough
The case of Terri Schiavo captured most of the nation’s attention and spurred greater interest in Living Wills and related estate planning tools. For years at Retirement Watch we’ve insisted that health care documents are an essential part of an estate plan. We’ve even stated that these documents should be prepared while decisions about other […]
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How to Find the Highest After-Tax Yields
The highest-yielding investment might not pay you the highest after-tax income. That is because of the different tax rates created by the 2003 tax law. Investors who seek the highest yield following the old rules might have less cash to spend than they could have. Interest from bonds, certificates of deposit, money market funds, real […]
Using and Misusing the Marital Deduction for Estate Tax Planning
The marital deduction is key to most estate plans of married couples. It can wipe out the entire estate tax liability. But misuse of the marital deduction can create a larger long-term tax bill or cause non-tax problems. Let’s look at how to use the marital deduction and avoid misusing it. The estate tax is […]
New Savings from Brokers
Opportunities are increasing for cheap investors. Only a couple of years ago I reported that the discount and mutual fund brokers were raising fees and increasing minimum investment amounts. The brokers didn’t want small investors, frugal investors, or long-term investors. Since then, the stock market has rebounded and trading volume is up. In addition, a […]
Is It Better to Pay Taxes Now?
Tax planning was turned on its head by the last couple of tax laws. Several key planning rules need revisions for those who want to maximize after-tax wealth. One of the oldest tax planning rules is that it is better to defer a tax whenever possible. Paying taxes tomorrow is better than paying them today. […]
