In addition to wills and trusts, there are many tools available to you in developing an estate plan. While different tools are appropriate for different asset classes, family structures, and goals, it is important to know about the possibilities. In this article, I’ll focus on the Transfer on Death, or TOD, designation, which can help […]
Summarization of the Health Insurance Reforms Scheduled to Take Effect in 2011
Summarization of the Health Insurance Reforms Scheduled to Take Effect in 2011 The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), signed into law in 2010, makes significant changes to our health care delivery system. Some of these reforms took effect in 2010 while many others take place in 2011. The following is a brief description […]
2011 Key Tax Planning Numbers
Here are your 2011 Key Tax Planning Numbers to get a head start on the new year. This piece lists key figures for 2010 and 2011 in the following planning areas: Individual income tax planning Investment planning Education planning Retirement planning Business planning Estate planning Protection planning Government benefits See Your 2011 Key Planning Numbers
The New Estate Tax Rules: Your Plan for 2011
Congress approved a new Estate Tax law last Thursday, December 17 2010 after nearly a year of speculation about its future. The new rules provide for a $5 million dollar exemption with a top tax-rate of 35%. This is obviously a far cry from the $1 million dollar exemption and 55% maximum rate originally scheduled […]
Estate Planning: A Key Part of Any Financial Strategy
I sometimes hear from clients that estate planning sounds like something that only the very rich need to think about. This couldn’t be further from the truth. In reality, an estate plan is, at its most basic, a critical part of ensuring that your wishes are carried out should you become incapacitated or pass away. […]
Managing Your Downside Risk is a Must!
As an investor, you probably hear a lot about risk. Phrases like “risk tolerance” and “risk profile” are part of the usual investment discourse, but when it comes right down to it, you may not be aware of how powerful it is to actively pay attention to the risk parameters of your portfolio. Of course, […]
A Winning Strategy for College Scholarships
Which sports team do you think will have a better chance of winning the championship: One that’s been preparing and strategizing for years, or the team that was put together in a few months? The answer seems obvious, and yet many people don’t realize just how critical it is to start planning early on for […]
Are You Ready to Retire?
Ask anyone if they’re ready for retirement, particularly after a difficult day, and you will likely hear an immediate “Yes!” But when it comes time to seriously consider the issue, the question of readiness becomes much more difficult. How much should I draw from my IRA or 401(k)? At what age should I retire? There […]
Your Company Stock & Net Unrealized Appreciation
Both companies and employees can benefit from company stock purchases in 401(k) or other qualified retirement plans. But what should an investor do with these shares upon a job transition? You may have heard that you should avoid having too much of one stock in your portfolio, or that it’s beneficial to take advantage of […]
Possibilities and Pitfalls: Early Distributions From Your IRA Rollover
Here at the Bradford Pine Wealth Group, we believe in educating and informing our clients. In addition to providing guidance on investment options and strategies, we feel it’s important to include insight on the nuts and bolts of account management. One area that people generally don’t know about is the list of possible exemptions to […]