Retirement Watch Weekly
Knowing When to Convert an IRA
Should you convert a traditional IRA to a Roth IRA? How do you decide? The answer is not the same for every IRA owner. The strategy that puts the most after-tax wealth in your pocket is determined by several variables. Is your tax rate higher or lower now than it will be in retirement? How […]
Avoiding State Tax Hike Surprises
Most of the headlines are about federal taxes, but you need to stay follow state and local taxes. This is where the big changes are being made, and they could be big enough to change where you want to live in retirement – or change your retirement spending plan. The recession put many state and […]
December 2009
December 31, 2009 10:45 a.m. Happy New Year, and Some Important Items You Might Have Missed I wish all my readers a Happy New Year. We have great plans for Retirement Watch, and the markets and economy promise to provide another interesting year. There also will be changes in the income tax, estate tax, and […]
Choosing the Right Estate Planning Options: The Marital Deduction, Trusts, and Estate Tax
The foundation of every family estate plan is formed from the same tools and strategies. No matter the size of your estate and how simple or complex it is, you’ll begin by choosing from this basic menu. You don’t want a cookie-cutter estate plan. There are variations of these tools, and many plans need additional […]
Scrutinizing Your IRA Custodian
Few IRA owners give much thought to their custodians. Yet, the custodian can make or break your financial plan, and all custodians are not equal. Take a few minutes to learn about your custodian and its policies. Your IRA must be held by a custodian or trustee. Most financial services companies serve as custodians: brokers, […]
Warnings on Reverse Mortgages
We have to wave a yellow flag on reverse mortgages. While good ways for some seniors to tap their home equity, they also are a new and fertile ground for fraud, and new rules make them less attractive. Reverse mortgages are available to people age 62 and older. You receive cash, a stream of payments, […]
Understanding Medicare Supplement Plans
You’ve been inundated with advertising for the array of Medicare-related programs, for it is annual enrollment time. In recent months we reviewed Medicare Advantage plans, original Medicare, and Part D prescription drug coverage. In this visit, we review Medicare Supplemental coverage (or Medigap) policies. Many people who are covered by original Medicare also select a […]
Preparing for the New Tax Forms
Be prepared for a more complicated tax return for 2009, even if you have an uncomplicated tax situation. New forms, triggered by new tax breaks and rules, mean few people will have simple, straightforward returns. One major change is a new Schedule L, which in its draft form had 21 steps. Schedule L will be […]
