Retirement Watch Weekly
Reasons to Consider an In-Service Distribution
Few people know that it is possible to take your money out of a 401(k) or other employer-sponsored retirement plan and continue working for the employer. The move clearly is allowed in the tax law, and many employer plans allow it. Some employees should consider taking this step. The action is known by pension experts […]
How to Time Social Security Benefits to Help Your Spouse
One of the least understood and most confusing aspects of Social Security benefits are the spousal benefits. Much attention is devoted to the best time for an individual to begin receiving retirement benefits, but how that choice can affect the benefits of a spouse receives much less attention. In this visit we primarily are going […]
Asset Protection for IRAs
IRAs are among the most valuable assets many Americans own, and protecting those assets from creditors and lawsuits can be a concern. This can be a tricky proposition, because IRAs are in a netherworld of asset protection. Protection for IRAs in federal bankruptcy court was improved by the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act […]
Housing Slump Can Help Your Estate Planning – The Qualified Personal Resident Trust
A market drop often creates opportunities in Estate Planning. The ongoing decline in housing prices creates such an opportunity. Estate and gift taxes are imposed on the value of property. It follows that a decline in market value means property can be transferred at a lower cost. Those who own estates worth more than $2 […]
Safeguard Your Will and Estate Plan from Legal Challenges
Few events disrupt an estate plan and family harmony more than a will contest or other challenge to the plan. The specific challenges might not be predictable, because they often are triggered more by emotions than finances. But the risk of a contest almost always is present, and estate owners should know that they can […]
Increase Annuity Income by 20%
Fixed annuities or immediate annuities can make a portfolio last longer. They can provide steady income for life and smooth the portfolio; it won’t be as subject to fluctuations from market activity. Annuities are not all the same. Yields and rates of return vary considerably. Insurers have different investment experience, life expectancy assumptions, and expenses. […]
March 2008
March 24, 2008 01:00 p.m. Finally, a Bottom? There have been several false bottoms in the markets since the mortgage and credit crises began in August 2007. Last week’s holiday-shortened market action looks more positive than the previous bottom attempts. It was accompanied by several prominent forecasts that we had reached a bottom, including a […]
What If Your Broker Goes Broke
Investors suddenly are concerned about something they haven’t considered for years: That their securities broker might go out of business. The credit and mortgage crises revealed that some brokers are more exposed to subprime mortgages than their customers realized. Merrill Lynch was a big player and took substantial write downs of its assets. E*Trade has […]
