Retirement Watch Weekly
Wise Estate Planning Strategies to Plan Gifts
In last month’s visit we discussed probable changes in the estate tax that mean many people should restore regular giving to their estate plans. This month, we will talk about the details of gift giving plans so you can avoid big giving mistakes many people make. The goal of annual gift giving is to remove […]
Five Myths of Business Succession
Few small firms survive past the first generation of owners. That is well-known. Most people assume the business failures are due to the inadequacies and mistakes of the succeeding owners and managers. At least an equal share of blame goes to the founding owners who do not properly develop and implement succession plans. With proper […]
Handling Unwanted Annuities
A number of people bought annuities years ago that no longer suit their needs. Sometimes there has been a major life change relating to marriage, death, or inheritance. Other times a person’s financial needs have changed. They want money now instead of waiting for annuity payouts. Some simply are dissatisfied with the returns of the […]
October 2007
October 23, 2007 02:25 a.m. Global Boom or Global Bust? Just as investors were developing unbridled optimism about stocks, corporate executives pulled them up short. A spate of earnings reports last week dimmed investor enthusiasm and caused stock prices to tumble. The Nasdaq fell 2.6%, as did the S&P 500 and Dow. Small stocks represented […]
Estate Planning for Shifts in the Estate Tax Law
Big changes are due in the estate tax law, but no one can be sure what those changes will be. Yet, all estate owners need to have an estate plan in place, and that plan needs to meet the owner’s goals whatever the tax law is. The plan should be flexible, address the most likely […]
Starter Funds for Youngsters
Investing will a key to the financial security of today’s youth. It will be more important to them it was to previous generations. Today’s youngsters will rely primarily on their own resources for retirement. The earlier someone starts investing, the easier it will be for him or her to become financially secure. Yet, financial services […]
How to Ensure the Medical Care You Want
Essential parts of any financial or estate plan are the health care documents. Everyone needs these documents, regardless of the value of the estate. Even if you are not ready to put the rest of the plan into place, the health care documents should be prepared and executed. One problem with many plans is that […]
How to Plug a Leak in Your Safety Net
About 60% of U.S. homes are underinsured by more than 20%, according to a survey by the Chubb Group. Many people do not understand their home-owner’s insurance and how it has changed over the years. It is not the simple product it seems to be, and many people are overlooking some key details. The more […]
