Retirement Watch Weekly
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 […]
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. […]
Hedge Funds for the Little Guy
Our diversified portfolio of alternative mutual funds continues to do its job. We designed it to deliver solid long-term returns without the volatility of the stock market indexes. That is what we are getting. Long-time readers know that the Alternative Portfolio is a collection of mutual funds that use investment strategies similar to those used […]
4 Action Steps to Avoid ID Theft
Identity theft was on the rise again in 2004. But the causes of ID theft will surprise most people. A new study issued by the Better Business Bureau found that a minority of known ID theft occurred over the Internet. The study found that in 68.2% of ID theft cases in 2004 information was obtained […]
Estate Planning: The Essentials
Estate Planning need not be as complicated as many people make it. Sophisticated tools are needed by the very wealthy, business owners, those with children from more than one marriage, and others with special needs. For most of us, a good estate plan is fairly straightforward. We need only the basics. Most estate plans can […]
Comparing Continuing Care Retirement Communities
Last month we introduced Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRC) and their different pricing options. Each community combines independent living, assisted living, and a nursing home. Residents are guaranteed lifetime care. Some require a modest deposit and monthly fees. Others require a large payment that might be partially refundable to your heirs, and they charge lower […]
How to Beat the Estimated Tax Hassle
We’re coming up on the day many retirees dread. It arrives four times each year. What many do not realize is that they easily can avoid this day. During their working years, most retirees had income taxes withheld from paychecks. They did not worry about making quarterly estimated tax payments during the year. The only […]
Is the Housing Bubble Real?
Housing prices in 2004 again were hot in a number of areas across the country. In three dozen metropolitan areas, home prices appreciated more than 20% in the last 12 months. In 14 major markets, prices more than doubled in the last 60 months. These strong growth markets primarily are in California, Nevada, Florida, New […]
