Retirement Watch Weekly
What Is the Required Minimum Distribution?
The required minimum distribution (RMD) rules limit the extent to which an individual can use the tax deferral of an IRA or other qualified retirement plan. The RMD rules dictate when distributions must be made from the retirement plans of certain taxpayers. The rationale behind the RMD rules is that Congress provided the tax benefits […]
How to Build a Moat Around Your Retirement
In my new Retirement Watch Spotlight Series, I’ll share my newest breakthrough strategies for protecting your assets and growing your portfolio, including how to prepare for the next market downturn. Click here now to learn more. […]
Bob’s Journal for 4/8/21
More Signs Growth is Surging Data and anecdotes continue to indicate that economic growth is stronger than most investors and politicians recognize. The surprising strength was apparent from a recent interview on CNBC with Tilman Fertitta, chairman and CEO of Landry’s. The company owns restaurants, hotels, and casinos in 40 states, including Morton’s, Landry’s and […]
When to Use an IRA To Fund Your Health Savings Account
Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) are the best retirement planning tool available, and there’s a little-known legal trick that can help fully fund an HSA. An HSA has three powerful tax benefits. Contributions to the account are tax deductible or excluded from gross income when an employer makes them. The account can be invested, and income […]
How Long Should You Keep Tax Returns?
You probably think you know how long to retain tax returns, because you’ve heard the standard answer. But the standard answer is wrong. You probably learned that you should keep a tax return for at least three years after filing it. The reason is for the three-year answer is that the IRS has up to […]
Bob’s Journal for 4/1/21
Margin Calls Roil Markets Again The best investment plans can be upended by the actions of an aggressive hedge fund or other leveraged investors you hadn’t heard of previously. We learned that lesson again in the last week. Archegos Capital Management is a family office of a former hedge fund manager. Archegos had large stock […]
E-Wills Are Coming
Very slowly but surely, estate planning law is catching up to modern technology. The latest development paves the way for electronic wills in most states. An electronic will, or e-will, is one that recognizes the traditional formalities of a will when they’re in an electronic format. An e-will can be written in an electronic medium, […]
Reconsidering Living Wills
A good estate plan includes a lot more than will. Among the documents to be included are those about medical care. The traditional document is a living will but I’ve downplayed the importance of living wills for years since a better document is the medical care proxy or power of attorney. There are a number […]
