Categories

Estate Planning

How Can Swap Powers Preserve Wealth for Future Generations? By Eric P. Zeitlin

Posted January 6, 2021

Swap powers within intentionally defective grantor trusts (IDGTs) are critical estate planning tools that may help you improve tax efficiency today while allowing you to preserve wealth for generations to come. An IDGT is an irrevocable trust that you, the grantor, can create during life to pass assets and wealth to your named beneficiaries outside […]

A Fair Inheritance is in the Eye of the Beholder By Lee F. Hediger

Posted December 16, 2020

Leaving behind a lasting legacy and providing for surviving family members in the event of an individual’s death or disability takes time, patience and consideration of a broad range of non- financial issues. While there are times when an unequal division of property among heirs is preferable, consideration should be given not only to how […]

Maintaining the Power of your Power of Attorney By Brendan T. Hayes

Posted December 9, 2020

A power of attorney is a legal document in which you grant to someone else the authority to oversee your financial affairs and make prudent decisions on your behalf if and when you are unable to do so on your own. Those decisions could be as mundane as paying household bills during a temporary period […]

What is Asset Diversification and Why is it Important? by Olga Ismail

Posted December 9, 2020

Asset diversification is an investment strategy that is designed to help investors minimize their exposure to market volatility while attempting to maximize their opportunities for high returns over the long term. While diversifying assets does not guarantee any investment objective will be met, spreading out investable dollars over a diverse mix of stocks, bonds, cash […]

Estate Tax Planning Numbers to Know in 2021 By Todd A. Moll, CFP®, CFA

Posted December 3, 2020

Developing a sound estate plan while you are healthy can go a long way toward saving your estate and family members from significant tax liabilities after you pass away. However, estate planning is not a one-and-done activity. Rather, it is an on-going process that requires frequent review and modifications based on changes to both your […]

Social Security Announces Cost of Living Adjustment for 2021 by Lee F. Hediger

Posted November 25, 2020

The Social Security Administration recently announced a 1.3 percent cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) to the benefits it will pay in 2021 to more than 70 million senior citizens and special needs children and adults eligible for Supplemental Security Income (SSI). This modest increase, down from a 1.4 percent adjustment for 2020, marks the second-lowest COLA ever […]

The Basics of Tax-Loss Harvesting by Todd Moll, CFP®, CFA

Posted November 19, 2020

While investors welcome market gains, they should not overlook the substantial tax liabilities their positive performing investments may incur when the time comes to sell. Under tax reform, investors are subject to capital gains tax as high as 37 percent, when they sell non-retirement investments, real estate or other appreciating assets. However, it is possible […]

Charitable Giving Provides Greater Impact, Tax-Efficiency in 2020 by Eric P. Zeitlin

Posted November 3, 2020

Although few families give to charity solely for a tax break, it is not unreasonable to consider that charitable giving historically has played an important role in tax-efficient wealth and estate planning. Under the new tax laws, however, fewer families qualify to write off their charitable gifts unless they take the time to develop financially […]

Is it Time for a Financial Checkup? by Scott Montgomery, CLU, ChFC

Posted October 21, 2020

Mitigating investment risk and preparing portfolios and estate plans for an uncertain future requires investors to meet with their financial advisers on a regular basis, and especially mid-year, to ensure that long-term plans remain on track. Here’s a checklist of topics to consider: Are my investments still aligned with my long-term goals? Whether saving for […]

Think Before your Click to Protect Yourself from Identity Theft by Eric P. Zeitlin

Posted October 15, 2020

Hardly a week goes by without news of another data breach or similar situation in which individuals’ personally identifiable information is exposed. Even some of the most well-known and respected brands, including Equifax, Target, Sony and FaceBook, have been targets of attacks. As criminals get more creative in the ways in which they commit these […]

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