News and Commentary

Women Need to Plan for their Long-Term Care by Olga Ismail

Posted on February 20, 2020 by Olga Ismail

No one wants to think about spending their golden years in a nursing home or with round-the-clock nursing assistance for basic self-care tasks, such as eating, dressing, bathing and using the bathroom. Yet, according to AARP, approximately 52 percent of Americans turning 65 this year will require some sort of long-term care services and support […]

IRS Assures Taxpayers of Higher Estate and Gift Tax Exclusions Through 2025 by Eric P. Zeitlin

Posted on February 19, 2020 by Eric Zeitlin

Ultra-wealthy families who take advantage of the historically high estate and gift tax exclusions included in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) have received welcomed news from the IRS. Taxpayers who rely on the very generous but temporary provisions of the new law to make gifts during tax years 2018 through 2025 will not […]

Do Foreign Persons Have U.S. Estate Tax Responsibilities? by Melvin Perez, CFP

Posted on February 13, 2020 by Melvin Perez

It is no secret that the U.S. tax code is complicated. For foreign persons, compliance with U.S. tax laws is particularly onerous, especially when considering that different rules apply for income and estate tax purposes and neither depend on an individual’s immigration status. For income tax purposes, the U.S. presumes foreign persons to be nonresident […]

Relatable Finance Podcast Episode 37 – Don’t Let Financial Issues Lead to Divorce

Posted on February 11, 2020

In this episode, the relatable finance guys discuss ways to avoid financial stress in your marriage.

Assessing Long Term Care Insurance Options by Scott Montgomery

Posted on February 05, 2020 by Scott Montgomery

When most people think of retirement, they imagine spending their time traveling and pursuing the hobbies and activities that bring them the greatest joy. Few consider that as life expectancies increase, so too do the risks that individuals will eventually require costly long-term care for assistance with daily living activities. By failing to prepare in advance […]

Florida Becomes Fourth State in Nation to Allow Electronic Wills by Lee F. Hediger

Posted on January 28, 2020 by Lee Hediger

To encourage more people to engage in estate planning and communicate how they intend to maintain, protect and distribute their assets upon incapacitation or death, the Florida legislature recently approved the use of electronic wills and certain other legal documents. Effective Jan. 1, 2020, Florida residents have the convenience of creating and executing wills and […]

2020 Market Outlook by Joseph Karl, CFA

Posted on January 24, 2020

The economy continued to grow in 2019, bucking recessionary fears and extending the country’s longest economic expansion. While the pace of growth over the past 12 months slowed, asset returns remained positive, with U.S. stocks reaching all-time highs, up a total of 31.5 percent for the year. ¹ Heading into 2020, we believe that even […]

Relatable Finance Podcast Episode 36 – How To Buy a House

Posted on January 21, 2020 by Shane Phillips

In this episode, the relatable finance guys discuss things you need to know to purchase a house.

SECURE Act Makes Significant Changes to Retirement Saving Strategies by Sean Deviney, CFP

Posted on January 16, 2020 by Sean Deviney

Congress handed U.S. taxpayers a year-end gift on Dec. 19, 2019, in the form of a new law intended to help taxpayers save more money for retirement while giving them more flexibility in how and when they use those funds over their lifetimes. Here are the details of what is included in the Setting Every […]

The Importance of Selecting and Updating Beneficiaries by Scott Montgomery

Posted on January 08, 2020 by Scott Montgomery

Naming beneficiaries to receive proceeds from a life insurance policy or retirement account is a difficult decision that requires consideration of a range of factors. Because these selections supersede designations contained in your will, they are an important step in the estate-planning process that must be addressed with particular care and attention to details. Selecting […]

Relatable Finance Podcast Episode 35 – Revisiting The Grady Bunch And Risks They Can Mitigate With Proper Planning

Posted on January 07, 2020 by Joseph Karl

In this episode, the relatable finance guys revisit the fictional Grady Bunch and risks they can mitigate with proper planning.

Why Invest in Stocks? by Shane Phillips, CFA, CAIA, CFP ®

Posted on December 23, 2019

The decision to invest in stocks is one that individuals must take the time to consider carefully, weighing the risks and rewards in the context of their own unique facts and circumstances. In general, stocks carry far greater risks than other investments, such as bonds and cash. Investors must contend with market volatility based on […]

Relatable Finance Podcast Episode 34 – How Elections Impact the Economy and Markets

Posted on December 17, 2019 by Shane Phillips

In this episode, the relatable finance guys discuss how election-year politics impact the markets and the economy.

Estate Tax Planning Numbers You Need to Know in 2020 by Todd Moll, CFP, CFA

Posted on December 16, 2019 by Todd Moll

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, it is important to recognize that estate planning is on on-going process that will require frequent review and modifications based on changes to both your […]

IRS Sets Retirement Plan Contribution Limits for 2020 by Sean Deviney, CFP

Posted on December 12, 2019 by Sean Deviney

As the year comes to a close, it is not too late for taxpayers to maximize contributions to their retirement saving accounts in 2019. Similarly, with the IRS’s recently announced cost-of-living adjustments to retirement account contribution limits for 2020, it’s now too early to begin planning for next year and the tax returns you will […]