Given still-low yields and the ebbing away of pensions, retirement planning today is much more challenging than it was even 20 years ago. Christine Benz discussed the keys to crafting a retirement portfolio that’s well-balanced, tax-efficient, and low-maintenance at this past year’s money show. Listen to her share some model portfolios populated with Morningstar’s high-conviction … Read more
Did you know? If a person dies without any effective estate plan, we say the person died “intestate.” Essentially, it is the default estate plan for someone who doesn’t have an estate plan. Each state has its own laws for distribution of an estate of a person who dies intestate. Under laws of intestacy, an … Read more
An investment-grade insurance contract is an insurance contract that allows you to not only invest your money without having to pay taxes on its growth, but can withdraw it when you need it, also without having to pay taxes on the withdrawal. That means you can put your money away, make interest, earn interest on … Read more
After an expansion that lasted nearly a decade, the expansion that began in 2009 looks like it’s finally hitting the wall. The stock market has run out of gas, interest rates are up, the bond curve has inverted, trade policy is anybody’s guess, the left is ascendant politically, and the public and private debt is … Read more
Parents’ estate planning concerns change greatly once their children become adults. To a large extent, parents have survived their children’s challenging adolescent years and begun watching them live their own lives. Parents may want to help their adult children start new businesses or help provide for grandchildren. The focus changes from the nightmare of a … Read more
The more things change the more they stay the same. This is especially true when it comes to reviewing your tax situation. Mark your calendar to review these essential items each year to ensure you are not missing something that could cause tax trouble when you file your tax return: 1. Required minimum distributions If … Read more