For years, one of the most common questions clients asked me was: “Will Social Security even be there for me?” My answer was usually some variation of: “The actuarial fixes themselves are relatively straightforward. The challenge is deciding who absorbs the cost politically.” That answer is starting to evolve. Not because I believe Social Security […]
I vividly remember a question a prospective client asked me back in the day. It was 1984, and I was just beginning my career as a financial planner. He asked, “So, how does it feel to be replaced by the internet?” That not-so-subtle dig has not aged well. Far from replacing advisors, the internet has […]
Picture this: Society has collapsed. The US financial system, once the envy of the world, has crumbled, and global markets are in chaos. The dollar is worthless; food is scarce, and finding fresh water and safe shelter are your most urgent priorities. You have banded together with family and friends in an attempt to survive […]
Time flies when you are charitably inclined! In 2013 I wrote the article “Should You be Making Charitable Contributions From Your IRA?” highlighting the benefits of utilizing QCDs. Since that time, we have processed thousands of QCDs for clients, helping them optimize their charitable giving while controlling tax and Medicare IRMAA (Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount) […]
As every business owner knows, the day will come when it’s time to step away. Whether prompted by retirement, a desire for a new venture, or unforeseen circumstances, a well-thought-out business exit plan is essential for making the transition as smooth as possible. Furthermore, this transition will likely come with a significant boost in financial […]
Anyone old enough to have been paying attention to the economy in the early 1980s remembers the Fed Chairman Paul Volcker and his iconic cigar, and what came to be known as the “Volcker Shock”. To combat increasing inflation throughout the 1970s, Volcker began to raise the discount rate when he assumed office in 1979, […]
Common Method of Allocating Between Equity Securities and Debt Instruments Portfolio design customarily begins with a decision regarding the percentage to be allocated to equity securities versus debt instruments[1]. Allocating and rebalancing to a percentage is simple; but the percentage to be allocated is typically nothing but a rudimentary judgement call, based upon ill-defined risk […]
Estate Tax Exemption for 2024 and beyond What is the Estate Tax Exemption? In 1789, Ben Franklin penned the famous phrase “In this world, nothing is certain except death and taxes”. It was not until 1916 that the estate tax was instituted, and death itself became taxable. There are certain amounts that are exempt from […]
Medicare is the federal health insurance program for people: Who are 65 years or older. Have certain disabilities or end-stage renal disease. This article explains the Medicare parts impacting group 1: those who are 65 and older. Understanding your Medicare options is an important part of planning for success in your retirement years and beyond. […]
The last time I checked, there is one face on our dollar bill: that of our great President George Washington. However, here I will make the case that our currency has not one, but two faces. Understanding what our currency truly represents can give us a clue as to how we can do our part […]
