Retirement Watch Weekly
Starter Funds for the Grandkids
Grandparents who want to begin modest accounts to benefit their grandchildren face fewer choices. Many grandparents would like to invest a small amount of money for a grandchild and add a little to it each year. After a couple of decades or more, the grandchild will have a nice sum of money to pay for […]
7 Ways to Defend Elderly from Abuse
Older Americans are ready targets for exploitation and abuse. Unfortunately, sometimes the sources of exploitation are caregivers or others the person trusts. Loved ones and friends can take action to prevent such abuse and to catch it before it gets too far. Consider taking the following actions. Be involved. Even if you have no legal […]
How to Maximize Retirement Community Write Offs
Two surprises await many new residents of the popular continuing care retirement communities. These surprises are two tax issues that are different from those the residents are used to. Most of these comprehensive retirement communities provide a combination of residential services and medical care. The communities usually include at least independent living, assisted living, and […]
Analyzing the New Annuities
Few investors right now are buying the old-fashioned annuities. But as they shift from their accumulation years to their distribution years, many investors want some key features of annuities: tax deferral, guaranteed income, and income that cannot be outlived. Insurers are responding with an array of new features. Some are worth considering; others are the […]
The New Asset Protection Rules for Estate Planning
A new bankruptcy law is making its way through Congress this spring. It makes major changes in the protection afforded to some assets. Asset protection strategies need to be reviewed in light of the new law. The bulk of the law addresses the bankruptcy process. In general, it is harder for someone whose disposable income […]
Why A Living Will Isn’t Enough
The case of Terri Schiavo captured most of the nation’s attention and spurred greater interest in Living Wills and related estate planning tools. For years at Retirement Watch we’ve insisted that health care documents are an essential part of an estate plan. We’ve even stated that these documents should be prepared while decisions about other […]
Six Costly IRA Myths and Blunders
Individual Retirement Accounts are a long-standing and well-known part of the tax code. Yet, distributions from IRAs are one of the most misunderstood sections of the code. The situation is further complicated because the rules changed in recent years. There still are people – even financial professionals – who follow the old rules. Mistakes about […]
Investment Strategies for a Sluggish Market
The markets across the board have had corrections. The first quarter of 2005 was the worst quarter in two years for the S&P 500. Investors’ problems for the quarter did not end with the big company stocks that make up that index. My database of mutual funds and exchange-traded funds showed negative returns in March […]
