Retirement Watch Weekly
Reasons to Avoid Dying Intestate
Americans put their wills on the backburner in recent years, and it could cost their estates and heirs plenty. The data is clear. In 2004 only 42% of adults had even a basic will, versus 47% in 2000, according to legal publisher Martindale-Hubbell. Other studies have similar results. LegalZoom.com found that only 75% of adults […]
Behind the Headlines on Prescription Drug Prices
In my files are a series of reports detailing the rapid rise in the cost of medical care for Americans, especially for seniors. The good news is that the numbers in the reports aren’t terribly accurate. The bad news is that these reports are used to scare people, especially those in and near retirement, and […]
Real Estate Bubble Revisited
Residential home prices in many areas have skyrocketed. One estimate is that average prices nationally rose 40% over the last five years. In a number of areas, however, home prices increased 75% and more, especially on the coasts. In my area some neighborhoods have waiting lists for homes, and brokers say they have more buyers […]
Which Way for Inflation
Is the inflation surge temporary, or is it a longer-term condition that needs strong Federal Reserve action to correct? That question will hover over the markets for at least a year. Until the answer is clear, it is best to invest with balance, diversification, and a solid margin of safety. The one-year inflation rates suddenly […]
More Ways to Prevent ID Theft
Identity theft continues to increase, and older Americans are prime targets of this crime. That’s why we constantly are looking for ways to prevent the crime and to protect your identity and wealth. Here are some new strategies to consider along with the strategies mentioned in past visits. When paying a credit card bill by […]
Cash Flow from Your Home – Reverse Mortgages
The use of reverse mortgages is climbing as more seniors learn how to use them to raise cash from their home equity. The loans are not for every senior American, but they can be a valuable source of cash for strapped homeowners. Fewer than 20,000 reverse mortgages were originated in 2003. That’s a tiny part […]
Estate Planning: New Family Limited Partnership Rulings
Last year a number of estate planners worried that the IRS and the Tax Court nailed shut the door on family limited partnerships. A recent federal appeals court decision recently made clear the door still is open, and it set some guidelines for the successful use of FLPs. Family limited partnerships have been premier estate […]
Estate Planning for Community Property
Estate Planning can be different for married couples who live in the eight community property states. The one-third of Americans who live in those states need to take their state laws into account and make a few adjustments from traditional estate plans. Community property laws say that property acquired before the marriage and inheritances are […]
