Retirement Watch Weekly
The Economy and Stocks Start to Diverge
The tight relationship between the economy and markets might be ending. For some time, economic growth has been accompanied by higher stock prices, and stock indexes faltered when growth slowed or declined. Going forward, it is likely economic growth will continue while the stock indexes remain in a trading range or decline. Growth should continue […]
Find the Best Medicare Supplement for You
When you’re enrolled in original Medicare, you should have a Medicare supplement, or Medigap, policy. You need to find the right policy for you. You want a Medigap policy because, as the nickname says, it will cover many of the gaps in Medicare Part B coverage. ou’ll have higher fixed annual expenses because you’ll pay […]
Many People Use the Wrong Tax Rate in Their Retirement Planning
Many people do their tax planning wrong and give the IRS more money than they truly need to pay. Often, that’s because they use the wrong tax rate in their planning. Determining the right tax rate to use can be especially tricky for retirees and near-retirees. Most people consider their tax rate to be the […]
Don’t Let Your Heir’s Creditors End Up with Your Retirement Funds
As part of your estate plan, you need to consider whether it’s possible your IRA or 401(k) could end up in the hands of creditors of one of your heirs. A general rule is that qualified retirement plans are exempt from bankruptcy claims. But that general rule applies only to the original owner of the […]
Beware of the Scams Using Self-Directed IRAs
Interest in true self-directed IRAs is increasing, and that naturally is increasing the number of scams based on self-directed IRAs. The scams target primarily retirees and older Americans. A true self-directed IRA is one that essentially can invest in any asset allowed under the tax code. The tax code prohibits an IRA from owning only […]
The Three Ways to Make Tax-Free Gifts
Congress is considering slashing the lifetime exemption for estate and gift taxes, perhaps cutting it in half or even more. Because of that, estate planners are telling clients to consider giving away assets before the end of 2021 to remove from the estate some assets that might be subject to the federal estate tax after […]
What to do While Congress Ponders Estate, Gift Taxes
Congress is considering some far-reaching legislation on estate and gift taxes. There are actions you should be taking while our elected officials negotiate the details. You know from media reports the proposed legislation would slash the estate tax exemption, eliminate a number of estate planning strategies that have been used for a long time and […]
Bob’s Journal for 10/21/21
Some Notable Events That Grabbed My Attention This Week This past Tuesday, Oct. 19, marked 34 years since the S&P 500 had what is still the largest decline in a single day. The index lost more than 20% of its value on that day in 1987. An investor who bought at the close on that […]
