Americans’ confidence in the ability to afford a comfortable retirement continues to rebound from the lows reported between 2009 and 2013. The increasing optimism is coming largely from workers who indicate they and/or their spouse have a retirement plan, such as a defined contribution (401(k)-type) plan, defined benefit (pension) plan, or individual retirement account (IRA). […]
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‘Estate Planning’ Category
Stocks and stock mutual funds are often grouped according to size, or “market cap,” a term that represents the total dollar value of a company’s shares.1 Market cap is calculated by multiplying a stock’s price by the number of shares outstanding. For instance, if XYZ Corp. had a price of $25 per share and had […]
Americans are on the move, not only in their leisure pursuits, but in their jobs as well. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, about 38% of U.S. workers change jobs every year. If your employment situation changes, do you know what your choices are for managing the money in your 401(k) account? Generally, workers […]
Thinking of tapping the equity in your home to do a renovation, buy a second home, or consolidate debt? Before you decide which borrowing option is right for you, it’s important to understand the main differences between the two options. Home Equity Loan Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC) Fixed interest rate for the […]
Estate planning can be a minefield of potential missteps, some of which could have far-reaching consequences. Many of the poor choices individuals make when planning for their own future or passing assets to their families are caused by “one-size-fits-all” planning strategies or well-intended advice from family or friends. Following are some common and potentially costly […]
If you have been named as a beneficiary of a trust, you probably have many questions about what comes next. Trusts can take many forms and may be governed by unique provisions established by the creator of the trust or “grantor.” As a trust beneficiary, you have certain rights. But to ensure that your financial […]
Discussing the transfer of wealth from parents to children can be uncomfortable for both parties. Yet by introducing children to the wealth management process from a young age, affluent families may be able to reduce family tensions later in life and help ensure that the planning tradition passes intact to future generations. [images style=”2″ image=”http%3A%2F%2Frebelfinancial.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2FIntergenerational-wealth-300×200.jpg” […]
Many investors have taken advantage of pretax contributions to their company’s employer-sponsored retirement plan and/or make annual contributions to an IRA. If you participate in a qualified plan program you may be overlooking an important housekeeping issue: beneficiary designations. An improper designation could make life difficult for your family in the event of your untimely […]
When the rules of the game change, tactics should follow in response to the new landscape. While estate tax exemptions have ridden an uncertain roller coaster in recent years, the rules appear to be stabilizing, prompting many to reconsider conventional estate strategies.¹ [images style=”2″ image=”http%3A%2F%2Frebelfinancial.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2FMarble-house-with-question-mark-in-the-snow-200×300.jpg” width=”200″ align=”right” top_margin=”20″ bottom_margin=”20″ left_margin=”20″ right_margin=”20″ full_width=”Y”] In 2013, Congress […]
The varied reasons to donate art range from a personal affinity for a museum, the desire to create a legacy, and the tax consideration that may come with the donation. The tax rules surrounding the tax deduction of art are complex and confusing.¹ When donating art, donors can generally claim a federal tax deduction of […]