Private Equity Securities Archives - Page 3 of 4

FridayFeb 22, 2008 12:38 pm

Sorting Long–Term–Care Myth from Fact

Few people understand the risks, costs, and options associated with long–term care. And why would they? It's not pleasant to consider the possibility that you could spend the end of life unable to care for yourself. In fact, what you think you know about long–term care might actually be based on myths and half-truths that could lead you to make poor decisions about the type of care that you may need. Myth: I won't need long–term care. Fact: Roughly 40% of deaths in the United States are now preceded by a period of enfeeblement, debility, or dementia that can last…

TuesdayFeb 12, 2008 11:51 am

Poverty and the Modern Millionaire

It’s difficult to imagine an impoverished millionaire, but this could soon be the fate of the baby boomers, 8,000 of whom will reach age 60 each day in 2007.1 Since the concept of modern retirement took hold in the 20th century, only a small percentage of retiring Americans have left the workforce with at least a million dollars in assets. Being a millionaire retiree has never really been the status quo, but now this amount may not be nearly enough to maintain even a modest retirement lifestyle. If you are reading this, it means that you are probably among a…

TuesdayFeb 12, 2008 11:50 am

Develop a Life Plan

The recent media circus surrounding the death of Anna Nicole Smith detailed a nightmare scenario in estate conservation. The former model, whose finances had always been tabloid fodder, died five months after her son and only designated heir, Daniel, leaving an out–of–date will and possibly an entire fortune at the mercy of the courts. Since Anna Nicole’s death in February 2007, many financial professionals have reported a sharp increase in the number of clients interested in keeping their estate documents current.1 An out-of-date estate conservation strategy is about as useful as having no strategy at all. By updating your estate…

TuesdayFeb 12, 2008 11:50 am

Diversify and Conquer

Baby boomers have 25% of their invested assets in products with fixed returns, according to a recent survey.1 Yet for a generation that plans to redefine retirement by living longer and leading more active lives, fixed-income vehicles alone may not provide the requisite income that allows them to realize their goals. If you dream of doing more than sipping lemonade in a rocking chair on the porch, you may want to consider the advantages of diversifying your portfolio. Diversification is a basic principle of successful investing. It involves spreading your money among different investments in an attempt to limit exposure…

MondayFeb 04, 2008 6:50 am

Free to Retire

Who is responsible for your retirement security? If you correctly answered, “I am,” you are among the 81% of Americans who recognize this inescapable fact of modern life. But if you’re like many people, there are too many distractions and responsibilities that compete for the time required to develop a winning retirement strategy. In such a situation, a variable annuity might provide a way to help you pursue your retirement goals. Here Come the Pros With a variable annuity contract, one or more payments are made to an insurance company, which agrees to pay the contract holder an income at…

FridayFeb 01, 2008 7:52 am

Oil’s Above–Ground Problems

It used to be that the main concern about oil was finding enough of it in the ground to meet world demand. Since at least 1914, experts have been warning that the world’s oil supply is nearly tapped out.1 Although there is a school of thought that continues to insist that we’re still right around the corner from the last drop of oil, its adherents are in the minority. Most experts believe there is still plenty of oil in the ground. So why then have we seen the price of a barrel of oil double since 2004?2 Don’t blame it…

ThursdayJan 31, 2008 11:24 am

An ILIT Might Fit

Tax Liability Could Come Down to Who Owns Your Life Insurance Small–business owners are an easy target for the estate tax. They are often worth enough that their estates could be subject to the death levy, but they may not be so well off that they have access to the tools used by the überwealthy to help shield their assets. In 2007 and 2008, all estate assets that remain after exercising the $2 million exemption are subject to a 45% tax rate. In 2009, the exemption jumps to $3.5 million, but the tax rate remains at 45%. The estate tax…

ThursdayJan 31, 2008 11:23 am

Giving for the Greater Good

In 2006, there were no major natural disasters like Hurricane Katrina and the Asian tsunami, yet Americans donated a record $295 billion to charitable causes, topping the $283 billion they donated in 2005.1 Philanthropy is a time–honored tradition. When you utilize a structured giving strategy, your efforts can help reap greater benefits for you, your heirs, and your favorite charity. Two popular methods for leveraging charitable gifts involve the following types of trusts. Charitable Remainder Trust When money, securities, property, or other assets are placed in a properly structured charitable remainder trust, the donor (or a beneficiary) receives any income…

WednesdayJan 30, 2008 8:19 am

Life Insurance Goes to College

Most people think of life insurance as a way to protect their families from an unexpected loss of income, as a way to help the survivors go on without serious disruptions in their standard of living. It’s the reason why two out of three policyholders bought coverage.1 One often–overlooked consequence of losing an income earner is the possibility that dependent children may not be able to afford a college education. If you didn’t live to see your children off to school, would your insurance coverage be adequate to cover their tuition and related costs? And what if you do live…

WednesdayJan 30, 2008 4:58 am

Inflation Could Make a Comeback

After a long period of dormancy, inflation may be heating up again. At the November 2007 reading, the consumer price index posted the largest monthly gain in two years. In the 12 months ending in November, the inflation rate was 4.3%, well above the 20–year average of 3.0%.1,2 The Federal Reserve has helped keep inflation fairly low for the better part of the past two decades: The last time the annual inflation rate rose above 4% for a calendar year was in 1990 (6.1%).3 But current conditions have put the central bank in a bit of a pickle. A New…

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