Variable Annuities: How To Evaluate Whether You Should Keep One
Unfortunately, it is not uncommon to meet prospective clients who attended an “informational” seminar, got a nice steak dinner, and ultimately purchased an annuity that may cost them thousands of dollars…
How To Avoid Paying Taxes Twice on the Same Income
What’s worse than paying income taxes? Paying taxes on the same income twice. Before putting away your 2015 tax folder, make sure your return contained Form 8606 if you have…
This Is Why You Got a Form 5498 After Filing Your Taxes
It doesn’t mean you missed something when you filed your taxes.
Could You Be Obligated To Pay a Parent’s Nursing Home Bills?
Pennsylvania’s Superior Court ruled in Savoy v. Savoy that an indigent mother could sue her adult son to pay her overdue nursing home bills. The case was decided in 1994…
Why Standard Deviation Matters When Choosing Investments
Volatility often causes people to make decisions that may not be in their best interest.
Three Key Assumptions To Make in Financial Planning
When comparing results between retirement projections make sure you understand the assumptions of each plan.
Estate Planning: What You Should Know About Asset Titling
I recently met with a couple who had just received a sizable inheritance from the wife’s father. An event like this usually raises questions about the impact on their financial plan, tax…
4 Reasons Why We Believe Wealth Consolidation is Worth the Effort
The benefits of choosing a single financial custodian.
Employee or Employer: Who Really Wins With Lump-Sum Pension Payouts?
This summer, several large Lancaster-area employers have offered terminated employees, who had a vested benefit in their defined benefit plan, a lump sum payout or even an early immediate annuity for their…
Where is Your Social Security Benefit Statement?
The benefit statement contains an estimate of monthly benefits at various claiming ages and for disability claims.
Can You Draw a Spousal Social Benefit if You are Divorced?
And what does “dually entitled” mean?
Common Questions About Social Security
Last month I started a series on planning for retirement. See the other posts in the series here: Has Planning for Retirement Ever Been More Difficult? Three More Questions Retirees Ask More Common Retirement Questions…
Five Strategies for High Income Earners to Deal with the New Tax Rules
The American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 (ATRA12) prevented higher taxes for many taxpayers but those in the top two tax brackets will experience an increase in taxes in 2013…
Rules for Filing a Gift Tax Return
Some basics.
The Death of Equities — 33 Years Later
Does this sound familiar?
Keep Up-to-Date with Social Security
Annual Social Security benefit statements no longer come in the mail.
Should Your Child Have a Roth IRA?
It’s an opportunity to start saving for children while they are young.
Do You Hold Title Correctly for Your Real Estate?
Property title questions during financial planning interviews often draw blank stares. Yet, understanding the differences among tenants-in-common, joint tenancy and community property is important for creditor protection issues, estate planning,…
Helping or Spoiling?
That’s the question a parent must ponder when an adult child asks for financial assistance. One of the greatest parts of being a parent occurs when you become a grandparent. So, it is…
Hold on to Your Last Social Security Statement
The Social Security Administration will no longer mail you an annual Social Security statement. Here’s what you need to do.
