self study

IAR COURSE - Former Social Security director Kurt Czarnowski provided a refresher on how Social security benefits are calculated, how they may be taxed and how spousal benefits (non-working spouse, divorce, survivor) work. 

A loved one has just passed away and now the successor trustee must serve as trustee of the living trust. Are they prepared to handle the myriad of questions regarding their rights and responsibilities, taxes, and investments in these different situations?

Learn the purpose of revocable trusts, also known as living trusts, and how they can be a useful part of a client's estate plan. Join estate planning attorney Laurie Steiner to learn the advantages and disadvantages of a revocable trust as compared to irrevocable trusts or no trust at all!

The In Marriage QDRO® incorporates the ability of spouses to contract under state domestic relations law with the enforcement mechanism of a Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO) under federal law.

Much has changed since penalty-free Roth conversions were inaugurated in 2010. Tax rates have gone up and down. The re-characterization provision went away. Heirs can no longer stretch out inherited Roth accounts over a lifetime. Medicare surcharges were expanded and began to adjust for inflation.

Financial aid award letters can be confusing. It is critical that you carefully analyze each award letter and determine the amount of free money received in the form of grants and scholarships. Equally important, one must identify what is the "net" cost of the school. The first offer may not be the best offer.

In the past couple of years, we have heard a great deal about the Great Resignation.

The tax proposals in 2021 should give cause for all financial planners to reconsider the estate and liquidity planning strategies for clients. These proposals, which may resurface, would have significantly impacted a number of planning strategies, to include irrevocable life insurance trusts (ILITs).

Wade Pfau shares his recent research on different reverse mortgage strategies while providing an update on the new options that allow clients as young as 55 to use a reverse mortgage. Wade's findings use historical simulations, similar to how Bill Bengen created the 4% rule.

While annuities are most often thought of for the income stream, there are optional principal protection benefits, known as living benefits, that offer clients exposure to the market's upside while protecting their account values and future income streams against the effects of a market decline.