Question of the Week: “With the election being over, what comes next?” The election results may have surprised some forecasters (and certainly pollsters), as the predicted ‘blue wave’ of Democrats capturing both the Presidency and Senate fell short. Democrats did retain the House of Representatives, as anticipated, although more seats than expected were lost.…
Client Questions: Can I Deduct Premiums Paid for Long-term Care Insurance (LTCI)? It depends on several factors. Your LTCI contract must be a qualified one, you must itemize deductions on Schedule A of IRS Form 1040, and the total of your medical expenses (including your LTCI deduction) must exceed 7.5 percent of your adjusted gross…
The impact of a potential new President on stock market returns is always a key question in the weeks prior to a general election. It’s important to keep in mind that, despite frequent worries around this time of year, and that financial markets may react in the shorter-term term to poll results and election outcomes…
Some employers offer 401(k) plan participants the opportunity to make Roth 401(k) contributions. If you have access to this option, Roth contributions could play an important role in helping enhance your retirement income. What is a Roth 401(k)? A Roth 401(k) is simply a traditional 401(k) plan that accepts Roth 401(k) contributions. Roth 401(k) contributions…
What is it? If you’re the beneficiary of a large inheritance, you may find yourself suddenly wealthy. Even if you expected the inheritance, you may be surprised by the size of the bequest or the diverse assets you’ve inherited. You’ll need to evaluate your new financial position, learn to manage your sizable assets, and consider…
We hope this note finds you staying well and taking care of your physical and mental health during this time. A couple of weeks ago, we were approached by the board of Capital Manor Retirement Community and asked to create a video address discussing the impact COVID-19 has had on the financial markets. In it,…
Why has the Fed reacted so dramatically? Why has the market reacted the way it has to Fed actions? In short, it’s about messaging and credit markets. While lowering interest rates by a percent to zero at this stage may not make a marginal difference to consumer and corporate borrowers on a day-to-day level, it…
What has been/will be the impact of the coronavirus on the global economy and markets? The spread of the new coronavirus has taken over the headlines and hijacked market sentiment in recent weeks. Thus far, through available medical data, it appears that while the virus appears more contagious than the similar SARS epidemic in 2003,…
Between the holiday bustle, yearend to do’s and political news, you would be forgiven for missing the SECURE Act, which was signed into law December 19th. This act, “Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement (SECURE)” carries with it a number of changes that are likely to impact your retirement and estate planning. We’ve done…
Which segments of the equity market face the most uncertainty prior to the 2020 election? This question is always a wildcard so far in advance, but it will likely depend on the ultimate Democratic front-runner. With the slippage of Joe Biden in the polls in favor of a rising Elizabeth Warren, there are already…