Advance Directives: “The Living Will” and other issues
Most people who choose to prepare advance directives do so to remove any doubt of their wishes in the event of a situation where they may be deemed unable to make decisions.
Compare Variable Annuities With Fixed Indexed Annuities
Variable annuities have fees, expenses and charges subtracted from the annuity account value The category, an annuity is a very broad term that covers two different types of actual products. One is a security, the other is an insurance product. There are numerous differences, this article will explain the details. There are two completely [...]
Four Common Mistakes In Retirement Planning
When Planning for Retirement Four Common Mistakes Nearly Everyone Makes You may have been told by a well-meaning parent, friend, or financial advisor that you should “Save at least 10% of your money for retirement.” This rule of thumb gives those of us with no idea where to begin planning some initial guidance, but [...]
Eliminate Debt And Recession Proof Your Life
Recession-proof your life by eliminating debt "History doesn’t repeat itself, but it often rhymes.”- Credited to Mark Twain It’s well understood that boom and bust cycles are an intractable part of every capital-based economy. Those of us who’ve been around long enough can recall the “Oil Shock” of the early ’70s, the recession of 1981-82, [...]
Where Should You Invest Your Money? Answer These 8 Basic Questions
When people think about saving and investing money the first question they ask: "What should I invest my money in?" To answer that question the following questions should be answered: What do I want the money to accomplish? You may need extra income to cover your monthly current expenses. Or to pay for a [...]
Inflation Can Cripple Retirement Planning
Most investors only consider the risk to their principal, which is why they favor Certificates of Deposit over non-FDIC insured investments for their most protected assets. The risk of lost buying power is a more complicated dynamic. The dollar value of principal stays the same, but year after year, a dollar buys less and less. [...]
7 Things You Must Know About Claiming Social Security
Social Security is a great program, but knowing when and how to claim your benefits can determine how much you collect. Here are seven potential problems you need to consider so you can maximize your Social Security income. 1: Remarrying Before Age 60 If your spouse dies, you will be entitled, in most situations, to [...]
Use ‘Transfer on Death’ Form to Avoid Probate Court
Avoiding probate can be tricky, but you might be able to successfully do it following these three straightforward ways. If you own stock certificates or have a brokerage account the ‘transfer on death’ option can be used to avoid probate. This option is often called the ‘Uniform Transfer on Death Securities Resignation.’ You can designate [...]
One Huge Benefit for Annuity Owners
Many benefits annuities provide are included at no additional cost or expense Almost all new annuity contracts provide an immediate benefit. Is it income? Is it safety? Is it freedom from market risk? The answer to those questions is yes! Plus more. That’s the nursing home waiver. Annuity contracts have a provision that allows annuity [...]
What Are Zero Coupon Bonds?
Zero coupon bonds pay no interest, you buy at less than face value Zero coupon bonds are bonds that do not pay interest during the life of the bonds. Zero Coupon bonds are purchased at a discount and they will fund the face value at maturity. A portion of the funds at maturity will [...]