Spendthrift Children and Their Inheritance
January 30, 2016
You want to leave an inheritance to your children, but one of your kids is responsible with their money and one is not. Peter answers a question from a listener regarding how to structure an inheritance to be fair to multiple children but protect the spendthrift from themselves. Jim, Chris and Peter also discuss what Trust Decanting is and why it may benefit you and they look at the recent...
Listen NowNaming a Child As a Co-Owner of a Bank or Investment Account
January 23, 2016
You would think that naming a child as a co-owner of a bank or investment account would be a good idea, right? That way, if something happens to you they can more easily help you pay your bills. Jim, Chris and Peter discuss why naming your children on these accounts may be more if a headache than a help. They also answer a couple of listeners’ questions. How can you correct a Social...
Listen NowSocial Security: Withdrawing Your Application vs. Suspending Your Benefit
January 16, 2016
What is the difference between withdrawing your Social Security application and suspending your benefit? Jim, Chris and Peter answer this email question from a listener. They also discuss why the Social Security Administration gives you options for your claiming date if you file for your benefit after your full retirement age. Among other topics, they clarify the tax basis on a Roth conversion,...
Listen NowListeners’ Questions Re: FERS, IRA Conversions and Medicaid
January 9, 2016
Jim and Chris (Peter is out this week) answer questions from listeners including: When your FERS (Federal Employees Retirement System) Special Retirement Supplement stops, should you claim your Social Security benefit or wait until age 70? If you converted a traditional IRA that was funded in part with non-deductible contributions, how much of the conversion would be tax free? And… if one...
Listen NowTax Changes for 2016
January 2, 2016
Chris and Peter discuss some of the tax changes and extensions for 2016 including the Protecting Americans From Tax Hikes Act of 2015, tax-free distributions from IRAs for charitable donations, SIMPLE IRA rollovers and a few others. They also discuss some estate planning concerns from listeners including things to consider if your original estate plan was drawn up in another state, transferring...
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