At one time, life insurance played a much bigger role in estate planning than it does now. That’s because life insurance was needed to pay estate tax, which affected more people than it does now. With the federal gift and estate tax exemption now at...
A Health Savings Account (HSA) coupled with a high-deductible health plan can be a powerful tool for funding medical expenses on a tax-advantaged basis. For 2020, individuals with self-only coverage can make up to $3,550 in tax-deductible contributions to an HSA, while those with family...
Because of the economic downturn triggered by the COVID-19 crisis, many people have found themselves in need of cash to pay unexpected medical bills, mortgage payments and other expenses. One option is to borrow against the cash value of a permanent life insurance policy. This...
Many people reach a point in life when buying some life insurance is highly advisable. Once they determine that they need it, the next step is calculating how much they should get and what kind. This article discusses both points....
Businesses with employees headed for retirement can provide a helpful service by educating these workers on rules regarding required minimum distributions (RMDs). If violated, these rules could trigger hefty penalties. This article explains RMD requirements for IRAs and 401(k)s. A sidebar looks at other RMD...
What, if any, role life insurance should play in one’s financial plan depends on a variety of factors. This article examines some of those factors, including whether a person has dependents and his or her net worth....
From time to time, a business may find that its operating expenses and other deductions for a particular year exceed its income. This is known as incurring a net operating loss (NOL). In such cases, companies (or their owners) may be able to snatch some tax...
Simplicity is the key to a successful family budget. But every budget needs to cover all necessary items. To find the right balance, your budget should address two distinct facets of your family members’ lives: the near term and the long term. In the near term,...
