-
Most of the time it’s not a good idea to combine an IRA with an annuity. The IRA already has tax deferral, so why take on the costs and limitations of an annuity? But there are a couple of times when it may make sense to mix an annuities with an IRA. We take a look at two such situations. Managing...
Posted to
Retirement Watch
by
Bob Carlson
on
10-02-2009
Filed under:
Filed under: Estate Planning, IRA Benefits, Traditional IRA, Carlson, Bob Carlson, income taxes, iras, ira distributions, estate taxes, retirement plans, annuities
-
The success or failure of an estate plan often depends on small details. Amid all the big picture issues (taxes, trusts, gifts, business interests), these matters may seem too small to deserve much time. Don’t have that attitude. It could cost you and your heirs. Don’t make these very common...
Posted to
Retirement Watch
by
Bob Carlson
on
09-17-2009
Filed under:
Filed under: Estate Planning, estates, Estate tax, Carlson, Bob Carlson, wills, iras, trusts, estate taxes, retirement plan, retirement, retirement plans
-
Despite the rally in stocks and other risky assets since March 9, many portfolios are still damaged from the events of the last few years. For those who are retired or near retirement, one step you have to take after such an event is to re-evaluate your retirement plan, especially your spending. Specifically...
Posted to
Retirement Watch
by
Bob Carlson
on
09-03-2009
Filed under:
Filed under: Carlson, Bob Carlson, retirement plan, retirement, financial crisis, retirement plans, stock, stocks, stock market, investments, portfolios, portfolio theory
-
Paying off the mortgage used to be part of the American dream and a prerequisite to retirement. Then, times changed. Debt management and the use of leverage spread from businesses to personal finance. It was not unusual for people to enter retirement with mortgages and other debt with no plans to become...
-
The unfortunate fate of many IRAs shows why everyone needs an estate plan, even when the value of the estate is far below the taxable level. Few people are aware of what could happen to their IRAs when the next generation inherits them. Most people, and discussions of IRAs, focus on building the balance...
Posted to
Retirement Watch
by
Bob Carlson
on
05-29-2009
Filed under:
Filed under: Estate Planning, IRA Benefits, Traditional IRA, Roth IRA, estates, Estate tax, Carlson, Bob Carlson, wills, income taxes, iras, trusts, ira distributions, estate taxes, retirement plan, retirement, retirement plans
-
Many retirement plans fall short of their goals because they were built on myths and misunderstandings. Most of my work at Retirement Watch falls into two categories. The first category is determining changes that should affect retirement plans. The second category is correcting the myths that have built...
Posted to
Retirement Watch
by
Bob Carlson
on
04-17-2009
Filed under:
Filed under: IRA Benefits, Traditional IRA, Roth IRA, Carlson, Bob Carlson, income taxes, iras, ira distributions, retirement plan, retirement, medical expenses, retiree health care, retirement plans, investments
-
One point I try to emphasize regularly in my newsletter and web site is the importance of the beneficiary designation form for IRAs, pensions, annuities, and a few other assets. Yes, a will or living trust are very important to your estate plan. They do not, however, control the disposition of all your...
Posted to
Retirement Watch
by
Bob Carlson
on
04-10-2009
Filed under:
Filed under: Bob Carson, Estate Planning, IRA Benefits, Traditional IRA, Roth IRA, estates, Estate tax, Carlson, Bob Carlson, wills, iras, estate taxes, retirement plan, retirement plans, insurance
-
Many people own substantial IRAs and have the bulk of their investment portfolios in IRAs. Some of these investors might not realize there are investments that are prohibited from IRAs and others are allowed but incur tax penalties. The issue of how to invest an IRA is more important in today's climate...
Posted to
Retirement Watch
by
Bob Carlson
on
04-03-2009
Filed under:
Filed under: Bob Carson, IRA Benefits, Traditional IRA, Roth IRA, Carlson, Bob Carlson, income taxes, iras, ira distributions, real estate, retirement plan, retirement, retirement plans, employer stock, stock, selling a business, small business, stocks, investments, portfolios
-
The swift declines in most asset classes in late 2008 and into 2009 damaged many portfolios. For those who are retired or near retirement, one necessary step after such an event is to re-evaluate retirement spending. Specifically you have to check the rate at which you are withdrawing money from the...
Posted to
Retirement Watch
by
Bob Carlson
on
03-27-2009
Filed under:
Filed under: Bob Carson, IRA Benefits, estates, Carlson, Bob Carlson, iras, ira distributions, retirement plan, retirement, financial crisis, retirement plans, insurance, annuities, stocks, stock market, investments, portfolios, income investing
-
Conventional investment advice has been turned on its head by changes in the fundamentals of the economy and markets. Now, fundamental changes in the government, demographics, and the economy are forcing changes in tax policy and tax planning advice. The age-old advice is to defer taxes whenever possible...
Posted to
Retirement Watch
by
Bob Carlson
on
03-19-2009
Filed under:
Filed under: Bob Carson, Estate Planning, IRA Benefits, Traditional IRA, Roth IRA, estates, Estate tax, Carlson, Bob Carlson, income taxes, iras, ira distributions, estate taxes, retirement plan, retirement, retiree health care, retirement plans, stock, stocks, stock market, portfolios, income investing
-
The wildcard in every retirement plan is the cost of medical care. It probably is the cause of many retirement plan failures. There are several reasons medical expenses disrupt so many plans: § Many people are used to employer-paid medical care. Before they retire, they do not realize the full cost...
-
The net worth of Americans is declining. That is no secret, though the extent of the decline will surprise many. The decline has affected and will continue to affect the economy, stock market, and your portfolio. The Federal Reserve gives a picture of the net worth of Americans every quarter, in a report...
Posted to
Retirement Watch
by
Bob Carlson
on
02-27-2009
Filed under:
Filed under: Bob Carson, Carlson, Bob Carlson, retirement plan, retirement, financial crisis, retirement plans, stock, stocks, stock market, investments, portfolios, indicators, market timing, modern portfolio theory, portfolio theory, market indicators
-
Major structural changes have occurred in the economy and markets, and more changes are on the way. The failure of Lehman Brothers was a watershed event. Investors stopped making even routine transactions, bailing out of even money market funds. The effects froze the economy and greatly worsened the...
Posted to
Retirement Watch
by
Bob Carlson
on
02-10-2009
Filed under:
Filed under: Bob Carson, Carlson, Bob Carlson, iras, retirement plan, retirement, financial crisis, retirement plans, stock, stocks, stock market, investments, portfolios, market timing, modern portfolio theory, portfolio theory, market indicators, income investing
-
Many estate plans ultimately fail. The problems are not with the plans. The owners spent a fair amount of time and money preparing and executing the plans. They are sound plans that, if properly executed, would meet the goals. The problems with many estate plans tend to occur in the final stage. One...
Posted to
Retirement Watch
by
Bob Carlson
on
01-23-2009
Filed under:
Filed under: Bob Carson, Estate Planning, IRA Benefits, estates, Estate tax, gifts, Carlson, Bob Carlson, wills, iras, trusts, ira distributions, estate taxes, grandkids, grandchildren, retirement plan, retirement, retirement plans, selling a business
-
Converting a traditional IRA to a Roth IRA has been a valuable tool to consider since the Roth was created in 1997. There are two reasons why a conversion is worth far more consideration now than in the past . First, a brief review of the basics. A Roth IRA has "back-ended tax benefits." There...
Posted to
Retirement Watch
by
Bob Carlson
on
01-09-2009
Filed under:
Filed under: Bob Carson, Estate Planning, IRA Benefits, Traditional IRA, Roth IRA, estates, Carlson, Bob Carlson, income taxes, iras, ira distributions, retirement plan, retirement, financial crisis, retirement plans, stocks, portfolios