What Should I Know about Immediate Variable Annuities?
Immediate annuities (also known as payout or income annuities) require you to pay to an insurance company. The insurer will send you a stream of payments, starting right away.
Some States are Lowering Taxes to Entice Retirees to Relocate
Maryland is known as the Free State, reflecting its tradition of political freedom and religious tolerance, along with its resistance to Prohibition. Talk to retirees, though, and they’ll tell you the nickname is a misnomer, at least as far as taxes are concerned.
What Do I Need to Retire?
One of the biggest threats to your financial security isn’t the markets, interest rates or even your job security. It is a lack of preparation, particularly for unexpected events, that usually leaves investors reeling when markets swoon. If you haven’t protected yourself from the potential downsides in life, after all, then it’s difficult to maneuver when the unforeseen strikes.
Am I Making One of the Five Common Estate Planning Mistakes?
When is the last time you updated your will? Could your beneficiaries have changed? If you have a trust, did you actually fund it? Is your plan ready for the new SECURE Act? Here are five mistakes you don't want to make.
Can I Keep a Loved One’s Inheritance From Their Spouse?
I plan to leave most of my estate to my niece, but I do not want her estranged husband to be able to get his hands on any of the money. They are not getting divorced ‘because of the child.’ What is the most economical way to do this? They live in Missouri and may be moving to South Carolina. I am a New Jersey resident.
How Do I Do the Most with My Inheritance?
You may have a friend, or two, who has blown a large inheritance. Some of you may have also seen a news story about a lottery winner who went bankrupt (or worse) just a few years after receiving a life-altering sum of money. If you don’t want this to be you, keep reading as we share five tips to make the most of an inheritance or windfall.
Are You One of the Many Headed toward Financial Disaster?
Managing your finances likely isn't the most exciting task on your to-do list, but it's crucial if you want to reach all your financial goals and set yourself up for long-term success.
What are the Penalty-Free IRA Withdrawals?
The contributions you make to your individual retirement account (IRA) are intended to supplement your income during your retirement years. However, as much as you'd like to let your IRAs remain untouched until retirement, unforeseen expenses may force you to withdraw some of those assets early.
The Latest on Kirk Douglas’ Estate
Old Hollywood didn’t pay stars well by modern standards, but Kirk had the wisdom to own his most iconic films and pour the profit into property. Soon philanthropy will force tough choices. The death of any giant produces shockwaves. Where Kirk Douglas is concerned, those ripples reveal how much the entertainment landscape changed in his lifetime and how much the numbers have grown.
What Exactly Is the Estate Tax?
The estate tax in the United States is a tax on your right to transfer property to other individuals upon your death, according to the IRS. In other words, when you die, the U.S. government might be entitled to a portion of your assets before the remainder can be passed to your heirs. Not all inherited assets are subject to the estate tax. In fact, the U.S. estate tax only affects the wealthiest households.