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Financial Planning Archives | Page 14 of 14 | Wealthspire | Page: 14

Apr 04 2017
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Credit reports and credit scores

Credit Reports and Credit Scores: the Importance of Periodic Reviews

By Blog
For many, credit information is a mystery until applying for a loan/lease, credit card, or mortgage. Often by that time, negative and/or erroneous information on one’s credit report will have already caused problems resulting in possible denials of credit or higher interest rates due to creditor perceived risk. Because your credit report is a means for creditors, landlords, and others to know your creditworthiness, it is important to review the reports periodically to check for mistakes or negative information as well identity theft, which has become more common in recent years.  Not addressing such issues may mislead creditors, ruin your…
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Mar 28 2017
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social security

Getting Spousal Social Security Benefits if Your Last Names Do Not Match

By Blog
Aging reality hits you when you reach your “FRA,” or Full Retirement Age as defined by the Social Security Administration. Although the FRA was 65 for the longest time, it is now creeping up based on your year of birth. Currently, FRA is 66 for folks born in 1943-1954 and it will rise gradually to 67 for folks born in 1960 and later. So, three months before my 66th birthday, I tried to sign up for spousal benefits – deciding  to delay my benefits until age 70, which is still a grandfathered provision for us 1951ers. As good as the…
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Jan 19 2017
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margin

The Many Uses of Margin Loans

By Blog
Margin refers to an investor’s use of leverage relative to his or her own assets. In other words, it’s “borrowing from your broker,” with your portfolio assets serving as collateral for the loan. How it Works Per the Federal Reserve's Regulation T, each marketable security in your investable account is given a “maintenance rate” which stipulates the maximum borrowing rate. For example, a maintenance rate of 50% indicates that an investor can borrow up to half of the security’s value. Note that retirement accounts are not eligible to be margined. Once you have activated the ability to take margin on…
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Oct 24 2016
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donor advised funds investing

What Should I Do With My Old 401(k)?

By Blog
It’s a question that comes up often – what should I do with my old 401(k)? There is no one-size-fits-all answer, and responses provided by financial advisors will be increasingly scrutinized if the Department of Labor’s (DOL) fiduciary rule is enacted. The rule mandates that advisors providing retirement advice act in the best interest of the client, which is called a fiduciary responsibility. The purpose is to protect retirement funds from professionals looking to profit at the expense of investors’ interests and ensure that the advice investors receive is right for them. Wealthspire Advisors, which has been a fiduciary since…
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Sep 05 2016
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Understanding the Proposed Regulations for FLPs and Family Businesses

By and Blog
If you’re a family business owner or you created a family limited partnership (FLP), you may be wondering about the proposed Treasury Regulations that were released earlier this month.  You may have even tried to read an article or two on the topic.  If you’re wondering whether you should care about the proposed regulations and why, please read on. Background Valuation discounts for transfers of business interests between family members can be a powerful gift and estate tax planning tool.  Most discounts relevant to this discussion can be put into two general classifications: (1) lack of control, and (2) lack…
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Aug 08 2016
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property ownership

Basics of Property Ownership

By Blog
The way in which you hold title to your assets can have a major impact on your estate plan. Different property ownership types grant various levels of authority to titleholders and dictate what happens after an owner passes away. Two common types of ownership are “tenants in common” (TIC) and “joint tenants with rights of survivorship” (JTWROS). Tenants in Common, Joint Tenants with Rights of Survivorship and Tenants by the Entirety Individuals who own property as TIC own a percentage of the property. These percentages can be equal or unequal. When one tenant dies, her percentage interest would generally pass…
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Apr 26 2016
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female advisors

Planning Considerations for Millennials

By Blog
Below, I explore some common planning considerations and issues that I encounter on a regular basis when working with clients and prospects in my generation, as well as steps that our firm has taken to better serve Millennial clients. Common Planning Considerations for Millennials Saving philosophy.  Many Millennials believe they are too young to have to worry about saving, which often reflects a belief that building retirement savings requires large financial sacrifices.  This is not true.  Education about the power of compounding over long periods of time can provide confidence that taking small steps, starting now, may be all that is…
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Jan 19 2016
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behavioral finance

Our Habits Matter

By Blog
My five month old daughter is just beginning to understand the concept of cause and effect. She is learning that when she shakes her rattle it will make a sound and that when she giggles mommy and daddy will make a big fuss. In these small ways she is starting to form her first conceptions about the world around her. These initial observations will create the foundation for the development of her very first habits. While we have more control over our actions than a five month old, the reality is that our habits evolve in exactly the same way. When we observe…
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