The economy grew 2.8% in Q4, but that doesn’t tell the whole story. Presented by Peter Miralles, CFP®CIMA®CLU Our economy is reasonably healthy… or is it? By the initial estimate of the Bureau of Economic Analysis, America’s fourth-quarter GDP was +2.8%, not bad, but not what economists anticipated.1 How could the best GDP in six [...]
How does the President want to modify tax rates? Presented by Peter Miralles, CFP®CIMA®CLU The wealthiest taxpayers could be hit hard if the tax hikes in President Obama’s 2013 federal budget proposal become law. The good news is that the tax changes outlined by the President in mid-February may be softened by eventual bipartisan compromise. [...]
What do you do when an account owner passes away? Presented by Peter Miralles, CFP®CIMA®CLU If your loved ones have invested, saved or insured themselves to any degree, you may be named as a beneficiary to one or more of their accounts, policies or assets in the event of their deaths. While we all hope [...]
A look at some financial changes & the opportunities they may present. Presented by Peter Miralles, CFP®CIMA®CLU Every year brings some financial change, so here are some relevant changes relating to investment, tax and estate planning for 2012. Retirement plans. 401(k), 403(b) and 457 plan annual contribution limits rise slightly to $17,000, and you can [...]
It was a weak year for equities, but foreign markets had it worse. Presented by Peter Miralles, CFP®CIMA®CLU 2011 had a definite downside. Statistically, 2011 may end up being characterized as the year stocks stood still: the S&P 500 lost .003%, its smallest year-over-year change of any kind since 1947. Yet it was hardly a [...]
Coming your way: some of the most significant changes in 30 years. Presented by Peter Miralles, CFP®CIMA®CLU The Department of Labor is following through on its promise to update the retirement plan landscape. Three major rule changes are scheduled for the near future. All retirement plan fiduciaries and administrators should be aware of them. #1: [...]
Interest rates on 15-year fixed mortgages are near record lows. Presented by Peter Miralles, CFP®CIMA®CLU Mortgages have become even cheaper. This summer, economists and real estate industry analysts looked at skidding Treasury yields and wondered just how much further interest rates on home loans could fall. The answer: perhaps even further. On November 17, interest [...]
It only makes sense – yet many retirees live without one. Presented by Peter Miralles, CFP®CIMA®CLU You won’t be able to withdraw an unlimited amount of money in retirement. So a retirement budget is a necessity. Some retirees forego one, only to regret it later. Run the numbers before you retire. Often people need about [...]
What might this mean for the economy & the markets? Presented by Peter Miralles, CFP®CIMA®CLU Congress punts on third down. Unable to reach consensus, the Congressional super committee of 12 offered America a disappointing result Monday. Panel co-chairs Rep. Jeb Hensarling (R-TX) and Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) announced that “it will not be possible to [...]
THE YEAR IN REVIEW Debt crises held stocks in check in 2011. Provided by Peter Miralles, CFP®CIMA®CLU A tumultuous year for stocks. As 2011 winds up, many investors are more concerned with return of capital than return on capital. That is understandable; Wall Street faced some powerful headwinds this year. With little policy momentum to [...]
