What is a Donor-Advised Fund?
Learn about donor-advised funds and the significant tax advantages they offer. Explore the downsides to this charitable giving strategy as well.
Category: Estate Planning
17 Powerful Tips for Retiring Alone (Or, If You Become a Solo Senior or Elder Orphan During Retirement)
Sometimes it feels like the world is designed for couples. People throw dinner parties for couples. Most forms ask about your spouse. And, let’s face it, retirement, and aging — an era when you’ll sometimes need a helping hand — can feel kind of scary on your own. Whether by circumstances or choice, the U.S.…
New Movie Highlights Scam: Explore 9 Tips to Protect Yourself from Predatory Guardianship
“I Care a Lot” is a new, well-rated movie on Netflix. It is creepy but entertaining, and it also highlights the need for seniors to be aware of potential financial scams — in this case, scams of abusive guardianship. The film, part comedy, part horrifying thriller, follows what happens when a long-term con artist targets…
Family and Money: Tips for Discussing Finances and Retirement with Your Loved Ones
This year family gatherings may be different (more Zoom, less slobbery kisses and heart felt hugs), but it will undoubtedly feel more important than ever to celebrate togetherness. While the focus of our gatherings will still be on love and celebration, the holidays are also an opportunity for discussions related to family and money. Like…
6 Meaningful Ways to Leave a Financial Legacy to Your Heirs
When approaching retirement, it’s common for people to start thinking about legacy planning: how they’ll be remembered and what they’ll leave behind. In most cases, leaving a legacy for children, grandchildren, or charities – and other causes people are passionate about – takes careful planning and the advice of a financial planner. Read on for…
How to Ensure a Meaningful and Long-Lasting Legacy With a Purpose Trust
Preparing for retirement means having a financial plan as well as a good idea for what you want to do during this period of your life. Estate planning has a similar duo of goals: You want to establish clear instructions for how your money and other assets will be distributed as well as figure out…
3 End of Life Discussions You Must Have
End of life planning is often the last thing a pre-retiree wants to do. Also known as advance care planning, it’s not usually a top priority because who wants to think about death? But tackling the topic early on not only provides peace of mind, it also ensures your estate and loved ones will be…
Average Inheritance: How Much Are Retirees Leaving to Heirs?
Many of us would like to leave behind something to our heirs. But first, we need to fund our own lives in retirement, and that can sometimes seem nearly impossible. This article explores average inheritance numbers. Do you expect to be above or below average? The Big Takeaways Sharing while you are still alive can…
Estate Planning: 11 Documents You Need for Coronavirus and Always
Now is a great time to update your estate plans. Get tips for doing it during coronavirus distancing and find a complete guide to the documents you need.
Estate Taxes: Where You Live is a Big Factor for How Much Your Heirs Will Pay
Trump promises cuts to federal estate taxes. But, unless you are very wealthy, what your heirs pay depends on where you live. Learn your state’s policies.
How to Become a Millionaire… AFTER Retirement…
How to become a millionaire? Increase your wealth? AFTER retirement? Um… No way you might say. So many retirement articles talk about how to make ends meet in retirement. And, most of us are indeed worried about running out of money and ask: “Will my savings really last as long as I do?” However, maybe…
Henry “Bud” Hebeler in Memoriam: A Life and Retirement Well Lived
Henry “Bud” Hebeler died on August 21, 2017 in Bellevue, Washington at the age of 84. Bud was a graduate of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, graduating with three degrees, numerous awards and several fellowships. After graduation he began his career as an engineer at Boeing Aerospace Company and worked his way to becoming president…
Does Your Retirement Plan Include a Will?
When the time comes, and it comes for all of us, will your family have the luxury of grieving in peace? Or will they, instead, be burdened with the duty of sorting out your estate because you never got around to making a will? You can make your own decisions and leave a will, or…
Expert Interview with Frank Brunetti About Retirement Trusts and Estate Planning
With the world and our culture being more uncertain than ever before, it is exponentially more important to begin thinking about life after retirement, as well as the lives of our loved ones after we’re gone. And while it may be impossible to predict what the economy may be like down the line, all the…
Elder Financial Abuse: Tips for Protecting Yourself from Strangers and Your Own Family Members
As America’s aging population continues to grow, one crime in particular stands to gain from this booming cohort: elder financial abuse. It has already proven to be a $2.9 billion a year business, but nothing has stopped it from thriving. Why? It’s under-reported and misunderstood, according to the 2014 “Safeguarding Our Seniors” study by Allianz…