Blog

Will my beneficiaries have to pay taxes on the proceeds of my life insurance policy?

If you mean the death benefits of the insurance policy, then these funds are generally free from income tax to your named beneficiary or beneficiaries. You may elect to have the insurance company hold on to these proceeds after your...

Why does an insurance company require an insurable interest before I buy a life insurance policy?

In order for you to buy a life insurance policy on someone else's life, you must have an insurable interest in that person. That is, you must expect to suffer some financial loss in the event of that person's death. If you have a blood...

I smoke cigars occasionally, but not cigarettes. Will I be charged smokers' rates for life insurance

When determining life insurance rates, insurance companies focus on risk. Because smokers face an increased risk of death, insurance companies usually require them to pay more for life insurance coverage. But should someone who smokes...

Do I need to name a relative the beneficiary of my life insurance policy, or can I name a friend?

There's no requirement that you name a relative as the beneficiary of your life insurance policy. It's certainly possible to name your friend as beneficiary, but you'll need to check first on the laws in your state. Some states require...

How can an insurance company really tell if I smoke?

You will be charged a higher premium for your life insurance policy if you smoke. For this reason, life insurance companies have devised a variety of methods to detect tobacco use among their applicants. They start by simply asking you...

Can I convert all or part of my term life insurance to permanent life insurance?

Yes, as long as you've purchased a convertible term life insurance policy. Keep in mind that convertible term life insurance usually has a conversion deadline, which is the date by which you must convert. And when you do convert your...

Do I need life insurance if I'm single?

Single people with no children often don't need life insurance because no one is relying on their income. But there are some reasons why you might need life insurance if you're single. If you died, who would pay for your funeral? Even...

Are my Social Security benefits subject to income tax?

A portion of your benefits may be subject to income tax if your modified adjusted gross income (MAGI), plus one-half your Social Security benefits, exceeds specific limits. Your MAGI equals: Adjusted gross income (or the adjusted gross...

Should I save for college in my name or my child's name?

There are three potential drawbacks to saving in your child's name: the kiddie tax, federal financial aid rules, and control issues. First, the kiddie tax. At one time, saving money in a child's name was recommended because of the tax...

How much money should I keep in a savings account for emergencies?

Without an adequate emergency fund, a period of crisis could be financially devastating. Many financial professionals suggest that you set aside three to six months' worth of living expenses for emergencies. The actual amount, however,...

Does the federal government insure pension benefits?

The federal government insures certain pension benefits. Specifically, it insures defined benefit plans (but not other types of retirement plans) through the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC), a federal agency created by...

Are withdrawals from a cash value life insurance policy ever tax free?

First of all, certain types of cash value life insurance policies (e.g., universal and traditional whole life policies) may not allow you to withdraw from your cash value at all. If your policy does allow such withdrawals, any...

Is there anything I can do now so that my child can obtain more financial aid later?

Yes, there are steps you can take now that may help your child obtain more financial aid later. All federally funded financial aid programs use a formula known as the federal methodology to determine how much money a family must...

Are there any assets that are not counted for financial aid purposes?

Yes, assuming you are talking about federal financial aid. Under the federal government's financial aid formula, four main types of assets are excluded from consideration when determining your child's financial need: All retirement...

Is there a minimum number of quotes I should get when shopping for an auto insurance policy?

Question: Is there a minimum number of quotes I should get when shopping for an auto insurance policy? Answer: Like anything else, the cost of your auto insurance can vary depending on where you purchase your policy and what state you...

Finding and Working with an Insurance Agent or Broker

These days, you can buy any type of insurance without going through a professional. But is that the best approach? If you're a savvy consumer with time on your hands, buying insurance on your own may not be a bad idea. However, if...

Wealth Due to Inheritance

What is it? Introduction If you're the beneficiary of a large inheritance, you may find yourself suddenly wealthy. Even if you expected the inheritance, you may be surprised by the size of the bequest or the diverse assets you've...

What Should I Do If I Win The Lottery?

Winning a lottery is usually an unexpected and happy event. But when you win a big jackpot, you may feel unprepared to deal with the financial issues that arise almost immediately. You may have to choose advisors; decide when, where,...

What will happen if I die without a will?

Some people leave instructions about who gets what property in a legal document known as a will. If you do not have a will, you leave no legal instructions about how your property is to be distributed to your heirs. The state then...

Long-Term Care Annuities

When planning for the potential cost of long-term care, you've probably considered long-term care insurance. But premiums can be expensive and if you do buy the coverage, you probably hope you never have to use it. The prospect of...

Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO)

What is a qualified domestic relations order (QDRO)? A qualified domestic relations order (QDRO) is a court judgment, decree, or order establishing the marital property rights of a spouse, former spouse, child, or dependent of a...

Zig Ziglar Quotes That Will Motivate And Inspire You

What you get by achieving your goals is not as important as what you become by achieving your goals. There are no traffic jams on the extra mile. Confidence is going after Moby Dick in a rowboat and taking tartar sauce with you. Until...

John Wooden Quotes That Will Motivate And Inspire You

Winning takes talent, to repeat takes character. It's the little details that are vital. Little things make big things happen. Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are,...

Audrey Hepburn Quotes That Will Motivate And Inspire You

Everyone needs that motivational quote of the day to keep pushing forward. Hope you enjoy these positive quotes and they help you to start the day with some motivation and inspiration! Nothing is impossible, the word itself says 'I'm...

My Favorite Quotes That Will Motivate And Inspire You

The problem, often not discovered until late in life, is that when you look for things in life like love, meaning, motivation, it implies they are sitting behind a tree or under a rock. The most successful people in life recognize,...

Vince Lombardi Quotes That Will Motivate And Inspire You

The quality of a person’s life is in direct proportion to their commitment to excellence, regardless of their chosen field of endeavor In great attempts, it is glorious even to fail. Once a man has made a commitment to a way of...

Calvin Coolidge Quotes That Will Motivate And Inspire You

Everyone needs that motivational quote of the day to keep pushing forward. Hope you enjoy these positive quotes and they help you to start the day with some motivation and inspiration! Nothing in this world can take the place of...

Michael Jordan Quotes That Will Motivate And Inspire You

Limits, like fear, is often an illusion. Be true to the game, because the game will be true to you. If you try to shortcut the game, then the game will shortcut you. If you put forth the effort, good things will be bestowed upon you....

Will Smith Quotes That Will Motivate And Inspire You

The first step is you have to say that you can. The things that have been most valuable to me I did not learn in school. I've always considered myself to be just average talent and what I have is a ridiculous insane obsessiveness for...

Napoleon Hill Quotes That Will Motivate And Inspire You

It is literally true that you can succeed best and quickest by helping others to succeed. Most great people have attained their greatest success just one step beyond their greatest failure. Strength and growth come only through...

Colin Powell Quotes That Will Motivate And Inspire You

There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work and learning from failure. Leadership is solving problems. The day soldiers stop bringing you their problems is the day you have stopped leading them. They...

What Makes Us Different

How Do You Do What You Do? We approach each client with no preconceptions about the problems or solutions. After thoroughly listening to our clients and putting ourselves in their shoes, we identify their core issues and concerns. Once...

Steve Jobs Quotes That Will Motivate And Inspire You

Let’s go invent tomorrow rather than worrying about what happened yesterday. The doers are the major thinkers. The people that really create the things that change this industry are both the thinker and doer in one person....

Neil deGrasse Tyson Quotes That Will Motivate And Inspire You

The problem, often not discovered until late in life, is that when you look for things in life like love, meaning, motivation, it implies they are sitting behind a tree or under a rock. The most successful people in life recognize,...

Richard Branson Quotes That Will Motivate And Inspire You

“Never go into business purely to make money. If that’s the motive, you’re better off doing nothing.” “To launch a business means successfully solving problems. Solving problems means listening.”...

8 Tax Tips This Accountant Wishes Small Businesses Knew

8 Tax Tips This Accountant Wishes Small Businesses Knew Getting ready for tax season as a small business can be a complete nightmare or a total breeze. The difference? How you prepare. Many small businesses will realize they are in...

Why I Lift Weights in My Spare time

Why I Lift Weights in My Spare time One of the things that I do in my spare time is lift weights. I have bench pressed well over 400lbs, but the greatest benefit I receive is more emotional and psychological. Strength training gives me...

What is the best life insurance company on the market?

“What is the best life insurance company on the market?” In short, the answer is that there is no such thing as the best life insurance company. Each company has its own rules when it comes to underwriting. Every company...

Economic Outlook

Senior Equity Strategist Linda Duessel offers insights on what is likely to power the equity market in the months ahead as well as potential impacts from trade conflicts, volatility and inflation.

The Truth About Energy Drinks

The Truth About Energy Drinks As busy working parents, sometimes it’s necessary to be up early for work and getting your kids off to school while also needing to stay up late to finish chores and get ready for the next day. But...

Our Disability Insurance Carriers

According to the Social Security Administration, more than one in four 20-year-olds will experience a disability for 90 days or more before they reach 67. The average long-term disability absence from work lasts 34.6 months. Here is...

Our Current List of Life Insurance Providers

My Current List of Life Insurance Providers American General AIG Allianz National AXA Hartford Jackson John Hancock Lincoln National Mass Mutual Met Life Nationwide Pacific Life Protective Prudential SunLife Symetra Transamerica/Aegon...

Step 6: Plan For Long Term Medical Costs

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services estimates that 70% of people over age 65 can expect to need long-term care services at some point in their lives. So understanding the various types of long-term care services—and...

Step 5: Secure More Guaranteed Income

Retirees are faced with many questions: Where will their income come from? How much income will there be? How long will the income last? How long will they live? What will the markets do? How much can they safely withdraw each year?...

Step 4: Protect Your Savings From Inflation

We can’t stop inflation, but there are a number of things we can do to plan or prepare for it. Inflation is often regarded as the silent killer for retirement plans. Rising inflation means rising prices which results in reduced...

Step 3: Consider A Hybrid Retirement

Not everyone wants to retire early and for some individuals an early retirement may pose certain economic challenges. For these situations a hybrid retirement strategy may be a better solution. A hybrid retirement strategy involves...

Would You Like To Earn More Than 0% On Your Savings?

Would You Like To Earn More Than 0% On Your Savings? Most savings accounts today are barely paying more than 0% interest. I am often asked whether there is a safe and liquid place to save money that offers more attractive returns. The...

What Is The #1 Financial Risk During Retirement And Why Is It A Risk Multiplier?

What Is The #1 Financial Risk During Retirement And Why Is It A Risk Multiplier? There are a multitude of financial risks to be considered during retirement, but there’s one risk that is known as a risk multiplier. Before I tell...

Step 2: Maximizing Social Security

I am often asked the following questions about Social Security by clients: When should I start collecting my Social Security retirement benefit? Can I collect Social Security on my spouse's record? How do I maximize Social Security...

Top 3 Reasons You Must Have Life Insurance

1

Step 1: Have a Plan

There are 7 essential steps to account for when planning for retirement. Step 1: Have a plan Step 2: Maximize Social Security benefits Step 3: Consider a hybrid retirement Step 4: Protect your savings from inflation Step 5: Secure...

Mark Your Calendars For The Sizzlin Steak Showdown in Verrado

Annuities and Retirement Happiness

Having a guaranteed income source in retirement may help provide some financial comfort for many people. Running out of money in retirement or outliving your savings is a risk many people fear. In these situations, a fixed income...

How do annuities differ and are they right for me?

Income Annuities Income annuities turn a portion of someone’s assets into a guaranteed stream of regular income payments, which can begin immediately (using a Single Premium Immediate Annuity) or at a future date (using a...