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Bristlecone Monthly News Digest


Greetings!   

 

This month's digest highlights an interesting array of recent articles covering the new estate tax laws, retirement mistakes, doomsaying and thoughtful giving.

 

You'll remember that 2010 was an odd year to die from an estate tax standpoint, as the prior estate tax law expired in 2009 and replacement legislation was not passed until December, 2010.  A number of provisions in the new law should prompt you to re-visit your estate plan and the article below on the subject provides an excellent starting point.  Alas, estate matters require regular attention, and beware that the recently passed law expires again in two years.


Death and Taxes - The New Estate Tax Law
   

This month we're pleased to bring you a concise, thoughtful summary of the estate tax provisions recently passed by Congress.  The summary was written exclusively for our clients by Karen Simonson and Bonnie Emadi, attorneys who specialize in tax and estate matters at Taylor, Simonson, & Winter. >> Read the Article

 

We also provide a link to a Morningstar Q&A that focuses on one aspect, known as portability, of the new law. >> Read the Article


Five Retirement Mistakes to Avoid  
February 3, 2011 - Morningstar

"You might think of your retirement years as a time to kick back and enjoy your fruits of your labors, and in many ways it is. But from a financial standpoint, it's a mistake to let your guard down completely during retirement because you can fall into plenty of traps."  >> Read the Article 


Annual Letter from Bill Gates - The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation   
 

Bill Gates was prompted by his friend Warren Buffett to begin writing an annual letter describing the work of the Gates Foundation, along the lines of Buffett's own famous Berkshire Hathaway annual letters. It's nearly impossible to replicate the wit and wisdom of Buffett, but that takes nothing away from the magnitude of the message delivered by Gates.

 

We mostly know the vast fortune and outlays of the foundation, but here Gates skillfully highlights the great causes and smart approaches to bettering lives around the world. The letter serves as a useful guidepost for philanthropy at every level. >> Read the Article


Economic Optimism? Yes, I'll Take That Bet
December 27, 2010 - The New York Times    

John Tierney tells an illuminating anecdote about a $5,000 wager he made in 2005 over the future of energy prices.  The simple story is that prices turned out not to be as bad in 2010 as predicted in 2005. The larger story is the tendency for all the headlines to go to the doomsayers; sometimes it pays to bet against them
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>> Read the Article

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 February 2011 
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