Headlines
- China Unveils Economic Blueprint for 2016
- Oil Falls to Lowest Level Since 2004 Iranian
- Hackers Infiltrated a Dam in New York, Highlighting Weaknesses
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Shielding Retirement Assets from Taxes
For many investors, a large portion of their investments are held in
401(k)s, IRAs, or other tax-favored retirement vehicles. While these accounts can be ideal for sheltering retirement savings from taxes both preretirement and post-retirement, they can also be highly vulnerable to tax losses in an estate, if they are not bequeathed properly. For instance, a $1 million IRA inheritance could be whittled to almost nothing under worst-possible circumstances, such as a combination of estate taxes, top income tax brackets, and missed withdrawal deadlines. Avoiding these pitfalls means knowing the rules and planning in advance.
Select a beneficiary -- If no one is named, the assets could end up in probate, and beneficiaries could be taking distributions faster than they expected.
More on 'Shielding Retirement Assets from Taxes' here.
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Market Commentary
Federal Reserve Finally Tighten Monetary Policy
After a level of hype that would have exhausted even the most dedicated Star Wars fans, the Federal Reserve finally began to tighten monetary policy last week, raising the funds rate from 0.25 percent to 0.50 percent.
Although financial markets appeared sanguine when the rate hike was announced, the calm dissipated quickly.
The Standard & Poor's 500, Dow Jones Industrial, and NASDAQ indices finished the week lower. International markets fared better. Most finished the week higher.
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By the Numbers
Notes: S&P 500, Gold, DJ-UBS Commodity Index returns exclude reinvested dividends (gold does not pay a dividend) and the three-, five-, and 10-year returns are annualized ... more important disclosure mentions found here. (We urge you to read the entire disclosure statement.)
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