Social Security and Medicare figures for 2012
COLA will be paid in 2012; Medicare costs rise less than predictedIf you receive Social Security or SSI benefits, here's some good news--the Social Security [...]
2011 Medicare Open Enrollment: Dates have changed
What is the Medicare open enrollment period?The Medicare open enrollment period is the time during which people with Medicare can make new choices and pick [...]
The spousal IRA rule
Generally, you can contribute up to $5,000 to an IRA in 2011 ($6,000 if you'll be age 50 or older by the end of the [...]
Financial planning for divorced women
IT’S ALL IN YOUR HANDS A Post-Divorce Action Plan You have just gone through one of the most challenging and difficult periods that a woman [...]
Thinking of borrowing from your 401(k)?
With the current financial situation, you may be tempted to tap your 401(k). But before you decide to take a plan loan, be sure you [...]
How, exactly, does one “get one’s affairs in order”?
In 2008, Jane Bissler, a counselor in Kent, Ohio, approached her then-87-year-old mother about organizing her documents. Because her mom was a widow with relatively [...]
Alternative Investments: beyond stocks, bonds, and cash
Funds of hedge fundsIf you do not qualify to invest directly in a hedge fund, you may be able to find a fund that invests [...]
How grandparents can help with college costs
As the cost of a college education continues to climb, many grandparents are stepping in to help. This trend is expected to accelerate as baby [...]
Should you use the estate-tax exclusion amount now? (2011)
The applicable exclusion amount is the amount that can be sheltered from federal gift and estate tax by the unified credit. The applicable exclusion amount [...]
Estate Tax Changes Under the 2010 Act
IntroductionThe Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act of 2010 (the 2010 Tax Act) was signed into law in December 2010. This law [...]
Estate (& Gift) Tax Exclusion Portability
What is the applicable exclusion amount?The applicable exclusion amount is the amount that can be sheltered from federal gift and estate tax by the unified [...]
The New Estate Tax Rules (2011)
Looking aheadWithout further legislation in the interim, the provisions of the Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act of 2010 are scheduled to [...]
General Resources for Children with Special Needs
Parents of children with special needs who are looking for good information resources should get to know the good folks over at Cincinnati Children's [...]
2011: Mid-Year Income Tax Planning
At this time last year, income tax planning was particularly challenging. Several tax deductions had already expired, and significant changes, including new, higher income tax [...]
Special Needs Trusts
What is a special needs trust? If you have a child or other loved one with special needs, you may want to establish a special [...]
All about 529 plans
529 College Savings Plans A brief history529 plans were first authorized by Congress in 1996. Known officially as "qualified tuition programs," 529 plans are so [...]
Health-care Reform (2011)
The primary goals of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, as amended by the Health Care and Education Affordability Reconciliation Act (collectively, the 2010 [...]
Social Security Planning (2011)
Social Security Retirement Benefits Social Security was originally intended to provide older Americans with continuing income after retirement. Today, though the scope of Social Security [...]
Social Security: Truth & Myths
Forefield Concept Piece Here's a tipWatch the mail for your Social Security Statement, which contains a personal record of the earnings on which you've paid [...]
Key Tax & Retirement Numbers (2011)
2011 Key Numbers Individual Income Tax Planning Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT), child tax credit, earned income tax credit, itemized deductions, kiddie tax, personal exemptions, and [...]