Planned Giving

Social Security Changes Coming in 2012
Social Security recipients will see bigger payments this year for the first time since 2009. But the future of Social Security taxes for workers remains uncertain. The 2011 payroll tax holiday has been extended only through the end of February and is scheduled to increase in March under current law. Here's a look at the Social Security changes workers and retirees will experience this year. Read more.

Munis face threat of 'super downgrade'
ED Note: This is an opinion piece and may or may not be realized.

Municipal bonds were one of the darlings of 2011, but the threat of “super downgrades” or downgrades of two or more notches could have a big impact on prices. Peter Hayes, head of municipals at BlackRock Inc., told advisers at the 2012 Investment Management Consultants Association in New York that he expects super downgrades to accelerate throughout the year. Read more.

Long-Term Fixed Income Should Be Avoided In Retirement Plans
It used to be so simple for those approaching retirement. Start trimming the portion of your retirement portfolio dedicated to equities and move into laddered, safe fixed-income. Just 10 years ago you could get a 6% yield on a 10 year U.S. Treasury bond. Now you don't even get 2%. With yields rising around the world on government debt, the risk/reward tradeoff for long-term fixed income is weighted way too heavily on the risk side these days. Read more.

Endowments Enable Planned Gifts to Cast a Long Shadow
Endowments are a long-term proposition.  Similarly, planned gifts often have a long-term aspect to them in that the wealth being transferred by donors in all likelihood took many years to amass.  Frequently as well, donors want their gifts to have an enduring impact. All in all, even though planned gifts and endowments are ultimately distinct, planned gifts are generally well-suited for bolstering endowments, and many planned gifts do in fact wind up playing that role. Read more.

Take Advantage of These Tax Breaks
No one can predict the market, and with taxes on the table, it's tough to know what next year will bring on that front, too. But a number of money-saving opportunities exist through 2012; here are five ways you might profit from today's IRS rules and rates. Click here to read more.

Deadlines You Must Meet If You Inherit A Retirement Account
Did you inherit an individual retirement account (IRA) or any other retirement account? There are a number of requirements and deadlines that you MUST be aware of. Failure to meet these deadlines could throw a wrench into your family’s financial planning for the future. Click here for more information.

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