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Friday, May 27, 2011

Capital gains are the profits realized from the sale of capital assets, such as stocks, bonds, and property. The capital gains tax is triggered only when an asset is sold, not while the asset is held by an investor. However, mutual fund investors could be charged capital gains on investments in the fund that are sold by the fund during the year.

There are two types of capital gains: long term and short term; each has different tax rates. Long-term gains are profits on assets held longer than 12 months before they are sold. As a result of the 2003 tax law, the long-term capital gains tax was reduced from 20% to 15% (0% for individuals in the 10% and 15% tax brackets) through 2010; the 2010 Tax Relief Act extends the reduced tax rate through 2012. Short-term gains (on assets held for 12 months or less), on the other hand, are taxed as ordinary income at the seller’s marginal income tax



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All types of IRAs and employer-sponsored retirement plans are subject to annual contribution limits set by the federal government. The limits are generally adjusted periodically to compensate for inflation and the increase in the cost of living.

IRAs

For the 2011 tax year, you can contribute up to $5,000 to all IRAs combined, the limit will be adjusted for inflation annually. For instance, if you have a traditional IRA as well as a Roth IRA, you can only contribute a total of the annual limit in one year, not the annual limit to each.

If you are age 50 or older, you can also make an annual $1,000 “catch-up” contribution.

Employer-Sponsored Retirement Plans

Employer-sponsored retirement plans, such as 401(k)s and 403(b)s, have a 2011 contribution limit of $16,500; individuals aged 50 and older can contribute an extra $5,500 as a catch-up contribution.



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Traditional IRAs and most employer-sponsored retirement plans are tax-deferred accounts, which means they are typically funded with pre-tax or tax-deductible dollars. As a result, taxes are not payable until funds are withdrawn, generally in retirement.

Withdrawals from tax-deferred accounts are subject to income tax at your current tax rate. In addition, withdrawals taken prior to age 59½ are subject to a 10% federal income tax penalty.

If you made nondeductible contributions to a traditional IRA, you have what is called a “cost basis” in the IRA. Your cost basis is the total of the nondeductible contributions to the IRA minus any previous withdrawals or distributions of nondeductible contributions. The recovery of this basis is not seen as taxable income.



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Thursday, May 26, 2011

One of the newest ways to network for qualified prospects is by publishing your own insurance blog on your Facebook and LinkedIn pages.



It's not only fast and easy, but it's also free – and it's been proven to work.

Because people really do read the posts you put up on your Facebook and LinkedIn sites.

What's more, they pass them along to all the people in their own network for you.



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Once you’ve determined how much it could cost to send your children to college, your next prudent step is to develop a systematic investment plan that may help you to accumulate the necessary funds.

What are your funding options? Which would be appropriate for your situation? We’ve listed several below, along with a brief description of each.

UNIVERSAL LIFE INSURANCE

Universal life insurance policies build cash value through regular premiums and grow at competitive rates. These policies carry a death benefit. In addition to providing cash to your heirs in the event of your death, this death benefit gives universal life insurance policies their tax-free status. Money can usually be withdrawn from these contracts through policy loans, often at no interest. These withdrawals may reduce the policy’s death benefit.



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A self-employed retirement plan is a tax-deferred retirement savings program for self-employed individuals. In the past, the terms "Keogh plan" or "H.R. 10 plan" were used to distinguish a retirement plan established by a self-employed individual from a plan established by a corporation or other entity. However, self-employed retirement plans are now generally referred to by the name that is used for the particular type of plan such as, SEP IRA, SIMPLE 401(k), or self-employed 401(k).



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Sunday, May 22, 2011

Here's a simple insurance "proposition" to share with everyone between the ages of 45 and 65.

This proposition is best shared in the form of a typewritten letter, that you sign and address by hand, and send out in a stamped envelope.

The proposition is Retirement Insurance. And almost everyone needs it. Which means that there is no excuse for not telling everyone about it.

In fact, as an insurance agent, is it not your professional responsibility to inform people of various types of coverage they might need? And let them decide if they want it?

So here's a short, but honest and professional way to introduce retirement insurance to anyone.



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Finding a method to leave a lasting legacy to your loved ones without increasing their tax burdens can be difficult and complicated. A “stretch” IRA may be a useful approach that can benefit your heirs for generations to come.

A stretch IRA is not a special type of IRA but rather a term frequently used to describe this IRA strategy, also known as a “multigenerational” IRA, that can be used to extend the tax-deferred savings on inherited IRA assets for one or more generations to benefit future beneficiaries.



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Growth stocks are associated with high-quality, successful companies whose earnings are expected to continue growing at an above-average rate relative to the market. Growth stocks generally have high price-to-earnings (P/E) ratios and high price-to-book ratios. The P/E ratio is the market value per share divided by the current year’s earnings per share. For example, if the stock is currently trading at $52 per share and its earnings over the last 12 months have been $2 per share, then its P/E ratio is 26. The price-to-book ratio is the share price divided by the book value per share. The open market often places a high value on growth stocks; therefore, growth stock investors also may see these stocks as having great worth and may be willing to pay more to own shares.



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What Happens If I Withdraw Money from My Tax-Deferred Investments Before Age 59½?



Withdrawing funds from a tax-deferred retirement account before the age of 59½ generally triggers a 10% federal income tax penalty; all distributions are subject to ordinary income tax. However, there are certain situations in which you are allowed to make early withdrawals from a retirement account and avoid the tax penalty.



IRAs and employer-sponsored retirement plans have different exceptions, although the regulations are similar.



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Thursday, May 19, 2011

A 403(b) plan is a special tax-deferred retirement savings plan that is often referred to as a tax-sheltered annuity, a tax-deferred annuity, or a 403(b) annuity. It is similar to a 401(k), but only the employees of public school systems and 501(c)(3) organizations are eligible to participate in 403(b) plans.



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One of the most attractive features of an annuity is its tax-deferred status. Generally, you won’t pay any income tax on the interest or earnings until you start taking withdrawals in retirement (age 59½ or later). Qualified and nonqualified annuities are taxed differently. Qualified annuities (such as annuities in an employer-sponsored retirement plan or an IRA) are typically purchased with pre-tax money, so withdrawals are fully taxed as ordinary income. It’s important to understand that purchasing an annuity in an IRA or an employer-sponsored retirement plan provides no additional tax benefits than those available through the tax-deferred retirement plan.





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The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act — signed into law by President Obama on July 21, 2010 — will likely revolutionize the country’s financial system. The sweeping legislation is the most far-reaching financial reform since the Great Depression, touching virtually every corner of the financial world.

The new law is designed to help shield consumers from abusive financial practices, protect taxpayers from funding bailouts for institutions considered “too big to fail,” and improve accountability and transparency in the financial system.



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Thanks to a popular 2007 motion picture, many Americans now have a “bucket list” — an inventory of accomplishments they hope to achieve in their lifetimes. Although many bucket list endeavors require courage or tenacity, such as traveling to faraway places or writing a book, there’s at least one task you can resolve to accomplish that is fairly simple but could have lasting benefits for your family, friends, and possibly a favorite charity.



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One of the most attractive features of an annuity is its tax-deferred status. Generally, you won’t pay any income tax on the interest or earnings until you start taking withdrawals in retirement (age 59½ or later). Qualified and nonqualified annuities are taxed differently. Qualified annuities (such as annuities in an employer-sponsored retirement plan or an IRA) are typically purchased with pre-tax money, so withdrawals are fully taxed as ordinary income. It’s important to understand that purchasing an annuity in an IRA or an employer-sponsored retirement plan provides no additional tax benefits than those available through the tax-deferred retirement plan.



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Friday, May 6, 2011

People have traditionally seen Social Security benefits as the foundation of their retirement planning programs. The Social Security contributions deducted from your paycheck have, in effect, served as a government-enforced retirement savings plan.

However, the Social Security system is under increasing strain. Better health care and longer life spans have resulted in an increasing number of people drawing Social Security benefits. And as the baby boom generation (those born between 1946 and 1964) approaches retirement, even greater demands will be placed on the system.



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Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Beacon Retirement Planning Group, Inc. | The San Diego Retirement Income Specialists

Beacon Retirement Planning Group, Inc. | The San Diego Retirement Income Specialists
One of the most attractive features of an annuity is its tax-deferred status. Generally, you won’t pay any income tax on the interest or earnings until you start taking withdrawals in retirement (age 59½ or later). Qualified and nonqualified annuities are taxed differently. Qualified annuities (such as annuities in an employer-sponsored retirement plan or an IRA) are typically purchased with pre-tax money, so withdrawals are fully taxed as ordinary income. It’s important to understand that purchasing an annuity in an IRA or an employer-sponsored retirement plan provides no additional tax benefits than those available through the tax-deferred retirement plan.



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If you're selling fixed annuities, and you're not using videos in your sales process - you're missing out on a proven way to engage the interest of clients, prospects, leads and referrals.



Studies have shown that 5 out of 6 people prefer to listen to and watch videos - than to read text, listen to a speaker, or click through PowerPoint slides.

That's because audio/video is easier to comprehend, can tell a more interesting story, and make a more compelling impression.

And when done by a third party (not you) videos are subconsciously perceived as more objective, credible, and trustworthy.



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