Asset Protection
Twenty-first century asset protection calls for more than just strategic asset allocation. Product allocation (buying instruments that can protect your portfolio from negative returns early in retirement) is generally considered a more effective means of protecting assets. Diversifying your retirement assets among a variety of vehicles—both insurance and investment oriented, depending on what is appropriate for your situation, may offer you the best chance of meeting your retirement income goals.
Tax Planning
You may want to consider incorporating tax planning into your portfolio and all of your financial decisions because of the steady rise in taxes. Investing in a tax-deferred vehicle means your money will compound interest for years, unfettered by income taxes, allowing it to earn interest at a faster rate. While very few investments avoid taxes altogether, many allow you to defer paying them until retirement, when you may be in a lower tax bracket.
IRA & 401K Planning
When you change careers or retire, there are four options you have regarding the money in your employer-sponsored retirement plan. The first option is to leave the money where it is at. The second option is to take the cash and potentially pay income taxes, as well as, a 10% federal penalty tax if you are younger than age 59.5. The third option is to transfer the money to another employer plan, if applicable. The fourth option is to roll the money into an IRA. Rolling your money over from one qualified plan to another allows your money to continue growing tax-deferred until you receive distributions in retirement. We can help you determine the best vehicle to help conserve and grow your rollover assets.
Legacy Planning
IRA accounts have become one of the largest types of assets inherited by beneficiaries. If you do not anticipate needing your IRA money in retirement, you may want to consider a legacy planning strategy to reduce taxes and increase the payout your beneficiaries will inherit. A properly structured IRA may provide your beneficiaries a regular stream of income while leaving the balance of IRA assets invested for tax deferred growth. The result may yield a substantially larger amount of money paid out over the course of your beneficiaries lifetime. We can help you evaluate your financial scenario to determine if IRA legacy planing may be the best route for your loved ones.
Probate
Probate can be a lengthy and costly legal process that oversees the transfer of your assets upon your death. If you do not create a will or set up a trust to transfer your property when you die, the state will determine what happens to your estate. If you do not have a will or other form of legal estate planning, there is a possibility that your property will go to the state instead of your family.