Variable Universal Life Insurance & Tax-Free Retirement Income Introduction The literature describing Variable Universal Life (VUL) insurance policies is not often easy to understand. Like all investment vehicles, VULs have both their advocates and detractors. The advocates emphasize the VUL as the flexible premium policy that combines protection against premature death with a type of …
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Today’s Annuities — Are They Expensive? Simplifying the discussion and dispelling the myths about the role annuities play today in a diversified and balanced investment portfolio. “Annuities are expensive.” “You’re always better off investing directly in mutual funds than through an annuity contract.” “Annuities have hidden costs you don’t want, or insurance expenses that you …
Read MoreAvoiding Future Stock 0
The guidance for becoming a better investor won’t be found in the latest issue of “Rich & Richer” magazine. Only by understanding what has driven our lackluster investment performance in the past, can we change the behavior that will improve our fiscal futures. History, after all, only repeats itself when we fail to learn from …
Read MoreA Financial Special Report 0
New Charitable Living Estate Program Uses Insurance Policy to Make Charitable Contributions While Protecting a Donor’s Estate You’re in your 60s or 70s. You’re planning your estate, making decisions as to where you want your money to go after you’ve gone. You’ve got $1 million in some type of qualified IRA that you don’t need …
Read MoreConfidence Lost 0
Mandelman Matters Some are calling it a “crisis of confidence”. Some say its a “liquidity crisis”. Or maybe it’s a “credit crisis”. Or a real estate crisis? A “mortgage meltdown”? A “market correction”? Or my personal favorite, “the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression”? Read More
Read MoreThe Unseen Impact of Partner Uncertainty 0
At fifty-something it’s not simply about compensation, it’s about the degree of certainty one has in the ultimate outcome. Is a given partner, when looking ahead, certain that in some fifteen years he or she will be financially independent and able to control how his or her time is spent? Or is that outcome still being viewed as something for which he or she must strive. At fifty plus, it’s not really about potential. At fifty plus, even the highest of probabilities struggle to provide warmth or comfort through the chill of uncertainty that can permeate the late night air.
Read MoreBoomers Aren’t Saving Enough for Retirement 0
Most people know they’re not saving enough for retirement, but they prefer not to think about it. Especially now, with the economy not in the best of shape. Ignoring it, however, is not an answer and “hope” is not a strategy. Join in the discussion on how you view this pressing problem… And here’s an …
Read MoreHow Many Light Bulbs Does it Take to Change an Investor? 0
Well, the proverbial jury is in and I’m sorry to say that the news is not good: We’ve been lied to. Deceived. Misled. Manipulated. And, as a result, our ability to save the amounts we need to retire comfortably is… well, shall we say… lacking. We’ve been confused by charts. Stunned by statistics. And buffaloed by B.S.
Read MoreForget About Choosing Your Investments. Choosing Your Advisor is Risky Enough. 0
While it has always made sense to exercise caution where investments are concerned, the incidence of securities and investment management fraud is so commonplace today that, unless it is Bernard Madoff, it barely raises an eyebrow. And, although the impact of such events extends far beyond the wealthy, it is the wealthier investors that make the most attractive targets because they have the most to lose.
Read MoreWhich Kind of Investor Are You? 0
10. Talking about retirement and your future financial security makes you:
A. Feel like a million bucks.
B. Feel like a hundred bucks.
C. Change the subject.
D. Throw up in my mouth a little.
E. I never do it, so I’m really not sure.
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