Bruce Starks, CPA, CFP® – Online CFP Program

The FED’s 50 Basis Point Interest Rate Cut

CFP® Certificants in the News CFP Board’s most recent newsletter advises that the “Federal Reserve announced a significant 50 basis point rate cut, surprising many who anticipated a smaller 25 basis point reduction.” CFP Board Ambassador Kurt Whitesell, CFP® highlighted the opportunity for investors to lock in high rates on CDs before further interest rate drops.” …

Interest Rate Risk in a Bond

Course: Investment PlanningLesson 10: Fixed Income Securities Analysis Student Question: I’m not clear why holders of long-term bonds are subject to interest rate risk. If a 20-year bond is purchased at par with a coupon rate of 6.25% ($62.50/year), it seems to me that the investor would still receive $62.50 a year regardless of interest rate changes. What…

Having Your Cake and Eating It Too

Good to Know “She cannot eat her cake and have her cake.” Jonathan Swift, Polite Conversation 1738 What does this quote from almost 3 centuries ago have to do with Medicaid eligibility? Conventional wisdom tells us that no one can qualify for nursing home care under Medicaid insurance and simultaneously have assets or income in…

Retirement—Hope Is Not A Plan

Good to Know Just two of every ten workers are very confident about having a financially comfortable retirement, according to the EBRI® 34th Annual Retirement Confidence Survey. What is driving this lack of confidence? Factors include inflation fears, Social Security concerns, and a recession threat. Inflation—More than 8 of every 10 workers believe that just paying…

Value of Life Insurance in Buy-Sell Agreements

Course: Insurance PlanningLesson 17: Business Uses of Life Insurance Student Question: Do buy sell agreements accounts for projected growth of the company? Do the life insurance benefits increase over time to account for projected growth, or perhaps can they invest and grow conservatively to keep up with inflation (or COLA on the plan)? Instructor Response:…

CFP® Practice Question: Gift and Generation Skipping Transfer Taxes

Austin, an unmarried man, has one son named Perry. Perry has one daughter named Kayla. Austin made no prior year taxable gifts but made two taxable gifts in the current year, including: A taxable gift to Perry in the amount of the current year basic exclusion amount on January 1 and A taxable gift to…

Will Artificial Intelligence Make Human-Based Financial Advice Obsolete?

CFP® Certificants in the News CFP Board tackles this article’s titular question with its recent article ominously titled “Yes, AI IS Going To Take Your Job.” That provocative title may be a bit dramatic but it is a wakeup call for financial advisors and planners. We’re at a crossroads but not a dead end—CFP Board…

The Fed’s Monetary Policy Tools

Course: Investment PlanningLesson 2: Tools of the Fed Student Question: How does the Fed impact monetary policy by using “Interest on Reserve Balances?” Instructor Response: One of The Federal Reserve’s (FED’s) core functions is to balance the health of the American economy between inflation and recession. The FED uses Interest on Reserve Balances (IORB) as…

Is Your Client Using the Wrong Buy-Sell Agreement?

Good to Know Are you looking for new ways to stay in contact with your closely held business owner clients and showcase your financial planning prowess? A recent Supreme Court decision in Connelly v. United States gives savvy financial advisors and planners an opportunity to do just that. But before getting to the court decision, we’ll…

Interest on a second home

Course: Income Tax PlanningLesson 8: Arriving at Taxable Income Student Question: Is my understanding correct that a taxpayer can deduct interest on a 2nd home under Home Acquisition Debt up to $750K, and also deduct interest on the primary residence under Home Equity Debt up to $750K? So, each home is considered separately and each…