Bruce Starks, CPA, CFP® – Page 12

When Do Gen Z, Gen X, and Millennial Investors Seek Financial Advice?

Good to Know “Advisors may need to connect to younger prospects on social media and tailor services to such life events as marriage, buying a home or starting a family, according to a recent survey…” according to a recent article published by Financial Advisor IQ. The article was based on a survey of 1,000 investors…

Donating Short-term Appreciated Securities

Course: Income Tax PlanningLesson 15: Property Transactions Student Question: In the lesson, deducting donations of ‘cash’ versus ‘long term appreciated securities’ are differentiated. I’m curious about “short term appreciated securities”. In other words, if I own a stock – bought at $10,000 and it’s worth $50,000 when I donate, but I’ve only owned it 6…

Are You Displaying Your CFP® Mark Correctly?

CFP® Certificants in the News Take this quick quiz to test your knowledge of CFP Board’s expectations of your use of the CFP® mark. For every use of the mark below, determine which is compliant. Note that question number 1 in our previous article was based on an accidental and incorrect posting by CFP Board.…

Custodial Accounts and Gifting

Course: Estate PlanningLesson 13: Case Study Online Student Question: If a check given by Mary to Peter was deposited into a custodial acct where Mary was the custodian, doesn’t that mean that Mary didn’t give up ALL control, so it’s not a complete gift? Instructor Response: That’s a great way to approach completed gift questions!…

Maximum Family Benefit

Course: Insurance PlanningLesson 10: Social Security Student Question: Does the maximum family benefit apply to a husband and wife that are both fully insured if the combined total between the two exceeds the maximum family limit? If I understand correctly, the maximum family limit only applies if there are beneficiaries within the family receiving benefits…

Speak Now or Forever Hold Your Peace

CFP® Certificants in the News CFP Board has a deadline of December 3 for you to post comments on it’s proposed revisions to sanction guidelines and fitness standards. A summary of the key proposed changes follow. “A revised inventory of 52 conduct categories that align with the Code and Standards A new list of 25 general aggravating and…

Unused Premiums in Term Insurance

Course: Insurance PlanningLesson 12: Types of Life Insurance Student Question: Could you help clarify the term “unused premiums” as it relates to term life insurance? I guess I don’t see how you could have a premium not used in term life. Instructor Response: Assume you pay $6,000 in annual prepaid premiums on Jan 1 2020…

Crummey Powers

Course: Insurance PlanningLesson 16: The Irrevocable Life Insurance Trust Student Question: Must Crummey powers always be in effect to apply the annual gift tax exclusion in order to transfer to an irrevocable trust? Or is it the case that as long as it was done once, will all transfers be eligible for the annual gift tax exclusion? Instructor…

Unconventional Ways to Payoff Student Loans

Good to Know Student loan debt is a financial albatross, voraciously consuming discretionary income and obstructing saving for home down payments, retirement, and more. Take this uber short quiz to see just how challenging the repayment of student loan debt can be. 1. The average student requires years1 to pay off their student loans. Correct.…

529 PLAN FUNDS FOR CFP® CERTIFICATION

CFP® Certificants in the News CFP Board joined the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Financial Planning Association, and 13 other organizations nationwide to support the Freedom to Invest in Tomorrow’s Workforce bill (the bill) currently being considered in the House of Representatives. Refreshingly, the bill has broad bipartisan support from more than 65…