Blog
Choosing Appropriate Life Insurance
Sarah, a 40-year-old single mother with two dependent children, is looking for life insurance coverage to provide financial security for her family. She has a stable job with a salary of $80,000 per year, $50,000 in savings, and a mortgage balance of $250,000. Sarah wants a policy that offers the most affordable way to provide…
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CFP Board Announces Retirement of CEO
CFP® Board Updates The CFP Board has announced that Kevin R. Keller, CAE, will retire as Chief Executive Officer on April 30, 2026, after nearly two decades of leadership. During his tenure, Keller played a pivotal role in transforming the CFP Board and elevating the financial planning profession. To ensure a seamless transition, the Board…
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Premium Payments on Buy-Sell Agreements
Course: Insurance PlanningLesson 17: Business Uses of Life and Disability Insurance Student Question: I have a quick question regarding buy/sell agreement; not clear who would pay the premiums on disability and or life insurance on the principals and the key employees? Instructor Response: Great question. A buy-sell agreement relates to owners of the business while…
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Reducing the Estate Tax
Michael, a 68-year-old widower, wants to ensure that his estate passes efficiently to his two children while minimizing estate taxes and avoiding probate. His estate is valued at $5 million, and he has a revocable living trust, a will, and a durable power of attorney. Which of the following strategies would be most effective in…
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Free Money From Social Security For Public Sector Retirees
Good to Know Your client, or their parents, may be entitled to increased retirement benefits from Social Security as a result of The Social Security Fairness Act of 2025 (the Act). Specifically public service workers may have been penalized if they qualified for Social Security Retirement benefits and they worked in a private sector job.…
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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…
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Standard Deduction versus Itemized
John and Emily are married and file their taxes jointly. In 2024, they had the following expenses: $8,000 in mortgage interest on their primary residence $4,500 in state income taxes $3,000 in property taxes $2,000 in charitable donations $7,000 in medical expenses (their adjusted gross income is $100,000) If John and Emily want to maximize…
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Savvy Moves To Pass The CFP Board Exam
CFP® Certificants in the News “I have seen the enemy and he is us.” This unlikely exam-taking advice comes to us courtesy of the late Walter Kelly, satirical cartoonist extraordinaire and creator of the wildly popular character of Pogo. Respectfully, the author has taken the liberty to slightly modify Mr. Kelly’s sentiment with “I have…
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Defining Basis Points
Course 3: Investment PlanningLesson 15: Fundamentals of Derivatives – Futures and Options Student Question: Can you please explain what Basis points are and how/why they are generally used? Instructor Response: There are 100 basis points in 1%. Basis points are merely a common method of measuring investment fees or returns. An exchanged traded fund may charge…
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