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Don’t Make Any Sudden Moves – CFP Board Practitioner Survey
COVID19, Market Volatility and Staying Calm The author had a Trust client that I will call Mr. B, a decorated former Marine. He built a highly successful business after he left the Marine Corps and eventually sold the business at a favorable valuation. While most of the author’s trust clients were highly stressed by the…
Bond Investment Strategies
Course: Investment PlanningLesson 11: Fixed Income Investment Strategies Student Question: Good morning! This page in the lesson lists the Laddered Approach and the Barbell Approach as popular passive bond strategies. However, in the reading, on Page 312 (Money Education, 2nd edition), the Laddered Approach and the Barbell Approach are listed as active strategies. Can you help me clarify which is correct? Thanks! Kaitlyn Instructor Response:…
Ratio Percentage Test
Assume that, of the 100 employees eligible for participation in G Company’s qualified pension plan, 20 are highly compensated employees and all 20 participate. What is the minimum number of G Company’s non-highly compensated employees that must participate in G Company’s qualified pension plan to meet the ratio percentage test? 20 50 56 70 CLICK…
Procedural Rules Effective June 30, 2020
CFP® Board Updates On June 30, 2020, the CFP Board will begin enforcement of the new Code of Ethics and Standards of Conduct. This will coincide with the expected begin date of the new Procedural Rules. For those who are not familiar, the Procedural Rules replace the current Disciplinary Rules and Procedures and the Appeal…
Qualified Plan Contributions
Course: Retirement PlanningLesson 2: Qualified Plan Advantages and Disadvantages for Employees and Business Owners Student Question: I understand below is an example, but it is possible to contribute $20k to a retirement fund like a Roth IRA? I thought the limit was $6k. Example:Acme, Inc. contributed $20,000 to Tarzan Smith’s qualified plan in Year 1. Tarzan will never pay Social Security tax or Medicare tax on the $20,000 employer contribution;…
Defined Benefit Pension Plans – Actuarial Assumptions
Which of the following statements concerning the various actuarial assumptions used in estimating an employer’s contributions to a defined benefit pension plan is correct? The higher the assumed rate of investment income, the larger the employer’s assumed contribution rate. The higher the employee turnover or termination rate, the larger should be the employer’s assumed contribution…
Corona Virus Impacts CFP Board Exam
CFP Board COVID19 Updates The most recent CFP Board guidance for those planning to take the CFP Board Exam in 2020 follows: “MARCH 2020 CFP® EXAM COVID-19 impacted hundreds of candidates planning to sit for the March 2020 exam. Some early test site closures were announced early in the March 10-17 testing window, followed by…
Social Security Retirement Benefits
Course: Insurance PlanningLesson 10: Social Security Student Question: This question (below) doesn’t quite make sense to me. Could you clarify why the correct answer is D? Robin Elizabeth qualifies for a retirement benefit of $250 and a spouse’s benefit of $400. At her full retirement age, she will receive which of the following? Both $250 and $400. The higher of…
OASDI Disability Income Benefits
Which of the following statements concerning OASDI disability income benefits is correct? Disability is defined as the inability to perform all major duties of the insured’s own occupation. Unless specifically exempted, a waiting period of 12 months must be satisfied. If the disabled worker is also receiving workers compensation benefits, the full OASDI benefit is…