Blog

Social Security Widower Benefits

By Bruce Starks, CPA, CFP®

Course: Insurance PlanningLesson 10: Social Security Student Question: Hi- When it comes to social security widower’s benefit’s, is the widow eligible to take his/her SS benefit early (age 62) and then switch over to the deceased spouse’s full benefit at 67? Or would the widow only be eligible for one of the two benefits? Thanks…

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Life Insurance in the Gross Estate

By Dan Madden, CFP®

Which of the following assets would be included in Martin’s gross estate? Life insurance on Martin’s life purchased one year before he died by the trustee of Martin’s irrevocable life insurance trust. Life insurance on Martin’s life purchased by Martin’s wife two years before he died. Life insurance on Martin’s life purchased three years before…

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Absolute Investment Risk on the CFP Board Exam: Part I

By Bruce Starks, CPA, CFP®

Good to Know This blog is the first in a four-part series that includes: When to trust the “mean” return, Using standard deviation to forecast outcomes, Skewness-Do we want negative or positive skew in our portfolio? Kurtosis of a return distribution-Is more kurtosis a good thing? We will begin with the average or mean return.…

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Interest Rate Risk in a Bond

By Bruce Starks, CPA, CFP®

Course: Investment PlanningLesson 10: Fixed Income Securities Analysis Student Question: Hi- 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…

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Characteristics of a Will

By Dan Madden, CFP®

Which of the following statements concerning a Will are correct? (1) A will can be altered, amended, or completely rewritten at any time before a person’s death. (2)  A will cannot be rewritten but can be amended at any time by a codicil. (3)  A will must be signed by the maker and usually must…

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CELEBRATING BLACK HISTORY MONTH

By Bruce Starks, CPA, CFP®

CFP® Certificants in the News CFP BOARD encourages CFP® certificants and candidates to attend a Feb. 24 televised event featuring CFP Board Chair Kamila Elliot, CFP®. Here’s the invitation-“Join CFP Board Chair Kamila Elliott, CFP® during CNBC’s special Financial Faces of Change LinkedIn Live event on February 24 at 1:00 p.m. (Eastern). To celebrate Black History during February,…

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Internal Rate of Return Calculation

By Dan Madden, CFP®

Course: Fundamentals of Financial PlanningLesson 5b: Using the HP 10bII Calculator Student Question: Hi- In Example 2, the solution given has 6 years (including CF0) instead of 5. I believe the first year of Carl’s coin purchase should be CF0, but the fifth year – which includes a purchase and a sale – should be…

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Tightening the Money Supply

By Dan Madden, CFP®

Which of the following is a monetary policy that will tighten the money supply? Sell government securities Lower the discount rate Decrease government spending Increase taxes CLICK TO REVEAL ANSWER Expand A is the answer. Selling government securities is a monetary policy that will tighten the money supply as the cash used to purchase the…

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How to Slash Gift, Estate, and Generation-Skipping Transfer Taxes: Part III

By Bruce Starks, CPA, CFP®

Good to Know This blog is the third of a three-part series that includes: Part I: Reducing the IRS valuation (but not the real value) of Client Assets, Part II: Creative Use of Installment Sales and Specialized Trusts, and Part III: Using Annuities, Charitable Trusts, and Other Techniques. Private Annuity Sale (PAS) A private annuity…

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