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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…
Read MoreDefining an Insurance Contract
A Sec. 303 redemption is most likely appropriate for which of the following estates? At Fred’s death, Fred owned all of his assets including the stock of a closely-held corporation in joint tenancy WROS with his wife. Before Gloria’s death, she transferred all of her assets including the stock in a closely-held corporation to an…
Read MorePersonal Umbrella Liability Insurance Isn’t Only for the Rich
Good to Know Conventional wisdom would have us believe that personal umbrella liability policies are needed only when one’s net worth exceeds $1,000,000. The purpose of this blog is to challenge that potentially dangerous assumption. As background, we live in an amazing country, land of the free because of the brave. Yet the United States…
Read MoreAnnual Return and Compounding
Course: Fundamentals of Financial PlanningLesson 5: Using the Calculator Student Question: My question relates to being able to clearly distinguish when the CFP Board exam will require an annual, or other period for the answer. Question 5(b) asks: “What is the rate of return on Investment 2 using daily compounding?” What is the annual rate…
Read MoreSection 303 Redemption
A Sec. 303 redemption is most likely appropriate for which of the following estates? At Fred’s death, Fred owned all of his assets including the stock of a closely-held corporation in joint tenancy WROS with his wife. Before Gloria’s death, she transferred all of her assets including the stock in a closely-held corporation to an…
Read MoreValidating and Measuring Competency
CFP® Board Updates For the past decade or so, the CFP Board has been putting an increased emphasis on the importance of being able to validate and measure competency for CFP Professionals. While the certification itself signifies that someone has mastered the required body of knowledge, that knowledge alone isn’t enough to truly become a…
Read MoreDeducting Advisory Fees
Course: Income Tax PlanningLesson 10: Recognition of Expenses, Losses, and Deductions Student Question: Hi I read that advisory fees are no longer deductible. So in this question (below), is it deductible because this is treated as a business deduction since Roger is Self-Employed? Alisha Sheridan, A CFP licensee and fee-only financial planner, has assisted Roger…
Read MoreIdentifying Monetary Policy
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…
Read MorePowers of Attorney – Autonomy vs. Protection
Good to Know CFP Board expects CFP® Certificants to understand how to protect a client’s assets and guide health care decisions in the event of incapacity. Let’s make this personal – who would make medical decisions for you if you were temporarily unconscious or suffering from a debilitating disease such as Alzheimer’s? How about financial…
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