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Actuarial Assumptions in Defined Benefit Contribution Plans

By Dan Madden, CFP®

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…

2021 FINANCIAL PLANNING FORECAST

By Bruce Starks, CPA, CFP®

CFP® Certificants in the News According to a January 11, 2021, report by CFP Board,  “…nearly 1 in 5 CFP® professionals reported that clients leaned on them as a financial therapist first and a financial planner second [in 2020]…”. Other key trends were reported by CFP Board, including: The rise of virtual financial planning “Advice…

529 Plan Contribution Limits

By Dan Madden, CFP®

Course: Fundamentals of Financial PlanningLesson 6: Educational Savings Techniques Student Question: Good morning, Do the limits on 529 Plan contributions apply to that specific account, the child, or the contributor? Is it possible for a contributor to have more than one 529 Plan if they’ve reached the limit on one? Thanks, Aaron Instructor Response: Hi…

Modified Endowment Contract Loan

By Dan Madden, CFP®

Alan paid $70,000 for a MEC policy when he was 50 years old. What are the income tax ramifications if he takes a $15,000 loan 3 years after purchasing the policy? The policy was worth $78,000 at the time of the loan. Alan would not have to report any taxable income or penalty. Alan would…

ALERT – Tax Gift for 2020 PPP Borrowers

By Bruce Starks, CPA, CFP®

Good to Know In the cosmic order of U.S. tax law, expenses associated with tax-free income are frequently not deductible.  In the case of Payroll Protection Program loans, the IRS went one step further to rule that expenses paid with the proceeds of PPP loan debt were not deductible if the loan was merely expected…

Supply and Demand Impact on Prices

By Dan Madden, CFP®

Course: Fundamentals of Financial PlanningLesson 2: Economic Concepts and Consumer Protection Laws Student Question: Hi, Can you please provide an explanation for the correlation between demand and the equilibrium price? I’m aware that demand is influenced by price increases or decreases; however, I’m having a hard time deciphering the relationship between demand and the equilibrium…

Refinance Payment Calculation

By Dan Madden, CFP®

Dale refinanced his home mortgage to a 30-year fixed mortgage with biweekly payments. How much is each payment if he owed $350,000 at the time of the refinance and the interest rate is 3%? $680 $771 $1,136 $1,242 CLICK TO REVEAL ANSWER Expand A is the answer. Brandon pays his mortgage every two weeks which…

CFP BOARD ACHIEVES RECORD GROWTH of CFP PROFESSIONALS

By Bruce Starks, CPA, CFP®

CFP® Certificants in the News Despite the specter of the pandemic, the number of CFP® Professionals grew in 2020 to 87,726. We will rely upon selected excerpts from CFP Board Reports Impressive 2020 Growth to summarize the growth and increasing diversification of CFP® Professionals. Increasing Diversity According to CFP Board CEO Kevin Keller, “The increase in…

Complying with the Practice Standards

By Bruce Starks, CPA, CFP®

Course: Fundamentals of Financial PlanningLesson 1: The Personal Financial Planning Process Student Question: Good evening.  In Practice Standard B-3 (shown below), is the “reasonable basis” why advisors have client agreements stating what services are provided? Practice Standard B-3 The Practice Standards set forth in the Financial Planning Process – a CFP® professional must comply with…