Blog

CFP Board’s Code and Standards vs. SEC’s Reg BI

By Bruce Starks, CPA, CFP®

CFP® Certificants in the News CFP Board published “What You Need to Know About CFP Board’s Code and Standards and Reg BI” on August 17, 2020; we will address the following questions with direct quotes from CFP Board’s publication: Does Reg BI apply to CFP® Certificants? How do the standards of conduct differ? How do…

Capital Versus Security Market Line

By Bruce Starks, CPA, CFP®

Course: Investment PlanningLesson 13: Asset Allocation Student Question: Hi, Could you help me better understand the difference between the capital market line (CML) and security market line (SML)?  I can’t seem to fully grasp the difference. Thanks, Meg Instructor Response: Hi Meg, First, let’s take a full step back for perspective.  The SML and CML…

Characteristics of a Will

By Dan Madden, CFP®

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

SEP IRA Contribution Limits

By Bruce Starks, CPA, CFP®

Course: Retirement PlanningLesson 5: Leveraging Nonqualified Plans for Small Business and Not-For-Profit Employees and Owners Student Question: Hello! I am wondering why on this page it says the contribution to a SEP IRA is the lesser of 25% covered compensation or $57,000 (2020), but then it says the combined contribution for SEP IRA and qualified…

Identifying an Appropriate Power of Attorney

By Dan Madden, CFP®

Laura is concerned she will develop Alzheimer’s disease later in life similar to her mother. Which of the following documents should Laura execute to make sure her son is able to handle her financial affairs in the event she does develop Alzheimer’s disease? Durable Springing Power of Attorney Nondurable Springing Power of Attorney Durable Nonspringing…

Net Earnings from Self-Employment Calculation

By Bruce Starks, CPA, CFP®

Course: Retirement PlanningLesson 2: Qualified Plan Advantages and Disadvantages for Employees and Business Owners Student Question: Hi- On the Contribution base example, it states, “Net earnings from self-employment (NESE:) $140,000 x .9235 = $129,290”. Where did the .9235 come from? I’m sure it was in a previous lesson, I just can’t remember. Thanks, Meg Instructor Response: Hi Megan, Good question!  This factor is part of the Internal…

Rental Property Like-Kind Exchange

By Dan Madden, CFP®

William found someone to buy his rental property in Maine. Which of the following properties William would like to purchase as rental property would allow him to complete a Like-Kind Exchange? A golf course rental property in Arizona that William identified 30 days after selling his Maine property A beach rental house at the Cape…

Good to Know: Six Key Factors in Choosing When to Claim Social Security Retirement Benefits

By Bruce Starks, CPA, CFP®

Good to Know We discussed Social Security claiming age coaching opportunities for savvy Financial Advisors in our last blog. Now we will provide added insights into six key factors that should influence the claiming age decision. A lifetime of careful retirement planning can be undermined with the wrong Social Security claiming age choice. Yet a…

Retirement Plan Required Minimum Distributions

By Bruce Starks, CPA, CFP®

Course: Retirement PlanningLesson 5: Leveraging Nonqualified Plans for Small Business and Not-For-Profit Employees and Owners Student Question: Hi- I’m trying to distinguish when the required minimum distribution amounts are at 72 years old versus when they are 70½.  IRAs are now 72, correct?  Is a 401k Plan and a 403b Plan at 70½? Thanks Tiffany Instructor…