Blog
Vested versus Contingent Beneficiary
Course: Estate PlanningLesson 3: Understanding Trusts and Trust Documents Student Question: In the example, I would think Northwestern would have a future, contingent interest as their interest is dependent upon the death of the wife. But the feedback tells me it’s a vested interest. Do we assume death is inevitable and, therefore, not a contingent-worthy contingency? EXAMPLE: During the life of…
Various Sources of Income
A client received an annual salary from his employment of $40,000. He was a 50% owner of both a C Corporation and an S Corporation. The C Corporation had net profits of $20,000 and the S Corporation had income of $10,000. Neither corporation made a distribution. The client’s revocable trust had income of $5,000 but…
CFP Board Takes Issue with Proposed DOL Investment Advice Rule
CFP Board Updates CFP Board, along with other members of the Financial Planning Coalition, penned a comment letter to the Department of Labor strongly objecting to a proposed retirement investment advice rule. The basis for the objections is that the proposal conflicts with: Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) requirements, and CFP Board Code of…
Skip Persons and the Generation-Skipping Transfer Tax
Course: Estate PlanningLesson 7: Transfer Taxation IV – Generation-Skipping Transfers Student Question: Regarding the example below, would the death of the father Stephen not move Andrew one step up, making him only one generation below Mrs. Jones? Would this not remove the Generation-Skipping Transfer Tax? EXAMPLE: Upon her death, Mrs. Jones left her estate in trust to provide income for life to…
Possible Penalties on Tax Return
Terry received a notice from the IRS correcting a math error on his individual income tax return. As a result, Terry owes $1,000 in taxes, penalties and interest. Which of the following is the most likely penalty or interest assessed against Terry? Understatement penalty Failure to file penalty Fraud penalty Underpayment penalty CLICK TO REVEAL…
Good to Know: Reducing Financial Exploitation of Seniors
The financial exploitation of seniors, especially those with diminished financial capacity, is an urgent issue. How prevalent is this shameful practice? The National Council on Aging estimates that seniors lose an estimated $37 billion annually or more in the U.S.A. The AARP makes this huge number a bit more personal when it estimates the average…
Pre- and Post-1987 After-Tax 401(k) Contributions
Course: Retirement PlanningLesson 7: Income Distribution Planning for Qualified Plans Student Question: Regarding the after-tax example: Wouldn’t the full $10,000 hardship come first from the $80,000 that was contributed pre-1987? Don’t you exhaust the $80,000 before concerning yourself with the exclusion ratio? From the Course: Once the pre-1987 after-tax contributions have been withdrawn, or if none existed, all other after-tax contributions are withdrawn on…
Defining an Insurance Contract
Olivia is a 25-year-old single mother with twin girls who just turned three. Olivia has worked for the last 5 years as an administrative assistant for a local law firm. Olivia’s firm provides her with a basic medical insurance policy and a split definition disability. Which of the following is the biggest risk exposure for…
Requirements to Take CFP® Exam from Home or Work
CFP® Board Updates CFP Board continues to offer COVID19 risk mitigation for qualified candidates. Key excerpts from recent CFP Board FAQs follow: What is Remote Proctoring? “…an exam delivery method that allows candidates to take the CFP® Exam from home or a location of their choice, rather than at a Prometric test center. CFP Board’s…