Questions of the Week

Course: Estate PlanningLesson 1: Property Ownership Student Question: Hello- I’m a little confused about the example (below) discussing an heirloom of only sentimental value. Why would this be titled at all for a will, especially since an earlier lecture said items of no value would pass through will as the situation does not involve a…

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…

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…

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…

Course: Insurance PlanningLesson 10: Social Security Student Question: Hi- 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…

Course: Investment PlanningLesson 13: Asset Allocation Student Question: Hi- Can you help me understand the difference between Kurtosis and Skewness?  I can’t quite piece it together. Thanks Meg Instructor Response: Hi Meg, Entire books have been written on this topic but the following summary should get the points for you on the CFP® Board exam…

Course: Insurance PlanningLesson 8: Gift and Estate Valuation Student Question: Hi- Could you please clarify for me what the unused premium would be in term life insurance?  I don’t quite understand how you could not use the premium.  Thanks. Thanks John Instructor Response: Hi John, Certainly.   A lot of different terms in insurance, to be…

Course: Insurance PlanningLesson 17: Stock Redemption/Entity Plan Student Question: Hi- Interesting study here; I see using this method, the entity buys out the estate, and shares are now held by Zion as “treasury stock.” Given the other two living owners own 2/3 of the business, wouldn’t they technically own the treasury stock? A bit confused as…

Course: Fundamentals of Financial PlanningLesson 5: Using the Calculator Student Question: Hi- I am confused as to how to get the correct answer for number 4. Jackie invests her bonus at the beginning of this calendar year. If she earns 7% compounded monthly, what is the annual equivalent rate? Round your answer to two decimal places.…

Course: Income Tax PlanningLesson 10: Recognition of Expenses, Losses, and Deductions Student Question: Hi- Question 5 (below) did not make sense to me. I started out by breaking down by year —  400,000/2,100,000*3,000,000 and so forth, but did not arrive at the correct answer.  So then I tried adding up 3 year —  400+650+700/2100000*3,000,000.  That…