Posted by Richard on April 17, 2013
If you’ve recently gotten a promotion or new job that grants you access to restricted stock or restricted stock units (RSUs), you’ll need to understand how they work. Restricted stock plans provide employees with the right to obtain shares at one of three price points: fair market value, a discount, or no cost. The […]
Read More →Posted by Richard on
Retiring in a foreign country is a dream shared by thousands of Americans. If you are thinking of enjoying your golden years in another country, be sure to understand the hurdles you may have to face. The following considerations will help you lay the groundwork for a smooth transition and avoid any unpleasant surprises […]
Read More →Posted by Richard on
As global economic barriers diminish, investing internationally has become increasingly popular.1 Global markets can offer increased potential investment opportunities as well as potential risk reduction by providing additional diversification.2 Investing internationally has grown rapidly in recent years. The bias for investing only within our national borders is diminishing, as an increasing number of individual […]
Read More →Posted by Richard on
Municipal bonds (also known as “munis”) are fixed-income investments that can provide higher after-tax returns than similar taxable corporate or government issues.1 In general, the interest paid on municipal issues is exempt from federal taxes and may also be exempt from state and local taxes if they are purchased by residents of the issuing […]
Read More →Posted by Richard on March 12, 2013
Life insurance is typically a critical element of a family’s estate plan — it may enhance the amount of wealth you can bequeath to your heirs and provide a ready source of cash for post-death financial obligations. If the value of your estate exceeds the federal estate tax threshold (for 2013, this amount is […]
Read More →Posted by Richard on
With interest rates on government bonds and highly rated corporate bonds barely keeping up with inflation, investors are searching far and wide for better returns. One alternative is preferred stock. Preferred stock is often called a stock-bond hybrid. While technically an equity investment, shares of preferred stock pay a dividend, usually on […]
Read More →Posted by Richard on
As continued uncertainty at home and abroad roils the financial markets, income-minded investors seeking protection from the bumpy road ahead may find that dividend-paying stocks offer an attractive mix of features and warrant a place in their equity portfolios. The appeal is simple: Dividend-paying stocks can provide investors with tangible returns on a […]
Read More →Posted by Richard on
You may someday face a sudden health crisis due to an accident or serious illness that leaves you unable to make your own medical decisions. Fortunately, there is a means to address this potential future concern — it’s called a health care proxy. A health care proxy allows you to legally designate someone […]
Read More →Posted by Richard on February 14, 2013
Sector funds target specific industries and economic niches to seek above-average returns.1 With the opportunity for greater returns comes greater risk, as these funds typically are prone to fluctuate in value more than diversified, multisector funds.2 Sector funds may invest solely in specific industries, such as utilities, technology, financial services, health care, and […]
Read More →Posted by Richard on
The IRS audited approximately 1.6 million individual tax returns filed in 2011.1 That amounts to just over 1.1% of 141 million individual returns filed that year. However, just over one-quarter of those audits involved face-to-face meetings with IRS auditors. The rest were conducted through the mail. Filers earning less than $100,000 had a 1% […]
Read More →