60 is the new 40

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Categories: Industry Insights

The other day, a friend of mine said, “Don’t you know that 60 is the new 40?” Well, if that’s true – and I hope it is – then there is good news and bad news. The good news, of course, is that we can look forward to enjoying active lifestyles for a longer period of time. The bad news is, if we’re going to live longer, how will we pay for “stuff” if we outlive our retirement savings???

Now – and I mean right now – is the time to focus on increasing wealth through tax-saving strategies and maximizing qualified retirement plan savings. And guess what? They go together.

If you are a business owner, partner in a firm or tax advisor, listen up! There are three things you can adopt today that can really have a significant impact on the success of your qualified retirement account above and beyond a traditional 401k plan. And thus, increase the odds of having a successful outcome to secure your lifestyle through retirement.

First – make sure your current 401k plan is running at maximum efficiency. Are you able to put away every dime you can up to the limit? Or are you restricted by low employee participation?

Second – think about using flexible profit sharing plans that allow you to put money into your retirement account even if other partners or colleagues don’t share your retirement goals. Your retirement contribution wagon does not need to be hitched to theirs!

Third – use a defined benefit or cash balance plan to supercharge your retirement account. This will allow you to stockpile significant, tax-deductible, contributions today for use in retirement.

Contact Greenberg, Wexler & Eig today to see how we can help you develop a successful retirement outcome. The success of your future is our business today.

This material is intended for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal or tax advice and is not intednded to replace the advice of a qualified attorney, tax advisor or plan provider.

Personal Financial Security – Life Insurance As A Long-Term Asset Class

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Categories: Industry Insights

This is part 2 of a series. View part 1 here.

 

As tax rates on individuals and trusts increase, people are looking to life insurance as a tax preferred asset accumulation vehicle.

Life insurance is treated differently than other asset classes for tax purposes.  Some of the tax treatment advantages include:

  • the annual increase in cash value is income tax deferred
  • a withdrawal of cash value is tax free up to basis
  • policy loans are generally income tax free
  • the death benefit is income tax free

Depending on the type of policy it is possible to do a tax free exchange of the accumulated cash value for an annuity that provides lifetime income.

Determining the best design and most suitable product for a client’s objectives is a process.  For those looking to shield investments from current taxation or for a non-qualified vehicle to accumulate supplemental retirement income, life insurance may be worth looking at.

Please contact David Wexler, CLU, ChFC, AEP to find out more about planning for Personal Financial Security.