Category: Blog

Multigenerational College Planning with a Family Dynasty 529 Plan

5 min read

College Planning, Family Dynasty 529 PlanThe College Savings 529 plan offers a way for modest-income families to save and invest for college expenses for their children as early as birth up to college age. When invested 529 funds are used to pay for the beneficiary’s qualifying education costs, earnings are distributed tax-free.

However, a lesser-known advantage for wealthier families is that the 529 plan can be used as an effective tax-advantaged tool for funding college expenses for family members over multiple generations. Basically, the 529 enables the investment to continue growing tax-free for years and even decades after the death of the original owner and beneficiary.

Assets from a 529 account may be used to pay for expenses associated with higher education, including tuition, fees, books, room, and board. The 529 also can be used to pay up to $10,000 a year in tuition expenses for K-12 education and a lifetime total of up to $10,000 in student loan repayments.

No Age or Use Restrictions

The two key components to this planning strategy, referred to a Family Dynasty 529 plan, are that the beneficiary can be changed at any time and that there is no time frame during which all assets must be distributed (including no required minimum distributions).

Note that the selection of a 529 beneficiary is rather broad:

  •        Account owner (self)
  •        Spouse
  •        Child
  •        Spouse of a child
  •        Brother, sister, stepbrother, stepsister or their spouse
  •        Mother, father, the ancestor of either or their spouse
  •        Stepfather, stepmother or the spouse of either such person
  •        Nephew, niece or their spouse
  •        Aunt, uncle or their spouse
  •        Son-in-law, daughter-in-law, father-in-law, mother-in-law, brother-in-law, sister-in-law or their spouse
  •        First cousin

While the 529 can have only one named beneficiary at a time, the beneficiary can be changed at any time (such as once a student graduates), leaving the remaining funds for the next beneficiary.

No Contribution Limit

Unlike federal tax filings, many states offer a limited tax deduction on annual 529 contributions. Note that there is no limit to the amount that can be contributed to a 529 account each year. However, there is a limit to how much can be contributed to each 529 account in total, and that amount differs by state, with the range falling between $235,000 and $529,000. Georgia and Mississippi are the lowest at $235,000, and California features the highest limit at $529,000 (note that a California account can be opened no matter where the owner or beneficiary lives). Moreover, there is no limit to how much invested tax-free 529 assets can grow.

One strategy is to fund a family dynasty 529 with the maximum limit in one lump sum. The idea here is that one lump sum invested for tax-free growth offers the potential to fund college education expenses for a vast number of extended family members over several generations. Each time a beneficiary graduates, a new beneficiary is named. If there are multiple students scheduled to attend college at the same time, multiple 529 accounts can be opened with separate beneficiaries.

Changing Owner for Dynasty Plan to Continue

It is likely that when funding over several generations, the original 529 account owner will pass away. A few plans permit change of ownership only in the event of the death or incapacity of the current owner, but most 529 plans allow the change in ownership at any time, as long as the owner has reached the age of majority for that state’s plan. By periodically changing both owners and beneficiaries of the account, the family dynasty 529 can continue to grow and pay for qualified education expenses indefinitely.

The 529 also may be structured so that the account owner is a trust, which makes it unnecessary to change owners as they pass away. A trust can help protect 529 funds from creditors and may contain language mandating that assets can be used only for higher education – thus eliminating the potential for a beneficiary to drain the account with non-qualified withdrawals.

Potential Gift/GST Tax Consequences

Be aware that some state 529 plans may treat a change in ownership as a distributable event and will issue Form 1099 for tax purposes. Also note that when a new 529 plan beneficiary is one or more generations below the most recent beneficiary, distributed assets beyond the annual gift tax exemption ($17,000 for 2023) may be subject to the gift tax. In this scenario, should excess amounts exceed the lifetime gift tax exemption ($12.92 million for 2023), distributions may be subject to an additional generation-skipping transfer tax (GST).

The Family Dynasty 529 plan is best optimized when started early, such as the birth of the first child, and overfunded to the maximum limit. This allows for the best growth opportunity, wherein college expenses may be funded using tax-free earnings, leaving the principal available to grow for the next student beneficiary. Better yet, parents or grandparents can retain control of the account to ensure it is used only for college funding over multiple generations.

7 Steps to Start a Business

4 min read

7 Steps to Start a BusinessThe idea of starting your own business is inherently romantic, if not exhilarating: You get to run the show, flesh out your ideas and live your dream. But where do you begin? Here are seven smart steps to get you started – and help improve your chances of success.

Come Up With a Concept

What’s your idea? Is it profitable and something you’re passionate about? Would others consider you an expert in this area and seek your advice? What kind of funding do you have? Will you partner with someone or go solo? When you can determine all of these things, then you’ll be off and running.

Know Your Competition and Market

Do your research. Learn about the industry you’re entering. Who are the leaders, and what is their USP – Unique Selling Proposition? Then figure out what yours is. Next, get to know your target customers with questionnaires, surveys, and interviews. Find out what they want. You might also conduct a SWOT analysis, which stands for strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. After you synthesize and analyze all this data, you’ll have a clear picture of how your business will take shape.

Create a Road Map

You don’t go on a trip without a guide. Starting a business is no different. In your roadmap – or business plan – you’ll want to generate a comprehensive picture of your business, which includes everything from an executive summary and market analysis to a mission statement and financial plan. Other items to include are a marketing plan and an exit strategy. When your business plan is complete, you can share it with potential investors and banks. Here’s a free simple business plan template you can use as a blueprint.

Choose Your Structure

Will you be an LLC (Limited Liability Company), LLP (Limited Liability Partnership), Sole Proprietorship or corporation? There are pros and cons to all of these. In addition, you’ll want to name your business, come up with your DBA (Doing Business As). Then, you’ll register your business, apply for an EIN (Employee Identification Number), and get the right licenses and permits.

Organize Your Finances

Open a business bank account – you’ll need your EIN when you do this. If you sell a product, you’ll need either a bookkeeper or good accounting software. Then determine your break-even point. What are your startup costs? What kind of supplies or professional services will you need? Will you operate out of your garage or rent a space? Here’s the equation to follow: Break-Even Point = Fixed Cost/Contribution Margin.

Fund Your Business

Knowing your break-even point, how will you fund your business? Do you have money saved? Do you have credit cards to use? Do you have cash from friends and family? Small business loans, grants and lines of credit, angel investors, venture capitalists, and crowdfunding are other solid avenues you can explore. Finally, consider buying business insurance to make sure that if something goes wrong, you’re covered.

Market Your Company

After you’ve acquired all the right tools, like accounting software, email hosting, and a credit card processor, you can hang a shingle and get the word out that you’re open for business. Bobby’s Bagels is now serving! You’ll need a website that explains everything you offer, as well as an e-commerce component. Then you’ll want to optimize your site for SEO and create content that is relevant for your target audience. The last step is creating a social media strategy.

All of these steps are high-level. When you’re in the process of gathering everything you need, other details will emerge. Starting a business might be hard work, but it will allow you to become your own boss and, best of all, realize your dream. Remember, you’ll never work a day in your life if you love what you do.

Sources

https://www.forbes.com/advisor/business/how-to-start-a-business/

Leveraging the Internet of Behavior (IoB) to Boost Customer Loyalty

4 min read

Boost Customer LoyaltyCustomer loyalty is critical to any successful business strategy in today’s digital age. With emerging technologies such as the internet of things (IoT), companies are now leveraging a new approach called the internet of behavior (IoB) to gain deeper insights into their customers’ behavior and preferences.

What is IoB?

The internet of behavior exists because of the internet of things. IoT is the interconnection of physical digital objects that gather and exchange information over the internet. On the other hand, IoB makes sense of the collected data from various sources, including wearable devices, digital household devices, human online activity and social media.

The acronym internet of behavior (IoB) was coined by Gartner, a tech research firm, as identified among the top 10 trends in their strategic technology report for 2021. However, the concept of using data to influence customer behavior was developed in 2012 by Göte Nyman, a psychology professor at the University of Helsinki, long before the internet of things took hold.

Gartner defines IoB as an extension of the internet of things, focusing on capturing, processing and analyzing the “digital dust” of people’s daily lives.

Simply put, IoB interconnects IoT, consumer psychology and data analytics. The data is analyzed in terms of behavioral psychology to capture patterns that marketing and sales teams can use to influence customer behavior.

How IoB can Influence Customer Loyalty

Aside from products and services, customer experience has become a significant factor in business success. By understanding customer behavior, businesses can leverage IoB data to influence customer loyalty in various ways.

Personalization

Personalization has the power to transform customer experience. This is reflected in a survey that revealed 76 percent of Americans are more likely to complete a purchase because of a personalized experience.

To take advantage of IoB, companies study insights extracted from collected data and use it to decipher customer behavior; that is, their practices, preferences, habits, needs, wants and more. The company can then leverage this data to offer personalized product recommendations, such as insurance premiums, saving plans, travel destinations, etc.

For example, an insurance company can have users install apps on their phones that collect data on distance traveled, car speed, etc., and optimize their car’s premium based on driving behavior.

Timely Improvement of Products and Customer Services

IoB also makes studying how customers interact with specific services or products easy. This saves companies from time-consuming surveys that are used to determine consumer preferences. The collected data is analyzed to identify pain points and issues of concern. The company can then address the issues before they become significant problems, such as by improving on products and services. This is an excellent way to build trust and confidence in a brand, leading to customer retention.

Behavioral Retargeting

Since companies can access customer preferences, recent activities, likes, dislikes, and location data, they can send real-time notifications to customers about discounts and new offers in stores nearby. They also can track loyal customers and offer them rewards. This kind of retargeting will make customers feel like a business values them and caters to their interests.

Develop a Tailored Marketing Strategy

Insights from IoB data can help tailor marketing strategies to individual customers. For instance, a retail store can offer products or services based on the mood, age or gender of a customer; thereby providing a satisfying experience that will lead to a stronger emotional connection with the brand.

Key Challenges that must be Addressed for the Success of IoB

Despite the opportunities IoB offers, companies must be aware of some key challenges to fully realize its benefits.

  • Privacy Concerns – Although personalization will make consumer lives easier, there is a concern about privacy. Companies must implement strong cybersecurity policies and measures to ensure that customer information is used only for that which a customer has given consent.
  • Convincing Users to Share Personal Data – People might not be comfortable sharing their personal data.
  • Laws and Regulations – Strict regulations around collecting and using personal data, such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), require companies to comply in order to avoid fines and legal issues.
  • Cybersecurity – As reliance on technology rises, so do cyberattacks. Cybercriminals may access sensitive data on consumer behavior, making consumers susceptible to online scamming and identity theft, among other threats.

Conclusion

Leveraging IoB can provide businesses with a competitive edge and drive revenue growth. Companies seeking continuous success should consider placing IoB at the center of business innovation to create personalized customer experiences. At the same time, they must also examine any challenges that might reduce the effectiveness of IoB.

Increasing Small Business Investments, Relaxing COVID Vaccination Requirements and Generating More Challenges to Abortion Access

4 min read

Increasing Small Business Investments, Relaxing COVID Vaccination Requirements and Generating More Challenges to Abortion AccessInvesting in Main Street Act of 2023 (HR 400) – Introduced by Rep. Judy Chu (D-CA) on Jan.20, this bill would permit certain financial institutions to increase investments in small business investment companies (SBICs). The current cap is 5 percent; if passed, the amount would rise to up to 15 percent of their capital and surplus. The bill passed in the House on Jan.25 and is now under consideration in the Senate.

To terminate the requirement imposed by the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for proof of COVID-19 vaccination for foreign travelers and for other purposes (HR 185) – This bill would nullify the standing CDC order that requires non-U.S. citizens who are not immigrants to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 (or otherwise prove adherence to public health measures to prevent contagion)for entry into the United States by air travel. The bill also would nullify both successor and subsequent orders that would require proof of a COVID-19 vaccination as a condition of entry and prohibit the use of federal funds to enforce such a requirement. However, the bill carves out exceptions for certain individuals traveling from China to the United States. The bill was introduced on Jan. 9 by Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY). It passed in the House on Feb. 8 and is currently under consideration in the Senate.

Freedom for Health Care Workers Act (HR 497) – The passage of this bill would eliminate the current COVID-19 vaccine mandate for healthcare providers working in certain federal healthcare programs. The bill was introduced by Rep. Jeff Duncan (R-SC) on Jan. 25 and passed in the House on Jan. 31. It is currently awaiting review in the Senate.

To nullify the modifications made by the Food and Drug Administration in January 2023 to the risk evaluation and mitigation strategy for the abortion pill mifepristone and for other purposes (HR 383) – This bill would nullify the FDA’s new rule allowing a pharmacy to dispense mifepristone, as well as ban the pill from being offered by mail. Medication abortion is now the most commonly used abortion method in the United States. Under the current guidelines, pharmacies may prescribe mifepristone in person to patients, essentially permitting it to be disseminated at the same time with misoprostol. This two-pill combination is taken in sequence to induce an abortion at home. The bill to ban this access was introduced on Jan. 17 by Rep. Diana Harshbarger (R-TN) but has yet to be assigned to a committee for review.

To ensure the privacy of pregnancy termination or loss information under the HIPAA privacy regulations and the HITECH Act (HR 459) – This legislation was introduced in the House by Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-CA) on Jan. 24. It would ban doctors from revealing a patient’s abortion information without consent, even under a court order or subpoena. Presently, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) restricts doctors, psychologists, pharmacies, hospitals, etc., from revealing a patient’s protected health information – unless compelled to do so by law. This bill would make it illegal for a medical professional to reveal a patient’s abortion information without the patient’s consent, superseding even a court order or subpoena. The bill is currently in the House awaiting a potential vote by the Energy and Commerce Committee.

Prescription Pricing for the People Act of 2023 (S 113) – This bill would authorize the Federal Trade Commission to study the role of intermediaries in the pharmaceutical supply chain and report on anti-competitive practices and other trends that impact how prescription medications are priced. In an effort to increase transparency, the FTC also would provide recommendations to Congress for potential legislative action. The bill was introduced on Jan. 26 by Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and is currently being considered in the Senate.

 

Noteworthy 2023 IRS Inflation Tax Changes and Accounting Considerations for High Inflation

4 min read

2023 IRS Inflation Tax ChangesWith the world seeing inflation, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has issued guidance for tax filers. Based upon an October 2022 IRS News Release, there have been more than 60 adjustments in conjunction with its yearly inflation alterations. Highlights of inflation adjustments include increasing the married couples’ standard deduction for 2023 by $1,800 to $27,700. Another highlight of inflation adjustments includes raising the threshold for the highest tax rate of 37 percent for individual taxpayers to an income higher than $578,125 or $693,750 if two married individuals are filing jointly.

However, there are certain things that are not subject to indexing for inflation. This includes permitting unlimited itemized deductions and maintaining the personal exemption at zero for the 2023 tax year – codified into law by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. The modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) amount used by joint filers to determine the reduction in the Lifetime Learning Credit (§25A(d)(2)) is not inflation adjusted for the taxable year (post-Dec. 31, 2020).

When it comes to the topic of inflation, while the United States experienced monthly inflation as high as 9.1 percent in 2022, there are considerations for economies and businesses operating in foreign jurisdictions where the rate of inflation is much higher for sustained periods of time (multiple years).

The International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), via International Accounting Standard IAS 29, explains how companies navigate financial statements if their primary currency used for commerce is the same legal tender experiencing hyperinflation in a particular economy, generally within a specific country. It also may be referred to as functional currency. IFRS generally looks at wages, pricing, and interest correlated with a price index increasing by at least 100 percent in aggregate over 36 months when determining if a company’s financial statements must be amended for economies with hyperinflation.

With PWC considering Argentina a hyperinflationary economy to entities whose functional currency is the Argentine peso, it’s considered so due to IAS 29. Specifically, IAS 29.3 details criteria when evaluating if indeed, an economy and its currency is experiencing hyperinflation. Select criteria include:

  • Residents of the subject jurisdiction attempting to preserve wealth via non-monetary assets or stable non-native currencies.
  • Business is indexed and transacted in non-native currencies with far lower rates of inflation.
  • When credit is the means of a transaction, it is priced at levels factoring in the expected debasement of the subject currency according to the time frame of the borrowing.

As of the 2019 publication, based on the 36-month lookback measuring inflation gauges and the IAS 29 evaluation criteria indicating hyperinflation, PWC determined the Argentina economy to be hyperinflationary. And according to IAS 29 standards, if a company’s primary legal tender it uses for commerce is the same as a country experiencing hyperinflation economic conditions, it must adhere to specific financial reporting standards.

Financial statements in hyperinflationary environments, according to IAS 29, that factor in relative details are required to be reported in the functional currency in up-to-date figures at the conclusion of the coverage time frame. When it comes to revising to current units of currency, businesses must use a general price index to account for inflationary changes. In addition to requiring a distinct declaration for a required business’ net monetary position, it must be reflected as proceeds or a decline in profits for the defined time frame.

The business must adhere to full disclosure, which includes transparency whereby financial statements have been restated, what price index the business relied upon to adjust for currency inflation considerations, and if the financial statements have been put together via historical or original costs versus current or fair value costs. The remaining requirement is that business results must assess its financial outcome and situation in its functional currency. Although according to IAS 21 guidelines, once financial results are restated, the restated functional currency can then be read in alternate forms of currency.

When it comes to inflation and the jurisdiction it occurs in, knowing the levels is important to help businesses account for times of normal and abnormally high levels. 

Supporting Veteran Careers, Protecting the Food Supply, and Reducing Wasted Government Spending

Supporting Veterans in STEM Careers Act (S 153) – This bill encourages veterans to participate in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) fields in a variety of ways, including making veterans eligible for certain National Science Foundation (NSF) programs. The Act directs the Office of Science and Technology Policy to establish an interagency working group to improve veteran and military spouse representation in STEM fields, and authorizes funding for the Government Accountability Office to study 1) the academic success rates of student veterans pursuing an undergraduate degree in STEM and related fields; and 2) the barriers faced by such students in pursuing such degrees. This legislation was sponsored by Sen. Marco Rubio (D-FL) on Jan. 16, 2019. It was passed in the Senate in December, the House in January, and was signed into law by the president on Feb. 11.

Protecting America’s Food and Agriculture Act of 2019 (S 2107) – This legislation directs U.S. Customs and Border Protection to hire and train more agricultural inspectors at land, air and sea ports to prevent African swine fever and other foreign animal diseases from entering the United States. The legislation was sponsored by Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI). It was introduced on July 11, 2019, passed the Senate (October) and then House (February) and is currently waiting to be signed by the president.

Payment Integrity Information Act of 2019 (S 375) – This bipartisan bill is designed to reduce federal government waste in the form of overpayments, underpayments, payments made to ineligible recipients or payments that are not properly documented. It authorizes the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to establish pilot programs to test potential accountability mechanisms for compliance requirements, such as updating a plan to improve the integrity and usage of Social Security death data. The Act was introduced on Feb. 7, 2019, by Sen. Thomas Carper (D-DE); it passed the Senate in July, the House in February and is currently waiting to be enacted.

Presidential Transition Enhancement Act of 2019 (S 394) – This law requires eligible presidential candidates (as of September of an election year) to develop and release transition team ethics plans, including how they will address their own conflicts of interest, prior to election day. It also is designed to focus a transitioning government on ongoing issues in the public interest during the changeover so that priorities are not shifted to solely address those of special interest lobbyists. The bipartisan bill, introduced by Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI) on Feb.7, 2019, was passed by the Senate in August and the House in February. It is awaiting signature by the president.

United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement Implementation Act (HR 5340) – Introduced by Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-MD), this legislation represents the new trade agreement between the United States, Mexico and Canada to replace the North American Free Trade Agreement. This bill passed in both the House and Senate and was signed by the president on Jan. 29. Mexico has also signed the agreement. However, Canada is still in the process of getting it ratified through Parliamentary procedures.

PIRATE Act (HR 583) – This bill dramatically increases the fine for operating a “Pirate Radio” station, in which people set up their own stations outside the official Federal Communications Commission (FCC) system. The maximum fine increases from $19,639 to $100,000 per day, with a maximum total fine capped at $2 million, up from $147,290. The legislation was introduced by Rep. Paul Tonko (D-NY) in January 2019. It passed in the House in February 2019 and in Senate in January 2020. The bill was signed into law on Jan. 24.

6506148 B2 Patent: Nervous System Manipulation – Is it Real or Just Paranoia?

Imagine someone manipulating how you feel. Of course, no one wants that. But how about being manipulated unknowingly? This is exactly what is happening to your nervous system every time you switch on your TV or computer.

Well, at least according to the 6506148 B2 Patent.

The patent named “Nervous System Manipulation By Electromagnetic Fields From Monitors” was filed in 2001 and published in 2003. The patent was filed by one Hendricus G. Loss (perceived to be a fictitious person as no information about who he really is can be traced).

Is it Worth Any Attention?

We already know that the content displayed on TVs or even on the internet is created in such a way as to influence decisions, such as when making a purchase or standing behind certain beliefs.

The mind control subject has been a topic of discussion for a long time. Although initially considered a conspiracy theory, its reality has been observed in the content displayed by mainstream media.

But how about manipulation through the nervous system?

Science teaches us that the work of the nervous system is to carry messages throughout the body and control your senses. The nervous system, according to neuroscientists, is controlled by the brain.

Now, the brain is said to be a complex bioelectrical organ that produces electric fields.

That’s why it’s believed that you can rewire your brain through techniques such as listening to binaural beats. Scientists also claim to control brain functions with a technique that uses powerful electromagnetic radiation. This technique, known as Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), can jam or excite particular brain circuits.

Think of how you are not allowed to use cell phones in some areas of a hospital or in an airplane (where some only allow use in airplane mode). This is so that the electromagnetic transmission of the phone does not interfere with critical electrical devices.

So if a brain is a bioelectrical organ, is there a possibility of manipulating it?

How it Happens, According to 6506148 B2 Patent

Here is a short excerpt from the patent abstract:

“Physiological effects have been observed in a human subject in response to stimulation of the skin with weak electromagnetic fields that are pulsed with certain frequencies near ½ Hz or 2.4 Hz, such as to excite a sensory resonance. Many computer monitors and TV tubes, when displaying pulsed images, emit pulsed electromagnetic fields of sufficient amplitudes to cause such excitation.

It is, therefore, possible to manipulate the nervous system of a subject by pulsing images displayed on a nearby computer monitor or TV set. For the latter, the image pulsing may be embedded in the program material, or it may be overlaid by modulating a video stream, either as an RF signal or as a video signal. The image displayed on a computer monitor may be pulsed effectively by a simple computer program. For certain monitors, pulsed electromagnetic fields capable of exciting sensory resonances in nearby subjects may be generated even as the displayed images are pulsed with subliminal intensity.”

The US Patent 6506148 B2 is a confirmation of the possibility to manipulate the nervous system. The patent includes 14 claims including how video can be used to manipulate the nervous system.

Is it just a conspiracy theory?

Well, it’s not easy to tell. But we can’t ignore the concerns raised in regards to electromagnetic fields (EMF). The EMF issue has raised so much concern that in May 2015, 190 scientists from 39 nations submitted an Appeal to the United Nations requesting the World Health Organization (WHO) adopt more EMF exposure protective guidelines.

Such concerns are an indication that the patent should not be ignored. It also goes to show that apart from your electronic devices recording, monitoring and watching everything you are doing, they can also influence living organisms’ feelings, perceptions, thoughts and behavior.

Switch off that Screen

Well, this is practically not possible. The dependence on these electronic devices is so high that we are practically immobilized if they were to be turned off. Electronics have become part of human attachment.

The age of the Internet of Things (IoT) doesn’t make it any better. Now that we are surrounded by electromagnetic emitting devices, the patent serves as an alert to the public of the possibility of what could happen if these technologies were used unethically.

Unfortunately, the technology is here to stay. The only option is to minimize the exposure from your EMF emitting devices. Therefore it’s not a bad idea to try something different: read a book, go hiking, take a walk or simply switch off that screen when you can.

7 Ways to Avoid Investment Fraud

These days, you can’t be too careful when it comes to investments. And if you’re older, you’re a prime target for fraudsters. That said, anyone of any age is vulnerable. Here are a few key things to keep in mind when you’re considering investing.

Ask Lots of Questions

Of course, you’re going to ask questions, but make sure you ask the right ones. Is the product registered with the SEC or state securities agencies? What are the fees? How does the company make money? What things might affect the value of the investment? Are my investment goals aligned with the investment? How liquid is this investment? For more ideas about what questions to ask, check out this comprehensive resource from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Do Your Research

And we don’t mean simply Googling them. If you’re thinking about investing in a publicly traded company, go immediately to the SEC’s EDGAR database. You can look up the prospective company to see if it’s legitimate.

Beware of Unbelievable Returns

If something sounds too good to be true, chances are it is. If you hear that the investment will make “incredible gains,” is a “breakout stock pick” or has a “huge upside and almost no risk,” these are big red flags of fraud. Further, if the salesperson promises a guaranteed return, you know this isn’t true; every equity investment has a modicum of risk.

Resist ‘Act Now’ Offers

If someone tells you that this investment is a once-in-a-lifetime offer and it will be gone tomorrow, walk away. Another scam tactic is one that claims “everyone is investing in X stock, and so should you.” As irresistible as this might sound, don’t succumb to the pressure. It’s a trick.

Avoid Reciprocity

One of the most common lures that tricksters use are free seminars that include lunch. They play on your guilt and figure that if they do something for you, you’ll return the favor and invest. It’s never a good idea to invest on the spot. Take the materials home and do your research. With that said, not every free seminar is bogus. Just follow through with your due diligence and protect yourself.

Know Your Salesperson

We’re not talking “know,” as in you follow them on social media or you have a number of mutual friends and they come highly recommended. But even if you’re connected with them through a seemingly respected company and you “feel” like they’re trustworthy, don’t trust blindly. Check them out at BrokerCheck, an online database maintained by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). This is a nongovernmental group that watches over securities firms and dealers. Remember: credibility can be faked. Don’t be duped.

Stay Away from Robocalls, Emails and Late Night TV ads

Let’s be honest, legitimate companies don’t reach people this way. However, swindlers can be very persuasive. But stand your ground. Don’t budge. When it comes to seniors, crooks view them as “more trusting” and less likely to say no. The truth is that older people are more often targeted because the supposition is that they have more assets to tap into – aka steal. Don’t let these buggers woo you. Hang up, hit delete or change the TV channel.

If you’ve taken every precaution and you still feel like you need help before you make an investment decision, consult your accountant or financial planner. When it comes to your hard-earned money, it’s worth all the time in the world.

Sources

https://www.investor.gov/protect-your-investments/fraud/how-avoid-fraud/what-you-can-do-avoid-investment-fraud

SECURE Act Seeks to Help Americans Save More for the Golden Years

At the end of 2019, Congress passed the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement (SECURE) Act as part of a year-end appropriations package. This bill is designed to address specific issues related to retirement savings plans in an effort to help Americans save more for retirement.

Retirement Plan Contributions

People are living longer, and a decrease in employer-sponsored pensions has resulted in retirees relying more on Social Security benefits than in the past. So first, the SECURE Act eliminated the age limit on traditional IRA contributions so that people who work into their 70s and beyond may continue to contribute to the traditional IRA up to the annual limit. In 2020, the limit for all IRAs – traditional and Roth combined – is $6,000; $7,000 for individuals age 50 and older.

Retirement Plan Distributions

The SECURE Act also extends how long retirees may keep money invested in their traditional IRA, 401(k)s and other defined-contribution plans before mandating distributions. Starting this year, people who turn 70½ after Dec. 31, 2019 may delay having to start taking annual required minimum distributions (RMD) until age 72.

Inherited IRAs Reigned In

The Stretch IRA is an advantage bestowed to non-spouse beneficiaries who inherit an IRA. While a benefit still exists, the SECURE Act makes it somewhat less advantageous. Starting in 2020, assets in these inherited accounts must be fully distributed by Dec. 31 of the 10th year following the death year of the IRA owner. This means that annual distributions will be larger and the investment will no longer be able to grow beyond 10 years.

Employer-Sponsored Retirement Plans

The SECURE Act also made changes to employer-sponsored retirement plans. For example, it allows employers to increase the cap on automatic payroll contributions to 15 percent (up from 10 percent) of an employee’s paycheck. Research has found that automatic payroll deductions have been instrumental in improving both participation and savings rates among employer retirement plans. However, employees continue to have the ability to retain their current contribution level (or opt out of the plan entirely).

The legislation also requires employers that sponsor a defined-contribution plan to offer it to any long-term, part-time workers. The criteria for this requirement are that individuals must be age 21 or older and work at least 500 hours each year, for three years in row. However, the measurement time for this requirement doesn’t start until 2021.

The SECURE Act attempts to replace the secure pension plan by making it more attractive for employers to offer a lifetime income option as part of their 401(k) plan. Also known as an annuity, this option allows the worker to use his or her retirement plan contributions to purchase an annuity contract over time.

In the past, employers were reluctant to include an annuity option because they could be held liable if the annuity provider is unable to fund the retirement income guaranteed by the annuity contract. To help alleviate this concern, the SECURE Act protects the employer from liability as long as it chooses an annuity insurer that, for at least seven years, is 1) licensed by that state’s insurance commissioner; 2) has filed audited financial statements in accordance with state laws; and 3) maintains the statutory requirements for reserves among all states where the provider does business.

Employers that offer an annuity option must now issue a customized statement each year that estimates how much plan participants would receive in monthly retirement income based on the current balance of their annuity. When employees retire or take a new job, they can transfer their in-plan annuity to another 401(k) or an IRA without incurring fees or surrender charges.

The SECURE Act also provides new benefits for small businesses that sponsor a retirement plan for employees. They may now receive up to $5,000 to offset retirement plan startup costs, and can get an additional $500 tax credit per year for three years if their plan features auto-enrollment for new hires. The bill makes it possible for small employers in unrelated industries to open a multiple-employer 401(k) plan (MEP) in order to share administrative costs.

Conclusion

Overall, the various provisions of the SECURE Act described above are designed to make retirement savings easier and more accessible. Small businesses will find it less burdensome to offer both full- and part-time employees 401(k) plans by providing tax credits and protections on collective Multiple Employer Plans. Individuals will find they have more flexibility in managing their accounts later in life. Overall, the SECURE Act should ease the coming retirement crisis as demographics change by helping people prepare better.

Coronavirus: Black Swan or Buying Opportunity?

According to the World Economic Forum (WEF), the spread of the coronavirus will impact the world’s economy. Whether it’s a Reuter’s poll from economic experts projecting growth in China slowing to 4.5 percent in Q1 of 2020, in contrast to China’s Q4 GDP of 6 percent; or the International Energy Agency (IEA) saying world desire for oil will be lower due to the coronavirus; or global companies reducing or temporarily closing their Chinese factories, change is on its way. Based on this data, what does the global economic outlook entail?

In order to understand how the coronavirus might impact global economies, it’s important to put this in context of other global events. Based on a February 2020 Monetary Policy Report from The Federal Reserve, there’s a mixed outlook for recent and projected economic activity. While the Fed notes that oil prices have increased over the past six months of 2019, in part due to OPEC members cutting production and brief tensions with Iran in January 2020, The Fed attributes more recent drops in oil prices to the coronavirus and associated lowered global demand.

Due to China’s already slowing economy, the IEA is projecting 435,000 fewer barrels of oil on an annual basis during Q1 of 2020, the worst in a decade. Looking at statistics from the United Nation’s International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), airlines are expected to see revenue losses of between $4 billion and $5 billion in the first three months of 2020. With the coronavirus impacting China, thereby reducing outbound travel to Japan and Thailand, losses could be as big as $1.29 billion and $1.15 billion for each respective country.

The Fed explains that in 2019, manufacturing has been challenged both globally and domestically. Citing the industrial production (IP) index, the first six months of 2019 saw declines in both domestic and global activity. For 2019, U.S. production dropped by 1.3 percent for durable and non-durable goods. This is attributed to trade issues with China, soft economic growth worldwide, less than aggressive investment from businesses, declining oil prices that lower continued production by crude producers and production issues with Boeing’s 737 Max airplanes.

However, despite the manufacturing slowdown in China, the United States’ manufacturing base shouldn’t see the same impact from the coronavirus. The Fed says that factoring in purchasing materials for production on the input end, and transporting, wholesaling and retailing products post production, the drop of 1.3 percent on the industrial production index equates to a 0.5 percent drop in U.S. GDP. For context, compared to the U.S. manufacturing employing 30 percent of workers 70 years ago, it presently employs 9 percent of workers.

One way to see how the coronavirus might play out is to look at how SARS impacted China in 2003. Based on data from the National Bureau of Statistics in China, it took three months, during Q1 of 2003, where China’s economic growth dropped to 9.1 percent, from 11.1 percent. While a much smaller economy, on a global scale, in future quarters China was able to grow at an annualized rate of 10 percent, per Refinitiv. However, economists note that if SARS didn’t impact China, there could have been another 0.5 percent to 1 percent increase in annual growth.

Another comparison with SARS is China’s retail sales. Refinitiv shows that May 2003 retail sales dropped to 4.3 percent. This is compared to between 8 percent and 10 percent for retail sales figures in March 2003 and July 2003, showing how serious the impact SARS made, but also China’s resiliency.

While the Chinese economy impacts the global economy today more than when SARS hit, it also has a more responsive economy and a larger middle class. Only time will tell as to the coronavirus’ impact, but based on past experience, it should only be a matter of time before China’s (and the global) economy bounces back to greater economic output.