Are you one of the many retirement account holders who took a mandatory distribution this year? If so, you may be able to manage the taxes associated with Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) from traditional IRAs and 401(k)s. There...
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Starting a Roth IRA for a Teen This early financial decision could prove helpful over time. Want to give your child or grandchild a great financial start? A Roth IRA might be a choice to consider. There are many reasons why starting a...
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Lately, it can feel like each day brings a new headline about fluctuating market behavior. But amid the ups and downs of 2020, there may be some potential good news on the horizon. On July 16, 2020, the interest rate for a 30-year...
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If you’re like most of us, you’ve probably been thinking about your health quite a bit lately — especially if you’re approaching retirement. Trust me, I understand. Anticipating your future medical costs can...
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The National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) reported in recent weeks that the U.S. economy officially entered a recession in February 2020. This transition brought a 128-month expansion to an end, the longest in post World War II...
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Who Is Your Trusted Contact? This vital investment account question should be answered sooner rather than later. Investment firms have a new client service requirement. They must now ask you if you would like to provide the name and...
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Cybersecurity Protecting yourself from potential calamity. Cybercrime affects both large corporations and private individuals. You’ve likely read about the large data breaches in the business world. These crimes are both...
Read MoreAs I’m sure you know, the $2 trillion “Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security” (“CARES”) Act was recently signed into law. The CARES Act is designed to help those most impacted by the COVID-19...
Read MoreGood afternoon!Scammers, fraudsters, and other criminals are taking advantage of rapidly changing data and facts associated with COVID-19, both in the workplace and in our homes. Government agencies, corporations, and news outlets...
Read MoreIn light of current events and potential financial difficulties caused by the COVID-19 outbreak, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has postponed the 2019 federal income tax filing and payment deadline until July 15, 2020.1,2,3 Those...
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Monday, March 16, 2020
The health and safety of our employees, advisors, and clients are always our top priority. So, I wanted to reach out to provide an update on how Ross & Mary Hunt, Inc. is handling the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, and offer some...
Read MoreWe witnessed an extraordinary move in the financial markets on Monday, March 9. The Dow Industrials lost over 2,000 points, as Coronavirus fears continued to worry investors. At the same time, oil prices lost nearly 25 percent, on news...
Read MoreBusiness Continuity Plans Prepare now to better protect your business in the future. As a business owner, you’ve worked hard for your success. The long hours, the difficult decisions, and the sacrifices you have made have led to...
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What is an Annuity? What you should know about them. Individuals hold about $2.2 trillion in annuity contracts; a tidy sum considering an estimated $9.2 trillion is held in all types of IRAs.1 Annuity contracts are purchased from an...
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Read MoreWill You Avoid These Estate Planning Mistakes? Too many wealthy households commit these common blunders. Many people plan their estates diligently, with input from legal, tax, and financial professionals. Others plan earnestly but make...
Read MoreIn this month’s recap: Stocks, gold, and oil all surge, a door opens for U.S.-China trade talks to resume, and the Federal Reserve suddenly sounds dovish. Monthly Economic Update Presented by Ross Hunt, CFP®, July 2019 THE...
Read MoreTax EfficiencyWhat it means; why it counts. The after-tax return vs. the pretax return.Everyone wants their investments to perform well. But for many investors it’s their after-tax return that may make all the difference. After...
Read MoreFederal Student Loan Interest Rates Decrease for 2019-2020 For the first time in three years, interest rates on federal student loans will decrease for the 2019-2020 academic year. The lower rates apply to new federal student loans...
Read MoreSigns of Elder Abuse Physical, mental, and financial warning signals. Is someone taking advantage of someone you love? June 15 is World Elder Abuse Prevention Day, a day to call attention to a crisis that may become even more common as...
Read MoreIn this month’s recap: major stock benchmarks descend as new developments in the U.S.-China tariff dispute lead to a broad risk-off in equities; consumer confidence surges, while the housing market cools. Monthly Economic...
Read MoreThe Financial Realities of Longevity Your financial future is up to you and no one else. What will be your future?You know that solid retirement strategy takes your time horizon, an often unpredictable factor, into consideration. Your...
Read MoreKey Person Insurance A way for businesses – especially niche businesses – to address a major risk. Who are the people most crucial to your business? Have you taken steps to insure them?
Read MoreIn this month’s recap: the S&P 500 returns to record territory, key economic indicators show strength, oil continues its ascent, and existing home sales decline.
Read MoreExplaining the Basis of Inherited Real Estate What is cost basis? Stepped-up basis? How does the home sale tax exclusion work? At some point in our lives, we may inherit a home or another form of real property.In such instances, we...
Read MoreCan an IRA Be a College Savings Vehicle? You might be surprised at its potential. An IRA is a retirement savings account, right? Indeed.
Read MoreThe High Cost of Health Care A financial strategy can take health care costs into account. One of the most ubiquitous aspects of social media in recent years has been the arrival of Americans crowdfunding around a major health issue....
Read MoreIn this month’s recap: the Federal Reserve sees no rate hikes in 2019, investors watch Treasury yields with interest, hiring suddenly weakens, home sales pick up, and the price of oil tops $60. Monthly Economic Update Presented...
Read MoreRetiring Single If you are retiring single, income replacement and staying socially engaged should be considerations. About 6% of Americans 65 and older have never married. That statistic comes from a 2018 Census Bureau report, which...
Read MoreAn Executor Checklist The steps you may need to take to fulfill a major responsibility. If you are an executor to an estate, you must carry out your duties responsibly. Fulfilling these duties is not only a measure of your ability, but...
Read MoreIn this month’s recap: domestic and foreign shares (and many commodities) advance, as two major investor anxieties ease for the moment. Monthly Economic Update Presented by Ross Hunt, CFP®, March 2019 THE MONTH IN BRIEF You...
Read MoreMajor Risks to Family Wealth Will your accumulated assets be threatened by them? All too often, family wealth fails to last. One generation builds a business – or even a fortune – and it is lost in ensuing decades. Why does...
Read MoreFinancial Strategy for Athletes Step One: Find a trusted financial coach; Step Two: Listen to your coach. Whether you are a professional athlete, a college amateur, or an aspiring Olympian, you probably know what success feels like....
Read MoreIn this month’s recap: equities rally here and around the world, economic fundamentals look solid, the pace of home sales slows, and oil surges. Monthly Economic Update Presented by Ross Hunt, CFP®, February 2019 THE MONTH IN...
Read MoreInvestment Policy Statements What are they? Why are they important? A self-fulfilling policy. An investment policy statement (IPS) is a document which helps the client and advisor stay “on the same page” by clearly stating...
Read MoreIn this month’s recap: equity and commodity markets experience major losses, the Fed sends a hawkish message, home sales improve, and the economy maintains its momentum. Monthly Economic Update Presented by Ross Hunt, CFP®,...
Read MoreThis popular retirement savings vehicle comes in several varieties. What don’t you know? Many Americans know about Roth and traditional IRAs, but there are other types of Individual Retirement Arrangements. Here’s a quick...
Read MoreWise moves to make before things are finalized. Before your divorce goes through, it will be wise to check up on financial matters. It will be better to assess the state of your financial life before the split rather than after. Find...
Read MoreComparing the old rules with the new. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act made dramatic changes to federal tax law. It is worth reviewing some of these changes as 2019 approaches and households and businesses refine their income tax strategies....
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Thursday, May 3, 2018
Are Millennial Women Saving Enough for Retirement? The available data is more encouraging than discouraging. Women 35 and younger are often hard-pressed to save money. Student loans may be outstanding; young children may need to be...
Read MoreThe habits and values of wealthy Americans. Just how many millionaires does America have? By the latest estimation of Spectrem Group, a research firm studying affluent and high net worth investors, it has more than ever before. In 2015...
Read MoreWhat is cost basis? Stepped-up basis? How does the home sale tax exclusion work? At some point in our lives, we may inherit a home or another form of real property. In such instances, we need to understand some of the jargon involving...
Read MoreYour approach to building wealth should be built around your goals & values. Just what is “comprehensive financial planning?” As you invest and save for retirement, you will no doubt hear or read about it – but what...
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Wednesday, January 24, 2018
If you do, there are some “minor concerns” to keep in mind. Should you make a minor child the primary beneficiary of your IRA? Are there any caveats to that choice? IRA owners frequently name young children as contingent...
Read MoreThe "HUNT" Club A monthly newsletter for our clients and friends July 2017 Edition
Read MoreThe "HUNT" Club A monthly newsletter for our clients and friends June 2017 Edition
Read MoreHere is a way for a solopreneur to save much more for retirement. Self-employed? Seeking to ramp up your retirement savings? You should look at the potential of the Roth Solo 401(k). If you are a high-earning solopreneur, this savings...
Read MoreDoes taking a Roth IRA distribution affect the taxation of Social Security benefits? Generally, no. If the Roth IRA distribution is a qualified distribution (i.e., it’s made after 5 years and because the Roth IRA owner is age 59...
Read MorePress-Release - Ed Slott IRA Conference – May 2017
Read MoreThe "HUNT" Club A monthly newsletter for our clients and friends May 2017 Edition
Read MoreIf an investor chooses a non-human financial advisor, what price could they end up paying? Investors have a choice today that they did not have a decade ago. They can seek investing and retirement planning guidance from a human...
Read MoreContributions to a traditional IRA may be tax deductible in the contribution year, with current income tax due at withdrawal. Withdrawals prior to age 59 may result in a 10% IRS penalty tax in addition to current income tax. The Roth...
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Read MoreHow do you claim them? How much can you receive? About 5 million widowed Americans get Social Security survivor benefits. If your spouse has passed, you may be eligible to collect them. This means that you could receive as much as 100%...
Read MoreThe answer depends on your income. Your Social Security income could be taxed. That may seem unfair, or unfathomable. Regardless of how you feel about it, it is a possibility. Seniors have had to contend with this possibility since...
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