Wealth Management Center
Preserving and enhancing wealth for the future with financial-planning experts Bill Cass and Chris Hennessey
Higher education tax breaks may be overlooked
August 9, 2017
There are several tax-advantaged provisions for higher education in the tax code that may be overlooked as multiple provisions may cause confusion.
ADVISOR-ONLY WEBCAST SERIES
September 27, 2017 | 1:15pm ET
Intergenerational wealth transfer — What you need to know
Bill Cass, CFP®, Director Wealth Management Programs at Putnam
Chris Hennessey, Lawyer and CPA, Putnam Business Advisory Group
Don’t lose sight of discretionary spending in retirement plan
Planning for both discretionary spending as well as essential expenses is important when saving for retirement.
House and Senate proposals include tax cuts in ACA repeal
Tax relief and the elimination of health insurance mandates could be realized if proposals to repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA) advance on Capitol Hill.
Trends in living arrangements require a fresh look at planning
Because marital status plays a prominent role in financial rules, living arrangements such as non-traditional households may result in planning challenges.
Soaring health costs create opportunity for HSAs
Many savers with access to HSAs are using these accounts to save for future health costs.
Strategies to reduce AMT
About 4 million taxpayers each year get hit with the alternative minimum tax. Yet there are strategies for investors to try to mitigate or avoid the AMT.
Tax reform proposals may limit deductions, loopholes
As discussion around tax changes increases on Capitol Hill, proposals point to a reduction in tax preference items and tax loopholes.
After the celebration: New graduates focus on finances
Seeking advice and developing a financial plan can be critical for graduates navigating next steps after college.
Consider a 529 plan for a tax-smart way to save for college
A 529 plan may be part of a strategy to utilize tax-advantaged savings to meet the rising cost of college.
Research uncovers the value of a college degree
With rising costs and the planning time needed to prepare for college, some parents and students may wonder if a college degree is worth the investment.
A communications failure can derail your legacy
When wealth transfer fails from one generation to the next, a communications failure may be one of the leading causes.
Social strategies to meet clients' families
As trillions of dollars are expected to move from boomers to the next generation, advisors may consider using social strategies to meet the entire family.
Identifying key contacts in the next generation of investors
Only a small percentage of heirs stay with the financial advisor used by their parents, making it critical for advisors to connect with the next generation.
Huge wealth transfer sparks ideas as advisors rethink their businesses
In a new wave of wealth transfer, $30 trillion is projected to move to the next generation over 30 years, leading some advisors to rethink their businesses.
Escalating U.S. debt may weigh on financial plans
U.S. debt is at its highest level in decades which could drive tax policy changes as lawmakers seek to increase federal revenue.
Can decanting add flexibility to estate planning?
When the tax landscape is unclear, flexibility can be important. For investors with irrevocable trusts, some states give trustees more flexibility with decanting.
A tax diversification strategy may help investors cover their bases
In an uncertain policy environment, it may make sense for investors to also consider tax diversification when planning for retirement income.
Little-known strategy provides for IRA-to-HSA transfer
A strategy that allows investors to make an IRA-to-HSA transfer may be used only once in a lifetime.
How an LLC can help safeguard assets
A limited liability company (LLC) is among several strategies that may help protect assets from creditor risk.
Republicans take first step to repeal Obamacare
Congressional Republicans this week introduced the American Health Care Act in a move to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act.
Create a roadmap for family in case of emergency
Creating instructions, much like a roadmap, can be among the most helpful item you can leave to family members trying to manage your estate.
Action plan helps families prepare for college
Having an action plan can help families and students prepare for college as they navigate the process throughout the high school years.
Retirement planning for the end of the year
The fourth quarter is an opportune time to take inventory of retirement accounts and review actions such as required minimum distributions and planning strategies before year-end.
Prepare clients for year-end planning
Gifting, required retirement distributions, and charitable donations are among many planning actions that need attention by the end of the year.
There's still time to implement tax-smart strategies
Determining an individual's tax bracket will drive which tax-smart strategies to implement, including managing income, capital gains and losses.
Some estate-planning benefits may be lost if not used
Investors may want to explore gifting and other estate-planning strategies to take advantage of tax benefits that may be limited.
Debt ceiling debate and federal budget on Capitol Hill agenda
As Congress faces a December deadline for the federal budget, the debt ceiling debate was moved up sooner than expected.
Chris Hennessey is Professor Emeritus of Law at the Babson College School of Executive Education and member of the Putnam Investments Business Advisory Group. His opinions do not necessarily reflect those of Putnam Investments.