Description
The April issue of Financial Advisor magazine will cover topics such as: Estate Planning, Investment Planning, Retirement Planning, Tax Planning, and Charitable Planning.
Learning Objectives
Learning Objectives:
Estate Planning, Investment Planning, Retirement Planning, Tax Planning, and Charitable Planning.
Estate Planning — Readers will learn about how properly structured corporate security programs can provide tax-advantaged protection that extends beyond the executive to family members. The article highlights innovative estate planning strategies that blend security with tax efficiency.
Investment Planning — Readers will learn about the performance and strategy of the George Putnam Balanced Fund. The fund adheres to a traditional 60/40 strategy, slightly overweighting equities, which has boosted performance. It focuses on U.S. equities and investment-grade bonds. Experts also discuss the fund's approach to managing risks and the potential benefits of a balanced portfolio in volatile markets.
Retirement Planning — Readers will learn about the potential of annuities as a solution for guaranteed retirement income within employer-sponsored retirement plans. Despite their benefits, adoption has been slow due to concerns about cost, complexity and inflexibility. Recent legislative changes and technological advancements are addressing these hurdles. The article also highlights three emerging solutions for integrating annuities into retirement plans and emphasizes the need for better education on their benefits to increase adoption.
Tax Planning — Readers will learn about the advantages and tax implications of hiring a spouse as an employee for business owner clients. Advisors highlight that while this can unlock tax benefits, it must be structured correctly to ensure the IRS views the spouse as a legitimate employee. Benefits include business deductions, retirement savings and health insurance perks. However, the type of business entity affects the tax efficiency of these benefits.
Charitable Planning — Readers will learn about the growing importance of philanthropy among wealthy clients, noting significant increases in grants and donor-advised funds. Despite challenges like market volatility and policy uncertainty, digital transformation and AI are making charitable giving more efficient. The article also discusses the influence of younger generations on philanthropy. Financial advisors play a crucial role in bridging generational gaps and aligning clients' charitable goals with their values.