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Over modern U.S. history, we’ve hardly gone a moment without hearing predictions of America’s imminent downfall. In that sense, you might say that declinism is one of the great American past times. During his 1960 Presidential campaign, John F. Kennedy painted a scary picture of a Russian enemy well on its way to world domination […]
The devastating Los Angeles wildfires at the start of the year serve as a sobering reminder of the role insurance plays in protecting against major financial loss. Without adequate coverage, you could be forced to draw from savings, retirement funds, or other investments to cover unexpected losses. At Clifford Swan, while we are not insurance […]
As the year winds down, it’s the perfect time to pause and take a close look at your financial goals. Even if you’ve reached some big milestones, there still could be a few valuable moves you can make before year-end. With IRS deadlines approaching, now’s the moment to make some proactive choices that could leave you […]
We’ve written before about protecting yourself from financial fraud and encourage you to keep this threat in mind. As technological advances have improved our lives in many ways, an unfortunate side effect is technology’s role in helping cybercriminals construct more sophisticated financial scams. Recently, some of our clients have experienced more advanced phishing attempts that […]
Since the SECURE Act was passed in 2019, it has been clear that those who inherited IRAs after 2020 needed to draw them down within 10 years, what hadn’t been finalized was whether annual RMDs were required. On July 18, 2024, the IRS released final regulations confirming the requirement for Non-Designated Beneficiaries of IRAs to […]
As Investment Counselors, my colleagues and I are immersed in the world of financial rules and systems. Whether we are studying the investment markets and accessing trading platforms, dealing with our custodial partners, connecting with our clients’ banking providers, or strategizing with related professionals from the legal, accounting and insurance fields, we coordinate this complex […]
It’s 2:00 a.m., and you are sleeping soundly when your cell phone rings from an unknown number. You answer the phone to hear your grandson’s voice on the other side. He is in distress and explains he was in a car accident. It was his fault, and he needs some money to get out of […]
In April, the Internal Revenue Service waived penalties for beneficiaries of individual retirement accounts subject to required minimum distributions under the 10-year rule that do not take distributions in 2024. This extends the relief period for RMDs that would have had to been taken from 2020 through 2023 to include the 2024 tax year. The 10-year […]
With payout rates higher than they have been in more than a decade, and possible interest rate cuts on the horizon, now is an opportune time to consider establishing a charitable gift annuity. As we’ve said in previous articles, charitable gift annuities can be a great option for donors seeking an income stream. The mechanics are […]
Imagine a journey where your financial success knows no bounds and your potential is limitless. You are an achiever, and your ambition is the driving force behind your success. Now, let’s channel that energy into your financial roadmap with the guidance of a dedicated investment counselor. We’ll explore how, together, you can create a narrative […]
Every year income taxpayers need to decide between taking the standard deduction or itemizing. For those that itemize deductions, a strategy to combine two years’ worth of charitable giving into one year has been a financial planning consideration for years. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) of 2017 made this strategy even more relevant. […]
The Internal Revenue Service has again postponed releasing final rules on required minimum distributions for inherited individual retirement accounts. Because of the delay, some beneficiaries of IRAs inherited after 2019 won’t be penalized for not taking required minimum distributions in 2023. <br> BACKGROUND There have been many important legislative changes for retirement accounts over the past few […]
The cost of education has never been higher. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the cost of education has increased by two times the inflation rate since 2000. Despite the increase in education costs, tax-advantaged 529 savings plans, which are the primary savings vehicle for education, have been underfunded by most Americans. Concerns […]
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