Analysis of Goal-Related Topics
When we develop an investment plan for you, we focus on defining optimal solutions for the investment goals you have set. You may have investment goals related to retirement, college for your children, etc. Listed below are some common goal-related topics, and a brief description of some information about them.
- Retirement planning (if you have not reached retirement age). Recommendations will usually cover the time period from today through your projected life expectancy. This includes the accumulation phase while you are working and the withdrawal phase after you retire.
- Retirement planning (after you reach retirement age). Many investment decisions still need to be made after you are retired. Recommendations are focused on optimizing the performance of your portfolio to meet retirement needs.
- Private school planning for children. Tax-free investment accounts now exist for parents who want to save and invest to pay for private elementary and secondary schooling for their children.
- College planning for children (if they are not in college yet). New tax-advantaged investment accounts now exist especially for parents who want to save and invest for their children's college education.
- College planning for children (if they are already in college). It is even possible to take advantage of some tax-advantaged investment accounts even after the child has started college.
- Education (primary, secondary, college) planning for grandchildren. If you want to contribute to the educational expenses for your grandchildren, there are now tax-advantaged accounts you can contribute to. This can also be part of your estate planning.
- Planning for charitable giving. Using donor-advised charitable funds, there are ways to pull forward the tax benefits of charitable giving.
- Planning for probate. After your death, some of your investment assets may be subject to probate. Probate is a judicial procedure that is usually long, expensive, and painful to your heirs. There are straightforward ways to reduce or eliminate the quantity of assets that must pass through probate.
- Planning for estate taxes. After your death, your estate may be subject to Federal and State estate taxes. It is important to structure your assets and legal documents in a way to take advantage of both the individual exemption and the spousal exemption. Otherwise, your estate may pay unnecessary estate taxes, to the detriment of your heirs.
