CPI jumped higher this week, and analysts expect PPI to make another big increase. What does this level of inflation mean for the markets, and are investors seeing a buying opportunity or a reason to get out? Annex Wealth Management’s Dave Spano and Derek Felske discuss.
Women are outliving their male counterparts by 6-8 years, and many wind up as caregivers for ailing parents or significant others. Yet, studies show women tend to start financial planning later than they should.
Why? In our recent poll we asked readers their thoughts on this.
The majority of readers (78%) answered “all of the above”:
- Historically, women have tended to wind up as caregivers of people instead…
- Women have tended to wait until a major incident happens to start financial planning
- In the past, many women tend to let their partner do the financial planning
- Women recently have begun to have more of a say in financial planning
While the next most-popular answer was “In the past, many women tend to let their partner do the financial planning,” it turns out poll-takers agreed. There’s no simple answer. As social mores and expectations change, women have a lot on their plates and tend to put their own needs last.
Annex Wealth Management’s Director of Client Learning & Development, Deanne Phillips, CFP®, CDFA®, ABFPsm discusses breaking this cycle and encourages women of all ages that it’s never too late to start financial planning:
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Consider these 11 Reasons to Start Estate Planning | Part 2
Last week, we gave you the first five reasons you need an estate plan. You can check it out HERE.
This week we continue on the same path with a few more things that may help move estate planning to the top of your to-do list in 2022.
6. Relieve Future Tensions Between Family Members
Unfortunately, inheriting money or even the expectation of inheriting money can create new tension and dynamics between family members that never existed before. Or worse yet, the tension from inheriting money can permanently sever family relationships.
If you’ve made gifts to some family members, you’ll want to document and account for those within the estate plan, even if it is to say you want an equal distribution despite those gifts.
Alternatively, if you want to disinherit certain individuals or treat beneficiaries equitably rather than equally, planning makes the process clearer. But even then, communicating your plans to all those family members is critical.
7. A Small Estate Needs Planning, Too
Regardless of your wealth, everyone needs to have powers of attorney in place, as well as a Last Will and Testament and good beneficiary designations.
If you find yourself in a situation where you may not have sufficient assets to cover long-term care costs, you may need estate planning that incorporates elements of Medicaid planning to ensure you are able to qualify for any governmental benefits.
8. Reduce Taxes
While you may not find yourself with more than $12.06 million to worry about a federal estate tax applying at your death, there are often income tax consequences to beneficiaries. In addition, some states still have their own estate or inheritance tax that is lower than the federal exemption. As part of your estate plan, it is important to do income tax planning (and financial planning) to avoid unexpected levels of income tax on your beneficiaries.
9. You Poured More Than Money into Your Business
If you own your own business, it’s critical to consider estate planning that incorporates a business succession plan. Succession plans help to transition ownership and management to the next generation while realizing the value of your life’s work.
10. Preserve the Family Retreat
Families who own vacation property or hunting land that want to ensure it continues as a family legacy need to develop an estate plan which transitions ownership to the next generation smoothly. It’s important to discuss your plans with the next generation to make sure they want and value the property as you do. Not all family members may want partial ownership so planning to avoid family disputes or a forced sale of the property is important.
11. Your Life Changes. Your Estate Plan Should Too.
As life happens, so do the number of events that may trigger the need to update your estate plan or to create a plan. Changes in family status (divorce or remarriage), death of any individuals named in your estate plan, and changes to your state of residence are all moments that require recalibration.
Estate planning is not only about making sure you are taken care of, but it also helps make it easier for your loved ones to take care of you. So, if you have been putting off doing (or updating) your estate plan, and any of these have resonated with you, Annex is here to help. While Annex does not draft legal estate planning documents, we can assist you in getting started. We work with many law firms to help get our clients’ estate planning goals in place. Head to annexwealth.com and click on the ‘Get Started’ button to find out more.
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56% of women leave financial planning and investment decisions to their husbands.
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UPCOMING EVENTS →
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