Don and Hill will need more revenue

Don and Hill will need to raise taxes to pay for walls or wars

Don’s wall and Hill’s return to Iraq and Afghan will cost us more taxes. Both want to spend more on guns and war and that ain’t cheap. Her plan will cost $1.1 trillion. His tax cuts will cost $9.5 trillion and he will cut “waste”—Medicare and SS benefits—to limit borrowing. Both will need to raise revenue one way or other since more 1%ers and corporations are using loopholes to avoid paying any tax. Don can avoid taxes for years with his $50 million loan write off.

Start your tax-FREE account now so you don’t get stuck with taxes later: https://www.amazon.com/Tax-Shelter-Young-Americans/dp/1500426520

Put your advisor on a diet—Market returns will remain low—hedge funds close

Economic gains will be slower with Don or Hill so stocks will be pressed to break 7% return. It is time to put your advisor on a diet and cut their share of your gains. If their fees, trading charges and taxes continue to take 2%, you could end up with only 63% of your potential nest egg. Taking more risk for greater yield is not the answer you want from them. Fees will continue even if no gain. Better to go with par, the average return. Try an ETF or index at 0.05%. You may clear 7% not 5%.

Get back to basics:  https://www.amazon.com/basic-facts-about-learned-before/dp/1534665544

ETF or index fund?

Advisors are all excited about the ETFs they have to offer you. Why? Index funds have been out there since 1976. Perhaps it is because index funds are packaged in a commission product. Yes, the sales person who once hated index funds can now praise them. Excitement over exchange-traded funds continues among financial advisors, according to Journal of Financial Planning. ETFs are the preferred investment vehicle for 83% of advisors up from 40%. Advisors are selling them to clients using ‘lower cost’ as the sizzle. What advisors don’t disclose is that the fund version is much cheaper than the ETF commission/fees. Don’t be fooled.

Save $100,000: https://www.amazon.com/Money-Scams-2014-financial/dp/1505437962

Is a homeowner policy Virtual inspection right for you?

Esurance offers a do-it-yourself Home Inspection app, which allows policyholders to self-inspect their homes and receive policy discounts. For instance, the insurer needs you to fix broken sidewalk. Now you can prove it yourself. No need to wait for inspector to show when you have a claim. Just record what the insurer asks for to prove you lost your siding or roof. Insurer promises quicker service. They don’t need to send a drone or adjuster. But sometimes you do better with private expert on your side.  

Save with 15 discounts: https://www.amazon.com/Homeowners-Insurance-Beware-Coverage-Policy/dp/1480100870

What is the most important predictor of your investing success?

According to an unbiased Morningstar study, low-cost funds beat high-cost funds PERIOD. It is a myth of Wall Street that you must pay more for good performance. You are just paying for the Wolf of Wall Street's toys. Other Wall Street myths: Buy low, sell high; manager tenure; proven performer; get in on ground floor; concentrate portfolio.
Warren Buffett, the master of investing, disagrees:
            "A very low-cost index is going to beat a majority of the amateur-managed                                money or professionally-managed money."

https://www.amazon.com/Best-Predictor-Investment-Success-Cost/dp/1502524082

Income inequality, rising since 1970s, link to frozen wages?

New study, which measures income inequality by state, metro area and county, shows that inequality has risen in every state since the 1970s. Most of the income change has gone to the more senior corporate chiefs and not in salary. Corporations are escaping taxes and shareholder limits on excesses. Your Apple gear costs a lot to buy but little to make. Your shoes don’t cost $150 to make. Verizon service doesn’t cost Verizon $200 a month to provide. Corporations have digitized and outsourced for the last 40 years and haven’t shared the increased profits with workers or shareholders. Is David M. Zaslav’s labor really worth $156 million a year? Yahoo’s CEO got a 69% raise for ..? Chipotle’s head found $29 million despite sickening patrons. His 1^st boy got $28 mil. Chase gave its CEO a 134% raise. Another study shows higher CEO pay; worse performance.

If you are NOT the boss, do this: https://www.amazon.com/Working-Millionaire-Tax-FREE-Self-insure-Self-fund/dp/1460945484

Is a Goldman Sachs CD right for you?

The commercial bank famous for creating the mortgage meltdown by packaging bad mortgages with pretty ribbon is now in need of money. They offer savings CDs for the non-1%ers. You only need $500 to obtain 2% for a 5 year CD. So if rates go up you will have the privilege to be stuck with $52 profit over 5 years. If you need it back, you lose part of your $52. If you want most of your money to grow above the inflation rate, you will need to keep it in stocks and bonds at the lowest cost you can find. Your money is actually safer in stocks than with Goldman because you lose half your purchasing power over time: 47 cent stamp used to cost 33 cents just 15 years ago.  

Go long for SAFETY: https://www.amazon.com/Go-Long-Reach-Wealth-Starting/dp/1519376189

Auto insurer’s satisfaction falls 7 points

Overall satisfaction declines by a significant 7 points. The 17 largest insurers are the primary drivers of the overall decline. Satisfaction among the smaller insurers increases 1 point from 2015. JD Power survey found the top insurers for each region were NOT all large insurers even though they had best digital scores. Winners:

California: Ameriprise (846)

Central: Shelter Insurance (819)

Florida: The Hartford (834)

Mid-Atlantic: Erie Insurance (829)

New England: Amica Mutual (855)

New York: GEICO (828)

North Central: Auto-Owners Insurance (842)

Northwest: PEMCO Insurance (847)

Southeast: Farm Bureau Insurance – Tennessee (870)

Southwest: The Hartford (829)

Texas: Texas Farm Bureau Insurance (836)

New Jersey Manufacturers Insurance Company (NJM) and USAA also achieve high levels of customer satisfaction in the study, although they are not included in the rankings due to the closed nature of their respective memberships. 

Buy the best and save: https://www.amazon.com/Industry-Insiders-Guides-Buying-Insurance/dp/1466435712

Does our President need to be smart and truthful? Do they even care about truth?

            (a summary of the GOP Presidential debates) (history: GOP has the final candidate by Feb 17)

                        What does Trump’s National Socialism stand for?

Increase subsidies to oil gas, corp farmers, Boeing, big business tax cuts

Don will cut Medicare and SS benefits “if tax cuts don’t make big surpluses”

Cut funding for un-wealthy, poor, schools. seniors, underemployed, kids, etc.

Reinstate older white male value system: Make ‘WASP” America Great Again

Reinstate Christianity as the state religion—bar all others from public office

Reinstate Christmas and Christian observance in schools, home, court, stores, etc

Put successionist’s flag back in public spaces - cemeteriess, courts, state houses.

Put up a wall, end trade, bring back repetitive “robotic” jobs back from low wage areas.

Cut regulation of all business activity, lower wages for women, pregnancy

Climate change is a hoax. Let oil companies drill anywhere. XL pipeline approved

Replace ObamaCare: no mandate (tax credit so you can try to find your own like before)

Cut federal spending on health especially when control women clinics

Cancel immigration for all from non-EU countries. Deport them

Voter suppression of DEMs (even in Brooklyn) Latins, blacks, poor, students.

Replace judges whose parents came from a non-EU country or any non-Christians.

Limit rights of non-Christians, Muslims, gays, Indians, Asians, protesters, press

Increase debt and devalue debt. Let Mexico pay for the Wall by taxing imports we buy

Create tariffs on imports so we pay $6,000 more for stuff we buy. Middle class tax.

Trade pacts are no good for us and no good for our workers.

Abolish IRS, EPA, Education, Dodd-Frank financial protections, consumer protections

National right to buy and carry any firearms anywhere anytime by anyone age 2 and up.

Install voter ID restrictions designed to lower Dem voter participation – proved in court

Install state gov that cuts Medicaid, education, federal payments, infrastructure like KS.

“Lust for executive power”—GOP House leader thinks Don wants to just snap fingers.

“I could stand in Fifth Avenue and shoot somebody and I wouldn’t lose any voters.” 

Don’s rallies begin with crazies denouncing supporters--thrown out as “protestors.” 

“The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” E Burke

Don: I found my running mate: Ken Lewis. He doesn’t like Orlando’s non-whites.

            I just took $1million from campaign. I’m not a charity. I need to be reimbursed.

            I’ll help Christians dominate American social life: remove church/state barriers.

            It’s “my greatest contribution to Christianity” advisors Michele Bachmann, Ralph Reed.

            ‘I’m really rich, I don’t need donors. Fundraising for to make wealthy feel good.     

            I’m in Scotland to open golf biz since I still have a job (Scots love me I’m sure!)

            I don’t care if Reagan gave 2.9 million illegals amnesty “legalization” in 1986.

Hill:  Looks like 1964 all over again. Goldwater had similar message for racists and lost.  

Paul: ‘This is one of my big concerns:’ Don’s “lust for executive power.” He’s OK now?

           

Bern: “It looks like I will not be the nominee.” More energy than Hill! 2020?

            Millennials, wanting to remain, did not turn out like older BRexit voters

Regulators are the only protection we have since we can’t sue anymore

            “It is nearly impossible for one individual to take on a corporation with vast resources.” (GOP bill requires impossible: every person in class action suffer “same type and scope of injury”)

               Supremes stop us from suing—State courts no longer available to sue corporations!

.Congress votes for more killings: terrorists on watch list CAN buy assault weapons.

.GM wants judge to dismiss claims that your car lost value when recalled 

.Judge: KS can’t bar DEMS from voting because non-KS form to register, yet KS does.

.NJ says NO to more open carry guns—Christie embarrassed—NJ is NOT wild west!

.Nissan recalls 60000 Q50 for steering problems with software.

.Another child dies handling gun with no safety. Guns kill people. Fear not crime drives.

.Fiat/Jeep with trans problem kills Star Trekker Yelchin—Grand C rolls in ‘Park’. 

.Hyundai Kia recalls 400,000 cars and minivans many things wrong.

.NYC rescinded Don’s property tax rebate meant for middle class homeowners. What?!

. Merrill Lynch fined $415 million for using customer cash to generate own profits 

.VW pays $10.3 billion to settle claims from diesel emissions cheating scandal

We need regulation—GOP wrong—companies/cities wouldn’t fix bad products on own

SCAMS

Worst offender in 2007-8 mortgage crisis, Angelo Mozilo will NOT face Justice lawsuit

Why do star athletes have to prey on unconscious women? Too obnoxious or too mental?

Salesmen forgot to tell you: Is your car one of the most regretted cars sold?

Orlando killing was gay revenge?—self-hate crime—Muslims can’t be gay so terrorist

Muslim got FBI to start file on Omar—he was not radicalized enough maybe never.

Guns kill people many at a time. Congress fails to stop even highjacker terrorists.

Tombstone had gun control for good reason—it reduced deaths. Congress helps terrorists  

Ignoramus Award: Congress represents the American people. Right. Except on the topic of guns. This is the 3^rd rail that can kill politically. When assault rifle kills 26 kids and now 49 gays, is that enough to pass just a background check? Does your rep fear your vote more than NRA? Even in 1686, NJ recognized that people get afraid and into quarrels when they carry guns. 2^nd Amend was for militia not average Joe.

How our government wastes our money

Crazy Dems Go on Strike in Congress—Work stoppage to get a vote on guns

            Civil rights leader John Lewis and Katherine Clark conspire to force GOP action

            First time in US history House members sit-down strike their own jobs.

Zika protection used as tool to defund ObamaCare so not passed. FL hurting for $.

55 percent of Democrats say the Republican Party makes them feel afraid and

49 percent of Republicans said the same about the Democratic Party. Try socialism?

We are loaning Iran money to obtain Boeing jets ImEx bank and ex credits.

General Electric decided to move some production overseas to use foreign export credit.

Who owns your account now?

IAN

41 Watchung Plaza, B242

Montclair, NJ 07042

973.746.2014

www.InsuranceAdvisorsNetwork.com

Alerts 

Avoid taxes in retirement

Avoid taxes in retirement: Give yourself the tax-FREE income you want

Advisors are wrong—we don’t need 80% of salary in retirement. A recent survey indicates that today's retirees are bringing in far less than that -- about 66% of their pre-retirement income on average. The average retired couple in this survey, before taxes, brought in $58,000 per year. Most of that money is coming from Social Security 43%, then traditional pensions 19%.

“Let’s Do the Numbers” to Create the tax-FREE income we want:  http://www.amazon.com/Lets-Do-Numbers-Creating-Retirement/dp/1502775522

Workers will work long past age 65

A new report says that nearly three quarter of individuals delaying retirement plan to stay on the job an additional three years. And nearly one-third plan to retire at age 70 or later.

This leaves less opportunity for young people. Make every dollar count.

Use the tax system to avoid future taxes: http://www.amazon.com/Create-Your-Tax-FREE-Financial-System/dp/1466367466

Is your bank’s fixed annuity right for you?
Your bank personnel are after you to buy a fixed annuity. They tempt you with rates over 5% compared to their CDs at just over 2%. You receive a set amount for life it is true but if interest rates go up in the future, you will be stuck. With inflation at 3%, you will be getting HALF the amount of value in 20 years. If you have an emergency, you pay up to 8% to get your money back. Consider all the (non-bank) alternatives first: http://www.amazon.com/Retirement-Income-Annuity-Guaranteed-Life/dp/1497337313

Do you have a problem car?

The National High Traffic Safety Administration registers complaints drivers have with their cars and the folks at The Center for Auto Safety created an index of these complaints relative to the number of that model sold. The top cars on the list are:

• Nissan Pathfinder
• Infiniti QX60
• Hyundai Santa Fe
• Ford Focus
• Cadillac ATS

See complaints: http://www.autosafety.org/viewcomplaints/33/231/2005/all/1

Save on car insurance: http://www.amazon.com/Vehicle-Insurance-Beware-Double-Coverage/dp/1480027634

Is your broker or advisor right for you?

How do you know that the product or advice is the BEST for you? What do you consider when buying? How much does the seller get paid to sell this product versus another? Is the advice free or do you pay an hourly fee? Is your advisor considering your future plans or needs? Are your plans flexible for future possibilities? Some products cost too much and can’t be cancelled. Do you have other sources of help like the Toffels? Did you pick the best of at least 3 solutions? http://www.amazon.com/Are-you-ready-retirement-worst/dp/1491002662

What are the alternatives to PIMCO’s Total Return fund?

Where do you invest now that Bill Gross’s run as bond guru is over? Wellesley Income fund has provided 10% return since 1970 with 60% bonds. Low cost (0.18%) is the key to long-term success. Gross charged 0.85% to 1.60% and so he had a hard time in this low interest rate world. Gross provided only 12% total return since 2000 where Wellesley gave you 22% vs DOW 56%. Wellesley Income is one of the Vanguard Top 10: http://www.amazon.com/Vanguards-Top-Ten-mutual-funds/dp/150073909X

GOP crazies

In one of the weirdest and most Floridian moments in debate history, Wednesday night's gubernatorial debate was delayed because Republican governor Rick Scott refused to take the stage with Democratic challenger Charlie Crist and his small electric fan. Crist is running as Dem after swearing off GOP after the right criticized his leadership.

Should you take the life-long pension or the lump sum from work?

This is the question many have to face as they retire. If you can’t afford to hire a planner to do the numbers for you, consider that a pension usually pays you a fixed amount until you die. If longevity is in your family, this is a plus, just like good health and your fear of the market if you self-invested. If you have other sources of income and hate to budget and like steady income, take it. If you like to control your future and create a greater retirement income, read Ian Sender’s new book: http://www.amazon.com/Lets-Do-Numbers-Creating-Retirement/dp/1502775522

Employers “Guaranteed” benefits are B.S.—don’t count on them!

Some cities and counties are taking away benefits that they had long promised workers. This has angered many retirees, and an advocacy group, ProtectOurSeniors.org, has supported a bill introduced this year in Congress that would prevent companies—public and private—from taking away earned health-care benefits. The bill would also require companies that filed for bankruptcy to pay retiree pensions for at least three years.

“Post-retirement health benefits are not entitlements, they are earned benefits that were paid for by workers and guaranteed by employers,” one advocate said.

Shifting retirees onto the exchanges means more sick people—higher costs.

“Guaranteed” benefits are no longer guaranteed. Wealth is the only guaranteed system: http://www.amazon.com/Create-Your-Tax-FREE-Financial-System/dp/1466367466

What is a “robo-advisor” and do you need one?

Wall Street’s quest for more revenue takes a twist—in order to keep profits high, they are going electronic. Your broker/advisor can now offer to do what you could do all along—use low-cost index funds at a low-cost trading website. Of course, you will still pay through the nose for this “professional” service but now it’s done by staff. Your advisor will have more time to “gather more assets” instead of processing your paperwork. The “Robo-advisor” will manage “low-cost portfolios of ETFs, “smart” rebalancing, automated tax-loss harvesting, automatic money transfers and automated dividend re-investment.” Here is the reason you are being handed off: “the platform allows advisors to scale their business, automate workflows, develop new client relationships and provide clients with a modern digital and mobile experience. An advisor dashboard allows advisors to view all relevant data at the firm level (assets under management, clients, business metrics) and at the client level (balances, allocations, performance and so on).”
Robos are also provide “paperless forms and client agreements; Web and mobile apps; bank-level security; billing software and fee collection; the generation of statements and reports; and technical support seven days a week. All client-facing materials -- including the Web site, mobile apps, client statements and e-mails -- are branded with your advisor logo.” Great for advisor—no need to call just use app!

Since your broker/advisor is going robo, you might want to go really low-cost: http://www.amazon.com/Wealth-Without-Wall-Street-Commissions/dp/1442168137

SCAMS           Why are we still paying $700 Billion a year for WWII deployments?

We are paying for 164,253 of our active-duty armed personnel to be in 150 countries around the world. We have about 50,000 in Japan and 50,000 in Germany.

Are we preparing for WWII again? There are 1,208,083^[1] armed personnel in the United States. Our taxes pay for about HALF of the WORLD’s military expenditures every year. We have wasted $398.6 billion so far on the F-35 program—they can’t fly safely.

We just can’t afford to pay for everyone else’s defenses anymore.

Japan, Germany and S. Korea can pay for their own defenses.

Shame the Iraq army?

A Kurdish woman fighter is leading the battle against Islamic State jihadists in the Syrian battleground town of Kobane, a monitoring group and activists said Sunday. "Those who know her say she is cultivated, intelligent and phlegmatic," said Mustefa Ebdi, a Kurdish activist from Kobane. "She cares for the mental state of the fighters and takes interest in their problems," he said.

Kick some Axx, girl!

Dutch biker gang grabs rifles, joins Kurds in fight against ISIS

Dutch govt says OK, just don’t fight against us.

Will Hell’s Angels join next?

Army lied to soldiers about chemical weapons exposure

American troops were exposed to chemical weapons multiple times in the years following the 2003 invasion of Iraq, while the Pentagon kept their discoveries of the expired or degraded weapons secret from investigators, fellow soldiers, and military doctors, according to a published report. On at least six occasions, soldiers were wounded by those weapons. In all, the NY Times reported that 17 U.S. soldiers and seven Iraqi police officers were exposed to chemical agents during the war. The U.S. government said its number was slightly higher, but did not release a specific figure. 

The Army, further, reportedly admitted to The Times that it had not followed its guidelines for treating soldiers exposed to chemical weapons in the years following the invasion.

In one case, a wounded soldier who suffered burns and blisters due to mustard gas was presented with a Purple Heart by former Secretary of the Army Peter Geren. Weeks later, he was told that he had been denied the medal because the Army had determined that his wounds had not been suffered in enemy action. 

Navy proposes new $10 million war ship because ‘cheaper’?

It is right out of James Bond movie.

New boy toys are always exciting!

Susan Walker, Ameriprise Financial adviser pleaded guilty to defrauding 24 clients of almost $1 million, according the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Minnesota.

She is accused of making unsuitable investment recommendations, including advising an 89-year-old client to invest over $75,000 into annuities, prior to her employment with Ameriprise. She later withdrew funds from those accounts for personal use, according to the order.

IAN

41 Watchung Plaza, B242

Montclair, NJ 07042

973.746.2014

www.InsuranceAdvisorsNetwork.com

Alerts 

The Essential Financial Life

Keep It Simple: The Essential Financial Life

The best guarantee of lifelong security is having money.
Complicated finance doesn't work.
Complicated products are expensive.
Complicated money plans are not followed.  

      Wouldn’t you like to assure yourself of tax-FREE growth and income for the rest of your life? We don't need complicated insurance, mutual funds, or financial products to have the good life. We avoid the two KILLERS of wealth accumulation—taxes and fees.

I help you decide which financials are best for you, now and later. You make your money work harder for YOU; not your advisors. You don't give them 2-3% of your money every year. Your investment edge is … the miracle of compounding. http://www.amazon.com/Keep-Simple-Essential-Financial-Life/dp/1492258849

Do you support American-made goods? Buy a Toyota Camry not Ford Fusion

Camry is THE reliable American-made car—80% by American workers. Most mass- market ‘foreign’ cars are made in America, while a lot of ‘American’ cars are NOT fully made in America.  http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/news/2011/06/how-much-of-your-car-is-made-in-america/index.htm  Many expensive cars are made outside the US including Caddy SRX. http://abcnews.go.com/WN/MadeInAmerica/page/made-america-car-american-made-13795239 Manufacturers source car parts by price, including transportation. Just like beer.

Your favorites are probably made by Belgium-Brazilian  InBev, which makes Bud, Michelob, Bass Ale, Corona, Beck’s and Stella Artois. But Bud gave up on Hallertauer Mittelfrüh hops in favor of cheaper hops. The top 40 execs gave themselves a bonus from the savings. The German farmers had to retire. Yuengling and Sam Adams are the largest American-owned breweries, for now.

Are you liable for damages if you text a driver causing an accident?

A New Jersey appeals court ruled on Tuesday that a person could have a legal duty to avoid texting with someone who is driving. Disagreeing with a lower court, a panel of judges found that when a motorist is texting while driving and causes an accident, the person who was exchanging messages with the driver can also be liable for negligence.

But the bar is high. The person had a “special reason” to know the driver was on the road and would read the messages. Only in NJ though.

Donald TrumpU is asked for HIS “birth” certificate!

Last week, the New York Attorney General sued Donald Trump over a host of allegedly illegal practices engaged in by Trump's real estate ‘seminars.’ The AG's alleges nasty practices like promising actual hand-picked teachers with actual real estate experience. Donald’s “University” has no ‘birth’ certificate. Can’t practice “educating” without a license.

Did you celebrate Labor Day?

Underemployment rate near 15%. Not much to party about. Labor lost to capital: Wages fell as productivity grew nearly 8%. Output and profits increased as workers earned less. Capital earned more. The Economic Policy Institute estimates that between 2007 and 2012, wages fell for the lowest 70 percent of all wage earners, despite productivity growth of 7.7 percent. Since 1978, CEO pay at American firms has risen 725 percent, more than 127 times faster than worker pay over the same time period, according to new data.

As a result, American income inequality has skyrocketed, growing worse than it is in countries like Pakistan and Ivory Coast. Wealth inequality is worse than it was even in Ancient Rome. And, as pay skyrockets and tax rates fall for the richest Americans, the rising inequality has left the bottom 95 percent of Americans saddled with more debt than ever before.

Broker infractions on display

The SEC has approved more broker disciplinary information access. The new proposal would disclose all historic complaints dating back to 1999 for individual brokers who are currently registered or whose registrations were terminated within the preceding two years. The new proposal calls for making a former broker's record public for 10 years, so investors can access information about individuals who may work in other sectors of the financial services industry or who have attained other positions of trust. http://brokercheck.finra.org/Search/Search.aspx

Texans skip ObamaCare and go to ER

Texas again leads the nation in the rate of uninsured. More than 25 percent of the state's population under age 65 -- 5,771,479 people -- has no health insurance coverage, according to recent Census Bureau data. In 24 Texas counties, a third or more of residents are uninsured. Many of the uninsured are working adults whose employers do not offer insurance coverage or for whom the cost of coverage is prohibitive.

The health care needs of the uninsured do not go away simply because they lack health insurance. The cost of providing care to these 5.7 million people is borne by hospitals, taxpayers, and the privately insured. Hospitals are providing $5.5 Billion in uncompensated care each year. Premium costs for private insurance are $1,800 higher, on average, due to uncompensated care for the uninsured.

SCAMS           “Deficits don’t matter” Republican godfather, Dick Cheney, 2002

We taxpayers spend $53 BILLION so others can listen to our phone calls

Every year we pay people to listen in and “analyze” our talk, email, etc.

Seems like a lot for a lot of bull. Terrorists don’t speak English so the $53 BILLION may just keep a million people off the unemployment lines. Didn’t stop 9/11/01 or Boston bombing. 

Wealthy buy another country residency

Southern Europe’s cash-strapped governments are wooing wealthy home buyers from overseas by offering so-called golden visas to purchasers of high-end properties. Portugal, Greece, and Cyprus are offering temporary-residency permits to foreign investors. Min. bid is €250,000. Cyprus is already “booming with Chinese investors,” says Nikolas Michalias, a local real estate appraiser at G&P Lazarou who spends half the year in China promoting golden visas tied to real estate investments. “Every day there are more than 20 Chinese nationals landing in Cyprus to search for property.”

This sounds like Romney country: corporations are people, my friends. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E2h8ujX6T0A

See the data on you that is bought and sold for $ billions everyday

The data on the site, called AbouttheData.com, includes biographical facts, buying patterns, clothing size, interests and medical needs. To see your data, you give your SS#:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/01/business/a-data-broker-offers-a-peek-behind-the-curtain.html How did they obtain that?

List of some companies buying and selling your information without your consent:

http://files.consumerfinance.gov/f/201207_cfpb_list_consumer-reporting-agencies.pdf

IAN

41 Watchung Plaza, B242

Montclair, NJ 07042

973.746.2014

www.InsuranceAdvisorsNetwork.com

Alerts available at http://dankeppel.blogspot.com/

Take Social Security benefits before GOP cuts?

Is it smart to wait for Social Security benefits?

Now that the GOP is talking about cutting our future benefits, we have to reconsider when to start getting our money back. There are many situations—married, divorced, divorced 10 years, spouse passed away, younger takes benefits while older works, the reverse, playing the odds of living to 100, taxable benefits and 2nd job, supplement early benefits with spouse benefit while working, etc, etc. We need to know our options as soon as age 62. Read the info http://www.mymoney.gov/category/topic1/planning-retirement/-retiring.html and http://www.bankrate.com/finance/retirement/7-social-security-benefits.aspx?ic_id=nwsltr_wkrdup_20120203


House agrees to stop illegal insider trading—sort of.

60 minutes caught House leader Pelosi without answers on her ‘illegal’ trades. http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=7388205n

House’s Cantor exempts those who sell “intelligence” to Wall Street. Allows “corruption” to continue, according to GOP Grassley.

http://articles.businessinsider.com/2011-11-14/politics/30396448_1_stock-market-market-moving-information-trades


Questions for your HR 401k Plan administrators/investment guides.

Forbes just outlined the types of questions to ask about your 401k so that you can make decisions about your best investment choices. Unbiased advisors say that cost is the best predictor of mutual fund returns. Why is there no Vanguard index option?

http://www.forbes.com/sites/feeonlyplanner/2012/02/02/do-you-know-whos-on-the-hook-for-decisions-made-in-your-401k/?partner=yahootix


Auto insurance instantly

Progressive announced today an application for the iPhone that is designed to radically change the auto insurance buyer’s experience. Positioned for the direct-to-consumer space, Progressive’s mobile app uses image capture technology designed to provide an accurate auto insurance rate that is customized to the user, and upon acceptance, to actually bind (guarantee immediate) coverage. “We can’t get a shortcut around the information we need, and we need lots of pieces of data, so keying in that data can be challenging at best. What’s unique about a mobile device is that it’s faster and more convenient—so we are taking the next step.” Progressive will be the first company to use image capture in this manner, Lehman says. “This is real time in front of the customer.”


Retirement income guarantee but at a cost

Uncle Sam wants to expand the transparency of 401(k) fees and broaden the availability of retirement plan payout options to encourage the use of annuities to provide lifetime income. Uncle Sam is giving a windfall to the financial services industry by making annuities available in our employer’s retirement plans. It will be easier to buy an annuity with our 401k money when we leave our job. Many people just cash out their 401k and the government is worried we won’t have a nestegg for later. Most annuities sold today are very expensive so sellers will make a fortune on the $11 Trillions in pension plans. Memebers have a better way and save 1-2% on the commissions too. http://www.amazon.com/Your-Retirement-Spending-Plan-enough/dp/1461084016


CA Medical Debt Keeps Rising, New Report Shows

In 2009, 2.6 million non-elderly Californians had some kind of medical debt -- an increase of 400,000 since 2007, the new "State of Health Insurance in California" report shows. Among enrollees in Medi-Cal, the program that is intended to provide comprehensive care for low-income residents, 18.2 percent had medical debt, a level comparable to the uninsured (18.4 percent). "This suggests that the program may not be providing everything its enrollees need, either because certain services are not included in coverage or there are increasingly fewer doctors that accept Medi-Cal patients," said Lavarreda.


Another long-term care insurer quits—raises rates for existing policies

Unum is getting out of the group long-term care insurance (LTCI) and preparing to increase the premiums it charges for in-force group LTCI coverage. "We intend to aggressively manage the long-term care business," Thomas Watjen, president of Unum, Chattanooga, Tenn., said today. "This will include continuing our practice of seeking rate increases on the in-force business where warranted and also exploring opportunities for capital management." Members consider alternatives like using their Wealth Reserve if needed. amazon.com/Create-Financial-Freedom-Wealth-Reserve/


Media spotlights how insurer evades paying claims--again

TV station highlights struggle of a patient’s family and regulators to battle for long-term care insurance coverage after buying a policy, the head of the NAIC health committee has vowed stronger regulation for those LTC insurers that deny coverage even when it deemed valid. The case involves a company making no benefit payments after claim for over $165,000 in care for a Miriam Mills, a 93-year-old nursing home patient with memory lapses. Mills' case was meant to expose the alleged problems with Bankers Life and Casualty (Conseco), which serves seniors. “Despite numerous faxes, telephone calls, letters, a flood of paid nursing home statements, care plans forms and even a formal complaint filed with the Missouri Insurance Commissioner, no benefits have been paid,” a Mills relative stated. Insurers don’t like paying claims. See The Rainmaker: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Rainmaker_(1997_film)





The End
Eastman Kodak Co, the photography icon that invented the hand-held camera and helped bring the world the first pictures from the moon, is exiting the camera business.


GOP claim high taxes hurt job formation is disproved by Romney’s own work

Romney’s business profits for investors is evidence that fair tax rates don't hold back profit-seeking capitalists. From 1984 until 1999, the top rates on capital gains -- the profit from investments as opposed to compensation for work -- were often at 28 percent, and never lower than 20 percent. Indeed, in 1987, under President Ronald Reagan, the 20 percent rate rose to 28 percent -- a 40 percent increase in potential taxation of Bain investment profit. (Yes, Reagan did raise taxes, even on capital.)

Capitalists invest when there are profits to be made. Jobs are created when the workers earn enough to buy the stuff they produce.

Henry Ford had it right: Paying high wages," he concluded, "is behind the prosperity of this country."


SCAMS
Will anyone go to jail for mortgage mess?

New Mortgage Suits Against BofA, JPMorgan, Wells Fargo Plus Goldman

A federal judge certified a class-action lawsuit being led by a pension fund for Mississippi’s public sector employees that invested in the securities. A class action suit may draw in more plaintiffs who would otherwise not have the resources to take on Goldman in court. The case in question concerns a $698 million offering that was backed by New Century loans.

How could Romney have an IRA worth $20 - $100 million as per WSJ

The IRA max was $2000 in 80’s, now $5000. Rollover IRA from 401k max $30,000 a year. Romney was not making cash contributions to his IRA. Was he parking equity shares of his companies’ investment funds there, or quite possibly putting shares of private companies that his firm bought into his 401(k). If this happened, we need to know at what valuation Romney made these contributions. It is very easy to claim a low stated value for shares of private companies or investment funds that have no market price. If Romney purposely understated the true value of the shares he contributed to his retirement plan he could be held criminally liable. He used offshore accounts for this perhaps.

Romney will face earned income tax when he takes out the IRA money. IRA money is not taxed at capital gains rates. ... unless he can arange a special deal with the IRS. He might have a chance if he becomes Pres, unlike us tax payers. Maybe this is why he is running for President. The ultimate capitalist pays only 13%. Everyone else pays more.


Wall Street offers CD with 24% return—sort of, if you a lucky, maybe, perhaps, etc, etc.

Regulators are examining sales of certificates of deposit tied to derivatives after banks sold a record number of the investments last year. The industry-backed regulator wants to make sure the so-called structured CDs, where principal is protected by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp., are properly understood by investors given their increasing complexity and lengthening maturities, said Maria Rabinovich, a lawyer in Finra’s risk division.

The watchdog issued an alert on “complex products” in January, outlining a few examples of misunderstandins, such as those where information is not readily available about the assets they’re tied to, and so-called“steepeners,” which typically bet on the shape of the Treasury yield curve. Goldman Sachs offered a four-year CD linked to the monthly returns of the Dow Jones Industrial average in December that returns as much as 24 percent a year. The Dow would have to gain at least 2 percent each month over the CD’s life for the maximum payout, according to an offering statement. Investors are guaranteed an annual yield of 0.5 percent, an amount less than the average 0.77 percent rate paid by one-year certificates of deposits.


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