Showing posts with label too big. Show all posts
Showing posts with label too big. Show all posts

Friday, October 26, 2012

Health Insurance Save 25%


Health Insurance
Buy ONLY what you need
Find a comprehensive plan that your doctors accept.
You may be paying for benefits you will never use.
Your premium may be based on old information.
Save 25% with the right policy.

MO returns $133 million in unclaimed funds to owners—where are yours?
Since January 2009, MO Treasurer Zweifel has returned $133 million to more than 418,000 account owners. There are thousands of bank box contents too.  "Every day my Unclaimed Property staff talks to owners of Unclaimed Property in an effort to return accounts large and small," Treasurer Zweifel said. "There are 58 accounts with $100,000 or more in them waiting to be returned.” To find out if you have Unclaimed Property in any state, you can visit http://www.unclaimed.org/.

Is the Wal-Mart life insurance right for you?
Issued by MetLife, the insurance firm is offering Wal-Mart shoppers a pre-paid, one-year $10,000 to $25,000 life insurance policy that costs, on average, about $100 or so. For Wal-Mart shoppers aged 18-44, a $10,000 policy costs $69. But for consumers aged 60-65, the policy can cost up to $429. This policy is expensive when compared to $100,000 benefit for $7 a month from insurers with the same rating as MetLife. MetLife is taking advantage of impulse buying and high lapse rates that assure a high profit business. If you need real coverage, use our Guide: http://www.amazon.com/Life-Insurance-Need-right-ebook/dp/B009MA9K78/ 

Are your retirement investments better off with Obama?
Chart says not since FDR’s 238% gain has your portfolio done so well as during Obama’s first term. Will Americans vote their pocket book or the promises of the “king of off-shoring jobs”? Your Choice: GOP rulers tend to end up in disasters and wars.
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/21/your-money/wall-st-may-not-cheer-but-obamas-been-good-for-stocks.html

Can you read your 401k retirement plan statement?
New rules require plan admin. to say clearly how much it costs you and what you are paying for. However, your plan disclosure may have failed to disclose certain types of compensation because the service provider didn't think it counted under the rule. They also need to state their fiduciary (acting in your best interests) status. You need to understand the total amount that the servicer is taking from your account. If you earn 8% and they keep 3% total of all charges, fees, commissions, etc, you are only adding 5% to your account. If your mutual fund loses 8%, you must pay their 3% from your funds. You can then decide if you need to switch investment options to lower the fees or start your own retirement fund. If so, we can help you decide: http://www.amazon.com/401k-IRA-Tax-FREE-Tax-Deferred-retirement/dp/1475057938/

David Lerner fined for ripping customers off
The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority said it ordered the firm to pay $12 million in restitution to clients who bought shares of a nontraded real estate investment trust known as Apple REIT 10. FINRA also fined David Lerner Associates more than $2.3 million for charging unfair prices on municipal bonds and collateralized mortgage obligations. You don’t have to pay unfair prices.
Save $3,000 on fees, commissions and charges every year: Do It Yourself Personal Finance by Dan Keppel.  Your financial team--agent, banker, broker, advisor and money manager--have been taking at least $3,000 every year from you. They only make finance seem difficult so you keep paying.

Study says we kill our own investment gains
Two professors examined 40 studies of how we invest. Read the report on the missteps of individual investors. They detailed how individual investors make every mistake in the book and wind up either losing money or badly trailing no-brainer index funds.
Among the various sins that investors commit — and which cost them dearly — are:
•Trading too much, incurring big fees that more than wipe out their gains
•Selling winners while clinging to losers
•Focusing too much on individual stocks and not diversifying their portfolios enough
•Falling for stocks that get extensive media coverage or are trading near their highs
•Engaging in thrill-seeking behavior that confuses investing with speculation or gambling
•Trading or investing in financial instruments they don’t understand
•And, finally, despite all of the above, believing in their own superior investing ability

Only 1% of traders do well the study says. We try to mimic the Wall Street myth of the active trader—the Gordon Gekko character—with our own money. Wall Street actually only trades with OPM—other people’s money. Obviously the way to succeed is to do the opposite: Buy and hold a diversified group of stocks for longer periods. The easiest way to do that is with a low-cost index fund. Some of our members average over 10% a year by doing just that. http://www.amazon.com/What-Really-About-Building-Wealth/dp/146790287X/

Are you taking your RMDs on time?
If you own an IRA or retirement plan of any kind, the IRS wants its taxes. You have to take money out even if you don’t need it. The rule is here:  http://www.irs.gov/Retirement-Plans/Retirement-Plans-FAQs-regarding-Required-Minimum-Distributions:
“Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) generally are minimum amounts that a retirement plan account owner must withdraw annually starting with the year that he or she reaches 70 ½ years of age or, if later, the year in which he or she retires. However, if the retirement plan account is an IRA or the account owner is a 5% owner of the business sponsoring the retirement plan, the RMDs must begin once the account holder is age 70 ½, regardless of whether he or she is retired.”
How much is your RMD? IRS table uses your life expectancy. Ask your trustee or use forms:http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p590.pdf#page=110. If you don’t need $ now, create an emergency fund or legacy for your grandkids: http://www.amazon.com/Give-your-Grandchild-000-Lifetime/dp/1456433105/

Romney tax plan eliminates 3 of our tax deductions to pay for $5 trillion gift to rich
The latest component of Romney's plan for individual income taxes would create a ceiling on deductions as part of a three- part set of limits on tax deductions, according to a campaign aide who spoke on condition of anonymity on Oct. 3 to provide details on the options. The aide said there would be a $17,000 cap on deductions and credits, while Romney suggested a ceiling of $25,000 during the Oct. 16 debate.
A second ceiling would apply to personal exemptions (now $3,800 per person) and a third cap would apply to the tax break for employer-provided health insurance.  If you have health care from your employer, you would need to pay tax on it.
Obama claims these changes raise taxes on the middle class and do not cover the $5 T loss in revenue. Romney claims the balance comes from economic growth. However, Bush tax cuts did not produce economic growth. They actually reduced our growth. http://www.businessweek.com/news/2012-10-24/deduction-cap-means-romney-s-math-adds-up-tax-group-says

Finding the right doctor/hospital is difficult and we are not comfortable with the one we have
Only half of Americans have felt that they have made the right choice when selecting a doctor or hospital, according to a new study by http://www.healthgrades.com/. Taking the time to carefully review a hospital's performance can directly influence outcome of care – and statistics show that, in some cases, can mean the difference between life and death. Our Guide helps you find the best for your needs: http://www.amazon.com/Health-Insurance-ONLY-right-policy/dp/1480125083

US corporate heads ask Congress to due its duty—cut spending AND raise taxes!
CEOs from more than 80 major U.S. companies are pressing Congress to reduce the federal deficit by raising taxes and cutting spending. The CEOs said the solution requires a combination of higher taxes and reduced government spending including on entitlement programs such as Medicare and Medicaid. They also seek federal investment in infrastructure and math and science education. "What it really comes down to is if we still have the political will to be a great country," Dave Cote, chairman and CEO of Honeywell International Inc., said in a statement.


SCAMS           “Only the little people pay taxes.” Leona Helmsley

We taxpayers are still backstopping the big banks reckless trading.
"The managers feel we are the suckers in their poker games of high stakes." There still is no firewall to prevent another financial bailout. “Very large institutions do have advantages in the marketplace when they are not allowed to fail,” Mr. Stern said. “This perception leads to excessive risk-taking, not because management says ‘let’s take more risk,’ but the way things are priced in the marketplace encourages more risk-taking.” Gary H. Stern, former president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis and co-author, with Ron J. Feldman, of the prescient 2003 book “Too Big to Fail: The Hazards of Bank Bailouts.”


Who owns your account now? 
Verizon is transferring some of its pension obligations to Pru. Verizon is using the agreement to lower risks related to pensions while improving its financial profile. It follows General Motors in paying Prudential to assume the risk that market returns are inadequate or that beneficiaries live longer than expected. Transferring obligations can reduce swings in earnings tied to securities and relieve companies of the need to manage large pools of money. “What Verizon is doing is what a lot of companies are considering,” John Butler, a senior analyst at Bloomberg Industries, said in an interview. “They are offloading the risk to Prudential.” 

Amerigroup merged with WellPoint. Amerigroup will head the combined company's Medicaid managed care business.

Northwestern Mutual changes back into an insurer from a thrift to avoid Fed oversight. Many insurers became Savings and Loan Holding Companies during the financial meltdown in order to have available extra cash at 0%. Now they have to put more capital. 

Sun Life Financial, a Canada insurer, is seeking a buyer for a U.S. annuities business.

IAN
41 Watchung Plaza, B242
Montclair, NJ 07042
973.746.2014

Friday, May 25, 2012

$1,000 becomes $100,000 tax FREE


Every $1,000 invested becomes $100,000 tax-FREE in retirement

The best long-term investment (retirement) is a low-cost stock mutual fund. Morningstar found that “low fees are the single best indicator of superior performance,” not the manager’s record or anything else. Each $1,000 you invest grows to $100K. 20 contributions invested for the long term provides $2 million tax-FREE. Start your trust NOW: http://www.amazon.com/Tax-Free-Living-2012-strategies-build/dp/1477452702/



Saving $1,000 every year on auto/home?

Insurers are fighting for market share. 1 hour of shopping can clinch a nice bonus. Find your last ‘dec’ (declaration) page and call 3 “direct writers.” Use our Guide to buy only what you need (avoid the extras and duplicates you already have): http://www.amazon.com/Drop-Your-Insurance-Only-What/dp/1448623391



Allstate recently ranked Pennsylvania fifth among states with the greatest numbers of dog attack claims, up 34% over last year. Dog attacks are one of the top 5 claims in most states.



Is your home just about to have a claim?

These ten tips for filing claims can save you $1000s




Tax credit up to $5,000 for health insurance purchase

Today, the Treasury Department issued final regulations implementing the premium tax credit that will give middle-class Americans unprecedented tax benefits to make the purchase of health insurance affordable. Individuals and families who qualify for assistance (income $22,350 to $89,400 for a family of four in 2011) will receive premium tax credits of over $5,000 per year on average. Older Americans who face higher premiums can receive a larger tax credit. Advance payment of the premium tax credit will be made by the Department of the Treasury directly to the insurance company for those with little cash. The credit is refundable for those with little tax liability. Example: http://www.treasury.gov/press-center/press-releases/Pages/tg1587.aspx



Why are so few people in nursing homes?

If you listen to a sales person offer Long-term Care insurance you might get the impression that almost everyone will need an expensive nursing home at some point in their lives. If this were true, there would be millions of people in nursing homes by now. Actually, out of 40 million American seniors alive today, approximately 1.5 million currently live in nursing homes, about 3.7%. Most people will never spend more than a few months there. Most policies have a 90 waiting period—a deductible—so most people won’t receive any benefits. Two-thirds of those going into nursing homes leave before 90 days are up. Few people end up in nursing homes because most people don’t want to end up there. Family takes care and they usually pass away in a hospital. After all, medical science can keep us alive there. Consider all the alternatives before buying: http://www.amazon.com/Long-term-Care-Insurance-better-alternatives/dp/147006877X



Retirement isn’t all that is planned

37% of workers say they will retire before age 65, yet more than 80% of current retirees did so before age 66. Half of retirees leave work earlier than planned because of health, layoff or care of elder, according to EBRI. 70-80% of workers say they will work part time in retirement but only 27% of current retirees actually do. This means that life happens!

Be prepared. Creating a Wealth Reserve can keep your lifestyle in shape:




Investors move money to low-cost leader

One of every three dollars invested in mutual funds and exchange-traded funds through the first four months of the year went to Vanguard, according to Morningstar Inc. Investors are learning that highly paid advisors taking 1% from smaller gaines can really destroy their earning power. Earning 5% and giving up 20% to someone for bad management makes no sense. Just as Facebook skids down 14% from its opening price, investors are getting tired of the hype. Members feel vindicated with http://www.amazon.com/Wealth-Without-Wall-Street-Commissions/dp/1442168137/





Poverty is the future for more Americans—the gulf widens

Growing numbers of older Americans are spending their retirement years in poverty, according to a recent study. Poverty rates for people ages 65 to 74 climbed from 7.9 percent in 2005 to 9.4 percent in 2009, according to the EBRI analysis of University of Michigan health and retirement study data. For older retirees ages 75 to 84, there was an even steeper increase, from 7.6 percent to 10.7 percent over the same time period. But it's the oldest retirees who are the most likely to live in poverty: 14.6 percent did so in 2009.

 One of the biggest drivers of poverty in old age is failing health and the associated medical costs. Many people also spend down their retirement savings too quickly, especially during recessions. There is an incredible amount of geographic diversity in poverty rates, ranging from over 25 percent in Opelousas-Eunice, La., and Gallup, N.M., to less than 2 percent in Pocatello, Idaho, Helena, Mont., and Ames, Iowa. The Urban Institute expects retirement income inequality to increase dramatically over time. Members plan their spending: http://www.amazon.com/Your-Retirement-Spending-Plan-enough/dp/1461084016



Americans don’t want insurers to deny payments for emergencies—Dah!

Seventy percent of Americans oppose efforts by insurance companies to deny payment for emergency visits when patients believe they are having medical emergencies, but after examination are diagnosed with non-urgent medical conditions, according to the results of a new poll conducted by Harris Interactive on behalf of the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP). In addition, 85 percent of respondents with regular medical providers who sought emergency care said they could not have waited to see their regular providers.

The Supremes will decide about our care next month—5 old guys will decide for us!



WI gun totters overwhelm state licensing and insurers

WI has issued over 100,000 Concealed Carry Licenses so far and is receiving 200-400 license applications each day. Since the new law only gives OK to kill in home, car and office, insurers are not covering legal or civil actions out in the streets. Gun owners claiming self-defense may still have huge legal fees and a homeowners/umbrella will not cover the costs or judgment. Gunfights at the OK coral will require separate cover.



GOP have lost their minds?

Arizona's secretary of state asks to see proof of birth in order to put the president on November's ballot. AZ did not ask for Romney’s cert even though he says he grew up in Mexico. McCain was born in Panama but no one asked for his. If you are born to Americans anywhere, you are a citizen.








SCAMS           “Only the little people pay taxes.” Leona Helmsley



IAN

41 Watchung Plaza, B242

Montclair, NJ 07042

973.746.2014


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


Friday, May 4, 2012

Graduation present of the year!


Wealth: What every high school graduate needs to know in the 21st century $19.95




Your tax refunds could be your future Tax-FREE retirement

What you do with your refund (average over $3,000) could determine your future financial life. Investing $3,000 a year can accumulate in a tax-FREE Wealth Reserve and provide you with a reserve to pay cash instead of giving up interest and in the future, a comfortable retirement. Use it for deductibles and pay fewer premiums for all contracts too. Consider: $3,000 a year can compound to $115,000 in 15 years, 215,000 in 20, and $700,000 in 30 years using 10 funds averaging over 11% a year. See http://www.amazon.com/Tax-FREE-Retirement-code-lifetime-income/dp/1475206976/



Did you receive a refund?

Why are you making a loan to the US government?

Take your refund up front and build a tax-free retirement. Increase your allowances so your boss takes out less in your paycheck. Use this form to increase allowances 1 or 2.   http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/fw4.pdf



How much are you paying for college savings plans?

The Coalition of Mutual Fund Investors found that plans sold through financial advisers or brokers charge more than twice as much in annual fees than plans that parents choose directly through states and manage on their own. On average, the adviser-sold plans were 2.15 times as expensive. The difference was larger when the fund investor organization also included initial sales charges and account maintenance fees that an investor would pay over 10 years — the time span many parents spend building up a 529 account. That comparison found adviser-sold plans cost 2.73 times as much, on average. In dollar terms, the 10-year cost of a $10,000 investment was an average $1,944 for adviser-sold plans compared with $712 for direct-sold plans. Compare fees: http://corporate.morningstar.com/us/pr/529_PaperUpdate.pdf

Unless your state gives you a tax break, low-cost leaders Vanguard and Fidelity are the best choices no matter where you live.



Students face big financial aid changes in 2012 unless our “Reps” work together

Starting July 1, 2012, interest rates on subsidized Stafford loans will jump from 3.4 percent to 6.8 percent, reports the Department of Education. Unsubsidized Stafford loan and graduate Stafford loan rates will stay locked at 6.8 percent.




Another war?              Are your taxes paid?

Multiple stealth F-22 Raptors, which have never been combat-tested, are now in hangars at the United Arab Emirates. They cost an estimated $79 billion and the oxygen to pilots fails unexpectedly.

No matter. The Air Force says the F-22 is ready for war, should it be called.

A former Israeli spymaster has branded the country's leaders unfit to tackle the Iranian nuclear program because of what he called the "messianic feelings" behind their threats to launch a pre-emptive war on Iran.



Is ”asset-based” long-term care insurance right for you?

This name is really a misnomer. Insurers are reacting to the failure of long-term care insurance to thrive by adding a rider to their regular savings-plan life insurance. They are pitching expensive life insurance as long-term care insurance so younger buyers will feel better about buying life insurance. Now, they say, you get two for one. Sellers can now avoid the ‘use it or lose it’ risk of LTCi. Most of the new Life+LTC policies do NOT include a benefit increase option that bumps up available benefits to keep pace with inflationary growth of costs. Thus buyers are being misled to think this policy will cover their future needs. However, when they need care—perhaps 20-30 years hence—they will find that the benefit is so small as to be useless. An alternative, to invest in appreciating assets, will cover needs more appropriately AND retains value for heirs. Members craft their own care benefits/legacy using our Guide: http://www.amazon.com/Long-term-Care-Insurance-better-alternatives/dp/147006877X





GOP gone over the edge?

FL Rep Allen West declares 81 of his colleagues are communists. McCarthyism?

Facts died Wednesday, April 18, after a long battle for relevancy with the 24-hour news cycle, blogs and the Internet. Though few expected Facts to pull out of its years-long downward spiral, the official cause of death was from injuries suffered last week when Florida Republican Rep. Allen West steadfastly declared that as many as 81 of his fellow members of theU.S. House of Representatives are communists. http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2012-04-19/news/ct-talk-huppke-obit-facts-20120419_1_facts-philosopher-opinion



GOP view of US future is not Christian, Bishops say!

There is something un-Christian about the Gospel According to Paul Ryan. So, at least, says Ryan's Catholic Church. The bishops, in opposing Ryan's budget, called for "shared sacrifice by all, including raising adequate revenues."

"Your budget," a group of Jesuit scholars and other Georgetown University faculty members wrote to Ryan last week, "appears to reflect the values of your favorite philosopher, Ayn Rand, rather than the Gospel of Jesus Christ.”

Even Jesus said to render unto Caesar that which is Caesar's. Ryan would rather give the rich a tax cut.




AL health care structure may kill people

Alabama's leaders disagree on how to fund the state's Medicaid program should be properly funded, both sides agree on one thing: People will die if it isn't.

All sides agree that lives hang in the balance -- and not just the lives of people who rely on Medicaid for care. State health officials and lawmakers said a $400 million state Medicaid budget would trigger a chain reaction that would lead to care facilities closing and doctors leaving the state or going out of business.



American “job creators” leaving US to find demand

“We’re investing in India. We’re investing in Russia. We’re investing in Brazil. Not to ship products back here but because demand exists in those markets,” a Fortune 500 CEO said. “At the end of the day, this is really about responding to demand. We’re not going to go out and invest unless there’s demand.”



Are Inverse and leveraged ETFs for you?

Regulators fined four brokerage giants – Citigroup, Morgan Stanley, UBS, and Wells Fargo for selling complex ETFs to retail clients whose conservative portfolios shouldn't have contained the risky investments. The brokerages agreed to pay $7.3 million in fines and $1.8 in restitution to customers who bought unsuitable inverse and leveraged ETFs. The only reason brokers put these customers at risk is the commission. "What kind of deterrence does this serve if they can still keep (nearly all) of the profits from the trading...?" said Jill Gross, director of the Investor Rights Clinic at Pace Law School in New York.

EXAMPLE: A 65-year-old conservative customer of Wells Fargo with a stated net worth less than $50,000 held a non-traditional ETF for 43 days and sustained losses of more than $25,000.





Have you been denied health coverage?  See Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan.

•You must have been without health coverage for at least the last 6 months. Please note that if you currently have insurance coverage that doesn’t cover your medical condition or are enrolled in a state high risk pool, you are not eligible for the Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan.

•You must have a pre-existing condition or have been denied health coverage because of your health condition. Information about what documents about your pre-existing condition you need to provide with your application is available here.




Are your brokerage fees excessive?

Find out by using a new service: SigFig. Some advisers charge customers “wildly different fees” — ranging from 70 basis points to 260 basis points — for the same services. For instance, some firms give a discount to large accounts, but the discounts don't necessarily line up with account size. “Basically, they charge you whatever they think they can get out of you,” Mr. Conrad said. Joe Duran, chief executive of United Capital, called SigFig a “revolutionary” product that will reward low-cost providers. https://www.sigfig.com/ Disclaimer: Insiders have not used this yet.



Do you know what Social Security will pay you each month?

“Our new online Social Security Statement, available at www.socialsecurity.gov/mystatement, is simple, easy-to-use and provides people with estimates they can use to plan for their retirement,” said Michael J. Astrue, Commissioner of Social Security. Members make a spending plan so there are no surprises: http://www.amazon.com/Your-Retirement-Spending-Plan-enough/dp/1461084016/





Have you shopped for auto coverage lately?

Insurers increase advertising to attract new customers.  You may be surprised by saving 30% on your premium because insurers are using more aggressive pricing. Use our Guide to save thousands of dollars over the next 10 years. http://www.amazon.com/Industry-Insiders-Guides-Buying-Insurance/dp/1466435712/



WA sued by women who want their health care

Dozens of women filed a lawsuit against Attorney General Rob McKenna, alleging that his participation in legal action to overturn federal health reform threatens access to comprehensive coverage for women. McKenna’s actions are not in the best interest of Washington state and its residents, which he is obligated by law to represent, the lawsuit says. http://www.columbian.com/news/2012/may/03/dozens-of-women-sue-ag-mckenna/





SCAMS                       Only the little people pay taxes.” Leona Helmsley



Which lobbyist is your “representative” hearing from today?

It will cost you to see your rep but you can let them know you need your tax benefits. See where and when to meet: http://politicalpartytime.org/



Another “too big to fail” bank/hedge fund

Wells Fargo will look more like its Wall Street counterparts after a deal announced Friday to buy Merlin Securities, a prime brokerage and technology provider. Wells announced the acquisition of LaCrosse Global Fund Services, a hedge fund administration and service provider, in September. Wells will set up a big trading operation to complement its retail bank like all the rest.





Former Fed banker warns oligopoly banks still can hurt us

“We cannot have a durable, competitive, dynamic banking system that facilitates economic growth if policy protects the franchises of oligopolies atop the financial sector,” Mr. Warsh told an audience at the Stanford.



Wealthy “Americans” line up to give up passports in Swiss capital

Rich Americans renouncing U.S. citizenship rose sevenfold since a UBS whistle-blower triggered a crackdown on tax evasion four years ago. Few have been prosecuted for hiding income however. They pay a fee of $450 to renounce!?!



IAN

41 Watchung Plaza, B242

Montclair, NJ 07042

973.746.2014