Blog
The purpose of this blog is to give you insight into the many different strategies used in the financial industry that can help you make informed financial decisions. Many of these concepts are used every day by experienced advisers and they can be used to help you.
Markets Slip Slightly in August as Investors Eye the Fed Again
The last full month of summer was a fairly calm one for the financial markets, which is typical. The stock market ended August with slight losses while long-term interest rates took another jump, but the economy remained relatively...
Read MoreThe 401(k) Millionaires Club
The stock market rebound has significantly increased the number of workers with $1 million or more in their workplace retirement accounts. According to Fidelity Investments, employees with 401(k) balances exceeding $1 million rose 26...
Read MoreJuly Brings Mostly Good News for the Markets, Economy & Investors
After pausing in June, the Federal Reserve resumed its tightening efforts in July with another quarter-percent increase to short-term interest rates. The hike was expected so the financial markets took it in stride, and overall July...
Read MoreHow hot is South Florida’s Real Estate Market?
When talking about a hot city like Miami, there's always a debate about whether it's better to buy or rent. A lot of people are afraid to buy today. I would be more afraid to rent and see the prices increase significantly. Clients ask...
Read MoreFed Pauses, Tech Rally Cools in June, and Income Investors Benefit
The stock market tech bubble that had been growing rapidly for months grew slower in June, and the Federal Reserve voted not to raise short-term interest rates for the first time in over a year. Those two developments helped make June...
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Introducing our Free Financial Reports
I would like to introduce our free financial reports on a variety of issues that could impact your quality of life in retirement. At Chamberlin Financial we strive to keep our clients informed about the issues that could impact their...
Read MoreMarkets a Mixed Bag in May as Investors Weighed Many Issues
Is Artificial Intelligence creating a dangerous new tech bubble in the stock market? Could a failure to raise the debt ceiling have crashed our whole economy? Are more regional banks set to fail? These were just some of the questions...
Read MoreWall Street Focuses on Debt Ceiling
Would it surprise you to hear that investors have moved past worrying about inflation? They have, at least for now.Wall Street has shifted its attention to Washington’s budget negotiations and how the debt ceiling will be...
Read MoreHow You Can Purchase I Bonds Direct from the Treasury
With inflation hovering near 40-year highs, some investors are looking for investments that keep pace with rising prices. For many, a Series I Savings Bond is just the ticket. I Bonds give investors a rate of return plus inflation...
Read MoreMarkets Were Calm in April, but Recession Fears Still Linger
After a volatile March, April was a refreshingly quiet one for the financial markets, but lingering warning signs of a recession still persist as inverted yield curve indicates.
Read MoreTime running out for U.S. Debt Ceiling
Treasury Secretary Janet L. Yellen said that the United States could run out of money to pay its bills by June 1 if Congress does not raise or suspend the debt, putting pressure on President Biden and lawmakers to reach a swift...
Read MoreThe Latest Social Security Predictions
Recently, you may have seen reports that the so-called “depletion date” for Social Security was adjusted. This refers to the predicted date when the long-running program will no longer be able to pay full benefits.
Read More6 Retirement Questions Government Employees Should Be Asking
Government employees face unique financial planning considerations as they save for retirement and other goals. This whitepaper shares some crucial questions that government...
Read MoreFind Your Personal Risk Score & Investment Quick Score
We use the industry’s most accurate risk assessment software to help clients determine their personal Risk Score. How risky are your investments? Find out by using our Investment Quick Score app.
Read MoreYour life insurance need calculator
When we lose a loved one, we often go through a whole range of emotions and processing grief can look very different from person to person. Coping with a loss is often paired with trying to establish a new normal and finding a way to...
Read MoreMarkets End March Flat Despite Volatility Around Bank Failures
March was another active month for the financial markets but, in the end, everything ended up just about where it started. As usual, the mid-month volatility stemmed mainly from questions over whether the Federal Reserve would approve...
Read MoreLast Year’s Up-Down Market Pattern Continues into February
While January was a good month overall for the financial markets, February was more of a mixed bag. Although the stock market finished the month with losses, the pullback was fairly minor considering the fact that long-term interest...
Read MoreSound Income Group rings NYSE closing bell
Sound Income Group the mother company of Sound Income Strategies LLC (our Registered Investment Advisory firm) led by David Scranton had the privilege of ringing in the closing bell on the NYSE last Friday. As you probably already know...
Read MoreA More Dovish Fed Made the Markets Happy in January
The first month of the New Year was a good one for the financial markets, thanks largely to the Federal Reserve. In December, the Fed slowed down its schedule for raising short-term interest rates and said they would likely slow down...
Read MoreA Lasting Legacy: The Non-Qualified Annuity Stretch Option
The last thing you want when you receive an inheritance is for it to create new financial burdens. But it can happen. For instance, tax obligations on a lump-sum inheritance can quickly shrink its value and create financial headaches....
Read MoreThe New Year Brings Cause for Optimism and Appreciation
Well, it’s a new year! And here’s hoping it will be a happier one for the financial markets, which struggled throughout 2022 thanks mainly to the Federal Reserve. The Fed’s effort to tame inflation by raising...
Read MoreTraditional Fixed Annuities vs MYGAs
A Traditional Fixed Annuity has an interest rate that is guaranteed for one year at a time but has an ongoing minimum guaranteed rate as well. Sometimes this type of annuity has some sort of upfront bonus to enhance the first-year...
Read MoreGive Thanks for a Good November, but Don’t Get Too Excited Yet
Fittingly, the month of Thanksgiving gave consumers and investors several things to be thankful for. Inflation continued showing signs of slowing, long-term interest rates came down and the stock mark finished November up for the month...
Read MoreWeekly Market Insights: Fed Talks Turkey on Lower Rates, Boosting Markets
Growing optimism that the Fed may be ready to ease future interest rate hikes sent stocks higher in a quiet trading week.The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 1.78%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 added 1.53%. The Nasdaq...
Read MoreFed Delivers Mixed Message for the Markets at Latest Meeting
On November 2, the Federal Reserve met and raised short-term interest rates by three-quarters of a percent for the fourth time this year. Although the latest big increase was expected, the stock market still experienced a sell-off...
Read MoreNow is the Time for Income Investors to Be Grateful & Confident
The markets went a little crazy in late August then went crazier in September. The stock market tumbled, and long-term interest rates jumped higher. This all occurred even though gas prices continued to decline, and the economy...
Read MoreWhat’s the Fed’s Master Plan?
Wall Street is always searching for a hero to embrace or a villain to blame. And right now, Fed Chair Jerome Powell is the villain.After the September Fed meeting, Powell said interest rates may be heading higher for longer than...
Read MoreFed’s Jawboning is Working Again, but it Has Limitations
July’s market recovery continued for most of August, but then came Jackson Hole. That’s Jackson Hole, Wyoming, the site of the Federal Reserve’s annual symposium, which took place August 25-27. Fed Chairman Jerome...
Read MoreGood News for Wall Street, Bad News for the Economy
July brought a mix of good news and bad news for the economy and financial markets. On the good side, the stock market rebounded after hitting its lowest level of the year in June. On the bad side, the U.S. economy shrank again in the...
Read MoreRecession Fears & the Fed’s Predicament Rattle Markets
It’s official. The S&P 500 is now in a bear market, meaning down more than 20% from its early-year peak. The Nasdaq is also down around 35% after a June in which investors increasingly shifted their focus toward the possibility...
Read MoreWeekly Market Insights: Fed Rate Hike Triggers Market Dip
Stocks moved lower last week as recession fears deepened following a Fed hike in interest rates and weak economic data.The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 4.79%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 dropped 5.79%. The Nasdaq...
Read MoreWeekly Market Insights: Stocks Dip on Inflation Report
A higher-than-expected inflation report triggered a sell-off on Friday, leaving stocks in the red for the week.The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 4.58%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 dropped 5.05%. The Nasdaq Composite index...
Read MoreWeekly Market Insights: Stocks Slip on Mixed Economic News
In a holiday-shortened week of volatile trading, stocks surrendered some of the previous week’s strong gains.The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.94%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 declined 1.20%. The Nasdaq Composite...
Read MoreMarkets Settled Down a Bit in May. Will it Last?
April showers bring May flowers. That saying is a pretty good metaphor for how things played out last month in the financial markets. After an April in which the stock market fell, inflation soared, and long-term interest rates took...
Read MoreHow to Choose the Right Annuity as Rates Rise
As you already know the Fed has been raising interest rates in order to curb inflation. This has caused many insurance companies that issue fixed annuities and fixed indexed annuities to also raise their rates regarding fixed rates,...
Read MoreHow to Buy I Bonds Direct from the Treasury
With inflation hovering near 40-year highs, some investors are looking for alternative ways to weather the storm. For many, a Series I Savings Bond is just the ticket. I Bonds give investors a rate of return plus inflation protection...
Read MoreWhat the Russia-Ukraine Crisis May Mean for Investors
Even before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on February 24, the financial markets were volatile. They were also poised to remain volatile all year thanks to inflation and the Federal Reserve’s plan to combat it by steadily...
Read MoreThe Baby Boomer Dilemma Documentary
Throughout my practice, I’ve often emphasized why it’s so important to have a retirement plan focused on retirement income as pensions slowly become a thing of the past and Social Security becomes more strained....
Read More2022 Market Performance Now Hinges on the Fed More Than Ever
In last month’s newsletter I shared my 2022 market forecast, in which I called for a year of stock market growth in the range of 5 to 15%. While I stand by that forecast, recent statements by the Federal Reserve have reinforced...
Read MorePersonal Financial Website - Life in a Box
We have implemented an exciting new technology designed to help provide our clients with an interactive wealth managementtool and help ensure transparency and help holistic planning.The available services include:• Personal...
Read More2022 Contribution Limits
Preparing for retirement just got a little more financial wiggle room. This week, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced new contribution limits for 2022. Staying put for 2022 are traditional Individual Retirement Accounts...
Read MoreResolve to Review Your Strategy Before New Year’s
So much for “The October Effect”. The idea that stock market crashes are common in October was not only rejected by Wall Street last month, but it was also completely reversed. After falling by about 5% in September, the...
Read MoreEstate Taxes May Be Amended Soon
To help raise revenue to pay for President Biden’s Build Back Better Plan, Congress is considering a number of tax law changes, including adjusting estate taxes. One of the proposals would reduce the estate tax exemption to...
Read MoreWhat’s Driving Wall Street’s New Nervousness? Lots!
Last month, I identified several issues that could shake up the markets this fall, and they’ve been shaking them. However, new issues have also emerged. Entering September, the stock market was on a seven-month winning streak...
Read MoreCongress Targets Large IRAs and Roth Conversions
House Democrats are proposing new rules regarding retirement accounts for the rich, part of a restructuring of the tax code tied to a $3.5 trillion budget The reforms are aimed to prevent the use of retirement accounts as what some...
Read MoreOil Prices Hit Six-Year High
On July 6, oil prices reached a six-year high of $76.98 a barrel. This benchmark came as the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and allies failed to reach an agreement regarding an increase in production.1This...
Read MoreA 6.1% Bump in Social Security?
The news keeps getting better for Social Security recipients. It's now projected that benefits will increase 6.1% in 2022, up from the 4.7% forecast just two months ago. That would be the most significant increase since 1983.1,2...
Read MoreA Roaring Start to Earnings Season
Corporate earnings season has begun, and the results are turning heads on Wall Street.Of the 120 companies in the S&P 500 index that reported numbers as of Friday, July 23, 89% of them beat the Street’s earnings-per-share...
Read MoreEconomic Lessons from Used-Car Inflation
Inflation is defined as the general upward price movement of goods and services in an economy. The key word is “general.” Inflation tends to be uneven and affects the price of some items more than others.If you’ve...
Read MoreThe Fed Acknowledges Inflation
At its June meeting, the Federal Reserve confirmed what many of us have suspected for some time: prices are rising. In fact, prices are climbing faster than many expected. In response, the Fed raised its inflation expectation to 3.4%,...
Read MoreBuffett and Powell Talk Inflation
What does it mean when two of the most powerful voices in American financial life seem to be saying two different things? In one corner, we have the “Oracle of Omaha,” investor Warren Buffett. As one of the nation’s...
Read MoreThe Income Generation Show with David Scranton and Stuart Chamberlin
I really enjoyed being on The Income Generation show with David Scranton recently along with guests Laurence Kotlikoff (economist), Anthony Saccaro, and Jeff Small. In the segment below I was asked the question "Do I find that many...
Read MoreThe Case for Fixed Income
In my recent Educational Video Series, I make the case for fixed income. A renewable resource is a resource that can replenish itself naturally over time. We hear the term “renewable resource” used often when referring to...
Read MoreCash Balance Plan
In my recent Educational Video Series, I discuss the advantages of a Cash Balance Plan vs traditional retirement plans. A Cash Balance plan is a type of IRS-qualified retirement plan known as a “hybrid” plan. In a Cash...
Read MoreSpending Down Principal in Retirement
Why spending down principal in retirement is not a good idea? What is reverse dollar-cost averaging? Why should you consider the effects of inflation on healthcare costs in your retirement? Spending principal in retirement has never...
Read MoreElection Update: 2021 May Bring Some Changes
As election season draws to a close, it's a great time to review what type of legislative support would be needed to pass certain policy proposals that may come forward from the Biden Administration. It's important to remember that...
Read MoreWhy is the stock market up so high amid a global pandemic?
Many of you who follow the market may be wondering why does the stock market keep going up setting record highs amid a pandemic, shutdowns, and layoffs across the country? Many of the fundamentals just don’t support where the...
Read MoreDoes Main Street Need a Wall Street Strategy?
As Wall Street pushes higher, a pandemic-weary Main Street is relearning how to manage cash flow with the hope of keeping its retirement dreams alive. Self-employed Americans, and the people working for them, account for roughly 30...
Read MoreDo you need a Will or Trust?
We have partnered with a network of attorneys across the country to provide you with an affordable way to access their services. Each Estate Plan is customized to your needs and requirements. Also, each plan is approved by a licensed...
Read MoreElection 2020: Biden’s Policy Initiatives
Now that several major news groups have projected Joe Biden the winner of the presidential election—and Congress appears divided with Democrats in control of the House and Republicans the Senate—it’s a good time to...
Read MoreElection 2020: Economic Issues in the Crosshairs
It should come as no surprise to hear the economy is the top issue for voters in the 2020 election. Nearly 8 in ten voters say that the economy will be very important to them when they cast their votes.1 But when voters say...
Read MoreHow to take Required Minimum Distributions the Right Way
There is an ideal order in which to pull funds from retirement accounts when taking IRS Required Minimum Distributions (RMD). The goals, which often go unheeded, are to minimize taxes, minimize taking principal, and earn as much as...
Read MoreTips for Small Business Owners to Stay Ahead During the Pandemic
Ensuring that your business not only survives but thrives during the pandemic may sound like a tall order. But there are plenty of actions business owners can take mid-pandemic that can help them come out the other side even stronger....
Read MoreGift Tax Exemption Solution-Use Only One Spouse's Exemption
Under current law, each individual has an $11.58 million gift tax exemption and an $11.58 million generation-skipping transfer (GST) tax exemption. These amounts are scheduled to decrease to $5.49 million, adjusted for inflation, on...
Read MoreReplacing your term life policy with a permanent cash value policy
One disadvantage of owning a term life insurance policy is that it is not a permanent life insurance policy, nor does it have any cash value. Once the term is up you would have to renew or purchase a new policy with a higher premium...
Read MoreHow to access assets in a qualified plan while helping reducing taxes
Did you know that 30.1 trillion dollars are owned by individuals in qualified plans? What if you could move assets that seem to be trapped in your qualified retirement plan? Investors who have assets of 1,000,000+ and a total net...
Read MoreSt. Augustine Florida tourist destination and economy during COVID
Florida is considered by many as one of the world’s premier vacation destinations. Just during the first six months alone in 2019, nearly 69 million tourists visited the state which was a 5.6 percent increase from the previous...
Read MoreWeekly Market Insights: Stocks Stall as Recovery Continues
A late week sell-off sent stocks broadly lower as investors took some profits after stocks reached all-time highs earlier in the week.The Dow Jones Industrial Average slid 1.82%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 slumped 2.31%...
Read MoreDow 30 Changes Its Starting Lineup
The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA), one of the most widely followed stock market indices, has made some key changes to its starting lineup. Salesforce.com, Amgen Inc.and Honeywell International Inc. have replaced Exxon Mobil Corp...
Read MoreEstate Planning tool for Legacy Planning and Philanthropic Interest
Here is an interesting financial planning tool for legacy planning and philanthropic interest. Its called a Charitable Lead Annuity Trust (CLAT) which is a type of trust that helps in legacy planning for both philanthropic interests...
Read MoreWhy Cross Your Fingers Hoping for Growth When you can Invest for Income
With the DOW up nearly 40% and the S&P 500 up nearly 28% from Mar 23 when the market hit its bottom due to COVID-19 you have to wonder if the fundamentals really support this market rise? There seems to be a great disconnect between...
Read MoreIs your Financial Advisor a Fiduciary?
Does your Financial Advisor listen to your temperament? Have you asked your advisor to be more conservative and he or she fought you on it? Could it be that the reason why some financial advisors do not listen to their clients when...
Read MoreReal Estate during COVID-19
The U.S. Census Bureau and the Department of Housing and Urban Development on April 16 reported that new home construction starts for single-family homes – like the ones provided by D.R. Horton and NVR's Ryan Homes -- were down...
Read MoreInvestors Cringe As Oil Prices Drift Lower
Thanks to COVID-19, flying is down, driving is down, and the price of fuel is way, way down. On April 20, U.S. crude oil dropped to its lowest level in more than 30 years, due to a slump in demand. That day, West Texas Intermediate...
Read MoreHow to Prepare for the 2020 Tax Season
Attached to this blog article is a 2020 Tax Planning Guide to help you prepare for the 2020 tax season. This informative and comprehensive guide explores the nuances of the tax code and how you can take advantage of changes. In this...
Read MoreLearn the proven strategies used by the wealthy
My team and I built a platform to help you in moments of such unpredictability. We created a 14-part video series to help you confidently prepare for retirement, especially in times like these. Luckily, the videos are all online, so...
Read MoreHow to Avoid Common Estate Planning Mistakes
When most people think of estate planning, they usually think about wills, trust, and where your money goes after you die, but it’s actually much broader than that. It includes other things of which you might not be aware of. In...
Read MorePremium Financing for High Net-Worth Individuals
Let's discuss one overlooked estate planning tool for high net-worth individuals is called Premium Financing and why Premium Financing should be considered in creating an efficient plan. In one of my recent educational videos, I...
Read MoreUnderstanding and Maximizing Your Social Security Benefits
In my recent Educational Video series, I discuss some of the ways you can maximize your Social Security benefits. Before you retire, you should know what all your various sources of income will be, and how much you can expect to...
Read MoreBond Mutual Funds vs Individual Bonds
You've probably have noticed in several of my other videos I have mentioned some of the hidden dangers behind Investing in bond mutual funds and why brokers/advisers like to recommend them vs individual bonds. In my recent Educational...
Read MoreWhy the Negative Spin on Annuities in the Media?
When doing research on certain subjects these days it can very difficult to get objective truthful information on a subject with so much spin in the media. Financial news is particularly susceptible to being “spun” a...
Read MoreWhat to do in a Bear Market Cycle
There is a lot of fear in the market as you may well know over the coronavirus pandemic and the effect it is having on the economy. The last three years of gains have basically been wiped out in just a few weeks as oil prices at the...
Read MoreRemoving stock-market risks from your retirement savings
The recent market decline over fears of the coronavirus and the impact it could have on the economy should cause investors to reconsider how much risks they want associated with their retirement savings. The DOW Jones Industrial...
Read MoreSocial Security and Medicare for 2020
Social Security and Medicare premiums, taxes, and cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) can be confusing. And adding to the complexity are those years affected by the hold harmless rule which can make it that much more difficult. To help...
Read MoreTime to consider removing risks from your portfolio
The market fell sharply Friday with Dow losing 603 points, or 2.1%, in its worst day since August. The S&P 500 shed 1.7%, while the Nasdaq dropped 1.6%. This recent sell off comes as traders grow increasingly worried about the...
Read MoreRequired Minimum Distributions
In our recent educational video series, I discuss why do you think the U.S. government forces you to take Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) when you turn age 72 now because of the SECURE Act (70 1/2 before January 1, 2020) from...
Read MoreAlternative Investments
Now comes the moment you've been waiting for in my educational video series. It’s the time that you will be able to learn a bit about this so-called universe of non-stock market income-generating investment options. There are...
Read MoreWhat Wall Street Won't Tell You
Some of you who watched my previous videos might wonder why I feel so certain that these predictable, repeatable cycles in the stock market, that have continued over time, will continue to be as predictable and repeatable in the...
Read MoreMarket History
Do you believe that history tends to repeat itself more often than not? Why is this so important? It's important because I was able to use market history in the late 1990s to predict that we were going to go into what probably would be...
Read MoreHow I Was Able to Predict Market Downturns
I am often asked how I was able to predict the first market drop that started in the beginning of the year 2000 a year in advance, and the second drop in 2007. There are a couple of different answers here. In my educational video...
Read MoreDo you have a Financial Defense?
Do you have a financial defense? When I talk about financial defense with potential clients, I usually start by asking them this question: "If you have a stock portfolio that loses 50-percent of its value, do you know what percentage...
Read MoreImportant things to know about deferred income annuities (DIA/longevity annuities)
When you’re looking for the highest annuity payouts we’re usually speaking about a Single Premium Immediate (SPIA) which can provide a fixed income for life or a specified period. It’s just a payout of your own money...
Read MoreRemoving risks from your portfolio
Let’s talk about risks. With the threat of trade wars between China and the U.S. looming and the spread between the 2-year and 10-year Treasury yield narrowed to only 6 basis points today near its lowest since 2007 the odds that...
Read MoreWorking while on Social Security
U.S News & World Report Money recently asked me for my thoughts on what happens if you work wile receiving Social Security. There are many reasons why someone may still want to work even after receiving social security benefits. Maybe...
Read MoreWhat if you don't need RMDs you're forced to take?
There is a new indexed annuity being launched today geared toward clients 70½ and older who don't need the money that the government requires they withdraw each year from retirement accounts in the form of required minimum...
Read MoreToo Much Credit Card Debt vs. Emergency Savings
In a recent survey done shows that many Americans aren’t saving anything at all. A recent Bankrate survey found that 74 million Americans have more credit card debt than emergency savings. Credit card debt can be a real drag on...
Read MoreIRA Distributions Prior to age 59 1/2 using 72(t)
There is a way to take distributions from an IRA prior to age 59 ½ without a 10% penalty from the IRS. It’s called a 72(t) Distribution. The 72(t) Early Distribution Illustration helps you explore your options for taking...
Read MorePremium Financing For Estate Planning Purposes
The CPA Journal had an article back in 2009 titled "Premium Financing: The Time Is Now" which discusses using premium financing for estate planning purposes for high net-worth individuals. The article makes the case why premium...
Read MoreThe Big Problem Facing Social Security
Social Security according to latest SOC Board of Trustees report last June is currently paying out benefits to nearly 63 million people and was expected to payout more than it collected in 2018. The last time this happened was back in...
Read MoreHow To Afford The Lifestyle Of Your Dreams In Retirement
There is an old saying “if you fail to plan, you are planning to fail! Same could be said regarding planning for retirement. Many people have an idea of what their life style should look like in retirement but few have a detailed...
Read MoreWhy the Fed Raised Rates Again
The Federal Reserve raised its key interest rate Wednesday for a fourth time this year to combat inflation so they say. The goal of the Federal Reserve is to maintain an inflation rate of around 2% while November the inflation rate...
Read MorePass-Through Income Deduction for 2018.
Its that time of the year again. If you're a business owner here are the rules on the new 20% Pass-Through Income Deduction for 2018. Owners of certain pass-through businesses will be allowed to deduct up to 20% of qualified business...
Read MoreMarket Fears Persist as 2018 Comes to a Close
It's been a roller-coaster ride this year if you've been in the stock market. The DOW closed today down 507.53 points down 4.56% for the year and the S&P 500 was down 54.01 points down 4.78% for the year. There are solutions to...
Read More2019's New Tax Numbers To Know
The IRS recently issued its inflation adjustments for the 2019 tax year, affecting more than 60 provisions in the tax code. Here are some of the major highlights to be aware of for both you and your clients: • Income Tax Rates:...
Read MoreRetirement Planning After Retirement
In a recent article written by Rebecca Lake for Investopedia titled "Retirement Planning Doesn't Stop When You Retire" I was asked for my thoughts on the subject and why you should still have a saving mindset when it comes to your...
Read MoreA tax-deductable bonus strategy for retaining your key employees
Life insurance provides provides the reassurance of knowing that if something happened to you , your loved ones would be protected. The death benefit passes income-tax-free to beneficiaries and can be used for a variety of financial...
Read MoreWhat you should consider before dipping into your 401k
If you’re thinking about changing jobs and are tempted to cash in a portion of your 401k plan or all of it there many things you should consider. According to Forbes employee turnover rate is the highest it’s ever been in.
Read MoreRetirement Planning For Young People
The challenges young people face today regarding retirement planning are far more different than what their parents or grandparents faced in the past. In the past one could stay with one company 20-30 years and retire with a pension...
Read MoreDiscover the proven strategies used by the wealthy.
One of the biggest obstacles you will face while building wealth over your life time will be taxes. Winston Churchill said it best “We contend that for a nation to try to tax itself into prosperity is like a man standing in a...
Read MorePass-Through Income Deduction
Owners of certain pass-through businesses will be allowed to deduct up to 20% of qualified business income from a partnership, S corporation, or sole proprietorship (not an LLC or C corp) for #tax years after December 31, 2017, and...
Read MoreCharitable Planning Strategies
Chamberlin Financial has a strategic partnership with Legacy Tree Foundation to offer charitable planning services to our clients. Legacy Tree Foundation only works directly with advisers, not the public so you must work directly with...
Read MoreChamberlin Financial now has a strategic partnership with NIW Companies
Kai-Zen is a strategy that helps you maintain your current lifestyle in the event of a chronic illness, premature death, or an inability to sufficiently save for retirement. Protecting your earnings is critical to insuring your...
Read MoreSocial Security Expected to Tap Into Reserves in 2018
According to the Wall Street Journal Social Security is expected to dip into its reserves this year. There are many factors contributing to the depletion of the trust fund including an aging population and lower projected tax revenue...
Read MoreSafety of Principal, Income for Life, and Inflation Protection
The Consumer Price Index rose 2.4% in March compared to a year ago. Rising prices were seen in Hotel rooms, apartment rentals, and hospital costs. The US has had almost no inflation for the past decade until recently. The Federal...
Read MoreIbbotson: Fixed Indexed Annuities Beat Out Bonds
In his latest research, economist Roger Ibbotson argues that fixed indexed annuities have the potential to outperform bonds in the near future and smooth the return pattern of a portfolio. Click this link for the full article. On the...
Read MoreBenefits of an Executive Bonus Plan
One great way to attract good employees and keep them is to offer an Executive Bonus Plan. An executive bonus plan (Section 162) is a way for business owners or companies to provide additional supplemental benefits to key employees or...
Read MoreA Safe Retirement
How do you create a safe retirement and still participate in the growth of the market? It may sound too good to be true but it's not! You have to have an open mind and consider something that you may have a bias against because of...
Read MoreGuggenheim's Minerd concerns of a possible replay of 1987 stock market crash
How many of you remember Black Monday? For those of you too young to remember in finance, Black Monday refers to Monday, October 19, 1987, when stock markets around the world crashed, shedding a huge value in a very short time. The...
Read MoreRate Change Update
This post is an update to my last post regarding "Reducing Risk in A Volatile Market" The A+ rated insurance company I was referring to just an announced a rate change to their fixed indexed annuity. The new participation rate that...
Read MoreReducing Risk in A Volatile Market
Today the market plunged for a second straight session, with the DowJones Industrial Average dropping more than 1,400 points and the S&P 500 Index enduring its steepest single-day decline since August 2015, erasing its gains for the...
Read More5 Key Facts About the New Tax Bill
The enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) represents “the most sweeping overhaul of the U.S. tax code in more than 30 years.”1 For millions of Americans and businesses it means an altered financial and investment...
Read MoreThe overlooked annuity alternative
There are many benefits of owning an annuity-like tax differed growth and income for life. But eventually the taxes will be due at an ordinary income rate and for non-spousal beneficiaries, the death benefit will also be taxed. There...
Read MoreTulip Mania and Bitcoin
Tulip mania is a term used to describe a time during the Dutch Golden Age during which contract prices for some bulbs of the recently introduced and fashionable tulip reached exuberantly high levels and then dramatically collapsed in...
Read MoreDow hits 24,000 for the first time
The Dow Jones Industrial average hit a record new high Thursday, topping 24,000 for the first time, adding to the already sizable 2017 gains of 401(k) investors that have exposure to stocks in their retirement accounts. The 2017 stock...
Read MoreTax reform: How the House bill affects loans on retirement accounts
One good thing about the proposed bill is that a reduction in the pre-tax 401(k) savings limit is off the table, for now. The bill has a lot of other details in that do affect retirement savings. For example, the bill released Nov. 2,...
Read MoreOpen Enrollment 2018
A lot of people are a little confused about the 2018 open enrollment season. Since President Trump recently cut off a few important Obamacare subsidies paid to insurance companies to help lower out-of-pocket medical costs for...
Read MoreIncreasing Income In Retirement
With so many annuities out there it’s hard for an individual to know which one is right for them. If you’re looking for something with NO RISK to the principal but still linked to an index that historically out performs...
Read MoreQualified Plans and the IRS Case Study
A common assumption among those who have assets in qualified accounts is that they actually own them all. Because these funds are 100% taxable a person may own only 60-70% of them. Uncle Sam owns the rest!! This example (click link...
Read MoreTax-Free Distributions
One of the biggest problems facing high-income earners today is taxes and it's also a problem for anyone deferring capital gains using a qualified account like a 401k or an IRA since withdrawals are taxed at an ordinary income rate. A...
Read MoreSeptember Is Life Insurance Awareness Month
Danica Patrick, professional race car driver and athlete, is the spokesperson for Life Insurance Awareness Month for the second year, spreading the message of financial fitness. "Life insurance is one of those things that you can...
Read MoreCaptive Insurance Company Benefits
The Benefits of Owning a Captive Insurance Company A little background on what a captive is an insurance company is. Captive insurance companies are wholly-owned by one or more non-insurance companies to insure the risks of its owner...
Read MoreReal Estate Transfer Plan
Are potential capital gain issues keeping you from selling your property? Did you know there is a way to sell your property and drastically reduce your capital gains tax? Would you like to free yourself from tenant and maintenance...
Read MoreCharitable Planning
Amid predicted tax hikes and market volatility, with 85% of Americans already giving to charity, charitable planning remains a largely untapped opportunity. There are simple programs which can be easily implemented that can provide...
Read MoreTHE RETIREMENT CRISIS
The likelihood of outliving your assets is REAL! Click here for this free brochure.
Read MoreWhy People Buy Annuities
The word annuity for some can be the end of the conversation drawing upon a perceived Idea of what an annuity is usually based on a lot of misinformation and bad publicity. But yet billions of dollars are put into annuities every year...
Read MoreGet the Basics on Fixed Indexed Annuities
Click the link below to learn more about Fixed Indexed Annuities. Fixed Indexed Annuity Insights
Read MoreBusinesses See Trumps Tax Cuts as Positive
Many small-business and manufacturers’ associations praised the proposal set by Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump to take the U.S. federal corporate tax rate from the highest to one of the lowest among developed...
Read MorePremium Financing at a Glance
“PremiumLife Plus™ involves the lending of funds to a person or company to cover the cost of an insurance premium.” Top Reasons to Finance Life Insurance Premiums Leverage – Most self-made millionaires are...
Read MoreGuaranteed Universal Life-Pros and Cons
Guaranteed Universal Life (GUL) also called “No Lapse or “Secondary Guarantee Universal Life” is really a Term life insurance that has a guaranteed level premium and guaranteed death benefit for a limited period....
Read MoreFixed Annuity Rates vs CD Rates
Even with the markets continuing to set records, there’s still consumer demand for fixed-rate guarantees with principal protection. Most retirees and baby boomers are looking for contractual guarantees and benefits, which has...
Read MoreUnderstanding Life Insurance Trusts
1. What does a life insurance trust do? An irrevocable life insurance trust or ILIT gives you more control over your insurance policies and the money that is paid from them. It also lets you reduce or even eliminate estate taxes, so...
Read MoreForeign Nationals and Real Estate
What are some of the tax implications of owning U.S. property as a foreign national? Life insurance can provide planning solutions for the unique U.S. tax challenges that Foreign Nationals face. Resident and Non-Resident Aliens are not...
Read MoreLife Insurance Trusts, Estate Plans, and Asset Protection for Doctors
We've previously devoted a number of discussions to the use of life insurance by physicians including a look at how to buy insurance and discussions of its specific uses and how much life insurance a doctor and his or her spouse...
Read MorePremium Financing
How it works A good prospect for premium financing might be someone who is still working and needs life insurance, but is not ready to liquidate his assets. For example, let's say Sam, age 67, wants to leave a legacy of $5 million to...
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