Finance
How to Use -- Contents
Slightly Creaky does research to find the links you would most likely need and provides them for you in an easy-to-find format. You can access the various categories from any of our pages using the top or side menus. Each category has generalized headings, followed by more specific ones.
Categories
Updated January 1, 2012
Please Contact us if you find a broken or bad link.
| Investing Your Assets | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Financial Planning | |||
| Working After Retirement | |||
| Social Security | |||
| Tax Information | |||
| Recognizing & Avoiding Scams | Because of the depth of information, scam and fraud links are on a separate page. | ||
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Recommended Reading:
Identity theft is becoming more common and can reach anyone, young or old, rich or poor. For a few good pointers to avoid this, read the FTC Identity Theft site and visit our Recognizing & Avoiding Scams section
Investing Your Assets
Investing Your Assets
Stocks and Bonds |
"Stocks are in two primary classes. The one you choose depends on what you want from a stock. Preferred stock typically pays regular dividends, and investors who want income foremost from their stocks favor it. Common stock represents ownership of a company and may offer more rights and privileges than preferred stock" |
| Understanding Stocks and the Stock Market | |
| Financial Dictionary | "Financial lingo can sometimes be confusing and intimidating. For this reason, we have provided a financial dictionary of over 6,000 terms so that you can get quick definitions for terms you don't understand." |
| Introduction to Stocks | "The first step for you to understand the stock market is to understand stocks. A share of stock is the smallest unit of ownership in a company. If you own a share of a company’s stock, you are a part owner of the company." |
| Investing Basics | "Investing Basics is where you will find the answers to those questions about stocks and the stock market for investors beginning to explore individual stocks as an investment." |
| Stock Charts | "Who thought making great looking financial charts could be so easy? We give you the tools, the educational information, the expert opinions, and the support you need to improve your investing." |
| Understanding Stock Market Tables | "Columns 1 & 2: 52 Week Hi and Low -- These two columns show the highest and lowest prices paid for the stock over the past 52 weeks, excluding the latest day’s trading." |
| Reading Stock Quotes | "Reading stock quotes from the newspaper can be intimidating for those who are not familiar with the format. Here is how to interpret the charts and read the stock quotes." |
| Learn How to Read Stock Charts | "Reading charts is an art form that can be mastered! There are many factors on a chart that go into making trade decisions." |
| Understanding Stock Quotes | "Investing is much more than a numbers game, but you can’t get very far from numbers if want to understand what’s going on in the market or with your stock. The stock market quote, which you can find in the daily newspaper or online, is the most basic collection of numbers that providers update on a regular basis." |
| A Guide to Understanding Stock Quotes | "Stock quotes refer to the price of anything that sells on a particular stock exchange. The quote can be for a mutual fund, a stock, an option, or an ETF." |
| Quote.com | Contains many articles about understanding the stock market. |
| Wall Street Journal | Newspaper. With linbks to additional business resources. |
| Understanding Financial Markets & Instruments | Complete online book. "People have different needs, and in trying to fulfill these needs, opposite needs are matched. Where needs are matched on a large scale, markets for those needs develop." Individual chapters are posted elsewhere on this SC Finance page. |
| Types of Investing Risks | "Investing in stocks is a risky business. There are some risks you have some control over and others that you can only guard against. " |
| Understanding Investment Risk Types | "There are a lot of fancy names for risk but the bottom line is that understanding them gives you a better chance are being able to mitigate their effects. You can’t fully reduce risk but through proper diversification, you can reduce their effects on your total portfolio so there isn’t one silver bullet that can take you down." |
| How To Avoid The Dangers Of Online Stock Market Trading | "Because online stock market trading is easier, it becomes tempting to trade often. But it's tough to beat the market on a consistent basis. For the long term, a buy-and-hold strategy is the best way to invest even in online stock markets." |
| Dangers of Investing Without Knowledge of the Stock Market | "Stocks can be a very tricky investment, and if you do not have much knowledge about how things work it could be a biggest risk for your investment." |
| Types of Bonds | "A bond is a security instrument which acknowledges that the issuer has borrowed money and must repay it to the bondholder at a specified rate of interest over a predetermined period of time. These securities are referred to as debt obligations, contrasted with stocks, which represent ownership in a corporation." |
| How do Bonds Work? | "Businesses aren't the only entities that can issue bonds. Governments and municipalities sell them as well. Let's look at how these kinds of bonds differ." |
| Bond Finance | "Bond financing is borrowing for a specific tenure. Bonds are issued with the purpose of raising money. Potential investors buy bonds and there is a particular mature value or face value of these bonds." |
| Municipal Bonds | Many articles. "There are two ways to buy municipal bonds: 1) Investors can buy municipal bonds when the bonds are first issued or 2) investors can buy bonds after the bonds have been issued in the secondary market. This is similar to stocks; investors can buy stock during the IPO (initial public offering) or after the stock begins trading in the market." |
| Treasury Bonds | "Treasury bonds are issued by the government of the United States in order to pay for government projects. The money paid out for a Treasury bond is essentially a loan to the government. As with any loan, repayment of principal is accompanied by a fixed interest rate." |
| Treasury Securities & Programs | "U.S. Treasury securities are a great way to invest and save for the future. Here, you'll find overviews regarding U.S. Treasury bonds, notes, bills, and TIPS. Also, you can obtain basic information about the different types of savings bonds, including EE/E, I and HH/H bonds." |
| Treasury Direct | "TreasuryDirect is the first and only financial services website that lets you buy and redeem securities directly from the U.S. Department of the Treasury in paperless electronic form. You enjoy the flexibility of managing your savings porfolio online as your needs and financial circumstances change - all the time knowing your money is backed by the full faith of the U.S. government." |
| Savings Bonds | "U.S. Savings Bonds are sold throughout the country by financial institutions either over the Internet or over the counter, and through payroll savings plans administered by companies either for paper savings bonds or electronic savings bonds in TreasuryDirect." |
| The Savings Bond Guru | "We take all the savings bond interest rates, rules & regulations, simplify them, and create a customized, easy-to-read, color-coded report online!" |
| Savings Bond Wizard | With the Savings Bond Wizard®, you can: Manage your savings bonds. Print your savings bond inventory. Find the redemption value of your bonds. Find the interest your bonds have earned. |
"Every investor or trader should learn the basics before he or she begins trading commodities and futures. Here we will cover everything from contract specifications to placing of commodity trades." |
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| Understanding the Basics of Commodities | |
| Understanding Commodities Markets | "Because of its location at the base of the Great Lakes and its close proximity to the farms of the Midwest, Chicago was a natural center for transportation, distribution and trading commodities. Overages and shortages of agricultural products caused extreme changes in price. An exchange was needed that would bring together a market to find potential buyers and sellers of a commodity instead of making people bear the burden of finding their own." |
| Understanding the Commodities Markets | "A farmer would agree with a buyer on a price to deliver to him 5,000 bushels of wheat at the end of June. If the price suited both parties, they would enter into a “futures contract” (they didn’t call it at that time, but that was what it was). The farmer knew how much he would be paid for his wheat, and the buyer knew how much this wheat would cost him." |
| Chicago Board of Trade | "We provide the widest range of benchmark futures and options products available on any exchange, covering all major asset classes. Our collective vision is one of ongoing global growth, innovative product development, continually enhanced technology and the highest level of service available on any exchange." |
| Commodity Futures Options Trading | "The risk of loss in trading commodities can be substantial. You should therefore carefully consider whether such trading is suitable for you in light of your financial condition." |
| Factors in Food Commodity Price Increases | "The Economic Research Service is a primary source of economic information and research in the U.S. Department of Agriculture. " |
| Commodities - Prices | Frtom CNN Money. |
| Online Commodities Trading Benefits and Dangers | "You can expect much quicker execution of your trades through an online broker as well as lower commissions and a sense of independence. However, there are some hidden dangers that many novice traders overlook before they open an account to trade commodities online." |
| Understanding the Real Risks behind Commodities | "Investing is all about managing the risk involved in generating returns. Have a look at some common risks you face when investing in commodities and some small steps you can take to minimize these risks." |
"Today there is a new dimension to banking and that is the new wave of online banks that are available on the Internet. These banks make it possible for you to have more flexibility and the kind of options the brick and mortar banks do not offer you." |
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| What You Ought to Know About Banks and Online Banking Services | |
| Bank Services | From MSN Money. "Compare bank fees and services. Find IRA rates that are just right for you. Discover the low rates and great terms now available." |
| Banking | "Banks safeguard money and valuables and provide loans, credit, and payment services, such as checking accounts, money orders, and cashier’s checks. Banks also may offer investment and insurance products, which they were once prohibited from selling." |
| Banking | A blog - a variety of articles |
| Banking - an Overview | "Banks and bank accounts are regulated by both state and federal statutory law. Bank accounts may be established by national and state chartered banks and savings associations. All are regulated by the law under which they were established." |
| What is a Credit Union | "Historically, credit unions offered only savings accounts and consumer loans. Many have expanded their services, particularly the larger credit unions, during the past few decades in response to their members' changing — and more sophisticated — financial needs. Some credit unions offer credit cards, debit cards, checking accounts, IRAs and share certificates. Credit unions also are expanding the types of loans they offer. Many offer mortgages, home equity loans, student loans and small-business loans to members." |
| How Swiss Bank Accounts Work | "Swiss bank accounts aren't just for millionaires, criminals or government officials trying to hide ill-gotten wealth, or celebrities protecting their assets from former spouses. They're available to anyone and lots of average people have Swiss bank accounts." |
| Your 5-minute Guide to Banking | "More than 40% of bank revenue now comes from fees on consumer accounts. But a careful customer can take advantage of the services banks offer and avoid paying many fees." |
| 10 Things Your Bank Won't Tell You | "Do you assume that your bank serves your best interests? That a big bank's products are better? That your online account information is accurate? Don't believe any of it." |
| Find Your Bank | "There are more than 8,300 banks in the United States and many of them have very similar names. Enter as much of the bank name as you know and then scroll through the list of banks to find the one you are most interested in. This search does not identify branches of main banks, only separate banks." |
| The 2008 Economic Crisis Explained | "The crisis has reached dangerous proportions. It began with the burst of the US housing bubble in 2004, after a long period of steadily increasing house prices...." |
| The Financial Crisis Explained (UK) | "How we got here in the first place" |
| Three Weeks That Changed the World | "It started in a mood of eerie calm, but then 2008 exploded into a global financial earthquake." |
| Bank Deregulation and the Financial Meltdown | "let's examine the nuts and bolts of this law and see what role it played in the current dynamic." |
| What Caused The Economic Crisis Of 2008? | "We can sum up the cause of our current economic crisis in one word — GREED. Over the years, mortgage lenders were happy to lend money to people who couldn’t afford their mortgages." |
| International Deposit - Interest Rates Exchange | "Our website showcases and compares the leading banking and financial institutions deposit and savings rates. We provide data on various types of deposits by country including but limited to term deposits, fixed deposits, time deposits and certificate of deposit." A free site providing international bank interest rate, currency and risk research information. In particular it provides interest rates from the major institutions in the United States which you can compare to the Asia or Europe. |
"From single family rentals to fourplexes and apartment buildings to commercial high rises, investing in real estate brings rewards to many. Learn how to buy investment properties, work with tenants, understand leases and evictions, hire property managers or buy mortgages and trust deeds." |
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| Investment Properties and Property Management | |
| Creative Real Estate Online | "Read hundreds of FREE real estate investment articles and learn how to get started investing in real estate." |
| REIClub | "Real estate investors can browse hundreds of free real estate investing articles to increase your investment education. Topics include creative real estate, wholesaling, 1031 exchanges, asset protection, commercial real estate, hard money lenders, IRA investing, landlording, lease options, mobile homes, no money down, owner financing, rehabbing, tax liens, and more." |
| REIT.com | "Over nearly half a century, the U.S. real estate investment trust (REIT) industry has become an important segment of the U.S. economy and investment markets. U.S. REITs have seen their equity market capitalization soar from $90 billion to roughly $200 billion in just the past 10 years." |
| Real Estate Investing | "The purpose of this site is to provide articles and other resources to assist real estate investors." |
| Investment Real Estate | "Real estate that generates income or is otherwise intended for investment purposes rather than as a primary residence. It is common for investors to own multiple pieces of real estate, one of which serves as a primary residence, while the others are used to generate rental income and profits through price appreciation" |
| Tax Incentives for Investment Real Estate | "Most real estate is purchased, at least in part, because of the tax benefits that accrue for the owner. Ownership of real estate can produce substantial tax savings that can transform a fair investment into a very good one. The goal is to protect large amounts of income – accruing from the property itself or from other sources – from taxation." |
| Real Estate Investing: Infomercial and Mentoring Scams | "Real estate infomercials do great harm to beginning investors, who waste hundreds of dollars on old information. Worse yet, those beginners soon get discouraged and miss out on the true (and profitable) adventure of real estate investing." |
| Real-Estate Investors Should Beware of Scams | "The U.S. Federal Trade Commission advises consumers to be suspicious of claims that money can be earned fast, despite lack of experience, that making money using the seminar operator's formula is a sure thing, and that the money-making opportunity is only available for a short time. " |
| Real Estate Dreams Dashed | "Mortgage fraud has become an "epidemic," according to an FBI report issued last year. According to the report, the value of total fraud ballooned from about $400 million in 2004 to more than $1 billion in 2005 -- and is on pace this year to go even higher. " |
| Mortgages | Collection of articles. |
| Mortgage & Financial Calculators | "This resource features over 100 different financial calculators. Through the left column you can quickly access all calculators (sorted by type). Below you can find the 20 most common mortgage calculators." |
| Looking Back at 2008's Housing Crisis | "Tess Vigeland talks with Nic Retsinas of Harvard's Joint Center for Housing Studies about the mess we've been through and where we go from here." |
| Housing Crisis.com | "A unique source for what you need to know about the real estate and construction economy--with helpful news, data, and conversation about your smartest options. We'll highlight exclusive articles, related stories, and linked resources real-time so that you'll have information you need, hopefully a step ahead of the moment you need it." |
| Housing Finance and the 2008 Financial Crisis | "The financial crisis and recession of 2008 and 2009 were serious blows to the U.S. economy, so it is important to step back and understand what caused them. While some people have pointed to financial deregulation and private-sector greed as the sources of the problems, it was actually misguided monetary and housing policies that were the main causes of the crisis." |
| From the IRS. "A 403(b) tax-sheltered annuity (TSA) plan is a retirement plan offered by public schools and certain tax-exempt organizations. An individual’s 403(b) annuity can be obtained only under an employer’s TSA plan. Generally, these annuities are funded by elective deferrals made under salary reduction agreements and nonelective employer contributions." | |
| IRC 403(b) Tax-Sheltered Annuity Plans | |
| Annuity Fees and Expenses | "Just like other investments -- good and bad -- annuities have fees and expenses. What distinguishes them from most good investments, however, is that annuity fees are quite high." |
| Getting the Whole Story on Variable Annuities | "Not all annuities are created equal! Most people think of annuities simply as a steady income stream or something associated with winning your state lottery. But before you purchase one, you really need to consider all the benefits and shortfalls to determine if an annuity is really a good product for you." |
| What Is an Annuity Contract? | "An annuity contract is a type of insurance contract that functions like an investment account and pays the annuitant monthly payments until the annuitant dies. There are two major types of annuity contracts: immediate and deferred." |
| Dateline Hidden Camera: Annuities | A Slightly Creaky Recommended Site. "This is a must watch for everyone. It is pathetic the lengths that some people will go to to make a sale. " |
| Equity Indexed Annuities: 'The Investment from Hell' | "Over the past several years I’ve been sounding the alarm bell due to the inherent dangers found in equity indexed annuities (EIAs)" |
| Annuities: Good for the Sales Rep, but Bad for You | "One highly consistent thing about equity index annuity contracts, however, is that virtually all offer a high commission to the sales rep. " |
| Why are Variable Annuities Bad Investments for Retirees? | "Variable annuities are infamous for their hefty fees: the average annual expense on variable annuity subaccounts stands at 2.08% of assets, as opposed to the average mutual fund, which charges just 1.38%." |
| How to Dump a Bad Annuity | "If you own a deferred variable annuity or an equity-indexed annuity that you no longer want or need, you have several options. The best solution will depend on three things: how long you've owned the annuity, the amount of the surrender charge and the tax consequences of cashing out." |
| Variable Annuities: Usually Bad For Investors, Now Bad For Insurers As Well | "Variable annuities have long been known to be poor products for almost all investors. Insurance companies, however, made tremendous profits in selling them and paid high commission to brokers. Now, in the wake of massive stock market declines, variable annuities are starting to drag down the profits at such insurers." |
| What's Wrong With Variable Annuities | "Annuities only make sense for at iny fraction of the population. The rest of us should be buying plain old mutual funds." |
| Who Should Buy Variable Annuities? | "If you're retired and barely have enough money to meet your annual expenses or fear that you will outlive your capital, then consider purchasing an immediate annuity. You'll get a guaranteed income stream, even if you outlive your annuity's principal." |
| Investment Advisers Warn Against Free-Lunch Seminars | "The Securities and Exchange Commission has issued alerts, and other industry groups are trying to raise awareness, that too often these seminars are in actuality sales presentations for inappropriate investments." |
| Avoiding the Heartburn of a Hard Sell | "Investors frequently get invited to free seminars that promise to educate them about investing strategies or managing money in retirement—often with an expensive meal provided at no cost. But just because someone buys you breakfast, lunch or dinner doesn't mean you have to buy what they are saying—or selling." |
"Before adventuring in the Forex market we need to make sure we understand the basics, otherwise we will find ourselves lost where we less expected. This is what this article is aimed to, to understand the basics of currency trading." |
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| Understanding the Basics of Currency Trading | |
| Understanding Currency Exchange Rates | (PDF) "This paper describes an exercise that can be used in any business course to teach the topic of currency exchange rates. Using information from the Wall Street Journal and play money from three countries, students are placed in scenarios that require them to complete several transactions using different currencies." |
| The Foreign Exchange Market | (From Understanding Financial Markets & Instruments) "The foreign exchange market is the market where currencies of different countries are traded. Because different countries in the world buy goods and services from one another, the different currencies change hands between countries." |
| 401(k) Resource Guide | "The information contained on this site was designed and developed by agents of the IRS’ Employee Plans (EP) Office in partnership with the EP Customer Education and Outreach Office and the Office of Chief Counsel. These IRS employees have distilled years of experience working with retirement plans into the contents of this guide. They hope this guide will better prepare you for the retirement years of you and your employees." |
| IRA Center | "An IRA is a great way to sock money away for the future and save on taxes now. Even better, it's as easy as 1-2-3 to open, fund, and manage." |
| Information About Roth IRAs | "A Roth IRA is an individual retirement arrangement that, except as explained below, is subject to the rules that apply to a traditional IRA. It can be either an account or an annuity." |
| Roth IRA | "Provides you with the information and resources you need for managing your retirement accounts. Each person’s needs are different, but having all of the information about Roth IRA’s and other retirement vehicles can help you to make the right decisions regarding your financial future." |
| Pensions and Benefit Plans | Collection of articles and links. |
| Investment Advisers Warn Against Free-Lunch Seminars | "The Securities and Exchange Commission has issued alerts, and other industry groups are trying to raise awareness, that too often these seminars are in actuality sales presentations for inappropriate investments." |
| "There are more than 8,300 banks in the United States and many of them have very similar names. Enter as much of the bank name as you know and then scroll through the list of banks to find the one you are most interested in. This search does not identify branches of main banks, only separate banks." | |
| Find Your Bank | |
| Keeping Track Of Your Assets | "Some individuals keep the identity of their beneficiaries secret for various reasons. Unfortunately, this can result in beneficiaries never knowing about the assets to which they are entitled." |
| What is an Asset | "An asset is a cash or non-cash item that can be converted to cash. Assets have both a market value and cash value." |
| What is an Asset | "An asset can be many things. It can be financial, emotional, spiritual, physical, intellectual, or social. It can be relationships, skills, time, attitude, energy, wisdom, values, or property." |
| How To Calculate and Track Your Net Worth | "The purpose of calculating and tracking your personal financial net worth on a regular basis is not just so you can match yourself against others to see how you’re doing in comparison, but it’s also to help you evaluate the current health of your finances." |
| How To How to Calculate Your Net Worth | "Your net worth can be a useful tool to measure your financial progress from year to year. Your net worth is essentially a grand total of all your assets minus your liabilities." |
| What Are You Worth? | "Periodically calculating your net worth -- the value of your assets minus your liabilities -- is the best way to measure and track your financial well-being." |
| Chart for Calculating Net Worth | "Here's a chart that will help you to organize your assets and liabilities so that you can calculate your current net worth." |
| Debt to Assets Ratio Calculator | "The debt to assets ratio reveals the extent to which a company is financed with debt. Creditors look at this ratio when they are trying to decide what the chances are you won't be able to make good on your business loans and obligations." |
| Personal Finance Statement | Downloadable spreadsheet |
| Personal Finance Software Software | Free downloads |
| International Deposit - Interest Rates Exchange | "Our website showcases and compares the leading banking and financial institutions deposit and savings rates. We provide data on various types of deposits by country including but limited to term deposits, fixed deposits, time deposits and certificate of deposit." A free site providing international bank interest rate, currency and risk research information. In particular it provides interest rates from the major institutions in the United States which you can compare to the Asia or Europe. |
| "Bankruptcy law provides for the development of a plan that allows a debtor, who is unable to pay his creditors, to resolve his debts through the division of his assets among his creditors. This supervised division also allows the interests of all creditors to be treated with some measure of equality. Certain bankruptcy proceedings allow a debtor to stay in business and use revenue generated to resolve his or her debts." | |
| Bankruptcy: an Overview | |
| Your 5-minute Guide to Bankruptcy | "Bankruptcy is the means of last resort to rebuilding your financial well-being." |
| Bankruptsy 411 | "This article will help you understand exactly what bankruptcy "protection" entails and viable alternatives to the process." |
| American Bankruptsy Institute | "The largest non-partisan organization dedicated to research and education on matters related to insolvency. ABI was founded in 1982 to provide Congress and the public with unbiased analysis of bankruptcy issues. The ABI membership includes more than 11,500 attorneys, auctioneers, bankers, judges, lenders, professors, turnaround specialists, accountants and other bankruptcy professionals providing a forum for the exchange of ideas and information." |
| Bankruptcy Center | "The latest changes to the bankruptcy law make it a bit harder for some to file bankruptcy. And a few filers with higher incomes won't be allowed to use Chapter 7, but will instead have to repay some of their debt under Chapter 13." |
| Bankruptcy and Asset Protection | "Bankruptcy is often the only method of asset protection for those who are unprepared for future lawsuits. For those who do plan ahead to avoid being wiped out by a lawsuit, the threat of bankruptcy is a significant weapon in negotiating with a creditor." |
| Bankruptcy For Individuals | "The Bankruptcy Code allows persons or other entities in financial distress relief from some or all of that person’s debt." |
| The Truth About Bankruptcy | "Bankruptcy. That word sends chills up the spine. If you're facing the prospect of bankruptcy or in the middle of it right now, you know it's a living nightmare. It can devastate your job, destroy your marriage and steal your peace of mind." |
| Bankruptcy Statistics | "The Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts compiles statistics on bankruptcy filings for each quarter ending December, March, June and September. The fiscal year for the federal Judiciary ends September 30. The calendar year ends December 31. Quarterly and 12-month statistics are available approximately 2 months after the close of a quarter." |
"Learn at least the basics: How much money must you save to meet your financial goals? How much time do you have to save for retirement? How much risk are you willing to take? " |
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| Investing Your Retirement Account Money | |
| How to Make Asset Allocation Work for You | "You may not realize it, but you probably already practice asset allocation. That's what you're doing if you buy bonds when interest rates seem high, or you sell stocks when the equity market feels risky, or you move assets into a money-market account in preparation for a down payment or a big tuition bill." |
| Diversity in Asset Allocation(UK) | "Pension funds have historically relied on equities to generate most of their return and therefore equities have also been the main contributor to risk. This article identifies the benefits that should follow from including a wider range of asset classes and the changes in thinking and practice that would be needed to accompany this." |
| Introduction to Asset Allocation | "Diversity is the key to protecting your investments. It would be great to know whether stocks, bonds, or real estate will perform the best (and which will crash) over the next year or two -- but that is impossible. However, you can apportion your portfolio in a smart way that will offer long-term upside yet protect you from catastrophic downside." |
| Do You Really Need Help With Asset Allocation | "Asset allocation is the process of carving up your savings between different types of investments, such as US and foreign stocks, bonds, and real estate. Why would you want to do that, instead of putting all your savings into an S&P 500 index? Because modern portfolio theory has demonstrated that by combining different types of assets in your portfolio you can reduce the overall volatility of your investments for a given level of return, or raise the returns for a given level of volatility. In other words, building a portfolio of multiple asset types can lower your risk and boost your returns." |
| Your Assets: Allocate and Diversify | From Wells Fargo. If you invested a third of your assets in stocks, a third in bonds, and a third in cash, your asset allocation would appear to be balanced. However, if you only own stocks, the equity portion of your portfolio would be overweighted in one industry, exposing you to market risk |
| Financial Dictionary | "Financial lingo can sometimes be confusing and intimidating. For this reason, we have provided a financial dictionary of over 6,000 terms so that you can get quick definitions for terms you don't understand." |
Financial Planning
Financial Planning
Retirement Planning |
From the SSA. A secure, comfortable retirement is every worker's dream. And now because we're living longer, healthier lives, we can expect to spend more time in retirement than our parents and grandparents did. Achieving the dream of a secure, comfortable retirement is much easier when you plan your finances. This planner provides detailed information about your Social Security retirement benefits under current law and points out things you may want to consider as you prepare for the future. |
| Plan Your Retirement | |
| Ways to Fund Your Retirement | "Don't touch your retirement money; everything you take out will not be there for your later years .Consider Savings Bonds. There are many kinds, each with different benefits and risks. Mutual Funds can add a lot to your retirement. Look at the different kinds and what they can do for you. There are many different kinds of IRAs. You can use more than one kind in your plan." |
| What Women Need to Know About Retirement | (PDF) "Today, our retirement system still functions as if most of the workers in America were men. But with 69 million women in the workforce—and 10 million of them the sole breadwinners in their families—it is time and past time to bring our retirement policies into the 21st century." |
| Is Retirement Different for Women? | "Women are more likely than men to spend their golden years in poverty. According to a report from the Women's Institute for a Secure Retirement, more than one in 10 women in retirement live on less than $10,000 a year." |
| Get Started With a Retirement Plan | "Planning for a successful retirement is a complicated, yet achievable goal. More than ever, be sure to understand how key retirement planning opportunities may affect you and your future." |
| Ultimate Guide to Retirement | From Money Magazine. Many articles and links. |
| Yahoo Retirement | Collection of articles and links. |
| How to Retire in Style | "I's difficult enough to plan something just six months ahead, like a summer vacation. How on earth are we supposed to be able to think about something in the distant future -- like retirement?" |
| Third Age: Retirement | Collection of articles and links. |
| Taking The Mystery Out Of Retirement Planning | "Earlier generations of workers could rely on employer-provided pensions, but now many workers will need to rely on their own work-related and personal savings plus Social Security benefits. These savings have to last longer because Americans are living longer, often into their eighties and nineties." |
| Smart Money: Retirement | Collection of articles and links. |
| MSN Money: Retirement and Wills Center | Collection of articles and links. |
| Finding a Retirement-Friendly State | "Which state should you choose, anyway? Of course, there is no right answer to this question, but the state in which you choose to retire will affect how far your retirement dollars will go." |
| Your Personal Finance & Retirement Planning Information Source | "Over the years, I've worked with a number of individuals just like you to establish very specific financial goals for the attainment and protection of wealth. You'll find that my column reflects that experience, allowing me to cover the issues that matter most, leaving the ambiguity behind. Unlike many sensational financial columnists, my firsthand experience allows me to cover meaningful topics, in a practical manner." |
| Investment Advisers Warn Against Free-Lunch Seminars | "The Securities and Exchange Commission has issued alerts, and other industry groups are trying to raise awareness, that too often these seminars are in actuality sales presentations for inappropriate investments." |
| Retirement Seminar Fraud: Seniors Beware | "Many seniors are discovering how costly "free" lunches or dinners can be when they are disguised as retirement seminars" |
| Probe of Seminars for Seniors finds Pressure Tactics, Fraud | "An investigation by federal and state regulators of "free lunch" investment seminars aimed at seniors has found high- pressure sales pitches masquerading as educational sessions, pervasive misleading claims for unsuitable financial products, and even fraud." |
"Financial lingo can sometimes be confusing and intimidating. For this reason, we have provided a financial dictionary of over 6,000 terms so that you can get quick definitions for terms you don't understand." |
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| Financial Dictionary | |
| The Financial Planning Association | "The Financial Planning Association® (FPA®) connects those who need, support and deliver financial planning. We believe that everyone is entitled to objective advice from a competent, ethical financial planner to make smart financial decisions. FPA members demonstrate and support a professional commitment to education and a client-centered financial planning process." |
| Personal Finance 101 | "Personal finance covers a wide variety of money topics including budgeting, expenses, debt, saving, retirement and insurance among others. Understanding how each of these topics work together and affect each other is important for laying the groundwork for a solid financial foundation for you and your family." |
| Financial Planning | "We are the only website dedicated to the needs of the independent financial planner. Our loyal audience consists of powerful and action oriented financial advisors who rely on us to provide news, opinion, expert advice and practical business building ideas that independent financial planners need to be successful." |
| My Money | From U.S. Financial Literacy and Education Commission "Providing financial education resources for all Americans" |
| Learn Financial Planning | "The ultimate goal of this website isn’t just to give you financial advice; the purpose of this site is to invigorate you with the tools you need to survive in a world economy that is about to get very, very volatile. " |
| Financial Planning | "Information to Help You Set and Reach Your Financial Goals" |
| Financial Planning Articles | Links and articles. |
| Personal Financial Planning | "Scroll down and click any category title for a list of its articles." |
| How to Prepare a Spending Plan | "A spending plan, or budget, is your first step in building financial responsibility. A spending plan organizes your estimates of income and expenses over a set period of time-normally a month." |
| Making a Budget | "Budgets are a necessary evil.They're the only practical way to get a grip on your spending - and to make sure your money is being used the way you want it to be used." |
| Avoiding the Heartburn of a Hard Sell | "Investors frequently get invited to free seminars that promise to educate them about investing strategies or managing money in retirement—often with an expensive meal provided at no cost. But just because someone buys you breakfast, lunch or dinner doesn't mean you have to buy what they are saying—or selling." |
| Don't Get Hit by the Seminar Pitch! | "You may have heard the pitch on television, or received an email or letter promoting a seminar or conference that promises to reveal the latest "insider secrets" for making lots of money fast. While there are legitimate seminar promoters, there are also seminar hucksters whose only goal is to take your money. " |
Estate Planning includes Wills, Living Trusts, Executorship, Power of Attorney, Probate, and much more. Most of these links contain information on all of these topics. |
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We have many more links to Estate Planning articles on the Slightly Creaky Legal Pages. Check out Estate Law. |
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| 60-Second Guide to Estate Planning | "Despite what you may think, estate planning isn't all about what happens after you die. Besides death, there are plenty of other unpleasantries -- accident, injury, or other malady that makes you unable to manage your own affairs for a while -- that can go much more smoothly for you and your loved ones if you've prepared for them ahead of time." |
| Get It Done: Gather 10 Must-Have Documents | "Odds are, there's an important document or two that you know you should have, but you just haven't gotten around to getting it yet. It might be your will, or a living will. See how many of the following 10 must-have documents are in your possession, and take action on the ones you haven't yet set up." |
| How to Ensure Relatives Don't Rip You Off | "Estate lawyers say older people are often making use of a tool known as a durable financial power of attorney. This legal document authorizes an agent -- usually a spouse, another family member, or a trusted adviser -- to make financial decisions if you become unable to make them yourself. But naming someone to take control over your money has the potential for serious abuse, and lawyers are increasingly devising strategies to help safeguard their clients." |
| Estate Planning | "No matter your net worth, it's important to have a basic estate plan in place." Many pages of information. |
| Wills & Estate Planning | "We've all been told that if we do nothing else to take care of our legal affairs, we should write a will. That's pretty good advice. If you don't make a will before your death, state law will determine who gets your property (and it may well not be whom you would have chosen) and a judge may decide who will raise your children." |
| The Best Estate Planning Resources Online | "At EstatePlanningLinks.com you’ll find hundreds of well-organized, time saving links to Estate Planning, Elder Law, Tax and related websites." |
| Estate Planning at Smart Money | Collection of articles and links. |
| Estate Planning | "A successful estate plan requires that all i’s are dotted and all t’s are crossed. One minor error or missed deadline may result in one of your intended beneficiaries being left out of your estate entirely." |
| Guide to Estate Planning | "You've built up an estate, and achieved success. Your focus starts shifting away from taking care of yourself, to ensuring your loved ones are cared for after you're gone. That's what estate planning is all about." |
| Choosing The Executor Or Trustee | )PDF) "One of the most important decisions you'll make is picking the person (or persons or institution) to be in charge of your assets after you're gone. That means the executor of your will and the trustee of any trusts you set up." |
| Who To Choose As Executor Of Your Will And Estate | "The executor is the person named in a will to be in charge of winding up the person's financial affairs after death. Basically, that means taking care of property, paying bills and taxes, and seeing to it that assets are transferred to their new rightful owners." |
| Don't Die Before Reading This | "While you'll never truly know -- in this life, at least -- if your final financial wishes were carried out glitch-free, you can leave less up to chance later by heavily scripting how you want your legacy to play out. With a little forethought, you can knock out three major estate-planning hurdles..." |
| Living Trusts: Do They Protect Your Assets From Creditors? | "Transfer your assets to a living trust and hide them from your creditors are the claims. Sorry, that's not the law." |
| The Truth About Living Trusts | "A simple will, a health-care proxy and durable power of attorney, and updated beneficiary designations are often all you need to carry out your final financial wishes with ease. However, a living trust -- a single document that combines the provisions of a will and a financial power of attorney -- can offer additional asset-management muscle both while you're alive and long after you're gone.Before you add this $3,000-plus document to your filing cabinet, read on..." |
| Considerations Of Estate Planning For Married Couples | "This chapter sets out the most common considerations, focusing on "typical" married couples of
various kinds. Keep in mind that this discussion applies to people who die with estates worth less than $1 million, the present level at which the federal estate tax takes effect." |
| How-To Guide: Plan Your Estate | "We really didn't want to bring this up, but the statisticians just told us there is a 100% chance you will die. That is not a typo." |
| Why Avoid Probate? | "Most of us have heard that it's wise to avoid probate court, but we don’t necessarily know why. In a nutshell, there are two big problems with probate: It usually ties up property for months, sometimes even a year. It's expensive. Attorney and court fees can take up to 5% of an estate's value." |
| Avoiding Probate | "There are many techniques available to avoid probate of your estate such as revocable and irrevocable living trusts, wills, family limited partnerships and gifts. This section explains those techniques and also provides information on powers of attorney, charitable remainder trusts and how a probate lawyer can assist in the process." |
| Asset Protection - Avoid Probate | "In American law, probate describes matters over which a probate court has jursidiction. This includes traditional proof of Wills, the disposition of estates, the appointment of guardians and conservators, and other matters." |
| Estate Planning: Avoiding Probate | "Probate is the (usually lengthy) process of proving if a will is valid, clearing your estate of any debt, and making sure that no one challenges it. All of this takes place in court, which adds to the costliness. Will or no will, an estate must go through probate. But there are ways to reduce or eliminate costs associated with the complicated legal process." |
| How to Avoid Probate | "Avoiding probate doesn’t have to be difficult. Many people can use these simple and effective ways to ensure that all, or some, of their property passes directly to their heirs, without going through probate court." |
"An introduction to the most common types of insurance, including a step-by-step approach to buying insurance and an explanation of the different types of policies." |
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| Types of Insurance | |
| Types of Insurance: More than 150 Policies | "If we had known when or where we will face an accident we could either be cautious or maybe avoid that road. But the fact is that we can not predict our future. All that we can do is make a guess and make certain deductions. One big way to plan for our lives is to invest in insurance policies. There are more than 150 different types of policies that you can choose from. Which policy you opt to take will depend on the requirement that you have." |
| Types of Insurance Policies You Need | "You can find an insurance policy to cover almost anything imaginable but only a handful of policies are actually ones that you need to have. " |
| Insurance Introduction: Types Of Insurance | "An introductory lesson on understanding insurance, terminology, and the different types of insurance." |
| Main Types Of Car Insurance | "When unexpected happens, car insurance will protect you and help you to repair your car. Although it is not required by federal law, all the states have minimum insurance laws that are usually mentioned even in driver’s books." |
| Insurance Coverage Definitions & Coverage | "Below is a breakdown of each car insurance coverage type to help you understand more about what each type of coverage protects." |
| Auto Insurance Policy Types | "The cost of you car insurance is going to depend as much on what type of car insurance you buy as it is on what insurance company you use to insure your car." |
| The Truth About Life Insurance | "Sadly, over 70% of the life insurance policies sold today are cash value policies. A cash value policy is an insurance product that packages insurance and savings together. Do not invest money in life insurance; the returns are HORRIBLE. Your insurance person will show you wonderful projections, but none of these policies perform as projected." |
| What are the Types of Life Insurance? | Explains insurance formats. Also provides additional articles. |
| Life Insurance: Types of Policies and Provisions | "Life insurance policies contain seemingly countless provisions, clauses and options that determine the type and scope of coverage as well as what will happen if premium payments lag or a claim is made. It is important to understand the provisions of the policy you have or any one you're considering." |
| Term vs. Whole Life Insurance | "Term life insurance is, by definition, temporary insurance.... A permanent life insurance policy is a policy that provides life insurance coverage throughout the insured's lifetime – the policy never ends as long as the premiums are paid." |
| Major Types of Life Insurance | "If insurance terms leave you dazed and confused, here's a quick cheat sheet for four major types of policies. Keep in mind that definitions may vary slightly from company to company and from state to state: " |
| How to Compare Health Insurance Plans | "Most plans fall into five basic categories: traditional health insurance, Health Maintenance Organizations, Preferred Provider Organizations, Point-of-Service plans, and Exclusive Provider Organizations. But there are also differences between plans of the same basic type (for example, not all HMOs are the same), so be sure to read all materials provided by your employer and the health plan carefully. " |
| What Types of Health Insurance Plans Are There? | "Helpful guide to affordable health insurance, medical insurance, health insurance quotes, individual health insurance, group health insurance, health insurance plans." |
| Health Insurance - Is Some Better Than None? | "What should a person do if they don’t have any health insurance or if they have a choice between a cheap discount plan that does not cover core expenses and an affordable plan that may cost a bit more but also provides much better coverage? " |
| Types of Business Insurance | "Insurance coverage is available for every conceivable risk your business might face. Cost and amount of coverage of policies vary among insurers. You should discuss your specific business risks and the types of insurance available with your insurance agent or broker." |
| Protect Your Business: 7 Types Of Insurance Coverage | "Starting a business is all about possibilities, optimism and promise. But it should also be a time for ensuring protection and security. And that makes a comprehensive package of insurance essential for all small businesses." |
| Top Health-Insurance Scams | "Insurance regulators have been wrestling with what looks like a new wave in health-care scams, perpetrated mainly against the weakest of the flock: individuals and small-business owners." |
| Insurance Fraud | "The Insurance Information Institute estimates that fraud accounts for 10 percent of the property/casualty insurance industry’s incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses, or about $30 billion a year. This fraud results in higher premiums." |
| How to Avoid Insurance Scams | "There are many so-called insurance companies out there who are just waiting to get someone like you into their hands. That’s why you must be prepared for fraudulent companies and the scams they will use to get your money." |
| Your Health Care Explained | "Starting in 2011, insurance companies will have to spend most of your premium dollars on health care—not on overhead, expenses or executive salaries.If they don’t, you’ll get a refund starting in 2012." |
"A bond is simply a loan. A government, government agency, or corporation wants to borrow money. It then issues bonds in which it agrees to pay principal and interest on a set schedule at a predetermined interest rate. Typically the issue pays interest on a regular schedule and pays the principal at maturity." |
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| Bonds: Investment of Choice for Seniors | |
| Safe Fixed-Income Investments | "Seniors are often attracted to high-yield bond funds because they are searching for investments that have high income streams. Keep in mind that high-yield bonds used to be called junk bonds." |
| Investment Tips for Seniors | 3 pages "Investing , in general parlance, means giving over part of what you have and then in time receiving back your initial investment along with a profit or visible gain." |
| 8 Ways to Ruin Your Chances to Retire | "Last year Bankrate's Financial Literacy survey found that one in five people expect to work until they die. This year one in five people say they're afraid they'll never be able to retire" |
| Living in Retirement | Collection of articles and links. |
| Become a Free Lunch Seminar Monitor | "The free meal does not always mean free information. The ultimate goals are to recruit new clients and sell products. While some pitches can be easy to swallow, the consequences can be expensive." |
| 'Investment' Seminars Prey on Seniors | "The grilled salmon at the free lunch seminar tasted fine. The mashed potatoes had too much pepper, though. But the worst aftertaste was from the speakers who kept scaring and pressuring the mostly elderly audience with half-truths and distortions." |
| Retirement Seminar Fraud: Seniors Beware | "Many seniors are discovering how costly "free" lunches or dinners can be when they are disguised as retirement seminars" |
| Probe of Seminars for Seniors finds Pressure Tactics, Fraud | "An investigation by federal and state regulators of "free lunch" investment seminars aimed at seniors has found high- pressure sales pitches masquerading as educational sessions, pervasive misleading claims for unsuitable financial products, and even fraud." |
| What Senior Citizens Need to Know When Considering an Annuity | "Like any investment, an annuity is not appropriate for everyone." |
| Protect Yourself From Scam Artists That Target Seniors | "We highlight a few that are more often committed against seniors, either because the scam artists will have greater success if they target someone older or because seniors seem to fall for them more often." |
| Top 10 Investing Scams | "Someone's always ready to empty the pockets of the investor who's overly eager for outsized returns. Here are the most prevalent schemes." |
"Most records and papers are kept at home so they are easy to access when needed. Legal documents or papers hard to replace should be stored in a safe-deposit box." |
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| Important Papers: Keep or Toss? | |
| Which Financial Records Should You Keep? | "Good financial records are very important … especially come tax time. But if you keep every snippet of paper forever, you'll need to put an addition onto your house!" |
| Get It Done: Gather 10 Must-Have Documents | "Odds are, there's an important document or two that you know you should have, but you just haven't gotten around to getting it yet. It might be your will, or a living will. See how many of the following 10 must-have documents are in your possession, and take action on the ones you haven't yet set up." |
| The Importance of Financial Record Keeping | "A sound financial life depends on good records. Therefore you must have a system in place for monitoring and managing your finances that is both comprehensive and easy to understand." |
| What Financial Records To Keep, How Long To Keep Them | "You can't take everything with you, but the following are suggestions about how long you should keep personal finance and investment records on file." |
| Personal Record Retention Guidelines | "Personal record keeping is imperative to ensure the prevention of identity theft. Learn how to improve your personal record keeping and systems for personal record management ." |
| Records Retention Guidelines | "Feel free to use this tip sheet / checklist as you tackle your own ""do-it-yourself"" organizing projects." |
| Records Retention | "So many records, so little space. Some records - like tax returns, insurance forms, and receipts and warranties for big-ticket items - are keepers. But which need keeping? And for how long?" |
| The Importance of Budgeting | "In its simplest form, budgeting simply means to live within one’s financial means. This is in sharp contrast to the prevailing lifestyle of “living beyond your means”." |
| Keeping a Budget | "Creating a budget isn't difficult. You just need to spend some time organizing and planning. Once it's set up, a budget is easy to maintain. Follow the steps below to help with your budget planning." |
| Importance of Family Budget Planning | "Learn about the importance of family budget planning and how it can keep your family out of debt. Plan out what you really need and what you need to save for." |
| The Importance of a Household Budget | "Nothing influences our finances and our financial future quite as much as a realistic and properly followed household budget All too few of us have learned how to budget properly, and this failure to create a household budget can lead to all manner of financial ills." |
| How To Learn Household Budgeting Tips | "By creating a budget, and learning personal budgeting tips, you can better see where your money is going...and where it needs to go." |
| How to Set up a Household Budget | "A simple accounting system for home budgeting and money management keeps track of expenses and can help save money at home." |
| Budget Worksheet | Sample form. "For expenses incurred more or less often than monthly, convert the payment to a monthly amount when calculating the monthly budget...." |
Working After Retirement
Working After Retirement
| "Saving and planning for retirement takes up a significant portion of a person's life. Even after retirement, this process must continue in order to ensure continued financial security and freedom. For many individuals, the goal is not to retire in the traditional sense of the word, but to be free to enjoy their retirement years. In this article, we provide some financial tips for retirees." | |
| Life After Retirement | |
| Employment After Retirement | Ideas and suggestions for finding and getting a job after you retire. |
| Effect of the Earnings Test on Social Security Benefits | From the Social Security Administration |
| Retirement Jobs | "RetirementJobs.com, Inc. was founded in 2005 by a team of professionals with senior executive backgrounds in media, online recruiting and human capital management." |
| AARP: Work | Collection of articles and links. |
| Jobs Over 50 | "No more complicated job boards! No more spam! No more countless hours wasted on dead-end job search! JobsOver50 is your free web-based employment service dedicated to the 50+ job seeker." |
| Top Jobs for People Over 50 | "Once you've submitted your resume online, make a call to the HR department or the hiring manager to reiterate why you're an ideal match." |
| 50-plus and Looking for Work? | "Adults 50-plus represent one of the fastest growing labor groups in the United States, in part because many of today's older workers are delaying retirement." |
| Great Second Careers for Those Over 50 | "Considering retirement, but not really ready to retire? Here are some alternative employment opportunities to consider" |
| "VolunteerMatch strengthens communities by making it easier for good people and good causes to connect. The organization offers a variety of online services to support a community of nonprofit, volunteer and business leaders committed to civic engagement." | |
| Volunteer Match | |
| Cool Works | "Volunteer Positions in the U.S. and around the World - from Alaska to Africa - short-term and long-term." |
| America’s Natural and Cultural Resources Volunteer Portal | "Maintained by the Federal Interagency Team on Volunteerism that is comprised of volunteer program coordinators from three Cabinet level departments. The Portal has grown into a strategic alliance of governmental partners from all levels - local, State, and Federal Government dedicated to serving the volunteer community by populating this e-Government site with volunteer positions and events for citizens interested in volunteer service benefitting our Nation’s resources." |
| Habitat for Humanity | "Join in the fight against poverty housing and homelessness around the world!" |
| National Pro Bono Opportunities Guide | "We work in close partnership with nonprofit legal organizations across the United States and Canada, to increase access to justice for the millions of poor people who face legal problems every year without help from a lawyer." |
| Become a Free Lunch Seminar Monitor | "The free meal does not always mean free information. The ultimate goals are to recruit new clients and sell products. While some pitches can be easy to swallow, the consequences can be expensive." |
| NPS Volunteer | "The primary purpose of the National Park Service Volunteers-In-Parks Program is to provide a vehicle through which the National Park Service can accept and utilize voluntary help and services from the public." |
| Senior Corps | "Senior Corps connects today’s over 55s with the people and organizations that need them most. We help them become mentors, coaches or companions to people in need, or contribute their job skills and expertise to community projects and organizations." |
| Get Involved | "Finding the volunteer opportunity that best suits your skills, availability, and expectations can make all the difference. Get Involved! is one of the largest and most advanced on the Internet. Just enter your interest area, type in your zip code or state, and click the “Find Opportunities Now” button to gain access to hundreds of thousands of real-time volunteer opportunities that are tailored to the skills and experience of those age 55-plus." |
| Senior Volunteer Service | "You can connect to others, share the years of your experience, and make an impact in your community! Whatever your experience and abilities, we have a senior volunteer position for you. We have more than 1,000 senior volunteers working closely with more than 200 nonprofit organizations and public agencies." |
| Working After Retirement: The Gap Between Expectations and Reality | From Pew Research. "More than three quarters of today's workers expect to work for pay even after they retire, according to a new Pew Research Center survey. Of those who feel this way, most say it's because they'll want to, not because they'll have to.But whatever the motivation, these expectations are dramatically out of step with the experiences of people who are already retired – just 12% of whom are currently working for pay (either part or full time), according to the Pew survey, and just 27% of whom have ever worked for pay while in retirement." |
| Tax and National Insurance in Retirement (UK) | "Reaching State Pension age doesn't mean you have to give up work - paid or voluntary. You can choose to keep on working while taking your State Pension entitlement, or delay your claim and get paid more later on. The government also offers schemes and incentives to help you find work." |
| "RetirementJobs.com, Inc. was founded in 2005 by a team of professionals with senior executive backgrounds in media, online recruiting and human capital management. They have worked at major media, recruiting and human capital management brands such as AOL, Monster Worldwide and Wm. M. Mercer, built and managed strategic relationships with leading e-recruiters such as CareerBuilder and Monster, and helped found or build successes such as Net-Temps and Salary.com." | |
| Retirement Jobs.com | |
| Seniors4Hire | "Seniors4Hire.org is a nationwide online Career Center and the #1 place on the Internet for businesses that value a diverse workforc e to actively recruit folks in the U.S. 50 and older including retirees and senior citizens looking for a job and/or other ways to earn money." |
| Seniors For Jobs | "SeniorsForJobs.com is dedicated to job seekers who wish to remain in the workforce and to the astute employers who are looking for skilled, experienced and reliable employees." |
| WorkForce50 | "Workforce50.com serves older workers with a full service job board and career site. All jobs are placed by employers specifically interested in staffing from the over-50 workforce. Our employment and education resources cater to mature workers searching for employment, in transition or approaching retirement." |
| Senior Job Bank | "This web site is the classic SeniorJobBank that employers and job seekers have been visiting for years. Employers use our web service to advertise their jobs to our audience of talented, dedicated people over the age of 50. Employers posting with us are committed to hiring baby boomers and older workers. Our online service provides job postings for a modest fee to the employer, job search, resume and job alert registration for job seekers, as well as career and education information." |
| Jobs 4.0 | "Jobs4.0 is the leading source of job opportunities for candidates 40 and over. Jobs4.0 means real jobs at great companies that value diversity of experience." |
| Retired Brains | "Welcome Retired Brains, older boomers, seniors, retirees and those about toretire who are looking to find jobs, volunteer opportunities, educational resources and retirement information." |
| Senior Employment Resources | "Senior Employment Resources (SER) is a job placement service that matches companies with job seekers age 50 and above who live in the Northern Virginia suburbs of Washington, D.C. SER is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that receives a small portion of its funding from Fairfax County. SER is an equal opportunity service." |
| ENRGE | "We are America's retired government professionals and experts. If you're one of us, or soon to be, join us now. If you're in business, soon to be, or if you want to stay in business, you too should join us now." |
| BridgeStar | "A collection of articles and tools to help nonprofit leaders and career changers navigate the search for a nonprofit management role. " |
| PrimeCB | "When it comes to meeting the qualifications for a job, is there any flexibility? That depends on the employer, but in most cases, the answer is yes. Certainly, it helps to understand how your own experience and needs match up to what the employer wants and is willing to offer, which isn’t always an easy task, thanks to the obscure language typical of many job listings. " |
Social Security
Social Security
Understanding Social Security |
"The Social Security Administration's mission is to advance the economic security of the nation’s people through compassionate and vigilant leadership in shaping and managing America's Social Security programs." From this site access all areas of the Social Security Administration |
| Official Social Security Site | |
| The Social Security and Disability Resource Center | "The Social security disability resource center provides information on the federal disability benefit programs, SSD (social security disability, mandated under title II of the social security act) and SSI (supplemental security income, mandated under title 16), in addition to answering questions about social security retirement benefits and providing resource links on topics such as medicare." |
| Marriage, Divorce and Name Changes | From the SSA. How to handle these situations and maintain your Social Security benefits. |
| Choose a Benefit Calculator | From the SSA. "Use any of the calculators below to estimate your potential benefit amounts using different retirement dates and levels of future earnings. The calculators will show your retirement benefits as well as disability and survivor benefit amounts if you should become disabled or die." |
| Understanding The Benefits | "Our website is a valuable resource for information about all of Social Security’s programs." |
| How Social Security Works | "The Social Security program is not and was never intended to be a program to provide benefits based on need. Rather, it is a system of social insurance under which workers (and their employers) contribute a part of their earnings in order to provide protection for themselves and their families if certain events occur. " |
| Understanding Social Security | "Chances are you're either paying Social Security taxes or getting Social Security benefits or you're related to somebody who is. Whatever your situation, this booklet has information you will find helpful and useful." |
| AARP: Social Security Information | Collection of articles and links. |
| Social Security Forms | From the SSA. If you would like an SSA form and do not see it on our web page, you can request a copy from us. You never have to pay for an SSA form. |
| Retirement Benefits by Year of Birth | "No matter what your full retirement age (also called "normal retirement age") is, you may start receiving benefits as early as age 62 or as late as age 70." |
| How to Change a Social Security Number | "If you’ve been a victim of identity theft and believe that your social security card and number have been compromised, you will need to set up a new identity with the Social Security Administration. The Social Security Administration offers a number of resources and supportive services to help you apply for a new social security number and permanently change your identity." |
| Report a Death | From the SSA. "If you are getting benefits on your spouse's record when he or she dies, we will change your payments to survivors benefits. If you are getting benefits on your own record, you can apply for survivors benefits. Call or visit us to find out whether you can get more money as a widow or widower. Current benefits for children will automatically change to survivors benefits after the death is reported to us." |
| Social Security Death Index | "Search the Social Security Death Index by entering one or more fields in the form and clicking on the "submit" button. Keep in mind that the more fields you fill in, the more restricted your results will be (and you may even eliminate the record you are seeking)." |
| How Social Security Can Help When A Family Member Dies | Social Security should be notified as soon as possible when a person dies. In most cases, the funeral director will report the person's death to Social Security. You will need to furnish the funeral director with the deceased's Social Security number so he or she can make the report. |
"Want to keep on working and collect Social Security benefits at the same time? You may be able to collect “partial” Social Security benefits while continuing to work. " |
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| Working While You Collect Social Secury | |
| A Retirement Mistake Boomers Should Avoid | "Of all people who apply for Social Security retirement benefits every year, the number doing so before their "full retirement age" has been on the rise. For some, that move is going to cost them money." |
| Start Collecting Social Security at 62 — or Wait? | "For those born between 1943 and 1954, for example, you can start collecting benefits at age 62, but you’ll only get 75 percent of what you’d get if you wait until you’re 66. If you wait until 67, you get 108 percent of your monthly benefit. And at age 70, you’ll collect 132 percent — the maximum you can get by delaying benefits." |
| Deciding Whether to Work While Collecting Social Security | "People collecting Social Security benefits before full retirement age—and who also are earning wages or self-employment income in excess of allowed amounts—will lose all or a portion of their monthly Social Security benefits. For these people, does the loss of Social Security benefits outweigh the economic gain from earning a few extra dollars in retirement?" |
| Social Security: When Should you Start Collecting? | "Financial experts don't agree on the best age to start taking Social Security — so don't feel bad if you're confused, too." |
| Working While Collecting Social Security Disability | "Both SSDI and SSI have programs that permit some work to be done without losing benefits. However, it is important before starting to earn any wages that you thoroughly understand Social Security’s rules about work." |
| You can Work and get Social Security at the Same Time | "You can work while you receive Social Security retirement (or survivors) benefits. When you do, it could mean a higher benefit for you in the future. Higher benefits can be important to you later in life and increase the future benefit amounts your family and your survivors could receive." |
| Detailed information and articles about Social Security Disability: how to get, how to appeal a denial, who is qualified. | |
| Social Security Disability | |
| Benefits For People With Disabilities | From the SSA. "The Social Security and Supplemental Security Income disability programs are the largest of several Federal programs that provide assistance to people with disabilities. While these two programs are different in many ways, both are administered by the Social Security Administration and only individuals who have a disability and meet medical criteria may qualify for benefits under either program." |
| SS Disability Secrets | "Applying for social security disability and SSI benefits, with or without an advocate can be difficult due to how long a claim may take and the high chance of being denied. But those who are denied disability can win benefits by utilizing the appeals process. To increase the chances of winning, applicants should learn about the system and file an appeal when a claim is denied." |
| Social Security Disability Secrets | "Written by a former disability claims examiner for the social security administration, this website provides answers to a number of disability benefit questions. In addition to providing answers to a wide array of questions, this site also provides tips for individuals seeking benefits, lists mistakes to avoid when filing or appealing for benefits, and explains how the social security disability system works in a plain-english, easy to understand fashion. " |
| Supplemental Security Income | "Designed to help aged, blind, and disabled people, who have little or no income; and it provides cash to meet basic needs for food, clothing, and shelter." |
"Requests to provide our Social Security numbers have become so common that many people just assume they have no choice but to hand it over. That's actually not true, but having that knowledge is only half the battle. The real challenge is convincing the people who automatically request such information that you really don't have to give it to them. " |
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| Guarding Your Social Security Number | |
| Your Social Security Number And Card | "A Social Security number is important because you need it to get a job, collect Social Security benefits and receive some other government services. Many other businesses, such as banks and credit companies, also ask for your number." |
| Who Can Ask for Your Social Security Number? | "You have every reason to guard your Social Security number and give it out only when absolutely necessary." |
| My Social Security Number: How Secure Is It? | "Your Social Security number is also frequently used as your identification number in many computer files, giving access to information you may want kept private and allowing an easy way of linking databases. The files of utility companies are just one example of such usage. In recent years, news stories of data breaches in which SSNs are compromised are a daily occurrence." |
| Identity Theft And Your Social Security Number | "You should be careful about sharing your number, even when you are asked for it. You should ask why your number is needed, how it will be used and what will happen if you refuse." |
| Identity Theft: What to Do if It Happens to You | "This guide provides victims of identity theft with instructions on how to regain your financial health and who to contact for more help. You must act quickly and assertively to minimize the damage." |
| Guard your Social Security Number | "We recommend that you ask if they'll accept an alternative piece of identification. If they don't, flat-out refuse to do business with them. Bear in mind that there's a possibility they'll refuse to provide whatever product or service you're seeking." |
| Social Security Numbers and Why Your Baby Needs One | "A Social Security number is the federal government's way of identifying your child. Your child will need a Social Security number in order for you to claim child-related tax breaks -- such as the dependent exemption and the child tax credit--on your income taxes." |
| Medicare and Part B Supplemental Insurance | "Welcome to the Medicare Coverage section of www.medicare.gov. This section provides information about your health care benefits in the Original Medicare plan (sometimes referred to as "fee-for-service")." This page includes links to all aspects of Medicare as well as a links to related sites. |
| Your Medicare Coverage | |
| Who Is Eligible for Medicare? | "Generally, you are eligible for Medicare if you or your spouse worked for at least 10 years in Medicare-covered employment and you are 65 years old and a citizen or permanent resident of the United States. You might also qualify for coverage if you are a younger person with a disability or with chronic kidney disease." |
| Medicare Eligibility Tool | From Medicare. "This section of the site is designed to provide you with information about your Medicare eligibility and enrollment. You will be asked to answer a series of questions. The number of questions, as well as the questions themselves will be dynamic based on your answers. Once we have collected enough information, we will display detailed information tailored to your specific situation. Please note that Social Security will make the final decision on your eligibility and enrollment status." |
| Medicare.gov | "The Official U.S. Government Site for People with Medicare" |
| Medicare Resources | From Social Security Online. |
| Medicare Premiums: Rules For Higher-Income Beneficiaries | "Changes in the law affect how we calculate monthly Medicare Part B (medical insurance) and Medicare prescription drug premiums if you have a higher income. Higher-income beneficiaries will pay higher premiums for Part B and prescription drug coverage." |
| Medicare Premiums vs. Your Social Security Benefits | Chart of information and benefit cost calculator |
| Nursing Homes - Medicare & Medicaid | "The purpose of this section is to provide visitors with information relating to Medicaid and Medicare certified nursing homes throughout the United States. It includes information on payment and patient rights, and a nursing home checklist which will help you evaluate the nursing homes that you visit." |
| Eldernet: Medicare & Medicaid | "The best private site on the Web for Medicare coverage information, well-written and targeted for the average reader." |
| "Medicaid is available only to certain low-income individuals and families who fit into an eligibility group that is recognized by federal and state law. Medicaid does not pay money to you; instead, it sends payments directly to your health care providers. Depending on your state's rules, you may also be asked to pay a small part of the cost (co-payment) for some medical services." | |
| Center for Medicaid Services | |
| Medicaid State-by-State | "Medicaid is a federal-state partnership, with state laws, state regulations, federally approved state waivers, and approved "state plans" all creating significant variations from state to state. Listed below are selected links to information about existing Medicaid plans and reform proposals within individual states." |
| Medicaid | "Medicaid is government health insurance that helps many low-income people in the United States to pay their medical bills. Although the Federal government establishes general guidelines for the program, each state has its own rules." |
| Medicaid Information | "Medicaid is a jointly funded, Federal-State health insurance program for low-income and needy people. It covers children, the aged, blind, and/or disabled and other people who are eligible to receive federally assisted income maintenance payments." |
| Medicaid Law: an Overview | "Among the services that Medicaid covers are: in-patient hospital services, out-patient hospital services, laboratory and x-ray services, skilled nursing home services, physicians' services, physical therapy, hospice care, and rehabilitative services." |
| Medicaid Application by State | "We've provided you with an up-to-date list of Medicaid contacts throughout the United States." |
| Medicaid vs. Medicare | "MedicAID differs significantly from MediCARE. Because of the similarity of the spelling most people confuse the two programs." |
| Medicare vs Medicaid | "Some people who are covered by Medicare buy private insurance, called "Medigap" policies, to pay the medical bills that Medicare doesn't cover." |
| Nursing Homes - Medicare & Medicaid | "The purpose of this section is to provide visitors with information relating to Medicaid and Medicare certified nursing homes throughout the United States. It includes information on payment and patient rights, and a nursing home checklist which will help you evaluate the nursing homes that you visit." |
| What Does it Take to Qualify for Medicaid in Nursing Homes? | "To qualify for Medicaid the potential recipient must meet a means test - their income and assets must be under a certain level as determined by the individual state." |
| Eldernet: Medicare & Medicaid | "The best private site on the Web for Medicare coverage information, well-written and targeted for the average reader." |
| Paying For Long-Term Care | "Sometimes you must spend down your personal resources (assets) before you qualify. You may want to get more detailed information from your state Medicaid office or an attorney before spending down your resources." |
Tax Information
Tax Information
Tax Facts |
From the IRS. Links to hundreds of articles about taxes. |
| Frequently Asked Tax Questions And Answers | |
| That Tax Refund Is a Rip-Off | "It's hard to beat the thrill of a windfall. In a typical year, as many as 75% of us will feel that rush, courtesy of the IRS. Recently, average refunds have come in just shy of $3,000. Not that we have anything against checks made out in our name, but there are a few reasons to take a dim view of this annual financial rite of passage." |
| Tax Policy Center | "TPC provides timely, accessible analysis and facts about tax policy to policymakers, journalists, citizens, and researchers" |
| Do You Need to File a Federal Income Tax Return? | (Shoulf be updated annually) "Many people will file a Federal income tax return even though the income on the return was below the filing requirement. The questions below will help you determine if you need to file a Federal Income Tax return or if you need to stop your withholding so you will not have to file an unnecessary return in the future." |
| Marriage, Divorce, and Taxes | "A change in your marital status has a big effect on your life -- not the least of which is the way it changes your finances. When you get married or divorced, you'll have to face a host of associated tax issues." |
| Reporting Social Security Benefits at Tax Time | "Your Social Security, and Railroad Retirement Benefits are considered income, and if are found to be taxable income, they must be reported to the IRS." |
| Taxpayer Rights | "Whether you file a Form 1040EZ or a complicated corporate return, you will benefit from knowing your rights as a taxpayer and being familiar with the IRS' obligations to protect them. The goal of the Taxpayer Rights Corner is to be your one-stop shop for taxpayer rights information during every step of your interaction with the IRS" |
| Taxation (UK) | "Your partner in tax law, practice and administration." |
From the IRS. Download or order forms and publications. Forms explained. |
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| Tax Forms & Publications | |
| AARP Tax Guides | AARP's "Tax-Aide" page. Includes "Find a Tax-Aide site near you," "Where is my Refund," and online tax assistance. |
| IRS Home Page | The IRS Mission - "Provide America's taxpayers top quality service by helping them understand and meet their tax responsibilities and by applying the tax law with integrity and fairness to all." |
| Taxes: Federal and State | "Official information and services from the U.S. government" |
| Federal Tax Credits for Energy Efficiency | Includes a summary of tax credits for homeowners |
"For individual state and local tax burdens, select from the menu below." |
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| State and Local Tax Burdens: All Years | |
| Federation of Tax Administrators | "Click on Map to Jump to State Tax Form Site or go to State Internet Filing Sites" |
| State Tax Overview | "Due to staffing shortage, FTA will not be updating the tax rate tables for 2009. We anticpate updating the tables for 2010." |
| State and Local Tax | Many links of a variety of taxes - all states and many localities. "To narrow your search, please click a sub-category on the left." |
| Fact Sheet: State and Local Taxes | "States acquire the necessary revenue to maintain their governments through tax collection, fees, and licenses." |
| State Sales Tax Holidays | Chart - alphabetically by state. |
| From the IRS. "Current research indicates that individuals are likely to make errors when preparing their tax returns. The following tax tips were developed to help you avoid some of the common errors dealing with the standard deduction for seniors, the taxable amount of Social Security benefits, and the Credit for the Elderly and Disabled. In addition, you'll find links below to helpful publications as well as information on how to obtain free tax assistance." | |
| Tips for Seniors in Preparing Their Taxes | |
| Tax Publications for Older Americans | From the IRS. Topics include Persons with Disabilities, Planning for Retirement?, and Tax Tips. |
| AARP Tax Guides | AARP's "Tax-Aide" page. Includes "Find a Tax-Aide site near you," "Where is my Refund," and online tax assistance. |
| Free Tax Return Preparation For You by Volunteers | From the IRS. Puzzled by the tax law or which credits and deductions to take? Need assistance with your tax return?You may want to visit a volunteer site. The IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program or the Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) Program offer free tax help if you qualify. |
| Audit-Proof Your Tax Return | "Is there really such a thing as an audit-proof tax return? A way of preparing your return to guarantee that you won't be subject to an audit? Of course not. But there certainly are ways to minimize your risk." |
| Tax Scams to Avoid | "Itching to get your due from Uncle Sam? There are plenty of folks -- legit and otherwise -- who will happily promise to help you get a faster or bigger refund. My advice? Don't fall for any of the come-ons, no matter how tempting they sound." |
| Checklist for Your Preparer | "Check off the items below as you assemble the information you need to send to your preparer." |
| Tax Information for Individuals | From the IRS |
| 1040.com | "Here you'll find answers to your tax questions and the forms, worksheets, and publications you need to complete your tax returns. We explain all the basics, tell you what’s new and changing with the tax laws." |
| Free Federal Online Filing | "The Free File program provides free federal income tax preparation and electronic filing for eligible taxpayers through a partnership between the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the Free File Alliance LLC, a group of private sector tax software companies." |
| Moving Soon? Let the IRS Know | "If you changed your home or business address, notify the IRS to ensure that you receive any refunds or correspondence. While the IRS uses the Postal Service’s change of address files to update taxpayer addresses, notifying the IRS directly is still a good idea."- |
| How to Survive an IRS Audit | "If you get audited, your best bet is to seek out a qualified tax professional. But if you're a do-it-yourself type of person, here are a few tips you can use to help you survive the audit process." |
| IRS Audits and How to Deal With Them | "An audit is an IRS examination of an individual or corporation's tax return, to verify its accuracy. There are three types of audits: correspondence audits (the IRS mails you a request for additional information), office audits (an interview is conducted at a local IRS office), and field audits (an interview is conducted at your place of business, for a corporate tax return)." |
| Why the Alternative Minimum Tax Is Not Just for the Wealthy | "Although intended for the rich, the AMT is affecting more and more middle-income Americans in large part because it has only been adjusted for inflation twice since its introduction in 1969." |
| "There are a whole lot of lines on your tax return. Have you researched every last one, making sure you're taking advantage of all the legal ways you can cut your tax bill? Few people do, and even some tax professionals miss opportunities to reduce a taxpayer's tab." | |
| 6 Deductions Even Pros Overlook | |
| Minimize Investment Taxes | "The first step to minimizing your taxes is to know what creates a taxable event. The following are some of the most common investment events and associated taxes. Because taxes are complicated, and tax laws change regularly, it's a good idea to seek the counsel of a tax professional." |
| Slash Your Taxes All Year Long | "Even if you're not an investor, a number of tax issues should be important to you. " |
| Top Seven Tax Deductions for Seniors and Retirees | "Your golden years may prove to be more golden if you understand and take advantage of the deductions available to reduce your income taxes each year. Here's some of the most important deductions." |
| Five Year End Strategies to Minimize Taxes | "Accelerating certain expenses before the end of the year is an easy way to take an immediate tax benefit. As long as you take action before December 31, there are many ways you can use this method to lower your tax liability. " |
| Taxes | Many links and articles on many tax-related topics. Lower left has tax saving tips. |
| Reducing Your Tax Liability: The Basics | "There are numerous ways that are available to decrease the amount of money that we must pay in April. Some methods are fundamental; others are more esoteric, depending on one’s financial position. They all, however, can be condensed down into one of three basic categories: reducing your income, increasing your deductions, or using tax credits. " |
| Important Papers: Keep or Toss? | "Most records and papers are kept at home so they are easy to access when needed. Legal documents or papers hard to replace should be stored in a safe-deposit box." |
| Tax Implications of Different Types of Investments | "When you sell a stock at a profit you incur capital gains taxes, which are calculated according to the amount of time that the stock is actually held. There are other considerations when investing in stocks." |
" Aggregate rates shown here are weighted averages that include county and city rates. Click on a state to view its individual county and city taxes." |
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| State Sales Clearinghouse | |
| State Sales, Gasoline, Cigarette, and Alcohol Tax | Rates by State, 2000-2009. Undated 2009. "To zoom in, print, select text or search the following document, please use the grey toolbar below. Years from 2000 - 2008 are available in the Excel and PDF sheets at the bottom of this page." |
| Taxes by State | "If you plan to move to another state when you retire, examine the tax burden you’ll face when you arrive. State taxes are increasingly important to everyone, but retirees have extra cause for concern since their income may be fixed." |
| Sales Tax Deduction Calculator | "If you file a Form 1040, and itemize deductions on Schedule A, you have the option of claiming either state and local income taxes or state and local sales taxes. (You can’t claim both.) If you didn’t save all your receipts, you can still choose to claim state and local sales taxes. You could fill out the worksheet and use the optional general sales tax tables in the Instructions for Schedules A & B (Form 1040) , but why not take the easy route and use the Sales Tax Deduction Calculator!" |
| School Finder | "Find, compare, and evaluate public and private elementary, middle, and high schools." |
| Search Schools by Zip Code | "Use the form below to find schools near your zip code! Or, select your state to begin browsing schools by county and town." |
| Search for Schools Colleges and Libraries | "You must enter a name, city, or zip code to begin searching. You must select at least one of the four types of institutions found on the right side of the search tool." |
| NETR Public Records Online Directory | "The Public Records Online Directory is a Portal to official state web sites, and those Tax Assessors' and Recorders' offices that have developed web sites for the retrieval of available public records over the internet. For example, some Recorders' offices have marriage and birth records available online. Although not every county and parish has data online, many have home pages, and where neither is available a phone number has been provided." |
| A Brief History of Property Tax | (PDF) "Taxation has existed in various forms since civilization began. In days of old the source of wealth was land and its proceeds. Before the existence of a monetary system, taxes were paid by a percentage of crops raised. Through most of history, the tax assessor and the tax collector were the same person" |
| Taxes and Homeownership | "FindLaw's Real Estate Center, with information on tax issues that may arise when you own a home -- including tips on using your home as a tax shelter, in-depth information on property taxes, and resources from the Internal Revenue Service." |
| Estate And Gift Tax: An Overview | "One of the oldest and most common forms of taxation is the taxation of property held by an individual at the time of their death. Such a tax can take the form, among others, of estate tax (a tax levied on the estate before any transfers)." |
| Concerned About Estate Taxes? | "Despite strong congressional support for repeal of the federal estate tax, the tax is still with us, with three phases: relief, repeal, and reappearance." |
| How to Minimize Estate Taxes | "Currently the federal estate tax exemption is $3,500,000. Many states also assess estate taxes on the assets owned by their residents and on real estate owned by nonresidents." |
The Obvious Legal Statement.
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While we do maintain editorial rights, things slip past. The submitted columns and news articles belong to the contributor(s), not to the Slightly Creaky team. We are simply a vehicle bringing you information to the best of our ability. We have no control over the sites we link to. Web site contents frequently change. If you find anything improper, objectionable or not working, please notify us.
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