Insurance for Two Could Benefit Your Heirs
Survivorship life insurance offers a way to help a couple's heirs pay estate taxes, probate costs, and other final expenses — and could be especially important after 2012 when the federal estate tax is scheduled to be significantly higher. Even if the estate tax doesn't apply to an estate, the insurance proceeds could benefit heirs or a favorite charity.
Consider Your Retirement Needs, but Don't Forget Your Retirement Wants
A rule of thumb is that workers will need to replace about 80% of their pre-retirement incomes to maintain their standard of living in retirement. But they may need more than 80% to fund a lifestyle that they can truly look forward to. As people grow older, what once may have been considered luxuries can become basic needs.
Growth, Value, or Both
The average annual return for large-cap value stocks was about 2.1% higher than for large-cap growth stocks, yet growth stocks outperformed value stocks in 13 out of 30 years. This article examines the difference between the two approaches and describes why holding both may help investors take advantage of a variety of market conditions.
The Financial State of the States
Many state and local governments have struggled with lower tax receipts and large budget deficits — during and after the recession. This article offers a closer look at the financial pressures facing the states and how the methods used to address budget shortfalls could ultimately serve as a drag on the national economy.
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