Financial Planning | Producers eSource Insurance Selling Tips & News

Retirement and Women — Having the Conversation

On the face of it, women seem to be doing pretty well for themselves. A press release from The Boston Consulting Group (BCG) about its 2009 survey of more than 12,000 women in 22 countries reported that: Women’s income (globally) increased by nearly $3 trillion to $9.8 trillion between 2002 and 2007, with expectations that by 2014, it will jump to $15.6 trillion. Women own or co-own 40 percent of U.S. businesses, with solely women-owned businesses growing at twice the rate of all U.S. … [Read more...]

An Interview with a Top of the Table Advisor

» By William Upson, CLU, ChFC

What has helped you achieve “Top of the Table” production for the Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT)? Attending as many MDRT and eventually the Top of the Table meetings helped me achieve top production. The speakers and members I met provided me with many answers to very complex client issues. Eventually I was able to solve many of my client’s problems with the information I gained from these meetings. In addition, members were willing to teach me, as well as share cases of mine, so we … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Financial, Financial Planning
Tagged With: Practice Management

Life Insurance Tax Advantages and Estate Plans

» By Dominique Echols

Most people know that life insurance can provide families with a financial lifeline in the event the primary breadwinner dies prematurely. However, not as many individuals fully appreciate the estate-planning benefits inherent in a life insurance policy. This product possesses unique tax advantages that policy holders can utilize to leave their heirs a tax-free financial legacy. This is possible because life insurance proceeds do not have to be subject to estate taxes. The estate tax is a … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Bottom #2 and #3, Estate Planning, Financial, Financial Planning
Tagged With: Taxes

An Open Letter to President Obama

» By Jeffrey Levine, CPA

Mr. President, As part of the campaign process for your bid to seek a second term in the White House, you recently released a copy of your tax 2011 tax return. Purely to satisfy my own curiosity, I decided to review the return, as well as the return of your challenger, Governor Romney. First off, it should be noted that in 2011 you contributed over $172,000, or more than 20% of your AGI, to charities. This is certainly an excellent example for others to follow. In looking at your return, I … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Financial, Financial Planning
Tagged With: IRAs, ROTH

The Latest Wrinkle on Roth Recharacterizations

» By Jeffrey Levine, CPA

October 15, 2012 could mark an important date for many of your clients. For clients that made Roth IRA conversions in 2011, October 15, 2012 marks the last day on which they can change their minds and get back any tax paid as a result of the conversion. The more formal name for this transaction, of course, is a Roth recharacterization, but for most clients, it’s simply the way their financial or tax advisor promised them they could undo their Roth IRA conversion and resulting tax … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Bottom #1, Financial, Financial Planning
Tagged With: IRAs, ROTH

A Top of the Table Advisor Shares His Secrets to Success

» By Randy Scritchfield

Top-of-the-Table-Advisor-Shares-Secrets-to-His-Insurance-Success

1. What has helped you achieve "Top of the Table" production for the Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT)? I achieved “Top of the Table” production by providing effective solutions, cultivating strong relationships and staying up-to-date in the financial business for over the past 20 years. I think a common myth among some MDRT members is to achieve “Top of the Table,” one must be in the high-end market, working with cutting edge and revolutionary products. However, that is not … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Featured Slider, Financial, Financial Planning
Tagged With: Practice Management