"Roughly 20% of corporate and public pensions in the US now use hedge funds along with stocks and bonds."
Do you know where your money REALLY is?
Learn about annuities, dividend paying, high cash value life insurance products - products that you can use for your own retirement funding.
Friday, April 24, 2009
Thursday, April 23, 2009
No Will
According to Thompson Financial, roughly 70% of parents between the ages of 18 and 39 do not even have a will for their children in the event of a premature death.
Get a will at the VERY least......................!
Get a will at the VERY least......................!
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Estate Planning and Insurance
Do you have an estate plan? A will? A trust?
You should. Without creating one, you could be subjecting loved ones to headache upon headache should something happen to you.
There are various levels of estate planning. A will, durable power of attorney, trusts, etc. Work with an attorney well versed in these areas (call me for a referral).
I'm in the process of creating a trust. Our life insurance beneficiaries will be changed to the trust. Creating a trust will avoid probate for my family and to take advantage of estate tax exemptions if available AND the biggest factor to me right now.... I have younger children. A trust can delay fund distributions until the age I deem appropriate. Not many 15 years are ready to manage an inheritence, in my mind.
Is it expensive to create a trust? Well, there is a big difference between cost and value. Creating a trust is something I valued and found the money to pay for.
You should. Without creating one, you could be subjecting loved ones to headache upon headache should something happen to you.
There are various levels of estate planning. A will, durable power of attorney, trusts, etc. Work with an attorney well versed in these areas (call me for a referral).
I'm in the process of creating a trust. Our life insurance beneficiaries will be changed to the trust. Creating a trust will avoid probate for my family and to take advantage of estate tax exemptions if available AND the biggest factor to me right now.... I have younger children. A trust can delay fund distributions until the age I deem appropriate. Not many 15 years are ready to manage an inheritence, in my mind.
Is it expensive to create a trust? Well, there is a big difference between cost and value. Creating a trust is something I valued and found the money to pay for.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Workers Compensation - 7 Common Mistakes
Workers' compensation claims have a high impact on return to work and costs to employers.
The seven biggest mistakes employers make:
1. Not visiting the claim offices and sitting "chair side•bCrLf with the adjuster to see the process firsthand
2. Not meeting with all service providers
3. Not having onsite file reviews regularly and not attending reviews
4. Not using a medical doctor to review medical records and reports, but relying on adjusters to make medical decisions
5. Not customizing account handling instructions
6. Not staying involved-many employers put aside responsibility for their employee's medical care and return to work, relying on the claims adjuster
7. Not receiving assistance from your broker.
The seven biggest mistakes employers make:
1. Not visiting the claim offices and sitting "chair side•bCrLf with the adjuster to see the process firsthand
2. Not meeting with all service providers
3. Not having onsite file reviews regularly and not attending reviews
4. Not using a medical doctor to review medical records and reports, but relying on adjusters to make medical decisions
5. Not customizing account handling instructions
6. Not staying involved-many employers put aside responsibility for their employee's medical care and return to work, relying on the claims adjuster
7. Not receiving assistance from your broker.
Monday, April 20, 2009
Soft Market - Get Ready for the End?
From Agent and Broker Magazine:
The 5-year soft market is coming to an end, according to a report by Advisen Ltd. The company predicts that average rate levels for commercial insurance will level off by the second quarter of 2009 and begin to rise in the fourth quarter of 2009 or the first quarter of 2010.
Advisen estimated the property-casualty industry was $100 billion overcapitalized at the end of 2007. U.S. policyholders’ surplus declined $3.6 billion (7 percent) during the 12 months that ended Sept. 20, 2008, according to A.M. Best. Towers Perrin predicted there would be up to an $80 million decrease in surplus by 2008’s end.
Advisen states that because of the absence of large insured natural catastrophes, underwriting losses combined with weak investment returns should begin increasing rates in 2009 and 2010. One or more large catastrophes could accelerate the process. However, Advisen predicts that the global recession may delay the return of hard market conditions by suppressing demand for insurance.
The 5-year soft market is coming to an end, according to a report by Advisen Ltd. The company predicts that average rate levels for commercial insurance will level off by the second quarter of 2009 and begin to rise in the fourth quarter of 2009 or the first quarter of 2010.
Advisen estimated the property-casualty industry was $100 billion overcapitalized at the end of 2007. U.S. policyholders’ surplus declined $3.6 billion (7 percent) during the 12 months that ended Sept. 20, 2008, according to A.M. Best. Towers Perrin predicted there would be up to an $80 million decrease in surplus by 2008’s end.
Advisen states that because of the absence of large insured natural catastrophes, underwriting losses combined with weak investment returns should begin increasing rates in 2009 and 2010. One or more large catastrophes could accelerate the process. However, Advisen predicts that the global recession may delay the return of hard market conditions by suppressing demand for insurance.
The 5-year soft market is coming to an end, according to a report by Advisen Ltd. The company predicts that average rate levels for commercial insurance will level off by the second quarter of 2009 and begin to rise in the fourth quarter of 2009 or the first quarter of 2010.
Advisen estimated the property-casualty industry was $100 billion overcapitalized at the end of 2007. U.S. policyholders’ surplus declined $3.6 billion (7 percent) during the 12 months that ended Sept. 20, 2008, according to A.M. Best. Towers Perrin predicted there would be up to an $80 million decrease in surplus by 2008’s end.
Advisen states that because of the absence of large insured natural catastrophes, underwriting losses combined with weak investment returns should begin increasing rates in 2009 and 2010. One or more large catastrophes could accelerate the process. However, Advisen predicts that the global recession may delay the return of hard market conditions by suppressing demand for insurance.
The 5-year soft market is coming to an end, according to a report by Advisen Ltd. The company predicts that average rate levels for commercial insurance will level off by the second quarter of 2009 and begin to rise in the fourth quarter of 2009 or the first quarter of 2010.
Advisen estimated the property-casualty industry was $100 billion overcapitalized at the end of 2007. U.S. policyholders’ surplus declined $3.6 billion (7 percent) during the 12 months that ended Sept. 20, 2008, according to A.M. Best. Towers Perrin predicted there would be up to an $80 million decrease in surplus by 2008’s end.
Advisen states that because of the absence of large insured natural catastrophes, underwriting losses combined with weak investment returns should begin increasing rates in 2009 and 2010. One or more large catastrophes could accelerate the process. However, Advisen predicts that the global recession may delay the return of hard market conditions by suppressing demand for insurance.
Friday, April 17, 2009
Growth and Security = Annuities
A recent U.S. Census Bureau study notes that by 2050, there will be more than a million Americans age 100 or older. If you get to age 60 and are married, there’s a 40 percent chance that one of you will reach age 95. Such life expectancies bring with them a greater need for growth and security.
Annuities can fit the bill. Tax deferred, you won't lose your principal, your interest rate is locked in, your gains are locked in with certain riders, etc. So many choices and worth taking a look at.
Annuities can fit the bill. Tax deferred, you won't lose your principal, your interest rate is locked in, your gains are locked in with certain riders, etc. So many choices and worth taking a look at.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Business Succession Planning
Successful business owners tend to be very busy and unwilling to talk about next week, let alone next year or 20 years from now. Then along comes a divorce, a family squabble, a death, disability, retirement or an unsuitable heir, and the business is on the road to ruin.
Don't let this be you. Let's sit down and talk about succession plans. Where do you want your business to go with OR without you? Are your key employees covered? Can you operate without them?
Super important issues to think about - for you AND your family.
Don't let this be you. Let's sit down and talk about succession plans. Where do you want your business to go with OR without you? Are your key employees covered? Can you operate without them?
Super important issues to think about - for you AND your family.
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