Work to Wealth
Congress Passes the Tax Cuts & Jobs Act
What will the near-term impact be? On December 20, Congress passed the Tax Cuts & Jobs Act, sending the final version of the GOP tax reform bill to President Trump’s desk. The legislation alters the Internal Revenue Code to a degree unseen since the 1980s, altering income tax brackets, marginal tax rates, key deductions and...
No Doubt!
With odds at 98% leading up to the meeting, there was little doubt of the Federal Open Market Committee’s (FOMC) action today. The FOMC raised interest rates a quarter point increasing the federal funds target range to 1.25% to 1.50%. The expectation was set for further rate increases with three more rate hikes in 2018....
Life Insurance Products with Long Term Care Riders
Our featured monthly article, Life Insurance Products with Long Term Care Riders, is a timely piece as November is Long Term Care Awareness Month. A concerted effort has been made by both the insurance industry and most state legislatures to bring attention to the growing concern over the cost of care for our aging population....
Stephen DeCesare, CFP® Named 2017 Philadelphia Five Star Wealth Manager
Marlton-based Certified Financial Planner™ earns professional honor for sixth consecutive year November 1, 2017 – Marlton N.J. – Independent wealth manager, retirement planner and president of DeCesare Retirement Specialists, Stephen DeCesare, CFP®, was presented with the 2017 Award for the Philadelphia market from Five Star Professional, a market research organization dedicated to defining and promoting...
Understanding Inherited IRAs
Our featured monthly article, Understanding Inherited IRAs, highlights some frequently asked questions regarding the structure and distribution of inherited IRAs. However, inherited IRAs are complicated in practice primarily due to the mandatory distributions placed on the beneficiary regardless of age. Conceptually, inherited IRAs should be appreciated for their long term tax deferred preference, which could...
Retiring Before 60
Our featured monthly article, Retiring Before 60, offers helpful insight into the choices and challenges one can face when considering early retirement. How to avoid IRA distribution penalties and thinking about alternate ways to access your hard earned savings. Another idea worth considering is accessing your post-tax 401(k) contributions, if you have them, via a...
Unwind But No Increase
The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) will not raise interest rates, but indicated they will begin unwinding their balance sheet starting in October of this year. Also, they are expecting a rate increase at December’s meeting. As of now, the market is predicting a 60% chance of a rate increase at that meeting. As of...
A Primer for Estate Planning
Things to check and double-check. Our featured monthly article, A Primer for Estate Planning, asks some thoughtful questions and provides a high level overview of the necessary Estate Planning arrangements everyone should consider as part of prudent financial plan. If you would like to understand how Estate Planning is relevant to your personal situation and...
One Couple, Two Different Retirements?
After many years together, some retired spouses may find their daily routines far apart. Our featured monthly article, One Couple, Two Different Retirements?, initiates a conversation about what is truly important when planning for retirement, beyond the numbers. Our Retirement Lifestyle Planning process furthers the discussion by getting to the heart of what matters to...
The June Rate Hike
The Federal Reserve takes the key interest rate north by another quarter point. On Wednesday morning, futures markets put the odds at 99.6% of a June interest rate increase by the Federal Reserve. Sure enough, the central bank made a move. It raised the key interest rate by 0.25%, taking the target range for the...