Before you consider doing a Roth conversion, carefully consider the following issues first: 1.  If you are 70 1/2 or older, RMD’s for the current tax year are required to withdrawn before a conversion takes place.  If this not done in advance, it will be considered a failed conversion. 2.  If an annuity is held [...]

Most people know that if you sell a security for a loss, you can use this loss to offset capital gains as well as up to $3,000 of ordinary income (only after you have no cap gains).  However, the The Wash Sale Rule applies if you buy sustantially identical securities within 30 days.  But of course, like most IRS [...]

Are you dreaming of Florida beaches, secluded fishing lakes or endless rounds of golf for your retirement? Warm weather and quiet time do sound great, but do 15-20 years of endless golf sound as great?  We find that some people may be diligently planning and saving for retirement but have never given a thought as to what [...]

This is a challenging situation that many are facing right now in America.  Even families who ‘followed the rules’, putting 20-30% down on their home are falling into this if they did it at the wrong time (peak of the housing market).    Being underwater means their home will no longer sell for what the mortgage [...]