Are stock dividends the best way to create retirement income?

 

Make your grandchild a millionaire

If you are wealthy or they have time to accumulate wealth, you can help them have enough money to do what they really want to do. 1^st case: give each grandchild $15,000 a year with no gift tax. A custody or cash account with your stock mutual fund can become a $million in 20 years. 2^nd case: give each grandchild $250 a month using automatic investment from your bank account. A custody or cash account with your stock mutual fund can become a $million in 35 years. If they convert their account to a Roth IRA the account earnings will become tax-FREE when they take the money out.

Gift of a lifetime: https://www.amazon.com/Give-your-Grandchild-1000000-Lifetime/dp/1456433105/

 

Can Congress complete the Social Security stabilization for us?

The SS Trustees Report says that we will have our SS benefits cut by 25% in 2034—just 12 years away. Congress has trouble understanding it takes time to accumulate the funds that will provide the benefits. Reason: most are multimillionairs and won’t need benefits. Wealthy members don’t want to think about taxes. Some don’t even realize that global warming is reducing their $ billions of assets. However, if we are to survive in retirement, we need to convince the split Congress that Americans agree on THREE things: ensuring Social Security cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) are enough to, at minimum, keep up with inflation; reinstating Social Security payroll taxes on people earning more than $400,000 per year; and providing a Social Security credit to unpaid caregivers. Because Congress may not agree in time to correct the situation, prudent folks must take action.

Start today: https://www.amazon.com/Maximize-Social-Security-Benefits-Retirement/dp/1495439224

 

Are stock dividends the best way to create retirement income?

Some advisors are convinced that stock dividends are the best way to fund our retirement. Few stocks pay over 3% in dividends. At $6 a year, owners of 3M for instance, must own 5,000 shares at $194 a share or about $1,000,000. Luckily, dividends are taxed at lower rates than income from 401k or IRA funds. However, we may do better by owning non-dividend shares like those in the S&P 500 that we can sell as needed with fewer taxes. Also, with inflation returning to the historical 3%, a dividend yield of 3% may actually be losing us long-term buying power. Stocks returns beat inflation. The other benefit of owning non-dividend stocks is that we can sell when the price and tax benefits are greatest. If we have other retirement income like taxable 401k and IRA money, we can postpone selling stock for income. We may have periods when we can convert the taxable money to tax-FREE money and thus lower our tax burden over time. We may need a one-time fee-only planner to help us create tax-FREE retirement income.

Tax-FREE spending: https://www.amazon.com/Tax-FREE-Retirement-code-lifetime-income/dp/1475206976

 

$10,000 annual fee

Do you realize that is the amount you are paying your advisor every year? If your portfolio is $500,000 and your expense fees and charges and 12b-1 and trading costs and timing mistakes total up to 2% each year, you could be falling behind your ultimate goal in a big way. Year after year with most costs hidden in quarterly statements and prospectus, you can lose up to 50% of your possible accumulation because of the compounding of costs. Compare your account balance to the account balance if you were using a 0.04% stock market index fund. DALBAR returns tracker says the difference can be 7%--3.79%vs11.06%. If your assets earn more than 2% and you pay 2% TOTAL costs, you lose a year of earnings if there are any. If the market falls, you lose more since there are no refunds if advisors fail to better the stock market index. For most advisors, if their market picks fail, they will increase trading costs to try to avoid a loss. This just makes matters worse. But by the time you see the loss or lack of gain, that period is over and there is nothing you can do. You could move your assets to the Best Robo available.

https://www.amazon.com/Best-Robo-Advisor-Ultimate-Automatic-Management/dp/1537111957

 

Another way the wealthy avoid taxes

Trial lawyers haul their mass tort winnings to tax-haven Puerto Rico

And you wonder who will pay off the skyrocketing National Debt of $28 Trillions. These lawyers, who get the lion’s share of the opioid death settlement, are moving outside the US to avoid taxes on their $2 Billion fees. This “self-described West Virginia hillbilly” did not move his family so you know he is purposefully violating the law: “If you’re a lawyer in San Juan sitting behind a computer screen, you pay zero state and federal income taxes.” You may not be ready to leave your family and friends and move your office to PR so what can you do to avoid paying THEIR share of the $28 Trillion? You can avoid some of your income taxes by using deductions from your business activities like the former president does, but that takes time and money to set up. An immediate way is to take advantage of the current legal IRS-approved retirement accounts. 

Start today: https://www.amazon.com/New-American-Retirement-System-ReserveTM/dp/1461030072

 

61% of households paid no federal income taxes in 2020

Are you one of the few who paid taxes last year? Households making less than about $28,000 will not owe income taxes this year, nor will about three-quarters of families earning between $28,000 and $55,000, the Tax Policy Center found. That means if you earn over about $22.47 an hour, you will owe the IRS in 2021. Congress is so divided politically; few expect the new taxes needed to cover our spending and debt interest will show up before year end. Long vacations add to the problem. Increased corporate taxes and changes in capital gains tax rates are likely to be debated for months. It is not clear whether Congress will even give the IRS the funds to collect taxes owed by the wealthy. Will middle-class families in high property-tax states ever get to deduct them fully? Will Biden be able to protect small business as Biden promised? You and small businesses don’t have access to the army of lawyers and accountants that allowed 55 profitable large corporations to avoid paying any federal corporate taxes in 2020. They cannot shift profits into tax havens to avoid paying U.S. taxes like multinational corporations can. 

You can avoid paying their taxes: https://www.amazon.com/Trump-Tax-Shelter-Avoid-taxes/dp/1985448300

 American tax system: socialism for the rich: "only the little people pay taxes"

 https://www.amazon.com/Americas-Socialism-Rich-little-people/dp/1535218584

 

 

 

**********ACCOUNTABILITY**************

 

 

Like 1776, this period is a test of democracy—We rejected an "American fascist" once

 

 

Our Jan 6 ‘Truth and Reconciliation Commission’

 

Head of terrorist group gets 5 months

 

Capitol police sue Trump, his terrorists

 

House seeks Trump-terrorist link docs

 

Trump lawyers sanctioned for abusing justice system

 

Terrorist plotting to kill Gov gets 6 years

 

How Govt wastes our money:

US surprised Taliban guerillas still around: 2,352 troops died: tired of $2.2 Trillion costs.

GOP wants to keep ‘anti-terrorist’ group in Afghanistan: Vietnam started that way

Are ‘Anti-vaxxers’ really free to put the rest of us in the hospital?

100,000 hospitalized with covid-19 a level not seen since Jan. 30 when vax not available

 

SCAMS/SPINS:

TX GOP pushes for suppressing Dem vote to re-capture House seats: SB1 passed

States redistricting GOP favor for next Congress: Dems voters put in fewer districts

 

Trump booed in AL rally after vax statement: mob turns on Leader who got vax?

Conservative talk show Phil Valentine dies with Covid-19: family pleads ‘get vax’

Mom’s 2 sons die of Covid: sons refused vax: ‘I wish I could have made them do it’

 

Do it for the KIDS: Anti-vaxxers making most vulnerable kids sick and sicker

 

OR School head tells parents how to get children out of wearing mask: claim disability 

CA pastor offering religious exemptions to avoid vaccine mandate: ‘war’ dead 635,000

KS school board gives medical or mental health exemption to avoid masks

 

LA GOP officials help with philosophical or religious exemption from Gov’s mask rule

FL anti-vaxxers wait on floor for anti-body treatment not vax: sick line up full hospitals

KY GOP court removes Gov power to curb Covid: GOP ends school mandate

 

Covid vax needs booster or not: not clear who when what where?

DeSantis, Abbott and Hogan anti-vaxxers running for the White House in ‘24

 

Dr Robert Karas AR prescribed anti-parasitic drug "thousands" of times: jail inmates

“You wouldn’t get your chemotherapy at a feed store.” MS folks taking de-worm drug.

The National Guard will see you now: GA hospitals staffed by military: Covid ‘war zone’

Judge: Sacklers, Oxy, get off too easy: legal immunities: killed 500,000; millions suffer 

 

 

Bolts catch fire: GM unbolts battery: do not charge indoors overnight

Malicious QR Codes Now Used by Online Scammers

 

Covid risk on cruise ships even if vax: older cruisers warned: no hospital onboard

Seniors’ biggest mistake: SS benefits don’t go up when you reach full retirement age

 

Robert J. Mueller TX caught: stole $58 million seniors’ nest eggs promised safe returns

ISC Advisors caught over charging fees for funds: no disclosure; no SEC reporting

Online casinos report big year taking $13.6 billion from desperate poor/unemployed

John Woods Livingston Southport caught Ponzi on 400 for $110 million “safe steady”

 

Laptop crash? You can imagine car’s autopilot may have same problem at 65 mph

 

 

Pro-gun states wish to disarm the ATF power to regulate complete firearms

Family Fascism: state law gives militia a “veneer of sanctioned credibility” armed picnics

 

Jobs

Cars wait for their computers: Ford Toyota GM stop lines: Covid cuts Malaysia workers

Telemarketer jobs going away, thankfully you don’t pursue these phone pests.

factory equipment manufacturers jobs vault to highs above 2019 levels: good pay

 

Delta charging no-vaxxers extra health care premiums: selfishness costs

Robots replacing low-wage workers pushed by venture capitalists

 

Who owns your account now?

Supremes as owners put millions on street: evicted before recovery: didn’t even sign order

 

Miracles:

Congress considers giving seniors Medicare dental coverage to some extent: on to-do list

Athletes helping young ones understand how money works: learning basics avoiding bad

Earth Fire: 2020 was Europe's hottest year on record

 

Greenhouse gas concentrations, global sea levels hit record highs in 2020

 

 

We can apply for Medicare online: https://blog.ssa.gov/apply-for-medicare-online

We can apply for Social Security online: https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/retirement/

We can apply for health care online: https://www.healthcare.gov/

 

IAN

41 Watchung Plaza, B242

Montclair, NJ   07042

973.746.2014

www.InsuranceAdvisorsNetwork.com

Alerts available at http://dankeppel.blogspot.com/

 

 

New IRA rules: use tax-advantaged accounts longer

 

How Congress people determine the winners and losers

Recently, Sen. David Perdue (R-GA) provided the perfect example of how politicians make winning in the stock market easy ... for themselves. Our representatives are well rewarded for helping the winners win. Another example is the guaranteed $1.95 billion “advance purchase” agreement with Pfizer. This ensures Pfizer’s senior management will be well compensated for delivering 100 million doses of vaccine. We will still have to pay for each dose separately. There are many examples of this activity as shown here: https://www.reuters.com/article/markets-saft-idUSL2N14V2OV20160113. But we can still double our savings in 10-12 years over and over with a stock market account by using a low-cost index fund. We win too: TIME value of money. And we can make our savings tax-FREE by using an IRS-approved account—less tax; more to spend.

https://www.amazon.com/Money-Ball-Investing-Winning-unfair/dp/1548831409

 

$1,000,000 retirement fund?

The secret to reaching this goal is TIME and compound interest—both you can use for FREE. This strategy is recommended by the famous investor Warren Buffett. It takes $250 a month for 35 years to reach this goal using his strategy. The Buffett strategy does not cost a lot—there are no broker fees, no upfront costs. There is an annual charge of 0.04%. For your $250 a month, you will be buying shares of a mutual fund that invests in 500 company stocks like these: Apple Microsoft Amazon.com Alphabet (Google) Facebook Berkshire Hathaway (GEICO, etc) Johnson & Johnson Procter & Gamble NVIDIA and Visa. Because you are not paying a broker’s commission each month, you will earn about 11% a year over time. Of course, in 35 years, your $1 million will not buy as much as today’s money will buy because of inflation. However, no one spends their whole retirement funds right away so if you keep compounding interest, you can buy $1 million worth of things eventually. Remember, you only invested $105,000 for your million dollars. The rest is your gain in capital. This strategy only works if you keep investing $250 or more a month and you use the mutual fund Buffett recommends.

https://www.amazon.com/Warren-Buffett-Your-Investment-Advisor/dp/1518690963

 

New IRA rules: use tax-advantaged accounts longer

New rule: We must begin paying tax on our tax-deferred accounts like IRA and pensions starting at 72 NOT 70½. We are told how much to take out in the form of the IRS table of required minimum distributions (RMD). When we are earning wages and pulling out RMDs, the tax consequences can result in higher tax rates and an increased percentage of our Social Security benefits being subjected to taxes. New rule: reduce taxes by making a deductible IRA contribution after age 70½. The SECURE Act in 2019 changed that. Now our traditional IRA contributions have NO age cutoff and allows additional contributions as long as we still work. Even a part-time or self-employment job like Lyft Uber will qualify. We can deduct up to $7,000 each depending on income. Avoid future tax hikes: create a tax-FREE retirement by converting IRA money to Roth IRA tax-FREE money. We may choose to convert any amount to the Roth from our traditional IRA. We pay taxes now instead of paying greater amounts later. Tax needed to pay for breaks for rich.

Make a plan: https://www.amazon.com/Your-Plan-Live-Age-100/dp/1548180793

 

Money is tight—cut coverage on some plans

Life insurance: buy term to cover your family for 20 years only. Once your kids are on their own there is no need to cover them. Usually you will have enough in assets for your survivor by then. Permanent life with a savings component and individual disability cover are a waste of money unless you’re protecting your personal business. Vehicle insurance: low deductible and comprehensive coverage on an older car that you own is a waste of money. Better to use an umbrella liability policy to cover lawsuits so you don’t lose your home and assets. Use a savings/investment account to replace mortgage life, accident and disability. Create an education fund to protect your children’s future. Child life insurance is a waste. Beware dental, travel, car rental, pet, ID theft and warranty insurance exclusions. A savings/investment account can cover all these low-probability risks. Instead use the premiums over time for a better retirement nest egg.

The best insurance is having money: https://www.amazon.com/Drop-Your-Insurance-Only-What/dp/1448623391

 

Why Wall Street loves stock traders

Academics who study stock pickers have long observed that the vast majority of professional money managers – about 85% – underperform their benchmarks over a multiyear period. Yes, once in a while for short periods, they hit the money—just like gamblers. But we know the house makes money from those who keep betting despite the odds because of their illusions. Wall Street makes money from trading and fees repeated year in and year out with little for us. Consider all the professional traders who use powerful computers to pick and trade thousands of shares in seconds. Individuals have little chance of finding the gold seam. Wall Street spins a money fantasy—do the opposite: stay invested, don’t trade, buy low-cost market indexes in diversified sectors, use tax-advantaged accounts, and manage dividend/gain taxes. A study of 1600 traders concludes: “We show that it is virtually impossible for individuals to day trade for a living.” DALBAR tracks returns over time: High-cost managed equity funds average 3.79% vs. low-cost S&P 500 index average 11.06% a year. Use low-cost index funds or ETFs from Vanguard, Schwab, or Fidelity and beat the Wall Street “professionals.”

https://www.amazon.com/You-Beat-Wall-Street-professionals/dp/1986031373

 

 

 

**********ACCOUNTABILITY**************

 

Like 1776, this period is a test of democracy—We reject the "American fascist"

 

Our ‘Truth and Reconciliation Commission’ 

 

Trump’s war: 270,000 KIA

Trump defies Supreme’s decision

Will Biden need military to evict Trump?

 

American-style fascism vs democracy

Do 74 million of us want democracy?

The Big Con continues: we never learn

 

How Govt wastes our money: Our Representatives gave 3.7 Trillion to the wealthy! 

Will Trump shutdown government in final revenge act on America? Revenge

Trump country ND leads the world in deaths: 1 in ever 1000 dead: real not hoax

43% of drivers/passengers killed in accidents not wearing seat belt. Masks same?

Supremes: religious can spread virus: no masks required bec/ “no restrictions on bike shops”

 

Trump let Mexican drug dealer “El Padrino” go free: freeing many of his ‘friends’

Another armed teen shoots 8 in WI mall: 2^nd Amendment killing us: dead have no rights

GA is recounting votes after recounting votes by hand: how many times; how much cost

 

Trump donor Rod Aycox gets federal money targeted for small biz: friends in high places win

“Follow the money”: GA senator run off between rich and richer: American Socialism for Rich

NYC road/bus checks for virus: just like in the movies: 14 days lockup for out of towners

 

SCAMS/SPINS:

American owners shows how to kick people when they are down on their luck

The BIG Con continues: ‘worldwide’ conspiracy to change 6 million votes: Blue to Red

Biden cannot find any socialists Trump said would take over government

Can GOP hold off all Biden appointments/policy until TrumpWorld comes back?

 

40-50% of Americans say they won’t take vaccine that can save their lives. Leaders maskless

Will these machine gun terrorists leave the White House quietly before January 20?

Trump attacks birthright citizenship: U.S.-born children not citizens: we are not citizens?

 

Biden’s EPA pick: lobbyist who helped DuPont avoid regulations  

 

GOP gave up its democratic principles to a Trump dictatorship: can GOP go back?

Dictators don’t go quietly: usually force is needed: “I am the only one who matters”

 

How many criminals will the ‘law and order’ con man pardon? Giuliani still licensed?

So it is OK to lie to FBI if you have a friend in high places: Justice for some not others

 

Trump found a judge to stop PA certification: can one woman change millions of votes?

Could Trump reverse 4 state election results: MI, WI, AZ, GA? His alien advisor helps?

Trump told supporters NOT to use mail ballots: suppressing the vote backfired on him

Trump’s conspiracies have MAGA world talking Georgia boycott so Dems win!

 

Real voter fraud: Trump told us to vote in person AND by mail--no Black voter fraud

 

$75,000 truck massage: Don’t need a house—work 24/7 live in truck just to pay for it

GM Suv pickup recall 7 million airbags that explode w/o warning in heat/humidity

Tesla probes failure of the left or right front suspension fore links

 

USEquityAdvantage auto loan payment program contained misleading statements: fine

FDATR violated Telemarketing Sales Rule deceptive and abusive telemarketing: fine

 

Fake ‘Medicare’ caller gets info to steal ID: Call real number on card to give info

Judge: Trump’s Voice of America head tried to subvert unbiased reporting to world

Businesses with interruption insurance must sue their insurer even after paying for years

 

Fake vids tweets easy to make: never trust one source of information: info war continues

Fake charities look real: check IRS list BEFORE giving money: VA and disaster favorite

Trump’s Treasurer Mnuchin's moves money for pandemic to secret GOP fund: “illegal.”

 

OxyContin maker pleads guilty 3 criminal charges but bankrupt & owners get NO jail

Oxy killed at least 70,000 but Sacklers took $ billions out already and no one to jail

 

 

IRS: Easy Steps to Protect Your Computer and Phone and Avoid Phishing Emails.

 

Is it a scam?  Check AARP scamline 877.908.3360.

 

Check IRS: https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/dirty-dozen-part-1-taxpayers-should-be-on-the-lookout-for-these-scams

https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/dirty-dozen-part-2-thieves-work-all-year-to-scam-taxpayers

Check Social Security: https://blog.ssa.gov/

Safeguard data: ConsumerReports help: https://securityplanner.consumerreports.org/

 

Jobs

https://www.healthcare.gov/get-coverage/ for uninsured: subsidy pays most premium

 

 

Who owns your account now?

Need to reduce debt: file bankruptcy at low cost: get new start with your life

CBS’s Simon & Schuster to German Bertelsmann’s Penguin Random House: anti-trust

 

Miracles:

PA mask makers LIVE in factory for 28 days straight when supplies were needed most

State Farm sending wire sensors to homes to prevent fires: cigarettes smoldering big fire

Democracy costs $14 Billions and over 1 year of fighting: voters need only 1 month fight

 

“It’s reality” Laura Ingram FoxNews finally insults Trump: “Biden will be inaugurated”

KS requires masks but keeps schools businesses open with emergency troops.

 

 

We can apply for Medicare online: https://blog.ssa.gov/apply-for-medicare-online

We can apply for Social Security online: https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/retirement/

We can apply for health care online: https://www.healthcare.gov/

 

 

IAN

41 Watchung Plaza, B242

Montclair, NJ   07042

973.746.2014

www.InsuranceAdvisorsNetwork.com

Alerts available at http://dankeppel.blogspot.com/

 

Panic or calm strategy now?

 

Panic or calm strategy until US economy straightens out?

Whatever we expect to happen, history shows we will be wrong. So do we panic and sell as some of my readers have done. Or calmly wait for markets to find a new path? History is no predictor of the future but last time we had an upheaval, most investors who held on were rewarded. We had +31% and -32% recently. The story since 2000 is an annual return of 7.6%. Over most 10 year periods, we have earned more than investing in cash equivalents. Investing in a low-cost stock index fund returns 11% annually. American capitalism has consistently provided dividends and value gains. Fixed income and bond securities cannot match stocks for any 10 year period. So some of my readers have divided their pre-and post-retirement portfolio in HALF: 1/2 in a stock fund like Vanguard 500 Index to earn 11% for 10 to 30 years for future income. 1/2 in a balanced fund like Vanguard Wellesley Income to earn 5-6% for 1-9 years for current needs.  

2020        15% so far

2019        31.10

2018        -4.41

2017        21.94

2016        11.93

2015          1.31

2014        13.81

2013        32.43

2012        15.88

2011          2.07

2010        14.87

2009        27.11

2008        -37.22

2007          5.46

2006        15.74

2005          4.79

2004        10.82

2003        28.72

2002        -22.27

2001        -11.98

2000        -9.11

Low cost beats high cost for any period so no matter what happens, avoid fees.

Pay less; get more: https://www.amazon.com/Pay-less-Get-more-investment/dp/1500598321

 

What is financial freedom?

The last 9 months has shown us what real financial freedom means. With 30 million of our fellow Americans out of work or in reduced-earnings work, we see why many are angry. Since real wages have lagged way behind the economic growth of the past 40 years, fewer of us have experienced “financial freedom”—the ability to weather a job loss or health care crisis. Those who had an emergency fund, a large retirement fund or a home equity line of credit are near the maximum withdrawal point. Many of the social security network programs created in the Big Depression are ripping apart. According to many who study the history of wealth creation, those who used “compound interest” have been able to survive this test of financial health.

Help your child get started: https://www.amazon.com/Give-your-child-leg-manage/dp/1096505355

 

Hate paying taxes? Cut taxes with a deductible IRA

The year we turn 72, we must begin paying tax on our tax-deferred accounts like IRA and pensions. We are told how much to take out in the form of the IRS table of required minimum distributions (RMD). When we are earning wages and pulling out RMDs, the tax consequences can result in higher tax rates and an increased percentage of our Social Security benefits being subjected to taxes. Now we can make deductible IRA contributions after age 70½. In the past, RMDs began at age 70½, but following the passage of the SECURE Act in 2019, it was raised to age 72. Similarly, the law used to put the lid on traditional IRA contributions after age 70½, but the new law does not have an age cutoff and allows additional contributions as long as you are still working. Even a part-time or self-employment job like Lyft Uber will qualify. We can deduct up to $7,000 each depending on income. On the other hand, if we would rather create a tax-FREE retirement, we can contribute to a Roth IRA from our wages. If we have a smaller tax bill this year, we may choose to convert over $7,000 to the Roth from our traditional IRA. Many readers are planning on having tax-FREE and taxable income in retirement. They feel this is a good time to take advantage of an expanding stock market and save more.

Make a plan: https://www.amazon.com/What-your-RMD-much-spend/dp/1718946716

 

 

 

Are the new ETF risks worth it?

Today securities regulator approved a controversial new rule that will allow ETFs’ to double their use of leverage and derivatives, while ignoring sales practices constraints that had originally been proposed. Leveraged and inverse ETFs appeal to investors and have brought in more fees, but not without significant risks and sometimes losses to investors. The SEC removed new sales practices regulation from the proposal that would have created higher standards of care and disclosure for reps and advisors who sell geared funds, or exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and mutual funds that track a variety of benchmarks. “Evidence suggests that retail investors buy these products without understanding risk and or objectives,” SEC Crenshaw said. “Just this morning, [SEC] Chairman [Jay] Clayton issued a statement that said Reg Best Interest will do nothing to protect these investors who buy these products through self-directed brokerage accounts." Most disappointing is the SEC’s failure to advance proposed sales practice rules that were designed to address the investor harm rising from sales of leverage and inverse ETFs. Enforcement cases from the SEC and Finra show that even investment professionals often lack a basic understanding of these complex products, member Lee added. “Indeed, other types of complex products not addressed by rule may cause similar harm to unsophisticated retail investors," Lee said. "But that does not justify why we fail to act now to protect retail investors in inverse and leveraged ETFs.” A new Fiduciary Rule will protect investors and Manhattan’s former top prosecutor may lead SEC.

https://www.amazon.com/Fiduciary-Rule-BEST-dont-anymore/dp/1530980275

 

Which retirement strategy is best for you?

Many young investors are choosing to take their tax free earnings later rather than immediately. With a 401k or other deferred compensation retirement plan we pay no income tax on our contributions from our pay check. We pay later. With a Roth 401k or Roth IRA we set up at one of the low-cost mutual fund firms (Vanguard, Fidelity, Schwab), we pay taxes now on our contributions but pay nothing on the gains during our lifetime. For example, we invest $250 a month in a low-cost stock fund at work for 35 years: result is $1.1 million. If we pay taxes on the $105,000 contributions, we pay nothing on the $1 million when we take it out. If we use a regular 401k with deductible contributions, we pay taxes on $1 million when we take it out (future tax rates may increase). If we are lucky, our employer matches our contributions. But fees charged by some small employer plans make the 401k/403b choice a bad one. Imagine investing in a mutual fund with stocks and bonds paying about 4-6% and having to pay 2% to the plan administrator plus surrender charges of 10% if you change jobs or move your money. This is what some of my readers had to contend with. They switched to a Roth IRA.

Consider paying less later: https://www.amazon.com/Pay-No-Taxes-Retirement-legally/dp/1507527977/

 

American socialism in action: vaccines for some; cost for all

Pfizer’s vaccine for the pandemic should be available by mid ’21. But did the capitalists at Pfizer really take a financial risk that must be rewarded with huge profits? A vaccine for some Americas requires a big company with the capacity to produce it. However, without a guaranteed $1.95 billion “advance purchase” agreement with our government, ensuring it would be well compensated for delivering 100 million doses of vaccine, it would never have happened. Capitalism simply can’t take risks without some form of framework that assures it of success. As many wealthy people have said: “I don’t bet unless it is a sure thing.” Drug companies and capitalist don’t take risks, unless there is a framework for profit. We, our government, are always the backstop. The 2007-8 Wall Street bailout costs us over $12 Trillion—perp never went to jail. We have been buying the bonds of businesses (giving loans) since March’s pandemic. We have been paying money (unemployment) to those who were dismissed by businesses even when the business got money to keep them employed. Many profitable businesses pay workers so little, we must pay Medicaid/SNAP too. We have been paying money to some businesses (subsidies) for 50 years even though they are profitable. ($3.8B Exxon alone) Even some of our representatives get paid twice: salary plus farm subsidies. Some businesses get away with tax avoidance. Of course the rich don’t consider their business “subsidies” or tax avoidance to be socialism and so our reps keep supporting this socialism (gov subsidies). And our representatives are rewarded for helping to the winners win.

Time to ask for the subsidies back: https://www.amazon.com/Americas-Socialism-Rich-little-people/dp/1535218584

 

Did your new vehicle lose 50% of value?

Do you consider the trade-in value when you bought your new car or SUV? Probably not. What about when you bought a used version of the model you like? The loss in value is called depreciation. That is what determines the amount you would receive if your vehicle was “totaled” in a collision. Some of the most expensive wheels top the list of lost value: BMW, Mercedes, Maserati lose over 60% (up to $80,000) in 5 years. I suppose the well-heeled don’t care about that since they can afford it. But if you care about getting your money’s worth at trade-in time, then Toyota is your best bet. One exception: Porsche 911 loses only $56,000 (36%) over 5 years. For the truly thrifty—least money lost over time--it is a Honda or Toyota. Yes there is some correlation with the JD Power dependability study: Porsche and Toyota least problems. Ten cheapest 2020 model cars to insure based on costs to repair.

Get a good deal on insurance too: https://www.amazon.com/Vehicle-Insurance-Beware-Double-Coverage/dp/1480027634

 

 

 

**********ACCOUNTABILITY**************

 

Like 1776, this period is a test of democracy—NO, we don’t want a Dictator?

 

Trump’s war: 250,000 KIA

Trump defies Supreme’s decision

 

Can we ever trust our government again?

 

Our ‘Truth and Reconciliation Commission’ 

One GOP Gov moving OH to overcome crisis

GOP wants to “un-elect” Biden despite final score

 

Biden displays conversations with world leaders like previous presidents so we know what is going on in the world. Transition posts its ongoing work to get ready.

 

 

 

 

How Govt wastes our money: Our Representatives gave 3.7 Trillion to the wealthy! 

Trump sickens 130 Secret Service: his rallies made people sick—too close, few masks

Seat-belt wearing law saves lives: masks save lives and personal freedom to live!

Medicare Part B premium $148.50 up 2.7%; taking some of the SS benefit rise of 1.3%.

 

After gov pays to develop vaccines, we will personally pay up to $250 per dose

Trump considers starting war with Iran: nuclear danger 12 times the ‘15 Obama deal.

Trump hurries to sell Alaska Wildlife Refuge to friends: bull(y) in china shop

 

Trump’s lawyer says it’s a “national conspiracy” by states: 80 million fake votes?

Will Trump shutdown government in final revenge act on Americans? Revenge

Trump country ND leads the world in deaths: 1 in ever 1000 dead: real not hoax

 

 

SCAMS/SPINS:

Trump installs his donors to run military: ‘It’s ‘The Twilight Zone,’’ the official said. Trump installs his meteorologist who says “carbon dioxide in atmosphere is good thing.”

Could Trump give up our gov secrets to foreign powers to cancel his debts?

 

Power of ideology/money to change us: Trump’s lawyer Jenna Ellis: ‘idiot’ to POTUS

Trumpism: ‘They know it’s real and they don’t care.’ ‘People are not being cautious at all.’

“If someone can choose abortion and end human life, then I can choose to wear a mask or not.”

 

Could Don Trump replace Alex Trebek on Jeopardy: learning the truth 1 question at a time?

 

GOP: No masks; more deaths proved ‘correct’ strategy for winning IA, WI, ND, MT locals

Emergency nurse: patients deny virus that kills them, still: drank the Kool-Aide

Medical leaders to Trump: work with Biden or “more people may die”: blood on hands

 

Voter fraud ‘proofs’ being faked to mislead us: GOP states have reported no fraud

Trump fires voter fraud watchdog for doing his job: https://www.cisa.gov/rumorcontrol

Trump lawyers giving up voter fraud suits: Giuliani, not practice in years, is it! $20K/day

Graham pressured GA official: find ways to exclude ballots from count. GOP fraud

Judge to Trump: “You are not entitled to manufacture your own law”

 

Lobbyists infiltrate Biden government early. Former gov employees rotate in/out.

Conservative lawyer hired as Biden WH Counsel: protection from GOP critics?

 

Catholic officials sexually abuse children: why are they exempt from jail? Citizens jailed

Pope cop out: “who am I to judge” McCarrick & officials who hurt little children for life

Boy Scouts face at least 88,500 claims of sexual abuse: Institutions hide bad guys

UCLA sex abuse of students in clinic hidden by officials: $73 million; no jail

President accused of rape; 25 sexual assault; Biden: “no indictments”; no jail; pay offs?

 

Does Hate Sell? Facebook caught NOT removing anti-Harris posts by hate groups

Scam: $1,000 payments for bogus covid clinical studies: “help scientists; make cash”

Debt collector Afni caught giving bad info to credit bureaus; fail correct bad data; dispute

 

Joseph Ashton United Auto Workers caught kickbacks on union watches jail postponed

PIMCO exec CA caught sex discrimination bias in pay promotions report-retaliation

 

Some advisors see gold in them there oil fields: Oil funds down 35%; Energy funds a bargain?

Keith Ashley TX caught stealing $750,000 Ponzi then killed client: B-D terminated him Oct 20

Wells John Stumpf-Carrie Tolstedt caught misleading re: mass "cross sell" unauthorized accounts

 

James Booth caught defrauding clients $5 million Ponzi promised high returns; jail 4 yrs

Five investment firm caught selling unsuitable exchange-traded funds linked to market volatility

Matthew Piercey CA caught misleading investors multiple schemes, fraud, Ponzi, steal $35 mil

 

Amazon recalling 350,000 Ring Video Doorbell (2nd Generation) starts fires 

NRA caught misleading members on criminal defense insurance; keeping some premium

Movie theaters eclipsed: Warner Bros releases Wonder Woman to HBO same day: 12/25

 

Covid cures/treatment bracelets, drugs, fitness class, ozone, stem cell, lights, injections SCAMS

 

GM recalling 68,677 Bolt electric cars worldwide that pose a fire risk: full charge fire

Ford recalling 2020 Explorer and Lincoln Aviator SUVs to replace the driveshaft

Ford recalling 15,587 2014-16 Ford Edge, Explorer, Taurus tranny fails

Car prices shown on Carfax do not include dealer “fees”: “great value” may not be.

 

Lawsuit Trump has doomed us to hell is thrown out: “misleading people, deceiving them to sin”

 

Scam vid seen by thousands was joke: voter official destroying a ballot for Trump faked.

10 internet scam techniques: “just exit screen” don’t click on anything or else

737 Max: Same guys who approved the first time approve it again: none have flown in it

 

IRS: Easy Steps to Protect Your Computer and Phone and Avoid Phishing Emails.

 

Is it a scam?  Check AARP scamline 877.908.3360.

 

Check IRS: https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/dirty-dozen-part-1-taxpayers-should-be-on-the-lookout-for-these-scams

https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/dirty-dozen-part-2-thieves-work-all-year-to-scam-taxpayers

Check Social Security: https://blog.ssa.gov/

Safeguard data: ConsumerReports help: https://securityplanner.consumerreports.org/

 

Jobs

Florida passes $15 minimum wage—but you have to wait: 2026 in fight for fair wages. 

Most unemployed can find a health plan for $10 a month or less on HealthCare.gov.

Get ready for unusual tax year: steps-to-take-now-to-get-a-jump-on-next-years-taxes

 

Women financial advisors: women with money prefer working with women advisors

 

Who owns your account now?

Bank America Merrill Lynch advisors now offer Vanguard, American funds to customers

Top Medicare Advantage plans: JD Power customer satisfaction rating: Highmark,Kaiser

Amazon pharmacy: Most insurance accepted; Prime buy generic or brand discounted.

 

IRS offers extra time to delay paying taxes: help-those-financially-affected-by-covid-19

First Time Penalty Abatement: you may qualify for relief from penalties

Refinance VA loan with special rates: still pay bank fees, closing costs

 

Miracles:

Turkish immigrants made vaccine Pfizer is making to help us get past virus: Scientists!

North/South Dakota leading the nation in new cases: GOP resists mask mandates 250K

Our immune system works if we let it grow: antibiotics early in life hurts later life health

Covid vaccine 95% effective but how long are we protected from getting Covid again ???

 

30 min Covid-19 self-testing kit $50 at-home diagnosis: accuracy 94%: costs vary.

Experience really foul smells of 16^th century people who never bathed, relieved in street

Make diamonds in minutes: finally you don’t have to wait for that big ring.

 

We can apply for Medicare online: https://blog.ssa.gov/apply-for-medicare-online

We can apply for Social Security online: https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/retirement/

We can apply for health care online: https://www.healthcare.gov/

 

 

IAN

41 Watchung Plaza, B242

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www.InsuranceAdvisorsNetwork.com

Alerts available at http://dankeppel.blogspot.com/