Rich hide $7.6 TRILLION so we pay their taxes

Economists explain how rich hide $7.6 TRILLION so we pay their taxes

Gabriel Zucman shows how wealthy maintain inequality—by hiding assets from public. Tax evasion costs us $200 billion a year and corporate havens another $130 billion a year. Governments are powerless because laws written for 1800 not appropriate. Wealth is mobile just like manufacturing—it goes anywhere and plays govs against govs. Offshore bankers don’t enforce bank laws—bankers work for the wealthy.

Avoid paying THEIR taxes:  http://www.amazon.com/Tax-FREE-Wealth-How-laws-free/dp/1475089236

GOP tax plans don’t help us—tax cuts for wealthy don’t make jobs

Kansas cut taxes and jobs LEFT the state--failed to create jobs. Koch brothers used tax break to fund PACs to buy election officials. Kansas raised sales tax on working people! Rich buy thru corporations. 10 tricks rich use to avoid taxes will NOT be changed by any candidate! Wealthy use tax cuts to increase income gap—hide money overseas.

Use Tax Haven for working people: http://www.amazon.com/The-Tax-Shelter-Young-Americans/dp/1500426520

GOP wastes $4.5 million on official House hearing

McCarthy says House committee helped to defeat Hillary. “Republicans have blatantly abused their authority in Congress by spending more than $4.5 million in taxpayer funds for a political campaign against Hillary Clinton.” Leader admits it’s B.S.

Banks spit in regulators/Congress face again—GOP ignores it

Congress finally investigating why banks ignore law and promises they make to regulators about breaking the banking laws. Shareholders eventually must pay the fines while offending employees usually keep their bonus and do not go to jail. They don’t even lose their licenses or job. Banks usually just hide questionable behavior. Dems are concerned that the same laws are broken over an over, as if banks knew they are “too big to jail.” Wall Street provides the 2^nd highest lobbying funds for influence peddling. GOP does not support the probe.

“You work all your life giving them money, GONE!” End of American middle-class

Congress ends our pension guarantees - Trucker pensions cut 23%

Pensions for Central States’ 407,000 participants would be cut by an average of nearly TWENTY THREE 23 percent. But the pain would be distributed unevenly. Some participants, including the disabled, would not be subject to reductions. Older retirees would generally receive smaller cuts, while those who worked for defunct companies that did not keep pace with their pension funding obligations would face steeper reductions. Move your money NOW: http://www.amazon.com/Create-Your-Tax-FREE-Financial-System/dp/1466367466

Financial advisors say it is “misguided” to help clients with less than $1 million

We are on our own because experienced advisors can only work for people with at least $2 million, according to a survey by PriceMetrix. Advisors are told: “stop chasing minnows.” We don’t need advisors. Their fees can destroy our retirement fund. Their fees can take up to 63% of our potential money. There are experienced advisors working at low-cost mutual fund firms that can help those of us without $2 million. Pay less; earn more: http://www.amazon.com/The-Pimps-Wall-Street-middlemen/dp/151525254X

Is an Ethical Will right for you?

Ethical wills offer a way to be remembered and to positively influence the next generation according to some advisors. You can express your hope your spiritual and material values will help them become responsible and caring members of society. However, consider your audience! If you did not teach through your example, it is unlikely reading something in a will can change heir’s attitude. Some say: A “Love letter” to estranged siblings was enough to use the death as a “fresh” start. Others say you may be giving your heirs too much emotion all at once and trying to control their lives from the grave is almost impossible.

Does our president need to know scientific facts?  

POTUS candidates need to read Rev. Watt’s The Improvement of the Mind 1786 to learn to use precise language and be guided by observed facts.

Trump: if poll numbers decline he could get out of the race.

GOP zealots to shut gov Dec 11? Women denied health screening? SS checks held?

            It cost US $24 billion last time, we lost high bond rating, it did NOT work!

Carson wants victims to attack expert shooters and; kinder teachers to outdraw AK47?

GOP denies climate change but we may pay to move Alaska town to avoid rising sea.

Europe sees new taxes, jobs, stability like Reagan’s 1986 amnesty of immigrants.

Kasich to play the Romney role in 2016—only adult?

Jeb desperate: asking W to destroy the world again! Better off with Saddam, Trump says

GOP religion: Graven image being removed from gov grounds is slap.

GOP bans scientific study of gun violence. Should everyone pack to stop crimes?

Christie: “Put me in the ring against Vladimir Putin … .” NJ citizens would! His judge             gives Christie a $4Billion pass on deal he made. “I’m not paying for past sins.”

Sanders is ineligible to be Prez because he has integrity.

Biden runs advert—2^nd old-line politica/co with many bags. Where’s new blood?

GOP is wrong to cut regulation! We need regulation because ….

Blue Bell ice cream had listeria in 2010 and owners did not clean up until 3 died.

VW execs found it cheaper to cheat because regulators don’t actually test the cars.

GM found it cheaper to kill 124 kids than fix ignition even after knowing for years.

Hudson City’s redlining practices illegally cut off housing chance for minorities.

Exxon’s own study showed mankind is raising global temp and created denial script.

Wall Street stopped regulators from limiting 401k fees that take 63% of our nest eggs.

Regulators NOT firm discover Scottrade database of 4.6 million customers hacked.

List is very long in every area of life and greedy can take life/death for some of us.

Which new midsize luxury sedan is the only one rated poor in crash tests?

This import is the only Midsize Luxury car to earn a Poor rating in the IIHS small overlap front test. There are EIGHT 2015 vehicles to give a 2^nd thought according to IIHS. Check out your ride’s safety rating before you buy: http://www.iihs.org/iihs/ratings

Use ALL your discounts when you re-shop for insurance: http://www.amazon.com/Vehicle-Insurance-Beware-Double-Coverage/dp/1480027634

What kind of parent leaves a loaded shotgun lying around?

An 11-year-old boy is charged with murder after he fatally shot his 8-year-old neighbor, police said, and neighbors say it was because the girl wouldn't let him see her dog.

Or taking 9-year-old shooting AK-47 for “family fun” and killing arcade owner?

We found that kind of parent: 46 year old lady shoots at alleged shoplifter fleeing.

Wall Street brokers had great year; Did YOU?

Wall Street broker-dealers posted profits of $11.3 billion in the first half of 2015, up 29 percent year-on-year and the strongest first half since 2011. Most of us are down 4%. Even popular hedge funds with adverts are down. Advisors are happy—are you?

Your guru takes your earnings: http://www.amazon.com/your-Wall-Street-Stock-traders/dp/1490533273

Minister and wife leave $1 million to church

CA minister and his wife earned below average wages serving their community for over 30 years. During that time, they saved and invested like Earl Crawley while volunteering for many charities. Their estate was settled recently and their church pension fund received about $1 million in assets. They gave all their lives and they are giving still.

Working people are the hidden millionaires: http://www.amazon.com/The-Working-Millionaire-Self-insure-Self-fund/dp/1460945484

Lottery winner to share $140 M

"I’m going to take care of my kids," she said. "I don’t want them to work the way I had to work and deal with the things I had to deal with in life. I want to make it a good life for them and take care of them." Sadly, quick money usually ruins more lives than saves.

Julie should give it all to charity as charitable gift annuity for tax-advantaged income.

HOW CONGRESS WASTES OUR TAX DOLLARS

“We must guard against the militaryindustrial complex.” 1960, Pres Dwight Eisenhower.

Defense spending has DOUBLED in 14 years.

Since 2001, the base defense budget has soared from $287 billion to $530 billion — and             that's NOT counting the Iraq and Afghanistan wars and ISIL and Ukraine ops. 

US knew US would fail in Vietnam in 1965;   1.3 million dead. Kissinger diary.

America needs to take care of American’s needs FIRST!

Rebuild America Act: a five-year plan would invest $1 trillion and create or maintain at least 13 million decent-paying jobs—Senate Budget Committee but GOP says no.

Will GOP use taxes to move Alaska town due to global warming they don’t accept?

We are still wasting $8 million per HOUR we don’t have in Iraq/Afghan/Ukraine.   Taliban captures Kunduz, a major Afghan city. Afghans run. KEEP 5,000 US.

We bombed and killed our own Doctors without Borders hospital staff 10/2/15

            US kept bombing ½ hour AFTER told Americans hit!  War crimes?

            We pay bonus for kills – no wonder the world hates us!

We trained and equipped ISIS leadership—US sells arms to all sides for profit

We are supporting child abuse by Afghan leaders by giving them money.

Thousands US military serve in Germany and Japan….still. Why? WW2 is over!

Residents of Okinawa object to tens of thousands of U.S. troops and military sitting there.

SCAMS

DraftKing and FanDuel use insider info we don’t have to win $350,000. And it is not football skills! It is called “tilting the wheel.” NFL owners own the casinos.

Fake charity for SC flood relief?

IRS.gov has a search feature, Exempt Organizations Select Check, through which people may find legitimate, qualified charities; donations to these charities may be tax-deductible. Legitimate charities may also be found on the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) website at fema.gov.

IAN

41 Watchung Plaza, B242

Montclair, NJ 07042

973.746.2014

www.InsuranceAdvisorsNetwork.com

Alerts 

Foreign governments buy our "reps"; can you pay more?

This is why our “representatives” can’t fix the railroads, bridges, roads

Foreign governments secretly buy our “reps” by giving money to “not-for-profits” who then pay for goodies. Congress people can say “I didn’t know.” Azerbaijan (N of Iran and E of Turkey) and several large energy companies sought exemptions for a $28 billion natural gas pipeline project in the Caspian Sea from U.S. economic sanctions being imposed on Iran. This is how our “reps” make decisions; not what is best for us.

When did you last buy your “rep” gifts to get a better deal for your family?

Perfect Graduation Gift

Every parent and grandparent has the same advice about achieving their money goals in life—I WISH WE HAD STARTED INVESTING SOONER. To get them started, they need to know why the greatest investor of our time Warren Buffett credits the Miracle of Compounding, NOT stock picking, as the reason for his wealth. Your graduate can turn $8 a day into a $250,000 Wealth Reserve in only 21 years, $1/2 Mil in 27. Einstein said, “The most powerful force in the universe is compound interest.” Their wealth can double every 7 years because of compound interest. Help them be successful: http://www.amazon.com/The-Simple-Financial-Life-paycheck/dp/1441499326

Take your maximum SS benefits before the GOP cuts them!

Top contenders for Prez want to limit our payout so make sure you get yours now. EG: John took 3/4ths benefits at age 62 because he had no job. His wife Liz was still working and wanted to go for the maximum at age 70. Liz filed for John’s spousal benefits at her full SS age of 66. Liz kept her own benefits growing with higher wages each year and at the same time, collected ½ John’s full benefits. This way John got his full benefits even though his SS amount will be reduced for the rest of his life. So together in 2013 they received $2,564 a month instead of just $1,542. When Liz turned 70 and still wanted to work, she received her max benefit. In 2015, she receives $2,709 and John receives his inflation-protected $1,580(-$100 tax) a month—annually $51,468—perhaps $1,411,360 over 20 years. Each year that Liz works, her SS benefit will increase as she adds another high-earning year to her SS account base. Her new benefits are recalculated each year on her new 35-year PIA base. Of course, because she and John have other income, they must pay tax on up to 85% of those benefits. Both were in lower-paying careers.

Take ALL your benefits before GOP does: http://www.amazon.com/Maximize-Social-Security-Benefits-Retirement/dp/1495439224

DEM crazies

Bernie Sanders will never be President but Americans love his policies. Health care without the F***ing paperwork, path to citizenship, fair tax for wealthy, bring troops home, break up banks, 2 years free education, cut corp election buying, tax carbon emissions, and use common sense again. Bernie even has simple solutions to the future SS benefits problem without GOP cuts. Bernie is a NOT Congressional millionaire and has no corporate donors so he can NEVER be Prez. Supremes decided cash buys winner.

Obama gives “green” to Shell to drill up Artic ice—Ms Palin can watch drill baby drill

Sign of a new direction or new gig for Obama after 2016? The Interior Department decision is a devastating blow to environmentalists, who have pressed the Obama administration to reject proposals for offshore Arctic drilling. Environmentalists say that a drilling accident in the icy and treacherous Arctic waters could have far more devastating consequences than the deadly Gulf of Mexico oil spill of 2010, when an oil rig explosion killed 11 men and sent millions of barrels of oil spewing into the water.

Do we need this oil now?

GOP crazies

Huckabee says he will not cut SS or Medicare but he shared no details—just trust him?

All the rest GOP want to cut benefits and give more to donor corporations/wealthy. GOP thinks the money we paid forward for these benefits are really “entitlements” like welfare, food stamps and corporate subsidies they change every year. The millionaire Congress still thinks we did not earn our benefits because we don’t have a big bank account like they do!

Bush III will use W (WMDs) as his guide on Middle East policy!?

Is he serious? Bush II was the one who invaded Iraq on false pretenses and fell for the BS about Saddam helping 9/11 terrorists. W’s people said invasion over in weeks and won’t cost us a single soldier. Iraq is the 2^nd longest war in US history after Afghan and has cost us 4,500 lives plus $3 TRILLION some of which went to Cheney’s Halliburton firm. Iraq lost 200,000 lives so far.

TX gone to the dark side?

Has far-right paranoia finally taken over a whole state? http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/checkpoint/wp/2015/05/05/watch-jon-stewart-rip-reaction-to-jade-helm-15-the-military-exercise-spawning-conspiracy-theories/

Christie can’t escape (“I didn’t know what staff doing”) his scandal in NH

NH pub audience asks how he could not know what his secretary is doing. Commentator asks isn’t revoking Social Security a Madoff-type “bate and switch”? Christie yells him down. Christie has given teachers’ pension money to his political supporters as “investment management fees”--$1.5 billion since 2010—double the usual rate—and still underfunded. He uses NJ state credit card to buy $76,373 in snacks at Wegmans Food Markets in 53 shopping runs and $82,000 at MetLife Stadium and NJ policy helicopter runs to son’s games. He vetoes environmental cleanup bill after taking EXXON’s $200 million instead of $9 billion judgment.

GOP budget includes repeal of ObamaCare with NO alternative for millions

Congress adopts a budget that will allow Republicans to repeal or revise ObamaCare. GOP set-up for failure in 2016?

We are given entertainment as “news”

It appears that our media industry has learned that there is money in “news” as entertainment. Most of what we call “news” is really HALF lies. Only the politically active takes “news” seriously—anchoring their political views in an aura of “facts.” America went thru the McCarthy period with politicos using “facts” to crucify the other side. We are there again. No one is looking out for America as America.

Is a hedge fund investment right for you?

Hedge funds are supposed to be where the big money sits, but their investors are NOT so happy now. Your pension money may be making the managers rich but that doesn’t help you. The top 25 hedge fund managers reaped $11.62 billion in compensation in 2014, according to Alpha magazine. Your pension fund would have earned 13.5% and 11% long term if they had stuck with a simple low-cost market index. "Professional money management is a gigantic rip-off," according to money manager Bill Gross.

You keep more when you pay less: http://www.amazon.com/Wealth-Without-Wall-Street-Commissions/dp/1442168137

CR’s 5 best and worst picks—has your ride arrived?

I don’t see a Buick.

Is a certified non-commission advisor at 1/3 the cost right for you?

Vanguard has slashed the investment minimum for its Personal Advisor Services program that combines a human financial advisor and online features. Instead of the $500,000 minimum Vanguard requires only $50,000. A Vanguard financial advisor discusses your financial goals, time horizon, and risk tolerance. A certified advisor creates a custom-tailored financial plan consisting of a portfolio of Vanguard mutual funds and exchange-traded funds. The annual fee is 0.30% of your assets, plus the fees for funds contained in your portfolio. Admiral Share funds cost between 0.05 to 0.19 percent. Vanguard will limit the all-in costs to roughly 0.45 percent.

Pay less—keep more: http://www.amazon.com/Vanguards-Top-Ten-mutual-funds/dp/150073909X

Was your child paying half of your support when they passed?

You can collect a parent SS benefit of 80% of your child’s future SS benefit. Even if you are receiving your own SS benefits, you can collect the larger of the two amounts. Check https://www.socialsecurity.gov/forms/ssa-7.html or call 1-800-772-1213.  

Zimmerman gets shot this time—FL menace?

Zimmerman was involved in more gun violence this week. After getting off for killing an unarmed black teen going home from the store, Zimmerman was shot by another driver who he had had some dispute with before. Violence seems to be his way.

SCAMS           Why are we still paying $700 Billion a year for WWII deployments? That is 27 cents of each dollar in taxes—the largest part of our money—and we aren’t even at war. We could pay off our debts and fix our schools, roads and bridges!

We are paying for 164,253 of our active-duty armed personnel to be in 150 countries around the world. We have about 50,000 in Japan and 50,000 in Germany.

We are building another military base for Japan at Henoko. Air Force Gen. Ronald Fogelman admitted that the Marines “serve no military function there. They don’t need to be in Okinawa to meet any time line in any war plan.”

Are we preparing for WWII again? There are 1,208,083^[1] armed personnel in the United States. Our taxes pay for about HALF of the WORLD’s military expenditures every year. We have wasted $398.6 billion so far on the F-35 program—they can’t fly safely.

We just can’t afford to pay for everyone else’s defenses anymore.

Japan, Germany and S. Korea can pay to defend themselves.

The War on Terror requires SEALS’ attacks on top terrorists at their homes. Iraq proved converting a nation to Western-style republic doesn’t work. The troops we trained ran away. Former Saddam army now ISIS. We are wasting $4 billion a year on Afgan tribal rivalries; paying ransom to Al Qaeda; supporting corruption with our money.

BoAmerica gives Justice Dept B.S. instead of mortgage relief

Patti Coleman, a Florida borrower, received a letter from Bank of America this year. In it, the bank told Ms. Coleman it was pleased to approve her “for a full principal forgiveness” of $54,732 in a home equity line of credit. Citing the Justice Department settlement as the impetus for the letter, the bank said she would “no longer owe” that amount. But Ms. Coleman has not owed this money since she filed for personal bankruptcy in 2010. “In my Chapter 7 filing, the debt was extinguished,” she said in an interview on Tuesday. “They can’t come back to me and try to collect.” There are many cases in which Bank of America ends up claiming credit for such loan forgiveness actions under the Justice Department deal.  The bank receives extra credit under the settlement — more than one dollar for every dollar of loans “forgiven.”

G.M.’s Ignition Switch Death Toll Hits 100—murders that GM got away with!

The toll far exceeds the 13 victims that G.M. had said last year were the only known fatalities linked to ignitions that could suddenly cut off engine power and disable airbags.

And as the number of victims mounts, the ignition-switch crisis is cementing its status as one of the deadliest automotive safety issues in American history. There are still 37 death claims and 589 injury claims that are under review, the fund said. The new GM says it is not liable for the deaths since the old GM went bankrupt.

Greatest murder cover-up in auto history.

Nationwide is “on your side” until it cost them money

Nationwide Mutual Insurance, whose slogan is “on your side,” will pay regulators $8 million fine because it delayed orders and changed the price of your mutual funds AFTER your purchase.  

IAN

41 Watchung Plaza, B242

Montclair, NJ 07042

973.746.2014

www.InsuranceAdvisorsNetwork.com

Alerts 

Does the IRS owe you money?

Does the IRS owe you money?

The IRS has $1 billion in unclaimed refunds for the 2011 tax year that will soon become the property of the U.S. government if taxpayers don't come forward to claim them. Roughly 1 million households that didn't file a 2011 tax return are owed that money. You can check your refund from this year at https://sa.www4.irs.gov/irfof/lang/en/irfofgetstatus.jsp. To check if IRS owes from previous years, find copy of your IRS (return) transcript: http://www.irs.gov/Individuals/Get-Transcript. If you did not file to get your federal tax withholding back, file with an IRS-approved preparer: http://www.freetaxusa.com/file_2011_income_tax_return.jsp

If you owe money and don’t file: What happens when you don’t file

Are you going to jail for perjury on your tax return?

Perjury mistake on signed return? 5 years jail time for you; for banks, a tax-deduction!

The U.S. Trustee struck a $50 million deal over charges JPMorganChase ‘robo-signed’ mortgage documents to numerous bankruptcy courts. The bank must pay more than 25,000 homeowners in the remedial deal. As a result, there appears to be no restriction on the bank’s ability to write off the entire amount on its taxes. The robo-signing in question involved bank employees who affixed electronic signatures–under penalties of perjury–without reviewing the accuracy of the notices.

“corporations are people my friend” except when they do bad things. Then they use the Nuremberg Defense and have us pay part of their fine.

Combatants pay no tax

IRS excludes military pay from gross federal income tax for the period members are deployed in a combat zone. Members can contribute tax-free combat pay to either a Roth IRA or a thrift savings plan. Roth IRA gains are forever Tax-FREE. Military personnel do not have to include nontaxable pay to earn EITC—a refundable credit—so this entitles them to a larger credit. Exclude any gain on sale of home no matter length of residence. Other benefits in detail: http://www.irs.gov/Individuals/Military

TurboTax gives buyers a pain in the turbo

TurboTax Deluxe, the top selling desktop tax preparation software program, gives a surprise. Turbo has stripped the program of key functionality to easily report income from investments, self-employment, and rents. You must “upgrade” to more expensive versions. Turbo has halted state filings due to security problems also. Less well-known products may be a better value. Try IRS-approved programs:  http://apps.irs.gov/app/freeFile/jsp/index.jsp?ck. I have used FreeTaxUSA for 4 years: http://www.freetaxusa.com/freefile/supported_forms.jsp

Warren Buffett’s latest investment ($72 B) advice for us

Active trading, attempts to “time” market movements, inadequate diversification, the payment of high and unnecessary fees to managers and advisors, and the use of borrowed money can destroy the decent returns that a lifelong owner of equities would otherwise enjoy. Indeed, borrowed money has no place in the investor’s tool kit: Anything can happen anytime in markets. And no advisor, economist or TV commentator — and definitely not Charlie nor I — can tell you when chaos will occur. Market forecasters will fill your ear but will never fill your wallet.”

Warren’s specific recommendations: http://www.amazon.com/Warren-Buffetts-Vanguard-Funds-Retirement/dp/1496148592

Tax refund to savings or investments?

54.9% of millennials expecting a tax refund this year plan to deposit the refunds into their savings accounts, according to the National Retail Federation. The average refund is over $3,000. If you buy a stock market fund with $3,000 every year, compounding can make you a millionaire. Patience and time is all it takes.

Don’t give up anything except old-age poverty. 

http://www.amazon.com/Tax-Refund-Millionaires-Let-Uncle-Help/dp/149595644X

GOP best crazies of last 200 years

Half the Senators give aid and comfort to the country we are negotiating nuclear war with. Iran says the move showed "disintegration" in U.S. Our Constitution is clear—II, --the President “shall have power, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, to make treaties, provided two thirds of the Senators present concur.” In a democracy, if you don’t like the law, change it, don’t destroy the structure. When Reagan sold arms to Iran to get money for Contras, did Dems torpedo agreement on arms?

Can GOP change Constitution? Are they just anarchists?  

GOP crazies

Here is how the future GOP president will solve problems: Tricks, payoffs, lies, legal double talk, obfuscation, and all the other things politicians do. Lower tax for the rich and sock it to the middle: Ranking No 1 worst property tax states, New Jersey, with average-priced home tax bill of $16,000, defaulted on liabilities, low job growth, likes the perks.

Wisconsin becomes the 25th right-to-work state following the GOP plan.

Gov Walker promised improved job rate and dismissed lower-wages criticism. The GOP experiment in KS has not gone well. Gov Brownback’s cuts to a number of state taxes in 2012 failed to boost the economy like he had hoped, triggering a backlash when the huge budget shortfall that resulted forced major decreases in government services. His state’s credit rating was lowered, and Brownback nearly lost his job in the November elections.

GOP counting on voter suppression in 2016—soon only white landowners?

More states are following the GOP success in PA in 2012. GOP chair Gleason says he cut Obama’s vote by 5% there. States may be returning to the time of white landowner only laws using clever techniques of exclusion like requiring a US passport or paid property tax bill. The Supremes have gutted the voting rights provisions and there may be more. Meanwhile not one states attorney has found a voter fraud pattern in their state—31 in 1 billion ballots nationwide!

Just say NO when your broker/advisor says RE-BALANCE

New research from Duke’s Harvey says sell/buy every quarter may hurt your long-term prospects for retirement. In an up market, you are selling soaring stocks; “all of a sudden your portfolio has done worse than if you had just let it run.” Re-balancing kills compounding. John Bogle, Vanguard, does not: “I see no circumstance under which rebalancing through an adviser charging 1% could possibly add value.”

Use Warren Buffett’s alternatives: http://www.amazon.com/Dont-Re-balance-Your-Portfolio-Research/dp/1508802386

SAFEST used cars under $9K

CR says older is better—problems have been solved:

Chevrolet Malibu (2009-2012, 4-cyl.): Starting at $8,125

Ford Fusion (2010-2012, 4-cyl. and hybrid): Starting at $8,325

Hyundai Sonata (2006-2014, 4-cyl., non-turbo): Starting at $5,450

Kia Soul (2010-2011): Starting at $8,925

Toyota RAV4 (2004-2012, 4-cyl.): Starting at $5,590

I bought a ’05 Sonata for $4,955 with 105K in 2011; still works well at 125K miles.

http://lifehacker.com/the-safest-used-cars-for-under-10k-according-to-consu-1690655809

Obama to help students pay debt

Student loans cost over 6% per year while banks pay 0% rate. Obama will change procedures for paying income-adjusted installments easier. 7 million borrowers are currently in default for loans totaling $98.1 billion. Money is easier to get than a job.

Are you losing your health benefits?

Rising costs and risk of liability have prompted many of employers to “adjust” their offerings to retirees and employees. The number of employers offering retiree medical benefits have “definitely dwindled from where it was 20 years ago,” says Cara Jareb, Towers Watson. Now, more employers, like Hilton, are moving to private exchanges to save. Eventually, the US will adopt the least costly system—single payer.

Buy only what you need: http://www.amazon.com/Health-Insurance-ONLY-right-policy/dp/1480125083

And you think you can trust them to keep their word?

Two-thirds of Americans say they would be willing to give up salary increases in exchange for guaranteed retirement income, according to a new survey by the National Institute on Retirement Security. As corporations continue to freeze or eliminate defined benefit plans, American workers may be getting increasingly concerned about their financial security in retirement and looking for guaranteed income options.

America is going back to the pre-WWII time when workers had no unions, scabs took their jobs for less wages—No pensions/health care paid by employers. Wealthy people and large combines controlled elections. There was no government regulation of pollution, food, work, bridges, etc. Citizens were at the mercy of large employers. If you disagreed and were famous, you were called before the McCarthy committee and blacklisted. If you were not famous, you were dismissed and ostracized.

SCAMS           Why are we still paying $700 Billion a year for WWII deployments? That is 27 cents of each dollar in taxes—the largest part of our money—and we aren’t even at war. We could pay off our debts and fix our schools, roads and bridges!

We are paying for 164,253 of our active-duty armed personnel to be in 150 countries around the world. We have about 50,000 in Japan and 50,000 in Germany.

Are we preparing for WWII again? There are 1,208,083^[1] armed personnel in the United States. Our taxes pay for about HALF of the WORLD’s military expenditures every year. We have wasted $398.6 billion so far on the F-35 program—they can’t fly safely.

We just can’t afford to pay for everyone else’s defenses anymore.

Japan, Germany and S. Korea can pay for their own defenses.

The War on Terror requires SEALS’ attacks on top terrorists at their homes. Iraq proved converting a nation to Western-style republic doesn’t work. Our trained troops ran away.

Daylight Saving Time, who needs it?

It was Germany which, in April, 1916, first started moving clocks forward by an hour, to conserve energy during the World War I. Does it really save on electric?

Wall Street’s “regulators” are just the 1%ers on vacation

Banker Antonio Weiss, got a $21 million bonus by his Wall Street bosses to go to work as a bank regulator. Obama then nominates him for a high position in the U.S. Treasury Department and he takes it.  Treasury Secretary Jack Lew left Citigroup in 2008 and made somewhere between $250,000 and $500,000 in early stock payouts. Smallberg, head of watchdog group, authored a report last year that found a number of major corporations financially reward employees who go into government regulation.

Can Americans beat the robocallers?

https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/press-releases/2015/03/ftc-announces-new-robocall-contests-combat-illegal-automated

Who protects the President from the Secret Service?

Two senior Secret Service agents -- one of whom is a top member of President Obama's protective detail -- reportedly drove a government car into White House security barricades after drinking at a late-night party last week.

Are they drunk because Congress may cut their salaries in the Homeland’s budget fight?

IAN

41 Watchung Plaza, B242

Montclair, NJ 07042

973.746.2014

www.InsuranceAdvisorsNetwork.com

Alerts 

Advisors stealing $ millions from retirees, soldiers

Advisors stealing $ millions from retirees, especially soldiers

John Turner, an economist, suspected that brokers were encouraging federal workers to ditch their top-flight retirement plan. So he went under cover. The former U.S. Labor Department economist called representatives at companies such as Bank of America Corp., Charles Schwab Corp. and Wells Fargo & Co. He identified himself as a potential client grappling with what to do with his own nest egg. Turner knew the right answer: Leave it alone. He kept his money in the Thrift Savings Plan, considered the gold standard of 401(k)-type programs for its rock-bottom fees. Yet all but one company told him to roll over all his money into funds that charge almost 50 times more than the government plan. The fiduciary rule, meant to fix this, has been tabled by Congress.
“It’s a scandal,” said Turner. “They are trying to sell me investments clearly not in my interest. It’s in their interest. They want to get the fees.”

You can transfer your high-cost 401k into the low-cost leader: http://www.amazon.com/Vanguards-Top-Ten-mutual-funds/dp/150073909X

Obama as Stephen Colbert

Obama appeared Dec. 8 on Comedy Central’s “The Colbert Report,” where he took the place of host Stephen Colbert for a regular segment called “The Word” -- retitled “The Decree” for his appearance -- to pitch enrollment to young viewers.

“Most young people can get covered for less than $100,” Obama said, using lines purportedly meant for Colbert. “How is the president going to get that message out to the kids? He could try to appeal to them directly through a speech or a press conference, but young people don’t watch real news shows. They watch comedy shows. Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Te6S-mL1hF4

ObamaCare to cover over 9.1 million Americans at risk

This client had ObamaCare premiums go down 2^nd year

She did not have to change her insurance plan or subsidy. Her cost for the Gold plan with Horizon NJ went down to $147.27 a month. It used to be $445 before ObamaCare. She got help from her relatives. Her employer offers nothing. She still has to pay some out of network docs she has used for years but only when she goes. She voted for Obama. She buys only what she needed to cover her medical necessities: http://www.amazon.com/Health-Insurance-ONLY-right-policy/dp/1480125083

Can you qualify for an exemption from ObamaCare penalty?

If you do not have health insurance this year, you may owe a penalty in your tax return in April. There are ways to avoid it but you must apply now. If you had coverage, just check a box. However, most time-consuming exemptions require mailing a signed paper application to the exchanges: These are processed manually, which can take a couple of weeks. Those exemptions include several hardships, such as foreclosure, the death of a family member, unpaid medical bills and eviction, as well as religious reasons for not using insurance. “Do it now because it’s a cumbersome process,” advised Mark Steber, chief tax officer at Jackson Hewitt Tax Service. Healthcare.gov has lists of where to apply for each.

Selling your home can provide Tax-FREE cash!!

Your home is your castle; but it is also an asset. When you sell an asset for more than you paid, you must pay tax on the gain—but your home sale is FREE. If you bought your home some time ago, it may have gone up by 5% or more a year. Over time, $50,000 you paid 40 years ago becomes $400,000 you receive when you sell. When you sell your home, Uncle Sam says “OK, forget the tax.” If you buy another home or retire on it, you don’t get stuck with a tax bill. In fact, you don’t even have to report it on your return. “You may be able to exclude from income any gain up to a limit of $250,000 ($500,000 on a joint return in most cases). See Excluding the Gain, later. Generally, if you can exclude all the gain, you do not need to report the sale on your tax return.” Pub 523, p 2.

Social Security benefits are NOT our earnings so Congress thinks, “entitlements”

In 2014, if you retire at age 66, the maximum amount you will receive is $2,642 a month.

If you waited to age 70 and retired in 2015, your benefit is $3,501. In order for us to have this level of income—$42,012 per year (for 25 years)—from an investment account, we would need a nest of at least $800,000. Congress does not actually invest our SS contributions from our paychecks, so they treat our benefits as if they were a “gift” they can take away—“entitlement”—when they feel like it. The new Congress is GOP so look for more limits on our benefits.

Make your own security: http://www.amazon.com/Lets-Do-The-Numbers-Retirement/dp/1502775522

Which 2015 cars are safest?

Most are foreign branded but made mostly in US. The design and capability seem to determine which is best in each type of vehicle. See list: http://www.fa-mag.com/news/top-cars-for-safety-announced-20277.html

Why do our freeways have speed limits?

Some people always exceed the speed limit. I hear about it at parties, especially during the holidays. When there is little traffic and we are late, it seems like a good thing our cars can do 85 MPH easily. However, our chance of death increases dramatically.

KS raised the limit to 75 three years ago. Fatalities and injuries are rocketing, according to the Transportation Department. Surprisingly, the overall number of crashes is flat, but highway deaths jumped 54 percent since 2012 on the seven highways where the speed limit was raised. Overall, 48 people were killed in 38 wrecks on those seven highways in the two years before the speed limit was raised in mid-2011. In the two years after the speed limit was raised, 74 people were killed in 59 wrecks. We just can’t avoid it at 85! Watch and cringe: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rFdx-_CbmAc

SCAM ALERT: Your tax preparer must be on the new IRS list

The IRS directory will include those professionals who have registered with the IRS and have a valid Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN). With the new directory, taxpayers can search and sort for tax preparers by name, city, state and zip. In addition to the usual suspects (CPAs, attorneys, Enrolled Actuaries and Enrolled Agents), the directory will also include those taxpayers with the newest designation, the Annual Filing Season Program (AFSP). The AFSP is a voluntary and temporary program which offers a recognizable record of completion for tax preparers who (similar to those required for the former Registered Tax Return Preparer (RTRP) designation); requirements for the program consist of 18 hours of continuing education, including a six hour federal tax law refresher course with test. If you preparer is not on the list, find another or do it yourself with efile FREE using the software listed at IRS.gov.

Avoid scams http://www.amazon.com/Money-Scams-2014-insurance-financial/dp/1505437962

SCAMS           Why are we still paying $700 Billion a year for WWII deployments?

We are paying for 164,253 of our active-duty armed personnel to be in 150 countries around the world. We have about 50,000 in Japan and 50,000 in Germany.

Are we preparing for WWII again? There are 1,208,083^[1] armed personnel in the United States. Our taxes pay for about HALF of the WORLD’s military expenditures every year. We have wasted $398.6 billion so far on the F-35 program—they can’t fly safely.

We just can’t afford to pay for everyone else’s defenses anymore.

Japan, Germany and S. Korea can pay for their own defenses.

The War on Terror requires SEALS’ attacks on top terrorists at their homes. Iraq proved converting a nation to Western-style republic doesn’t work.

Goldman Sachs was behind the scenes of the largest taxpayer bailout in history

It looks like all the major players in this failure of capitalism were Goldman Sachs shareholders. They stood to benefit from this windfall more than others. Sordid details and lies revealed in trial. American history at its worst.

Swiss banker gets off in tax evasion by Americans

Raoul Weil, 55, the former head of wealth management for UBS Group AG, was acquitted of conspiring to help thousands of U.S. clients use Swiss banking secrecy to evade taxes. A Florida jury let this only offshore banker go. The US has warrants for 55 others outside of the U.S. for tax evasion in 2008.

Who owns your account now?

New York Life's Retirement Plan Services to Manulife’s John Hancock division. 

IAN

41 Watchung Plaza, B242

Montclair, NJ 07042

973.746.2014

www.InsuranceAdvisorsNetwork.com

Alerts

401k fees take 63% of your nest egg!

401k fees take 63% of your nest egg!

Avoid hidden 401k fees taking 63% of your money.

• Accumulate $1,000,000 in 35 years.
• Use a tax-FREE account—NEVER pay income tax.
• Buy low-cost mutual funds averaging 10-12%.

Over time, “that little 2 percent fee will erode 63 percent of what you would have had,” according to John Bogle. Accumulating wealth requires that you avoid high plan and advisor fees, commissions, loads and taxes—the Wealth Killers. $9.95 Ebook version: http://www.amazon.com/Robbing-You-Blind-401k-ebook/dp/B00G8EV7GI/

ObamaCare works  Call-in app: 1-800-318-2596

The U.S. Internal Revenue Service said it has processed more than 330,000 eligibility inquiries for premium tax credits under the Affordable Care Act. Officials announced Thursday that 700,000 people have applied for insurance plans in both the 36 states that are using a federally run health care exchange and the 14 states running their own exchanges. It takes months to work out the bugs in any software.

CReports reliability—Lexus, Toyota, Acura

Japanese car brands continue to dominate in car reliability, but brands from all corners of the globe showed movement in the latest analysis. Lexus, Toyota, and Acura claim the top three spots in predicted reliability rankings by brands. The most-reliable new car in our latest survey is the 2014 Subaru Forester. The worst score goes to the Ford C-Max Energi plug-in hybrid, with the regular C-Max Hybrid not faring much better. See others: Least reliable vehicles, listed in order of Ratings score starting with the worst score.

1. Ford C-MAX Energi (Plug-in Hybrid)*2. Ford Escape (1.6L Ecoboost)*
3. Mini Cooper Countryman4. Ford C-Max Hybrid5. Nissan Pathfinder*
6. Volkswagen Beetle7. Cadillac XTS*8. Ford Explorer (V6, 4WD)9. Hyundai Genesis Coupe*10. Ford Taurus (turbo)*

http://autos.yahoo.com/news/consumer-reports%E2%80%99-car-reliability-survey-shows-japanese-brands-dominating--europeans-gaining-ground-165357824.html

Saudi women fight for car insurance?

There's no law against women driving, but Saudi authorities have warned they'll arrest any woman they catch and use force if necessary. Manal al-Sharif was arrested by Saudi Arabia's religious police for driving in 2011. She told CBS News she also lost her job as a result and has received abuse and threats.

House votes to let brokers to still sell us high-cost products

The House is scheduled to vote this week on legislation that would slow or even kill a Labor Department regulation to strengthen investment advice rules governing retirement plans. The measure, written by Rep. Ann Wagner, R-Mo., would prohibit the Labor Department from proposing the rule, which would expand the definition of “fiduciary” as it applies under federal retirement law. Advisors can sell us any product instead of the BEST product for us. Buy the best: http://www.amazon.com/Insiders-Guides-Discount-Financial-Services/dp/143480593X

How much does your advisory firm make from your account?
See how much the officers of your advisor’s firm take from your account every year no matter how you do:http://data.investmentnews.com/comp-staff/individual/position/1/assets/3/designations/0-0-0-0

What are the alternatives to LTCi premium hikes?

Forbes reported that the increases in LTCI premiums may be between 45 percent and 85 percent in 2013 alone! Think of it—85%: http://www.amazon.com/Long-term-Care-Insurance-better-alternatives/dp/147006877X/

Can you really transfer IRA money into tax-free LTCI?

Some agents are making a killing with this trick. Agents want you to fund an IRA-based annuity with your IRA. On this they make a commission of 6-9%. Then they want you to take the payments from the annuity and buy a 20-pay life insurance plan with long-term care features. On this they make another commission of up to 100% of the first years’ premium. You pay tax as the money comes out of your annuity to pay for life insurance. Depending on the kind of policy, you may use part of the death benefit for some long-term care expenses. Wow—there must be better alternatives! http://www.amazon.com/Long-term-Care-Insurance-better-alternatives/dp/147006877X/

College savings plans—Best and worst

Unless your state lets you deduct contributions, you can use the best state plans.

http://www.investmentnews.com/gallery/20131025/FREE/102509999/PH&Params=Itemnr=7

Survey says 30-year-olds most likely to have a written retirement plan

Middle-class Americans in their 30s are the most likely among all age groups to have a written retirement plan, a Wells Fargo survey finds. Wells Fargo Middle Class Retirement study asked 1,000 middle class Americans between the ages of 25 and 75.

“On a comparative basis, people in their 30s appear to be more aware of what the variables are for a successful retirement,” Laurie Nordquist, head of Wells Fargo Institutional Retirement and Trust, said in a news release. “They seem to know that having a plan, saving more and trying to overcome fear of the market are the keys to success.” Use Tax-FREE account:http://www.amazon.com/New-American-Retirement-System-Tax-FREE/dp/1461030072/

IRS tax tables for 2014

In case you do your own tax planning, all you need to know: The standard deduction rises to $6,200 for singles and married persons filing separate returns and $12,400 for married couples filing jointly, personal exemption rises to $3,950, maximum Earned Income Credit amount is $6,143, annual exclusion for gifts remains at $14,000, foreign earned income exclusion rises to $99,200, changed the use-it-or-lose-it rule for flexible spending arrangements, or FSAs, to allow account holders to carry over as much as $500 from one year to the next without penalty. Many workers have been reluctant to put money into the plans for fear of losing whatever they don't use, resulting in long-standing complaints about how the pretax FSAs work. IRA, 401k contribution limits stay the same.

More: http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-drop/rp-13-35.pdf

Cutting food for the poor—while Congress gets paid $632 per hour of “work”

48 million needy people will have their food stamps cuts. The cuts mean a family of four will receive $632, or $36 less per month in federal food assistance, even as food costs rise. That is the equivalent of losing roughly 21 individual meals per month based on calculations used by the Department of Agriculture. Working poor make $10 an hour and need food.

Is this the America we want?

SCAMS           “Deficits don’t matter” Republican Godfather, Dick Cheney, 2002

Bush wars increased the debt by $4-6 trillion to $16 trillion. 1985 debt $3 T, same as 1945.

Why did no white-collar criminals go to jail for the mortgage mess they created

The financial sector has the power to use our Congress’s power to tax its citizens to backstop its greed. We bailed out the bad guys but NO titan of industry is going to jail. Instead they got their bonuses and had their institutions pay their legal fees and fines instead of paying themselves. Big winners: Angelo Mozilo and Kerry Killinger.  http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/27/business/a-13-billion-reminder-of-whats-wrong.html

New scam for back taxes

The Internal Revenue Service today warned consumers about a sophisticated phone scam targeting taxpayers, including recent immigrants, throughout the country. Victims are told they owe money to the IRS and it must be paid promptly through a pre-loaded debit card or wire transfer. If the victim refuses to cooperate, they are then threatened with arrest, deportation or suspension of a business or driver’s license. In many cases, the caller becomes hostile and insulting. Just say no. IRS sends notices by mail not by phone.

IAN

41 Watchung Plaza, B242

Montclair, NJ 07042

973.746.2014

www.InsuranceAdvisorsNetwork.com

What happens if you are laid off?

Your "Go-to-Hell" Fund: How will you live if everything "goes-to-hell"?

The best guarantee of lifelong security is having money.
Most Americans have less than a month of expenses saved.
         What would happen to your family if you suddenly had no income? 70 percent of us say we could only afford to take off for one month or less of unpaid vacation before everyday expenses would force us to return to work, according to a survey by the LIFE Foundation.
How can we protect our families? We don't need complicated insurance, mutual funds, or financial products to have the good life. I help you decide which financials are best for you, now and later. Just $18.95. 

http://www.amazon.com/Your--Hell-Fund-goes---hell/dp/1492325627

Was your new used car totaled by storm Sandy?

USAA officials now admit that some vehicles it branded as total losses after being damaged by Hurricane Sandy's floodwaters later were resold and put back on the road.

The San Antonio-based insurer totaled some 4,000 customer vehicles damaged during last year's storm in the Northeast.

USAA earmarked 174 of those vehicles to be sold for parts only because they had no titles. But USAA later found some buyers who bought them at auto auctions fraudulently obtained clean titles with the intention of putting them on the road again.

Is having homeowner’s insurance enough?

After a year of waiting, some Sandy victims close to giving up. "The city told me to use my structure money to raise my house," said Joe Mirmina, who lives three blocks away from McFadden on James Street in Milford. "But the bank won't let you do that. I have the money to repair my house, but I can't until the house is lifted." Although McFadden's house is already raised, there's still plenty of work to do. He said when his house is finally repaired, he'll likely need to sell it to make ends meet. Use your discounts:  http://www.amazon.com/Homeowners-Insurance-Beware-Coverage-Policy/dp/1480100870

GOP against Obamacare because:

http://www.gop.com/news/research/the-case-against-obamacare/

GOP decided to come up with a plan in Jan 2011. Nothing as of 9/13.

They pledge to change laws to allow buying from another state, expand HsA, prohibit declines by preexisting, prohibit lifetime spending cap, prohibit declined because sick and prohibit govt-paid abortion. These were originally GOP plans.   http://www.cbsnews.com/htdocs/pdf/GOPHealthPlan_061709.pdf

All of these have been accomplished by ObamaCare yet GOP voted the 40^th time to repeal ObamaCare and has yet to make a plan. Stalling until 2016, is the plan, it seems. http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/right-turn/wp/2013/07/18/a-gloating-gop-needs-an-obamacare-alternative/

Is group long-term care insurance right for you?

Group plans often cause people to receive less benefits for more money, according to one study. Group plans may lump you with sicker people. Group plans make enrollment easy but are designed for higher premium per benefit dollar. Individual long term care insurance policies are a better value in almost every way. The major hole in group plans is an inevitable part of the process: it isn’t that the rates are intentionally high. The flaw in the policies lies in the structure of enrollment. There is no medical underwriting for the employer’s convenience. Couples’ premiums with good health were an average of 36.12% less than group plans. Individuals’ premiums with good health were an average of 15.49% less than group plans. Compare: http://www.amazon.com/Long-term-Care-Insurance-better-alternatives/dp/147006877X

Retirees lose company health care—So much for lifelong loyalty

America’s biggest employers, from GE to IBM, are increasingly moving retirees to insurance exchanges where they select their own health plans, an historic shift that could push more costs onto U.S. taxpayers. About 44 percent of companies plan to stop administering health plans for their former workers over the next two years, according to one survey. Last month, United Parcel Service Inc. told workers it would no longer provide health care for 15,000 spouses who can get benefits through their own employer. Retirees feel GE “stripped them of something of substantial value that they believed they earned,” Dennis Rocheleau, 71, a former GE labor negotiator. “They’re saving millions of dollars and the people they’re taking it from are the ones who can afford it the least,” Rocheleau said in an interview. http://www.amazon.com/Health-Insurance-ONLY-right-policy/dp/1480125083

Is your income keeping pace?

The top 1 percent of American households had pretax income above $394,000 last year. The top 10 percent had income exceeding $114,000. The very wealthiest Americans earned more than 19 percent of the country's household income last year—their biggest share since 1928, the year before the stock market crash. And the top 10 percent captured a record 48.2 percent of total earnings last year. 95 percent of the income gains reported since 2009 have gone to the top 1 percent. That compares with a 45 percent share for the top 1 percent in the economic expansion of the 1990s and a 65 percent share from the expansion that followed the 2001 recession. The top 1 percent's share of income bottomed out at 7.7 percent in 1973 and has risen steadily since the early 1980s, according to the analysis. Your investment edge is … the miracle of compounding. http://www.amazon.com/Keep-Simple-Essential-Financial-Life/dp/1492258849

State Farm wants auto rate hike in Illinois

Time to claim your discounts and save $22,000 over time: http://www.amazon.com/Vehicle-Insurance-Beware-Double-Coverage/dp/1480027634

SCAMS           “Deficits don’t matter” Republican godfather, Dick Cheney, 2002

Your bank and medical records read by government employees/contractors

NSA unlocks encryption used to protect emails, banking and medical records. US and British intelligence agencies have successfully cracked much of the online encryption relied upon by hundreds of millions of people to protect the privacy of their personal data, online transactions and emails, according to top-secret documents revealed by former contractor Edward Snowden. "Project Bullrun deals with NSA's abilities to defeat the encryption used in specific network communication technologies.”

Project “Bullrun” produces a lot of bullxxxx, $53 billions of bullxxxx. But 2 kids from Kyrgyzstan (Russia) defeated NSA “intelligence” and bombed Boston. They were “discovered” by a quick-thinking Chinese civilian when his GPS car was kidnapped. The bombers bought the explosives at the same store as the Times Square bomber!

The kits are advertised by the company as “barely legal.” “Best mortar/canister kit you can get,” reports one reviewer on the Phantom Fireworks website.

You can still get 2 free when you buy 1 box. You don’t need a license!

Maybe NSA should watch the store instead of reading my emails!

That $53 billion can pay for health care for over 2 million American families without health care.
 

IAN

41 Watchung Plaza, B242

Montclair, NJ 07042

973.746.2014

www.InsuranceAdvisorsNetwork.com