Another way the wealthy hide their assets

 

How much are you investing for your future?

Fidelity says: The total first-quarter savings rate — a combination of participant and employer — reached a record 14%, just short of Fidelity’s suggested 15% savings rate. The average salary is about $50,000. During our lifetime, we may earn $2.5-$3 million, depending on raises and years worked. If we invest just 6% ($3,000) in the low-cost stock market index of our 401k or IRA, we could have $2,100,000 for retirement in 40 years. If our employer matches our contribution or our spouse has a similar situation, we could have more. Given the historical rate of inflation, this amount would still allow us to spend retirement income of $45,000 (after inflation) for 30 years. We can now invest in a Tax-FREE account, approved by the IRS. About 78% of 401k plans offer this account. We could spend all $3,750 a month!

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

 

Actual retirement income $29,000 or less

Recent survey of retirees shows median income of just $29,000 before taxes in 2019, according to the 20th annual Transamerica Retirement Survey of Retirees. Median means half are below that amount: 27% reported an income of less than $25,000. Transamerica found that 46% of retiree households have nonmortgage debt, such as credit card, car loan, student loan or medical obligations. In addition, 23% of households have mortgage debt. Another study shows that 57% of retirees said they had less than $250,000 saved at retirement. This study had participants with incomes of $75,000. Amazingly, thirty-five percent hope to win the lottery, 25% are willing to sacrifice what they want today to save for later years and 25% plan to stay on their current path. Forty-four percent of retirees said their expenses are higher than they had expected, while just 8% said expenses are lower. Most of us will have to work longer than age 65.

https://www.amazon.com/Reset-Your-Retirement-Income-retirement/dp/1512304344

 

Best graduation gift you can give

Make sure you teach your kids how to create wealth the easy way. My parents were not investors. At my first job, I had no clue which investment option to use for my 401k contribution and company match. The HR person told me to put it into the 'safe' stable value fund. That was the worst choice at my age I learned later when I got my securities licenses. If I had followed their advice I would have ended up with $150,000 instead of a Wealth Reserve of $877,233 about 33 years later. We have used this 'Wealth Reserve' as I call it to have funds to use low-cost high-deductible insurance, to buy two homes and 5 cars with higher down payments or cash, and now to receive at least $2,933 a monthly in a retirement supplement for the rest of our lives. Get them started with VOO in a Tax-Free account at low-cost Vanguard. 

Start their ‘Wealth Reserve’: https://www.amazon.com/Give-your-child-leg-manage/dp/1096505355

 

In a recession, follow Buffett’s advice

Warren Buffett has been through a few recessions since investing his paper route money. His advice is not to sell all and run for the hills. Page 6 of his letter to shareholders: “Investors who avoid high and unnecessary costs and simply sit for an extended period with a collection of large, conservatively-financed American businesses will almost certainly do well.” Unless you need your emergency money in the next year, just hold on to your low-cost portfolio of sound businesses and wait. As a group, American firms have provided annual earnings of about 11% since 1871. At 11% through boom and bust, steady investments of $250 a month can produce $1,000,000 in about 33 years. Stocks are cheaper during recessions to you have more; less when they are more expensive.

Don’t lose your head: https://www.amazon.com/Warren-Buffett-Your-Investment-Advisor/dp/1518690963

 

In retirement, how much of your nest egg should you spend each month?

According to a new survey, a large share of near-retirees thinks they can safely withdraw 10% or more of their savings annually. This suggests that millions of people may be in for a shock. The average nest egg amount is only $172,000. Given this, a 10% withdrawal rate or $17,000 will end retirement income in 30 years with $3,500 in your final year. There are many factors that determine how much you will NEED in retirement but my readers say that they are spending MORE than they anticipated during their leisure years. Without a formal plan of estimating income and spending, you may be in for a difficult future. One thing each of my readers tells me is that they wish they had invested more aggressively early on. They were mislead by an advisor who did NOT try to match their age to their risk tolerance: stock funds early.  

Manage expectations: https://www.amazon.com/Your-Spending-Plan-insurance-investments/dp/1482723123

 

 

Another way the wealthy hide their assets

Property in Manhattan linked to now-sanctioned Russian billionaire Oleg Deripaska was held using a Delaware LLC. An LLC is a Limited Liability Company. It can be set up with very little information about the owners—another LLC or trust could be the ‘managing member’ on the registration. Financial secrecy in the US, which was called the most complicit country in helping individuals hide wealth this week by the Tax Justice Network, an advocacy group for tax fairness, is finally being challenged by some states. “People are shocked to learn about this loophole in the law that allows purchasers to go undetected,” said New York State Senator Brad Hoylman, a Democrat who sponsored a bill heading to the floor of the legislature. “Certainly, the focus on the international super-rich who have propped up the Putin regime has rekindled interest in the effort.” The invasion of Ukraine has raised concerns from London to New York about how anonymous shell companies complicate tax enforcement. One of the most well-known users of this technique is our former president. Assets and income are hidden in hundreds of LLCs so he pays almost nothing in taxes. His business dealings are kept secret through LLCs. Using shells, he claimed he personally ‘lost’ (on paper) almost a $ Billion, thus reducing his taxes for “almost two decades.”

Rich Avoid; We Pay: https://www.amazon.com/Americas-Socialism-Rich-little-people/dp/1535218584

 

Are “inflation-protection” securities right for you?
These funds are designed to protect investors from the eroding effect of inflation by investing primarily in securities that seek to provide a “real” return. The funds focus on investments in inflation-protected bonds that are backed by the full faith and credit of the federal government and whose principal is adjusted based on inflation. These funds have moderate to high interest rate risk, meaning that changes in interest rates, both up and down, can affect the fund by resulting in lower bond prices or an eventual decrease in income. Average annual returns have been 5% since 2000 but down 6% year to date. The bonds have 7 year duration so these bonds don’t protect you from changes in value. When interest rates rise, bonds lose value. However, over time you are protected from long periods of high inflation. Owning stocks are another way to protect yourself from inflation in the long run. Consider your time horizon and income needs before buying these fixed rate bonds.

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

 

 

 

?**********ACCOUNTABILITY**************?

 

 

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

 

 

The Path to Dictatorship: 2010-2030

 

Jan 21 2010 Corpor­a­tions’ election-spending unlim­ited

 

Nov 2020 Wealthy discredit election process

 

Nov 21 2020 Trump’s Plans for a Coup: criminal

 

Jan 6 2021 Direct assault failed: guns & bombs ready

 

Trumpist’s Supremes end personal rights except weapons

 

Nov 8 2022 Trump’s “national revolution”

 

 

 

 

 

How Govt wastes our money:

GOP has wasted its anti-voting efforts: Dems ride the backlash by voting 3X more

 

2^nd Amendment right: body armor not guns for all: guard’s gun got him killed

Federal agents must intervene when they see other law enforcement using excessive force

21 kids teachers die for “freedom” to kill kids with assault guns: we’re crazy to allow it

 

America stops abortion (kill unborn) but allow children to kill children with assault guns

Young adults need the draft not guns: TX allows 18 yr olds to kill: no license; no training

4,357 children & teen gun deaths 2020

 

Subsidies to drug makers allow them to stop making necessary but less profitable drugs

 

Congress knew Abbott stopped making formula in February: Tax breaks not plant repair

Biden promises we will fight China for Taiwan: Dems new get tough stand?

 

senators shrug to 2nd monthly mass shootings and go on vacation: show them dead kids

 

SCAMS/SPINS:

Conservative Christians hide clergy sex abuse just like Catholics: Trump hides crimes too

Catholic tithes and donations mishandled by the Vatican just like US politicians & Trump

 

Trumpist Sen Perdue attacks Stacey: ‘demeaning her own race’: Perdue shows his racism

Trump’s ‘hang Mike Pence’ incitement may have gone too far for Americans: Threats

FL bans ‘social justice’ from social studies: only dream society can exist in FL

 

Getzville NY debt collectors caught using all the illegal tactics known: $2 mil fine, no jail

Surgery bills based on target profits not on actual costs: $303,709 not $1,337 promised

Long-term care policy costs rise: only 50% owners keep paying: some reduce benefits

Nationwide caught overcharging deferred-to-immediate-annuity exchange clients: fine

Michael Francis Shillin caught promising great returns on stocks never bought: fine jail

TradeZero caught stopped trading certain stocks: lied to investors: fine no jail

 

Formula scam: online/private sellers double price since shelves empty

Scammers ask for Zelle money and then your bank says, “It’s your fault.”

Seniors scammed: Congress to pay for investigations/enforcement: it’s about time

Woodland Behavioral Nursing NJ caught ignoring patient care: NJ names receiver

Recall 240,000 Hyundai Cars Explosive Seatbelt Parts: pyrotechnic-type pretensioners 

Abbott kept selling infected formula after found in plant: Abbott didn’t clean

Jif peanut butter recalled potential salmonella contamination

Improve memory with cranberries not unproven ground jellyfish in Prevagen

COVID-19 daily deaths are 305: 1,004,122:

Ukraine war as explained to working Russians: Putin controls the media: Tucker is star

Are you banned from Russia by Putin? Putin favors Trump, McConnell, Tucker

 

Jobs

Best colleges for the money: facts about your choice and your loans

Bank of America raises hourly minimum wage to $22

Apple to increase starting pay for U.S. workers to $22

 

JPMorgan Plans to Hire 1,300 More Advisors Over Next Three Years

Just 8% of Manhattan office workers were on-site five days a week loving home-work

 

Who owns your account now?

Funeral Consumers Alliance helps you plan a funeral you did not want to have to do.

Which BBQ grill is best for you? Consumer Reports tips.

"the average 35-year-old's student debt: 287% greater than value of their original loan"

 

When you disagree with the IRS, you have rights, at least on paper

 

Miracles:

SF Catholic church bans Pelosi for women choice but killed children in native schools

Tucker thanks Hunter Biden: help getting Tucker kid into college: anti Biden just politics

Brits want to try a new (OLD) sovereign: has Charles ever run or managed anything?

2 orders of fish and chips cost 23 Pds ($30) now: fish from Russia

 

Quick Easy test for Covid FREE: https://www.covid.gov/tests

Too easy: 2 year old orders 31 cheeseburgers on DoorDash for $91.58: Next new crib?

A new battery design could last for an entire 100 years:

World’s first double hand transplant for scleroderma

 

 

Police wait: Teen Kills 21 in 40 minutes: classroom door locked police out

US allows assault rifles with 30 rounds sold to children 18

 

Pakistan hits 120°F as climate trends drive spring heatwave: warming kills wheat

 

 

@

Everything in universe: galaxies to stones made of subatomic energy ‘vibrations’

Light is both a particle and a wave depending on how we look at the light.

A subatomic ‘particle’ is the smallest possible vibration (quantum) of a quantum field.

Mass–energy equivalence: E=mc^2.  At the smallest level; Everything is moving!

Inside protons, neutrons, it is the fields of the virtual particles that creates its mass.

“Empty space is a boiling, bubbling brew of virtual particles that pop in and out of existence in a time scale so short that you can’t even measure them.” Space expanding.

 

 

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

973.746.2014

www.InsuranceAdvisorsNetwork.com

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

 

Great financial future?

++Will you have a GREAT financial New Year! 

++Set and reach money goals. 

++Set-up a tax-FREE investment account. 

++Buy and hold 10 mutual funds all your life.

      The greatest impediment to financial freedom is debt. Most of us live paycheck to paycheck. Freedom from our chains of lifelong payments requires immediate action.  When you pay $161 per month for 10+ years on your credit card balance of $10,050, you will spend at least $19,360. You pay almost double for that same $10,050! 

       I will show you how to be on the other side of the deal--collecting $20,000 for your investment of $10,000. It takes only 1 hour to set it up. By Dan Keppel

http://www.amazon.com/Financial-Future-Insurance-mutual-funds/dp/149355204X

ObamaCare signup deadline moved from Dec. 15 to Dec. 23

In 2012, 27 percent of young adults (ages 19 to 34) lacked health insurance, although the rate varied widely from state to state, according to a new Census Bureau infographic, "The Young and Uninsured in 2012." Texas has 38% uninsured young adults while MA has 8%.  http://www.census.gov/how/infographics/young_uninsured.html

Oklahoma’s individual and small group health insurance markets were offered early policy renewals. 

Small business enrollment is delayed one year. Businesses will still be able to shop for plans at the federal website healthcare.gov beginning in December; they just won’t be able to sign up their employees using the system. The change may have a minimal effect since many small businesses already rely on agents and brokers for insurance at group rates.

Are you saving enough for retirement?

Just 56 percent of women express confidence that they’re saving enough for retirement, compared to 65 percent of men, according to a recent survey from TIAA-CREF. Women surveyed believe they would be more likely to change their savings and spending habits after receiving financial advice, but nearly half say financial advice will cost more than they can afford – and one in three say they don’t even have the time to look for help.

Advisors can take up to 63% of your total retirement nest egg. Simple alternative that Warren Buffett uses assures you keep more: http://www.amazon.com/Warren-Buffetts-Investment-Secret-Steeple/dp/1484189809/

Study says a picture of future wants helps us save more

Harvard economist Sendhil Mullainathan studies how people save money for the future. He found that we save more when we have a picture of what we want to buy in the future. This helps us remember why we are saving and avoid impulse buying. Credit cards make it easy to buy so it is harder to wait. People don’t want to wait until they have the money. But waiting allows us to filter out those items that are just passing fancies. Automatic investing is the greatest help in saving, according to his study. We never have to think about sending a check if our investing amount comes out of our check right away automatically. Other tips: http://www.amazon.com/Internet-Money-Smarts-More-Less/dp/1493643223/

You don’t need Black Friday to find bargains on insurance and investments

*Save on all financial products and services.

*Avoid taxes and fees.   Let your money compound. 

*Cut out the middleman/woman. 

*Buy only what you need.

     The best guarantee of lifelong security is having money. We grow our savings in a tax-FREE investment account. It assures us of money when we need it. We stop paying unnecessary taxes. We avoid overpaying for products and services by buying only what we need directly from manufacturers, not salespeople. 

http://www.amazon.com/Get-What-You-Pay-financial/dp/1492384100/

Study shows advisors often sell higher-cost products

Harvard economist Sendhil Mullainathan hired actors who pretended to seek help from financial advisors. Those with solid investments in low-cost funds were advised to switch to some undiversified high-cost funds. Incentives are good for advisors and bad for investors. We can do low-cost investing ourselves and earn over 50% more: http://www.amazon.com/Your-Wealth-Account-Tax-FREE-Income/dp/1493761277/

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.

IAN

41 Watchung Plaza, B242

Montclair, NJ 07042

973.746.2014

www.InsuranceAdvisorsNetwork.com

Alerts 

Save 200% on securities and other financial needs

Get What You Pay For: Save 200% on stocks, mutual funds, every financial need

Avoid taxes and fees. Let your money compound.
Cut out the middleman/woman. Buy only what you need.

The best guarantee of lifelong security is having money. We grow our savings in a tax-FREE investment account. It assures us of money when we need it. We stop paying unnecessary taxes. We avoid overpaying for products and services by buying only what we need directly from manufacturers, not salespeople. We save $3,000 a year. http://www.amazon.com/dp/1492384100

ObamaCare saves $1.2 billion in premiums already

6.8 million of us saved an estimated $1.2 billion on health insurance premiums in 2012, due to the “rate review” provision of the Affordable Care Act, which brought unprecedented accountability to slow the growth of health insurance premiums. We received a check for $324—Blue Cross Blue Shield charged more than they needed to cover their overhead and profits. ObamaCare requires insurers spend premiums on claims not on executive perks. http://www.cms.gov/CCIIO/Resources/Fact-Sheets-and-FAQs/ratereview05192011a.html

Vanguard helps millions reach goals

With $2.2 trillion in assets to manage for investors, Vanguard is the top retail mutual fund firm. Many 401k and college savings plans use Vanguard because its funds are owned by investors not stockholders. All services are provided “at cost.” Many money managers, charging 1-3% of your assets, are now using ETFs (index funds) from Vanguard as part of their offerings. Investors have not yet learned that high-paid money managers pay only 0.05% for the ETFs they are resold by their advisor. Pay less; keep more: http://www.amazon.com/Wealth-Without-Wall-Street-Commissions/dp/1442168137

GOP health ins plan costs more than ObamaCare!

The first comprehensive Republican alternative to President Barack Obama's health care plan, a large group of House conservatives is unveiling legislation that provides an expanded tax break for consumers who purchase their own health care and increases government funding for high-risk pools.

The plan endorsed by the Republican Study Committee would let individuals who purchase coverage claim a deduction of $7,500 against income and payroll taxes, regardless of the cost of the insurance. Families could deduct $20,000.

ObamaCare’s exchanges let individuals buy coverage from insurers and receive a tax deduction also. The ObamaCare’s family deduction is not so generous as the GOP plan. Most taxpayers don’t owe $20,000 in taxes anyway! This is socialism for the rich.

Think long term with investments

Habitable conditions on planet Earth will persist for at least another 1.75 billion years and perhaps as much as 3.5 billion years, according to a new study conducted by astrobiologists at the University of East Anglia.

Is your advisor giving you the best options for YOU or him/her?

The government promised to spell out how your advisor should act in giving YOU the best options. Brokers do not have to give you the best advice, only advice that won’t hurt you. New rules surrounding fiduciary standards will have to wait, and wait, and wait some more as financial advisors last week learned that the U.S. Department of Labor has pushed back yet again its proposals to amend the definition of a fiduciary. Unfortunately, when the lawyers start making rules about ethical conduct, we all lose. It is better to trust only those who have no bias about financials. http://www.amazon.com/Unbiased-Advisors-Network-helps-tax-FREE/dp/1470106841

Do you really need life insurance anymore?

In a survey, 55 percent of seniors said they have allowed their life insurance policies to lapse, viewing it as a liability instead of an asset. More than 80 percent of adults aged 66 and over were not aware that they can sell an existing life insurance policy for a cash payout. Maybe you don’t need life insurance anymore. There are several options:  http://www.amazon.com/Life-Insurance-Need-Save-right/dp/1480002178

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

IAN

41 Watchung Plaza, B242

Montclair, NJ 07042

973.746.2014

www.InsuranceAdvisorsNetwork.com

Your Investment Edge

Your Investment Edge: A Tax-FREE Growth and Income Account

In these times, you need an Edge to get ahead on investments. Tax-FREE accumulation provides an extra 25% to your investment total. If you earned 15.3% last year, you could have made the equivalent of 23.3%. You never pay taxes—no federal, state, capital gains or dividend taxes.  Start your EDGE today for free.

http://www.amazon.com/Your-Investment-Edge-Tax-FREE-Account/dp/1482695677

Why Washington feels free to cut our “entitlements”

Ever wonder how our “representatives” will survive in retirement after all the money they want to take away from hard working Americans. They don’t have to worry since they pay less and receive more than almost any American worker. Plus their health benefits are better than ours. Their retirement package also includes Social Security. Half of them are already millionaires—buying stocks of companies they know will go up because they passed bills making it so. They don't need to worry about benefit cuts. They have $ millions.

http://www.nbcnews.com/business/how-congress-members-retirement-package-compares-yours-1C8823621

Will your long-term care insurance premium go up again?

The cost of a typical U.S. individual long-term care insurance (LTCI) policy increased 20 percent between 2012 and 2013. It increased 16% in 2012. Insurers' LTCI rates vary widely, according to one observer. "For a 55-year-old single policy applicant, the highest-priced policy cost 87 percent more than the comparable lowest-priced policy." There are big variations in benefits also. The insurer may be out of business by the time you need it. Compare alternatives before you commit:  

http://www.amazon.com/Long-term-Care-Insurance-Updated-2013/dp/148274001X/

States profiting from our money

Some states are making money from our rightful assets. Even if you try to claim the assets, they may have been sold and are gone.  In one case, a person bought Apple stock in the 1980s from a broker. The broker must turn them over to the state after a certain time. The state sold the shares for pennies and kept the money. The $20,000 in stock is gone. There is no standard rule when brokers, bankers, other fiduciaries give up our money to the state. According to the SEC, most states declare stocks abandoned in 5 years. If you are a long-term investor, you are at risk unless you do something. Institutions have their own rules about abandonment. Check your stock’s location today. I got no answer when I asked the SEC what we could do about this. http://money.cnn.com/2013/03/05/pf/unclaimed-money/index.html

CA turns down Blues increase

Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones announced that the 11.7 percent average rate increase imposed by Blue Shield of California Life and Health Insurance Company is unreasonable.

MN tax filers cautioned about TurboTax

Minnesota Department of Revenue has been advising taxpayers not to use Intuit products, including TurboTax, to file your Minnesota taxes in any form, electronically or on paper. According to the Department of Revenue, Intuit has discovered “multiple issues” with their products affecting 2012 Minnesota tax returns. These problems include errors with property tax refunds, education expenses and political contributions. The Department of Revenue advises taxpayers that these issues could “jeopardize the accuracy of your return or delay your refund.” Tax prep sites listed by the IRS charge nothing for the federal filing. States’ returns can cost $10. http://www.irs.gov/uac/Free-File:-Do-Your-Federal-Taxes-for-Free

IL wants to cap LTCi rate hikes at 15%??!!!

A bill under consideration in the Illinois legislature would cap long-term care insurance (LTCi) rate hikes at 15 percent annually. An increase of 15% a year would double the annual premium in 5 FIVE years. $2,000 at age 55 would mean $4,000 at age 60 and $8,000 by age 65. There are alternatives:http://www.amazon.com/Long-term-Care-Insurance-better-alternatives/dp/147006877X

Kaiser scores top marks from healthy

For the sixth consecutive year, Kaiser Permanente ranked highest in customer satisfaction for health insurance among California policyholders.

Most families overpay for less coverage 

A Survey of 600 independent agents finds most families insured by mass-market carriers remain vulnerable to severe financial loss and overlook discounts. Families often do not carry enough liability coverage in a variety of forms. Too often, their homes and contents are not adequately protected. Meanwhile, these families also overlook many savings opportunities, such as higher deductibles and package discounts. By taking advantage of these savings opportunities and strengthening coverage against severe loss, families can often achievemore effective protection without a significant increase in premiums. Pay less for more protection using discounts and smart choices: http://www.amazon.com/Homeowners-Insurance-Beware-Coverage-Policy/dp/1480100870

Actual paper stocks and bonds going digital

The trade organization representing hundreds of securities firms, banks and asset managers in the U.S.supports the push for dematerialization. (Mr Spock says that means NO MORE HARD COPY PAPER securities.) Even restricted securities would become entries on a statement. That would be your only proof you own any stock, bond, shares, etc. The change will take years. The required holding time for the destruction of non-transferable securities (bankrupt or insolvent) will be reduced from six to four years. But look what happened to the Apple stock owner above who did not have paper shares.

Why is our wealth going in the wrong direction?

While the median net worth decreased for all age groups, older households lost the most money. Among households headed by someone age 65 or older, median net worth decreased in 2010.  Retired couples were worth a median of $307,728 in 2010. For seniors, most of the net worth is in housing, which they can't eat. $170,128 is the amount the average retiree has to carry them through 30 years of retirement.

How does a parking lot attendant accumulate $500,000 in stocks?

Mr Earl Crawley earns less than $20,000 a year. He has paid off his mortgage and has no debts. He raised a family. He doesn't use stock trading, get-rich-quick schemes or pyramid marketing. He invested small amounts each month, reinvested his dividends and held blue chip stocks like Exxon, Bank America, etc.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XD0svDGyLWU

What can we learn from this guy? 

http://www.kiplinger.com/article/investing/T047-C000-S002-investing-with-nickels-and-dimes.html

SCAMS           “Deficits don’t matter” GOP grandfather, Dick Cheney, 2002

Regulators stopped a get-rich-quick scheme for a secret “plasma engine” that took $1.4 million from 100 “investors.” Unfortunately doesn’t work. Sounds good, though. 

IAN

41 Watchung Plaza, B242

Montclair, NJ 07042

973.746.2014

www.InsuranceAdvisorsNetwork.com

Double Your Wealth Power

Double Your Wealth Power

Use compounding of low-cost mutual funds and a tax-FREE account to double your power to build wealth. Even in 2012, with a slow economy, our members’ 10 Vanguard funds continued to earn over 11.5% averaged over the last 30 years. You avoid ALL taxes on accumulations now, and, even better, when you take the money out. You benefit from the two most important investment engines of all time—NO TAX and COMPOUND INTEREST. As Warren Buffett said, "My wealth has come from a combination of living in America, some lucky genes, and compound interest." http://www.amazon.com/Double-Your-Wealth-Power-Compound/dp/1481863029/

Did you consider these “Best public college” choices yet?

http://www.kiplinger.com/tools/colleges/

19 States To Have Own Health Care Exchange – check state map below

The exchanges set minimum standards for healthcare and allow those who don't have insurance through their employer to comparison shop for the plan they like best -- much like how travel websites allow comparison shopping for airline tickets.

The Obamacare law does not mandate a state create a health insurance exchange, but does hold that if an individual state does not create their own exchange or partner with the federal government to create one, the federal government will create one for them. Most Democratic states have moved to create their own exchange while most Republican-controlled states have resisted. Only four states with Republican-controlled legislatures have created the health exchange -- Idaho, Nevada, Utah and New Mexico -- the Times said.http://www.commonwealthfund.org/Maps-and-Data/State-Exchange-Map.aspx

Vanguard leads price reductions in the cost of stock ETFs

Most of Vanguard’s U.S. equity sector ETFs now charge 0.14%, which is down from 0.19% and well below the 0.18% charge for equity sector SPDR funds. This could mean an extra 50% in your nest egg over time. Low-cost stock funds beat high-cost funds over every time period, according to independent rating firm, Morningstar.

http://www.amazon.com/Your-Retirement-Mutual-Funds-retirement/dp/1481114026

Have you made these common financial mistakes?  The experts make them

Even John Bogle, founder, Vanguard, made them.

http://www.investmentnews.com/gallery/20130103/FREE/103009999/PH&Params=Itemnr=1  Bogle tells how the investment industry changed from putting the customer first to putting the managers’ bonuses first. Video:http://www.investmentnews.com/section/video?playerType=CMWealth&bctid=1990485981001

Has your company pension been shorted again?

A new study indicates that the aggregate pension funded status is estimated to be 75% at the end of 2012, compared to 78% at the end of 2011. Overall, pension plan funding decreased by $79 billion last year, leaving a deficit of $418 billion at the end of 2012. Results are from pension plan data for the 429 Fortune 1000 companies that sponsor U.S. defined benefit pension plans and have a December 31 measurement date. http://www.towerswatson.com/united-states/press/8790

Your Retirement Mutual Funds: 10 mutual funds to make sure your retirement income last as long as you!

Your investment plan assures you of income AND growth.

Your spending plan assures you of income for life.

Your Wealth ReserveTM provides TAX-FREE income for life.

Your tax-advantaged mutual funds grow at 10-12% per year.

Start today! Every year you delay costs you $100,000 later

Ten diversified mutual funds assure us of retirement income AND inflation-busting growth we can't outlive.

http://www.amazon.com/Your-Retirement-Mutual-Funds-retirement/dp/1481114026

Watch out where you drive!

According to the Alabama Department of Revenue, 22 percent of drivers in Alabama do not carry mandatory liability insurance. Those records also show Alabama is the sixth-highest rate of uninsured drivers among the states. In Mississippi there are an estimated 28 percent of motorists uninsured. In New Mexico, Tennessee,Oklahoma and Florida, about one-quarter of drivers have no insurance. In New Hampshire you are not required to have insurance but 90% have it.

Safest cars 2013

Winners include the Acura TL; Dodge Avenger and its twin, the Chrysler 200 4-door; Ford Fusion; Honda Accord 2-door; Honda Accord 4-door; Kia Optima; Nissan Altima 4-door; Subaru Legacy and its twin, the Subaru Outback; Suzuki Kizashi; Volkswagen Passat and Volvo S60. The Acura TL and Volvo S60 are midsize luxury cars. The other models are midsize moderately priced cars.http://www.iihs.org/ratings/tsp_current.aspx

SCAMS           “Deficits don’t matter” GOP leader Dick Cheney

Are any of the 2013 tax credits for your benefit?

New tax law includes 50 tax breaks including credits for race track owners, moviemakers, electric motorcycles. Our rep are digging a bigger hole

http://news.yahoo.com/tax-law-packed-breaks-businesses-212341577.html

Insurers and Feds dragging out Sandy payment process

Hopes of getting the hardest-hit stretches of the Jersey Shore rebuilt by next summer are fading, as delays in insurance settlements mount and uncertainty hangs over federal aid. Insurers used the same tactic for Katrina repairs. Some are still unpaid.

More than 70,000 property owners have filed claims with the National Flood Insurance Program, according to FEMA. The agency would not say how many of those claims had been settled, but in communities up and down the Shore, property owners and local officials reported that only a small percentage of homeowners had seen flood insurance settlements two months after Sandy made landfall.

Some property owners filed with FEMA and were sent small business loan applications instead of receiving help. The application is longer than a new home mortgage app.

Why Sandy help was not approved—more Washington games

The Sandy bill contained pork—spending for projects that have nothing to do with Hurricane Sandy or the victims, including millions of dollars for tree planting in areas untouched by Sandy and a new roof for theSmithsonian Museum. Only $1 out of every $6 — $9 billion of the $60 billion will be spent in 2013. That means 85 percent doesn’t come until 2014 and beyond.

The bill also provides $336 million for Amtrak (10 times President Obama’s request of $32 million), $150 million for fishery disaster relief, for which recipients in Alaska and Mississippi will be eligible, $50 million for the National Park Service’s historic preservation fund (twice its annual funding), and $50 million for employee retraining programs.  According to the Heritage Foundation’s Matt A. Mayer, there is $28 billion for “future disaster-mitigation projects on the East Coast,” which is a large component of the 64 percent of the funding that will be spent after 2014.  Whether or not these unrelated spending initiatives are worthwhile, they deserve more scrutiny than they will receive as part of an enormous Sandy relief bill being rushed through a lame-duck session of Congress.

Who owns your account now?

Presidential Life to Athene Annuity & Life Assurance Company 

IAN

41 Watchung Plaza, B242

Montclair, NJ 07042

973.746.2014

www.InsuranceAdvisorsNetwork.com

Why we will NEVER be rich

Why we will NEVER be rich! 

Ten things we can do NOW to invest successfully

Why we don't accumulate $1,000,000 from monthly contributions.
Why we reduce our wealth by paying "specialists" to increase it.
Why we don't use the simple time-tested strategy of compounding.
Why we don't use a tax-FREE account and give up $300,000.

By Insider, Law Steeple, $12.95 http://www.amazon.com/Why-will-NEVER-rich-successfully/dp/1480185868/

Are you prepared for retirement of at least 20 years?

A new LIMRA study reveals that two-thirds of middle-income ($40,000-$99,999) American workers are saving less than five percent of their annual income for retirement – with nearly a quarter saving nothing at all. “These results, while not surprising, are very troubling,” said Matthew Drinkwater, associate managing director, LIMRA's retirement research. “Less than 30 percent of American workers have a traditional defined benefit retirement plan….” One in four workers ages 18-34 reported not saving at all for retirement. You can make a plan in 1 hour: http://www.amazon.com/Forget-Social-Security-Medicare-Lifestyle/dp/1466394285

CA health insurers line up to compete in new exchanges

CA officials, and those in other states, are eager to flex their purchasing power under the federal healthcare law by selecting only certain individual and small-business health plans for 19 different regions across California. Buy only what you need: http://www.amazon.com/Health-Insurance-ONLY-right-policy/dp/1480125083

Fewer investors using paid advisors—they trust family/friends???

According to a new survey, just 21 percent of investors say they use a financial professional as their primary provider of investment advice, down from 25 percent in 2011. Usage dropped sharply among households with $100,000 to $500,000 and $2 million plus in investable assets. Nearly six in 10 (57 percent) investors rely on family and 47 percent turning to friends. Emerging investors put the most trust in friends and family, coming in at 64 percent for friends and 82 percent for family. Most firms experienced a decline from 2011 to 2012 with only Vanguard and T. Rowe Price making sizeable gains.“Investors just aren’t sensing enough value for their dollar,” Brown adds. “They lack an understanding of financial services' costs of goods sold, which are impossible to estimate without a tangible product to evaluate. Therefore, they often assume they're being ‘ripped off’ by firms [that] offer professional advice.” Not a bad assumption. But using family/friends may not be wise. That's how Madoff clients got in trouble Trust yourself not salesmen: http://www.amazon.com/Do-Yourself-Personal-Finance-commissions/dp/1480156493/

Landmark Medicare Settlement Could Change Lives
Under the settlement of the lawsuit, Jimmo v. Sebelius, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has agreed to relax Medicare's requirements for coverage of skilled nursing and therapy services in institutional or home care settings. The key criterion for coverage will be a demonstrated need for skilled care - regardless of whether there is a recovery prognosis. That means patients already enrolled in Medicare Part A (hospitalization) who need care to maintain their current condition but aren't likely to improve will qualify for Medicare's standard benefits.

Insurers begin charging for texting while driving violations

The analysis found that, at one insurer, a texting ticket would cost a New York driver $58.50 more per year. At the second insurer, the presence of a texting offense meant having to pay an extra $74 annually. It depends on your state but insurers are looking for more premium. 

States must decide on our health care future NOW

Wisconsin faces a Nov. 16 deadline to inform the Obama administration whether the state will implement an online health care marketplace, or exchange, or let the federal government do it. Each state's exchange must be operational in 2014 under the health care law. Walker told reporters Wednesday in Milwaukee that he will be meeting with state officials this week to discuss the next steps. 

About 55 percent of Americans are covered through an employer; 31 percent have a public insurance plan such as Medicare or Medicaid, and 10 percent buy their own health insurance. The Congressional Budget Office predicts that 23 million people who don’t have health insurance now will get it on one of the exchanges. More than 18 million of them will qualify for a federal subsidy averaging $6,000 a year per person. People earning up to four times the federal poverty level can get a subsidy: that’s an income of $92,000 a year for a family of four. http://vitals.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/11/09/15028379-times-up-states-under-the-gun-on-health-exchanges?lite

IN stops enforcing law requiring auto insurance for drivers with no car

Regulators agree to a stay in a lawsuit filed by a woman whose license was suspended for not having insurance even though she didn’t own a car. State law requires the DMV to check at random to ensure that drivers suspended for lack of insurance have since obtained coverage.

Do you have storm damage?

Damage value that is less than your deductible will not be paid. Filing a claim for small amounts may result in a rate increase. Tax deduction may help. Only itemizers can take a tax write-off for damage to nonbusiness property, such as a principal residence or vehicle. And there are a couple of offsets that apply to personal losses. First, you must reduce the amount of the loss by $100. Then, you can deduct the balance only to the extent that it exceeds 10% of your adjusted gross income. For example, if you have $20,000 in unreimbursed casualty losses from Hurricane Sandy and your AGI is $100,000, you would first subtract $100. Then, you would subtract $10,000 (10% of your AGI) from the $19,900 balance. The remaining $9,900 is the amount you can deduct on Schedule A of your tax return. Use IRS Form 4684 to report your casualty losses, and then carry the amount over to Schedule A.http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p547.pdf

IRS agrees to wait for your tax payments if emergency

The tax relief postpones various tax filing and payment deadlines that occurred starting in late October. As a result, affected individuals and businesses will have until Feb. 1, 2013 to file these returns and pay any taxes due. This includes the fourth quarter individual estimated tax payment, normally due Jan. 15, 2013. It also includes payroll and excise tax returns and accompanying payments for the third and fourth quarters, normally due on Oct. 31, 2012 and Jan. 31, 2013 respectively. It also applies to tax-exempt organizations required to file Form 990 series returns with an original or extended deadline falling during this period. http://www.irs.gov/uac/Tax-Relief-in-Disaster-Situations

Ford hits bumps in CR Reliability study—only Jaguar is worse

Ford has gone from being in the Top Ten of most reliable cars, a record they’ve enjoyed for quite some time to now being the second to last out of all cars. It’s thought that all the new bugs getting worked out of the MyFord Touch system and issues with their stable of new products is what has contributed to the extreme drop in the Ford lineup. Jaguar came in last place. “Ford’s bumpy road can be seen in the numbers. Sixty percent of Ford-branded models and half of Lincolns were below average in predicted reliability, and none placed above average,” said Jake Fisher, director of automotive testing for Consumer Reports. http://automotivediscovery.com/ford-rated-second-worst-for-reliability-according-to-consumer-reports/9215417/

Auto insurance rates down—compare your rates

A drop in vehicle theft along with factors such as insurers ability to assess risk; safety and anti-theft devices; and new products such as pay-as-you-drive policies, are all having a positive impact on auto insurance rates, leading to the lowest cost when adjusted for inflation in 20 years, said Loretta Worters, vice president of the Insurance Information Institute, a trade group sponsored by the property/casualty industry. Worters said auto insurance costs fell in the five years prior to 2009, the last year for which data is available. She said III is forecasting average annual cost of U.S. auto insurance coverage in 2012 will total $839, less than what the typical U.S. driver spent on coverage in 2004. But when adjusted for inflation, costs are expected to be 19% lower in 2012 than 2003. Time to shop: http://www.amazon.com/Vehicle-Insurance-Beware-Coverage-ebook/dp/B009MA9FY6/

Is your auto insurer doing a good job?

Claimant satisfaction with their auto claims experience has increased from last year, driven primarily by an improvement in their perceptions of the fairness of settlement terms, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2012 U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study^SM. The study measures claimant satisfaction with the claims experience for auto physical damage loss. Depending on the complexity of the claim, a claimant may experience some or all of the following factors measured in the study: first notice of loss; service interaction; appraisal; repair process; rental experience; and settlement. Amica and Erie head list as before. Esurance and Commerce are last.

http://autos.jdpower.com/content/press-release/qMmYBvg/2012-u-s-auto-claims-satisfaction-study.htm

Investor’s view of politics

Bill Gross is one of the most intelligent investors around today. This is his take:

http://www.pimco.com/EN/Insights/Pages/Time-To-Vote.aspx

Progressive’s view of Obama To Do List

http://www.cnbc.com/id/49725953

SCAMS           “Only the little people pay taxes.” Leona Helmsley

Will any of the criminals go to jail?

Countrywide is being sued for selling $12.5 billion worth of risky mortgages to Fannie Mae. Finally, someone is being sued for the mess they created in 2005.

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/28/business/the-perils-of-feeding-a-bloated-financial-industry.html?_r=0

What were they thinking?
Former oil exec becomes Archbishop of Canterbury 

Who owns your account now?

MetLife mortgage servicing business to JPMorgan Chase

ING Direct will become Capital One 360

Metropolitan Health Networks Inc  to Humana  

Sun Life (Canada) is seeking a buyer for its U.S. annuities business

Hartford Financial is offering to pay some clients to give up their variable annuities.

IAN

41 Watchung Plaza, B242

Montclair, NJ 07042

973.746.2014

www.InsuranceAdvisorsNetwork.com