The Bull Is Back? After a rough summer, investors got a reprieve in October. As companies started to announce their third quarter earnings, the results were cause for relief. More than usual, those companies beat their earnings expectations and that was in spite of the tumultuous events of the summer. Investors interpreted that resilience as a sign that the US economy […]

       This month, Carolyn Ellis of Life & Health Advisor magazine interviewed Richard Zeitz about his experience as a financial advisor that specializes in Federal benefits, is helping Federal employees better understand their CSRS / FERS retirement benefits so they can plan for a more secure retirement. InProfile: Richard Zeitz of Bravias Financial   […]

A Primer on Irrevocable Life Insurance Trusts I’m proud to pay taxes in the United States; the only thing is, I could be just as proud for half the money. – Entertainer Arthur Godfrey1 The irrevocable life insurance trust (ILIT) can be an important estate strategy tool that may accomplish a number of estate objectives, […]

The Dog Days Of Summer The second quarter left most investors disappointed. After the upturn in stocks at the end of August, many investors hoped that the markets were going to make a swift recovery. Instead, investors experienced another month of volatility. While the US continues to do as well or better than the rest […]

  6 Most Overlooked Tax Deductions Who among us wants to pay the IRS more taxes than we have to?¹ While few may raise their hands, Americans regularly overpay because they fail to take tax deductions for which they are eligible. Let’s take a quick look at the six most overlooked opportunities to manage your tax […]

Choices for Your 401(k) at a Former Employer One of the common threads of a mobile workforce is that many individuals who leave their job are faced with a decision about what to do with their 401(k) account.¹ Individuals have three basic choices with the 401(k) account they accrued at a previous employer. Choice 1: […]

Investors, and Bulls, and Bears, Oh My! Market volatility returned over the last month and, during the last two weeks, stocks suffered a modest correction. China kicked it off and, while the ripple effect started in emerging markets, it soon spread to the developed world, including the United States. While some investors shifted assets into […]

Planning for the Expected Perhaps Bette Davis said it best when she observed, “Old age is no place for sissies.” ¹ The challenges seniors have met throughout their lives have made them wiser and stronger, preparing them for the unique challenges that come with aging. As we age, the potential for cognitive decline increases, ranging […]

From Greece to China July opened with the Greek referendum on a proposed bailout package. Syriza, the current ruling party in Greece, campaigned against the proposal and told voters that it was a bad deal. The Greek people agreed and the proposal failed by a sizable margin. That provoked the European negotiators. After the next […]

Questions About Medicare? Here Are Some Answers. Medicare is complex and today’s changing health care landscape makes it more important than ever to fully understand how it works. If you or someone you know is near retirement, you may have questions about how to enroll in Medicare and what Medicare covers. Here are answers to […]