After ATRA, Tax Management Gains Importance
Daniel B. Eagan and Paul Robertson The US tax reform just enacted has made effective tax management of portfolios far more valuable for some investors. The old rules of thumb never really worked, but their shortcomings will now cost investors more.
read moreNew US Tax Law May Reduce Portfolio Trading
Daniel B. Eagan, Paul Robertson and Tara Thompson-Popernik By raising capital-gains tax rates for some investors, the American Tax Relief Act alters the ground rules for tax-aware trading. If your taxable income exceeds $400,000 (single filer) or $450,000 (joint filer), there may now be less trading in your portfolio because each trade must clear a [...]
read moreWhen Is a Small-Cap Strategy Too Big?
For small-cap equity managers, liquidity is always a challenge. But how can you really know when a strategy is too big to move in and out of positions efficiently?
read moreThe Myth of the Nest Egg
For decades we’ve focused on the nest-egg notion as the goal for retirement saving, benchmarking our progress in relation to that lump sum. But it has no context other than probably being the single biggest “paycheck” most of us will ever see.
read moreThe Road to Restoring Confidence in Retirement
We are optimistic that a bright future lies ahead for retirement, despite all the concerns that Americans feel today.
read moreSeniors: Act Fast If You Want to Transfer IRA Assets Directly to Charity
Daniel B. Eagan and Brian D. Wodar Philanthropic seniors in the US have only until the end of January to decide whether to make a tax-neutral transfer of up to $100,000 in IRA assets to the charity of their choice. For many, this could significantly lower their tax bill.
read morePoof! There Goes the American Retirement Dream…Again
When it comes to planning for retirement, we’ve been setting US workers up to fail.
read moreThe Markets and the Cult of Now
Crisis-battered investors continue to favor the relative certainty of current income over the “maybe” of future capital appreciation. If you ask me, however, this hyperfixation on Now is creating some provocative opportunities in Later.
read moreDo Smaller DC Plans Need Advisors?
Many smaller US defined contribution (DC) plans rely on guidance from advisors, and the majority of these DC plan sponsors are happy they do so. But how do plans gauge whether they really need advisors, and assess the benefits against the cost of advice?
read moreMunicipals Escape Taxation for Now
In the end, the American Taxpayer Relief Act did not eliminate the tax exemption for municipal bonds or modify it any way. In fact, the increase in the top marginal tax rate makes muni bonds more attractive versus taxable bonds. And the Medicare surtax on investment income, enacted in 2010 but effective in 2013, makes muni bonds more [...]
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