Category: Uncategorized

Cyberattack: CPI Hit the Wallet

A cyberattack shut down a major gas and energy pipeline supplying the East Coast of the United States for several days. The actual pipelines themselves are still functional and have since started running again, but it’s led to long lines and closed gas stations in many regions.^1,2

While this situation is alarming and has a number of short-term consequences, it’s important to remember that the attack has mainly affected the computer systems used to transport the fuel. The flow of gasoline will soon return to its normal rate.¹

Adding to the financial woes is the latest Consumer Price Index (CPI), a high jump of 4.2%. (Economists were looking for 3.6%.) Fed officials are saying that this represents a temporary rise and indicate that these may be influenced by the overall economic recovery, post-pandemic.³

Whatever lies ahead, it’s important to remember that, while these might be difficult matters for the household, they do not necessarily reflect the economy as a whole. Your economic strategy factors information like rising prices, so it’s important not to let certain events distract you from the bigger picture. As always, we at AQuest are happy to have a conversation with you about any concerns you may have.

Will your retirement dreams match your reality?

That’s perhaps the most critical question to ask people who are currently retired. Was your retirement what you expected, or was it something else?

For more than 30 years, the Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI) has conducted the Retirement Confidence Survey, which gauges the views and attitudes of working-age and retired Americans regarding retirement and their preparations for retirement.¹

Part of the survey takes a deep dive into workers’ expectations for sources of income in retirement versus retirees’ actual income sources.

Here’s a couple of highlights of the 2021 survey.

Only 33% of workers expect Social Security to be a significant source of retirement income. In reality, 62% of retirees say it’s a major source.

Further, more than 50% of workers believe that workplace retirement savings plans will be a significant source of retirement income. But the 2021 survey found that workplace plans are a major source for only 20% of retirees.

Surprised? We’re not. These numbers are consistent year after year. Here’s another nugget to consider: 26% of workers plan to work for pay in retirement. In reality, only 7% of retirees do.

For most, retirement is the “next chapter” in life. It’s critical that your finances support your retirement vision, so there are no surprises when it’s your turn.

Let us know if there’s a change in your retirement dream. We’d welcome the chance to hear what prompted the difference, and we’ll be sure to make any needed adjustments in your financial strategy.

Helpful Retirement Strategies for Women

Preparing for retirement can look a little different for women than it does for men. Although stereotypes are changing, women are still more likely to serve as caretakers than men are, meaning they accumulate less income and benefits due to their time absent from the workforce. Research shows that 39% of women took a significant amount of time off work to care for loved ones – compared to 24% of men.¹ Women who are working also tend to put less money aside for retirement, saving just 7% of their paychecks on average, while men save closer to 10%.²

These numbers may seem overwhelming, but you don’t have to be a statistic. With a little foresight, you can start taking steps now, which may help you in the long run. Here are three steps to consider that may put you ahead of the curve.

1. Talk about money. Nowadays, discussing money is less taboo than it’s been in the past, and it’s crucial to taking control of your financial future. If you’re single, consider writing down your retirement goals and keep them readily accessible. If you have a partner, make sure you are both on the same page regarding your retirement goals.^3,4 The more comfortably you can talk about your future, the more confident you may be to make important decisions when they come up.

2. Be proactive about your retirement. Do you have clear, defined goals for what you want your retirement to look like? And do you know where your retirement accounts stand today? Being proactive with your retirement accounts allows you to create a goal-oriented roadmap. It may also help you adapt when necessary and continue your journey regardless of things like relationship status or market fluctuations.²

3. Make room for your future in your budget. Adjust your budget to allow for retirement savings, just as you would for a new home or your dream vacation. Like any of your other financial goals, you may find it beneficial to review your retirement goals on a regular basis to make sure you’re on track.³

Retirement may look a little different for women, but with the right strategies – and support – you’ll be able to live the retirement you’ve always dreamed of.

The Call for a Minimum Global Corporate Tax

In a speech to the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has called for a minimum corporate income tax that would be shared by countries all over the world.¹

The decrease of corporate tax rates around the world has led to what Yellen has described as a “30-year race to the bottom,” which has led to tax systems that have difficulty raising sufficient revenue. While low corporate tax rates might seem good for businesses, the other side of the coin is that countries with insufficient revenue are unable to make investments in important public needs. Some of those needs also serve the corporations, such as highways, rail, and ports needed to transport goods, to name but one example.¹

Yellen says she intends to work with the White House and a group of 20 nations to set a minimum that helps the advanced economies meet their various needs.¹

While the idea of a global minimum might cause alarm for some, it’s a complicated issue, with a variety of potential pros and cons to consider. You might have questions or concerns, especially if you are a business owner. I’d be happy to discuss that with you and help you understand this issue as it unfolds.

IRA and HSA deadline postponed by the IRS

Previously, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced that the federal income tax filing due date for individuals for the 2020 tax year had been automatically extended from April 15, 2021, to May 17, 2021.¹

More time for all
However, the IRS has also settled on May 17, 2021 as the deadline for contributions to individual retirement arrangements (IRAs and Roth IRAs), health savings accounts (HSAs), and Coverdell education savings accounts (Coverdell ESAs)²

No additional tax until May 17, 2021
This also automatically postpones to May 17, 2021, the deadline for reporting and payment of the 10% additional tax on amounts includible in gross income from 2020, distributions from IRAs, or workplace-based retirement plans.³

What about estimated tax payments?
Keep in mind that this does not alter the April 15, 2021, deadline for estimated tax payments; these payments are still due on April 15. Taxes must be paid as taxpayers earn or receive income during the year, either through withholding or estimated tax payments.⁴

Paying for the Infrastructure Bill

President Joe Biden introduced the much-anticipated American Jobs Plan, which outlines an approach to spend roughly $2.2 trillion on the nation’s infrastructure and other projects.

As part of the legislative process, the Biden administration also laid out a proposal for paying for the domestic investment. The plan includes raising the corporate tax rate to 28% from 21%, cracking down on companies that use overseas operations to manage profits, and eliminating tax breaks for some industries.1

Right now, the proposal does not include any new taxes on individuals. It’s only targeting corporations expecting that the 8-year plan would pay for itself in 15 years.2

But some believe that in the coming weeks, the Biden administration intends to put forward additional tax initiatives that target high-earning Americans.

One proposal that may get introduced would raise taxes on families who earn more than $400,000 a year. There also has been discussion about a higher capital gains tax rate for individuals earning at least $1 million a year and adjustments to the estate tax exemption.3

At this point, it’s uncertain what—if any—tax changes for individuals will be taken up by Congress. The initiatives that will take priority may become more clear in the weeks ahead.

Challenge yourself to be patient during this period of debate over tax proposals. If they introduce changes, a sound analysis should drive portfolio decisions, not knee-jerk reactions to current events. Remember, this letter is for informational purposes only. It is not a replacement for real-life advice, so make sure to consult your tax, legal, and accounting professionals before modifying your tax strategy.

If you are concerned about one or more of these proposals, please give us a call. We’d welcome the chance to hear your perspective, and hopefully, we can provide some guidance.

A Bucket Plan to Go with Your Bucket List

John and Mary are nearing retirement and they have a lot of items on their bucket list. Longer life expectancies mean John and Mary may need to prepare for two or even three decades of retirement. How should they position their money?¹

One approach is to segment your expenses into three buckets:

• Basic Living Expenses— Food, Rent, Utilities, etc.
• Discretionary Spending — Vacations, Dining Out, etc.
• Legacy Assets — for heirs and charities

Next, pair appropriate investments to each bucket. For instance, Social Security might be assigned to the Basic Living Expenses bucket.²

For the discretionary spending bucket, you might consider investments that pay a steady dividend and that also offer the potential for growth.³

Finally, list the Legacy assets that you expect to pass on to your heirs and charities.

A bucket plan can help you be better prepared for a comfortable retirement.

Call today and we can develop a strategy that may help you put enough money in your buckets to complete all the items on your bucket list.

1. John and Mary are a hypothetical couple used for illustrative purposes only. Diversification is an approach to help manage investment risk. It does not eliminate the risk of loss if security prices decline.
2. Social Security benefits may play a more limited role in the future and some financial professional recommend creating a retirement income strategy that excludes Social Security payments.
3. A company’s board of directors can stop, decrease or increase the dividend payout at any time. Investments offering a higher dividend may involve a higher degree of risk. Keep in mind that the return and principal value of stock prices will fluctuate as market conditions change. Shares, when sold, may be worth more or less than their original cost.

Your Must-Know Guide to Current & Future Tax Changes

AQuest Webinar 2/11/21

Dr. Jason Van Duyn discusses the current and future changes for your 2021 Taxes as well as a review of the proposed tax changes by the Biden Administration and how they may affect your portfolio. Understand the newest changes to the tax code, CARES Act, etc. Review the Biden Tax Proposals and how you might make them work for you

Volatility Can Test Your Mettle

Most people understand that stock prices don’t go straight up. But when
market volatility increases, the price action can test the mettle of even the
most seasoned investor.

In recent weeks, stock prices have trended lower with a few eye-popping,
one-day rallies as the financial markets appear to adjust to higher interest
rates on long-term Treasuries. Since the beginning of the year, we’ve seen
a jump in the yield of the 10-year treasury.1

While investors recognize that economic strength may lead to higher bond
yields, it’s the speed at which bond yields increased that proven unsetting.
Generally speaking, when yields rise, bond prices tend to fall.

It’s uncertain what’s next for stock prices, but it’s possible the current
downtrend could take certain market indexes into a correction, meaning a
decline of 10% or greater from a recent high. The Nasdaq market has
flirted with correction territory as the rising bond yields have upended
some high valuation growth stocks.2

But by comparison, the Standard & Poor’s 500 index has seen a modest
pullback from its closing high set on February 11, 2021. The Dow Jones
Industrial Average set an intraday record high in recent trading.2
What matters is what you do next. Right now, it may be best to ignore
some of the short-term price swings. Remember, you craft your
investment strategy to help pursue your long-term goals, regardless of
what the markets do from day-to-day.

You’re always welcome to give me a call with your questions. Rest
assured, we’re keeping a close eye on the financial markets, and most
importantly, watching for any new long-term trends that may emerge on
your behalf.

1. CNBC.com, March 8, 2021
2. CNBC.com, March 5, 2021
Investing involves risks, and investment decisions should be based on your own goals, time horizon, and risk tolerance. The return and principal value of investments will fluctuate as market conditions change. When sold, investments may be worth more or less than their original cost. The market value of a bond will fluctuate with changes in interest rates. As rates rise, the value of existing bonds typically falls. If an investor sells a bond before maturity, it may be worth more or less than the initial purchase price. By holding a bond to maturity, an investor will receive the interest payments due plus your original principal, barring default by the issuer. Investments seeking to achieve higher yields also involve a higher degree of risk. The Dow Jones Industrial Average is an unmanaged index generally considered representative of large-capitalization companies on the U.S. stock market. The S&P 500 Composite Index is an unmanaged index that is considered representative of the overall U.S. stock market. The Nasdaq Composite Index is an unmanaged index that is considered representative of small-capitalization companies. Index performance is not indicative of the past performance of a particular investment. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Individuals cannot invest directly in an index. The content is developed from sources believed to be providing accurate information. The information in this material is not intended as tax or legal advice. Please consult legal or tax professionals for specific information regarding your individual situation. This material was developed and produced by FMG Suite to provide information on a topic that may be of interest. FMG Suite, LLC, is not affiliated with the named representative, broker-dealer, state- or SEC-registered investment advisory firm. The opinions expressed and material provided are for general information and should not be considered a solicitation for the purchase or sale of any security.

Planning for College

The cost of college continues to escalate. If you have children or teens, develop a savings plan to help support their education. For most Americans, college is expensive (so much so that for those with young children, imagining the day when they enter college and reach out to you for their quarterly tuition check is terrifying, to say the least). Have you begun saving for the big day?

There are a number of savings options to address your children’s or grandchildren’s college costs. They vary in terms of contribution limits, tax benefits, and even college choice. Understanding what’s available may help lessen the anxiety — and financial sting — for when the school bell rings.

Roth IRA

Roth IRAs (Individual Retirement Account) feature enhanced flexibility that allow you to make after-tax contributions and even tax-free withdrawals. Interest that accrues is tax deferred, and you can make taxfree withdrawals from your earnings if you comply with the rules. Consult your financial professional to determine current law and its impact on the benefits of Roth IRAs.

Early withdrawals that you use to pay for qualified education expenses avoid penalties that would otherwise be assessed for non-educational purposes. You are limited to $6,000 per year in contributions — or $7,000 if you’re 50 years of age or older — though high-income earners have other restrictions that limit their contributions.

Finally, a Roth IRA value isn’t included on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)®, though any withdrawals you make are counted as base year income.

U.S. Savings Bonds

You can purchase up to $10,000 per year (per-owner, per-bond type) in qualified U.S. savings bonds, redeeming them tax-free (of federal taxes) when you apply them to college expenses. The bonds earn modest interest, though an interest exclusion is phased out for those in the higher-income bond category.

529 Plan

A 529 plan provides generous benefits, allowing couples to contribute up to $30,000 a year without triggering the gift tax (you can even increase this amount if you take the money from your lifetime gift tax exemption). Money that you put into a 529 plan earns tax-deferred interest, while withdrawals you make for qualified college expenses are tax-free and exempt from reporting on the FAFSA.

Contributions to 529 plans can be made regardless of your income, and 529 plans are available to pay for college in all 50 U.S. States. Before investing in a plan, consult your financial professional to determine whether your state offers state tax benefits.
NOTE: Non-educational withdrawals from a 529 Plan are subject to taxes and penalties.

UGMA and UTMA Accounts

You can also make contributions pursuant to the Uniform Gifts to Minors Act (UGMA) and the Uniform Transfers to Minors Act (UTMA), adding up to $15,000 ($30,000 for couples) in a child’s name free of the gift tax. If you use some of your lifetime gift tax exemption, you can contribute even more.

Keep in mind, any interest, dividends, or capital gains income in excess of $2,100 may be subject to a tax. However, if this is the child’s only income and it is less than $10,500, you can report the income on your own tax return.

This material is for general information only and is not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. There is no assurance that the views or strategies discussed are suitable for all investors or will yield positive outcomes. Investing involves risks including possible loss of principal.

Prior to investing in a 529 Plan investors should consider whether the investor’s or designated beneficiary’s home state offers any state tax or other state benefits such as financial aid, scholarship funds, and protection from creditors that are only available for investments in such state’s qualified tuition program. Tax treatment at the state level may vary. This information is not intended to be a substitute for specific individualized tax advice. We suggest that you discuss your specific tax issues with a qualified tax advisor.