Chapter_14

Estate Planning: The Funeral Rule

Posted on June 28, 2014 by Melissa Hart

You have already prepared a will; a living will and advance directives; and perhaps an ethical will. Now is your opportunity to prepare a letter of last instruction which can provide your heirs with important information on your funeral arrangements.

The federal law makes it easier for you to choose and pay for only the products and services you want or need when planning a funeral. The Funeral Rule, enforced by the Federal Trade Commission, requires funeral directors to give you itemized prices in person, and if you ask, over the phone.

Planning ahead is the best way to make informed decisions about funeral arrangements. An advance plan also spares your family from making quick choices during the time of grief. Comparison shopping, either in person or by phone, can save you money or is much easier when done in advance.

For more information and a complete copy of the Funeral Rule go to

http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/funerals, and http://www.funerals.org

 

Teaching Suggestions

You may want to use the information in this blog post and the original sources to discuss

  • The cost of a traditional burial, including a casket and vault.
  • Do funeral providers take advantage of clients by insisting on unnecessary services and overcharging consumers?

Discussion Questions

1. Why should one consider making funeral arrangements in advance?

2. Are you obligated to buy a package plan which includes products and services that are most commonly sold by funeral directors?

Categories: Chapter_14, Estate Planning | Tags: , , | Leave a comment

The Slacker’s Guide to Saving for Retirement

Posted on April 23, 2014 by Melissa Hart

Whether retirement is coming soon or feels far away, it’s something you need to think about.

This article encourages students to make retirement planning a part of their budget and one of their financial goals.   It also points out the benefits of starting early—even if students can contribute only a small amount because of other obligations that include paying off student loans and other debt obligations, paying rent, buying groceries, and establishing an emergency fund.

A very good suggestion included in this article is to start by saving just $25 from each paycheck, and then increase the amount until someone feels they have reached a limit they are comfortable with.

Other suggestions include participating in a 401(k) account at work and using bonuses and salary increases to boost the amount contributed to your retirement account.

For more information, go to

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/slackers-guide-saving-retirement-113005671.html

Teaching Suggestions

You may want to use the information in this blog post and the original article to

  • Encourage students to develop a long-term financial plan that includes retirement goals.
  • Discuss time value of money examples that show how small dollar amounts invested on a regular basis can help achieve long-term financial goals.
  • Launch a discussion about the different types of retirement accounts.

Discussion Questions

1.  Many people never begin saving or investing because there is never anything left over at the end of the month.  How can you find the money needed to begin saving and investing?

2.  Why should you begin to save for retirement now instead of waiting until later in life?

Categories: Chapter 1, Chapter 3, Chapter 4, Chapter_11, Chapter_14, Financial Planning, Investments, Retirement Planning, Savings, Taxes | Tags: , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Stock Investing at Lower Risk: A Guide for Beginners

Posted on April 20, 2014 by Melissa Hart

Here’s a simple breakdown of key points for investing in stocks

For the beginner, stock investing can seem like an uncharted mine field because of terms, regulations, and fear. This article provides five important pieces of information that can help students understand stocks and become better investors. Here goes:

  1. Owning stock is owning a company. As an owner, you have rights and responsibilities.
  2. Stocks grow two ways because they can increase in value and they pay dividends.
  3. Stocks rise and fall in value. Keep in mind what goes up can come down.
  4. You will pay taxes unless your stocks are held inside some type of tax deferred retirement account.
  5. Stocks can be volatile. Volatility is different than the typical rise and fall in price described above because volatility occurs when an investment has major price swings in a short period of time.

For more information go to

http://www.forbes.com/sites/mitchelltuchman/2013/08/09/stock-investing-at-lower-risk-a-guide-for-beginners/

Teaching Suggestions

You may want to use the information in this blog post and the original article to

  • Provide basic information to students who are studying stock for the first time.
  • Help students understand the process of stock investing.
  • Compare stocks with savings accounts, certificates of deposit, bonds, mutual funds, and other investment alternatives.

Discussion Questions

  1. How can you profit from a stock investment?
  2. What are the risks associated with stock investments?
  3. How can you avoid paying taxes on stock and other investment alternatives?
Categories: Chapter_12, Chapter_14, Investments, Retirement Planning | Tags: , , | Leave a comment

Do You Need the Retirement Estimator?

Posted on April 16, 2014 by Melissa Hart

Are you saving enough for your retirement?  The Retirement Estimator gives you an estimate based on your Social Security earnings.  However, be aware that it is only an estimate since your earnings may increase or decrease in the future.  Moreover, your benefit amount may be affected by military service, railroad employment or pensions earned through work on which you did not pay Social Security tax.  Remember, your estimated benefits are based on current law and the law may change because by 2033, the payroll taxes collected will be enough to pay only 77 cents for each dollar of scheduled benefits.

For additional information about who can use Retirement Estimator and how you can estimate your retirement benefits go to http://www.socialsecuirity.gov/estimator/.

Discussion Questions

  1. How do you decide which calculator to choose?
  2. What are some other possible sources of income for retirees?
  3. How can the Internet assist you in your retirement?

Teaching Suggestions

You may want to use the information in this blog post and the original resource to discuss

  • What are the two primary reasons for increasing the normal retirement age?
  • What are some factors that may, or may not, affect your retirement benefits?
Categories: Chapter 1, Chapter 3, Chapter_14, Retirement Planning, Taxes | Tags: , , , | Leave a comment

Should You Worry About Estate Tax?

Posted on April 12, 2014 by Melissa Hart

The estate tax is a tax on your right to transfer property at your death.  Most relatively simple estates do not require the filing of an estate tax return.  However, if your estate is $5,340,000 in 2014, your estate’s representative must file the return.

Who should you hire to represent you, prepare and fill your return?  The answer depends on how large and complex is your estate, how many beneficiaries you have and are they cooperative?

Discuss this matter with several estate tax professionals.  Ask about their experience and referrals.  Most estates hire the services of both attorneys and CPAs.

For additional information on estate planning and estate tax matters go to http://www.irs.gov/Businesses/Small-Businesses-Businesses-&-Self-Employed/Frequently-Asked-Questions.

Discussion Questions

  1. What is included in your estate?  What is excluded?
  2. What deductions are available to reduce the estate tax?
  3. What might be advantages of hiring the services of estate attorneys and CPAs?

Teaching Suggestions

You may want to use the information in this blog post and the original source to discuss

  • How can charitable gifts and bequests reduce estate and inheritance taxes.
  • Different types of taxes imposed on a deceased’s estate.
  • Arguments in support and against the estate tax.
Categories: Chapter 3, Chapter_14, Estate Planning, Taxes | Tags: , , | Leave a comment

Can the Government Get Us to Save More for Retirement?

Posted on April 2, 2014 by Melissa Hart

Millions of Americans aren’t saving enough for retirement. Now the President is getting involved and has proposed a new way to help workers save more!

According to a survey by the Employee Benefit Research Institute, 46 percent of American workers had less than $10,000 saved for retirement. The survey also revealed that half of all workers and the majority of part-time workers didn’t receive any retirement benefits from their employer.

To encourage workers to save more, President Obama proposed the “MyRA” plan that allows workers to invest $5,500 a year in government savings bonds that earn 2% to 3% until their balance reaches $15,000. At that point, the money in the account can be rolled over to a private sector Roth IRA, where the money can continue to grow tax-free.

While MyRA accounts are seen as a first step to encourage workers to begin saving, critics argue that the tax-free withdrawals encourage workers to withdraw money before reaching retirement.

For additional statistics on how much Americans save or more information about MyRA accounts, go to http://money.cnn.com/2014/02/11/retirement/retirement-savings/index.html?section=money_pf.

Discussion Questions
1. Many people never begin saving or investing because there is never anything left over at the end of the month. How can you find the money needed to begin saving and investing?
3. Why should you begin to invest money now instead of waiting until later in life?
3. What are the advantages of a MyRA savings plan? of a Roth IRA plan?

Teaching Suggestions
You may want to use the information in this blog post and the original article to discuss
• Why students should develop a long-term financial plan that includes both savings and investments.
• Time Value of Money examples to show how small dollar amounts invested on a regular basic can help achieve long-term financial goals.
• Different types of retirement accounts.

Categories: Chapter 1, Chapter 3, Chapter 4, Chapter_14, Financial Planning, Investments, Retirement Planning, Savings, Taxes | Tags: , , | Leave a comment

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