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Marriage means more options to claim Social Security

Marriage means more options to claim Social Security

Married couples have multiple options to claim Social Security in retirement, including specific strategies that use the timing of the claim to maximize spousal benefits. In certain cases, these strategies can result in an increase in both lifetime and survivor benefits. Two of the most common strategies are restricted application and file and suspend. Here

Social Security benefits: Why it pays to delay

Social Security benefits: Why it pays to delay

Most retirees will rely on Social Security for retirement income, but those who claim the benefit too early may be short-changing themselves. Social Security provides a retirement income stream Social Security plays a critical role in any comprehensive and sustainable retirement income plan. Social Security benefits currently provide more than half of retirement income for

Donate — from an IRA — and save

Donate — from an IRA — and save

The Internal Revenue Service requires retirees to take annual minimum distributions from individual retirement accounts (IRAs). In situations where clients don’t rely on that money for income, they may consider making a charitable donation with the proceeds. IRA account owners must start taking required minimum distributions at age 70½, and report the distribution as taxable

RMD season presents planning opportunities

RMD season presents planning opportunities

December can be a busy month for clients, particularly those 70½ and older who must take required minimum distributions from their retirement accounts before year-end. This requirement may present a planning opportunity to meet with clients who may not rely on these distributions for income. Help family members save for college Grandparents may use RMDs

Top three topics for year-end planning

Top three topics for year-end planning

Year-end tax planning is an opportune time to connect with clients and review some key topics, including IRA-required minimum distributions, tax-loss harvesting, and annual gifting strategies. 284778

Conference call for financial advisors on November 19

Conference call for financial advisors on November 19

Exclusively for financial advisors, Putnam’s wealth management team leads a call on recent budget proposals and how investors can prepare for this tax season. Topics include: Post-government shutdown update: Where things stand today What’s ahead: Budget Conference Committee proposal, government funding, and debt ceiling You and your clients: Year-end wealth management planning ideas Featuring: Chris

Four year-end planning ideas

Four year-end planning ideas

As year-end approaches, it is a good opportunity to review your clients’ portfolios to ensure their investments stay on track to meet their goals, and to take advantage of strategies that may benefit your clients in today’s tax landscape. There may be certain strategies that need to be implemented before year’s end, and there are

Are your clients’ assets protected from creditors?

Are your clients’ assets protected from creditors?

Asset protection — also known as “creditor protection” — is an important element of financial planning. Federal and state laws offer safeguards for as variety of assets. Explore a discussion with Bill Cass and Chris Hennessey as they discuss minimizing current risks and and why it is important to think long term about planning. 284626

Washington debate raises appeal of Roth IRAs

Washington debate raises appeal of Roth IRAs

With the continuing budget debate on Capitol Hill, the future for tax rates may appear uncertain. A Roth IRA conversion can be a strategic move for clients to hedge against tax rate increases, and shore up tax diversification strategies in retirement. Hear more about these and other strategies for Roth conversions. 284679