All,
Recent events around the shocking death of Derek Reese have come to make me appreciate life more fully.
At any time any of us can be cast off like a Red Shirt Extra on Star Trek. Why the senseless nature of his death? Just a hollow feeling and most likely a cancellation. Wait, did that just happen like I thought it did? Bummer.
B.A.G. did a great job with the moody dark introspective character that was definitely a must watch. Unceremonious BS.
Speak out, let the world know that this senseless abhorrent tragedy could have been prevented!
Check out my site Financial Partners of Aspen if you have Life Insurance or Planned Giving needs or if you need Aspen Real Estate go here
Monday, April 13, 2009
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Obama and the estate tax
Take a look at this post in the WSJ.
Qutoed from the WSJ
"President-elect Barack Obama and congressional leaders plan to move soon to block the estate tax from disappearing in 2010, suggesting the levy might outlive the "Death Tax Repeal" movement that has tried mightily to kill it.
The Democratic stance on the estate tax contrasts with Mr. Obama's reluctance to press forward with his campaign pledge to raise income-tax rates on top earners, which he worries could have an adverse economic impact during a recession.
But Democrats are determined to act quickly to prevent the estate tax's scheduled repeal. Elimination of the levy on big inheritances was approved by Congress under President George W. Bush in 2001, with rollbacks phased in slowly and its full elimination slated to take effect next year.
The Senate Finance Committee will move within weeks on legislation to reverse that law, and Mr. Obama is expected to detail his estate-tax preservation proposal in his budget next month, congressional tax writers said.
Under the Obama plan detailed during the campaign, the estate tax would be locked in permanently at the rate and exemption levels that took effect this year. That would exempt estates of $3.5 million -- $7 million for couples -- from any taxation. The value of estates above that would be taxed at 45%. If the tax were returned to Clinton-era levels, it would exclude $1 million from taxation with the rest taxed at 55%.
In making their case for the restoration, Democrats contend that such a large additional tax break for the rich shouldn't go into force halfway through Mr. Obama's proposed economic-recovery package. They argue that the deficit is already in record territory, while their plan wouldn't have any impact on the economy since it would merely keep the estate-tax rate at its current level. Mr. Obama and his party also say that the affluent already have benefited handsomely from the Bush tax cuts."
I would not be suprised if we saw the 1MM threshold put back into place. The government needs money, badly..
For more on the exemptions, exclusions and more information on the estate tax head on over to http://centerforplannedgiving.org/
Qutoed from the WSJ
"President-elect Barack Obama and congressional leaders plan to move soon to block the estate tax from disappearing in 2010, suggesting the levy might outlive the "Death Tax Repeal" movement that has tried mightily to kill it.
The Democratic stance on the estate tax contrasts with Mr. Obama's reluctance to press forward with his campaign pledge to raise income-tax rates on top earners, which he worries could have an adverse economic impact during a recession.
But Democrats are determined to act quickly to prevent the estate tax's scheduled repeal. Elimination of the levy on big inheritances was approved by Congress under President George W. Bush in 2001, with rollbacks phased in slowly and its full elimination slated to take effect next year.
The Senate Finance Committee will move within weeks on legislation to reverse that law, and Mr. Obama is expected to detail his estate-tax preservation proposal in his budget next month, congressional tax writers said.
Under the Obama plan detailed during the campaign, the estate tax would be locked in permanently at the rate and exemption levels that took effect this year. That would exempt estates of $3.5 million -- $7 million for couples -- from any taxation. The value of estates above that would be taxed at 45%. If the tax were returned to Clinton-era levels, it would exclude $1 million from taxation with the rest taxed at 55%.
In making their case for the restoration, Democrats contend that such a large additional tax break for the rich shouldn't go into force halfway through Mr. Obama's proposed economic-recovery package. They argue that the deficit is already in record territory, while their plan wouldn't have any impact on the economy since it would merely keep the estate-tax rate at its current level. Mr. Obama and his party also say that the affluent already have benefited handsomely from the Bush tax cuts."
I would not be suprised if we saw the 1MM threshold put back into place. The government needs money, badly..
For more on the exemptions, exclusions and more information on the estate tax head on over to http://centerforplannedgiving.org/
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Guaranteed Universal Life Challenges!
Gee whiz...Working as an Aspen insurance broker doing high level advanced estate planning utilizing guaranteed universal life insurance in Aspen Colorado sure can get complicated!
I recently worked on a fairly large replacement policy for an out of town client that is substantially cheaper than the original policy by reducing the death benefit in addition to better health ratings. The initial insurance co that shall remain nameless has stated to me that they will not allow the insured to surrender their policy to less than 65% of the current face value. Zoinks I said, that was not in the original contract, nor was it ever represented as such to either the client or myself, "well that is company policy", policy my behind! If it is not in the illustration you can not force the insured to abide by it, a contract is a contract.
The new coverage is thousands per year cheaper and the investor needs far less coverage than previously because of significant market declines in the estate.
Said insurance company got a heavy duty earful from me and my team and the matter has been escalated then satisfied and now all will be safe for democracy in the land of skiing, fishing and snow sports, Aspen CO!
Have a great one. I will advise and check out The Center for Planned Giving also look for another article in the Aspen Times shortly.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
BIG Powder at Snowmass!
Great Day to be alive.
18 inches of fresh powder really revitalized the waning ski season here. I managed to ski Snowmass with out of town clients most of yesterday and really showed them a good time.
Garrets gulch, Powerline, and a host of other runs were spectacular.
Today back to focusing on helping others with financial guarantees. The market is really tough despite the recent bounce, with huge dividend cuts the fixed income set is suffering greatly. Hoping for a rebound in banking and a couple of other sectors, but news continues to be grim..
Question, do you think that advisory or fee only advice is going out the window with this market. Who wants to pay 1% to loose 40%??? People say annuities are expensive. Not really compared to 40%!!
Call me if you want a guarantee on your money.
Stay safe, be well, diversify and do not pay an IAR 1.5% to watch your money go away.
18 inches of fresh powder really revitalized the waning ski season here. I managed to ski Snowmass with out of town clients most of yesterday and really showed them a good time.
Garrets gulch, Powerline, and a host of other runs were spectacular.
Today back to focusing on helping others with financial guarantees. The market is really tough despite the recent bounce, with huge dividend cuts the fixed income set is suffering greatly. Hoping for a rebound in banking and a couple of other sectors, but news continues to be grim..
Question, do you think that advisory or fee only advice is going out the window with this market. Who wants to pay 1% to loose 40%??? People say annuities are expensive. Not really compared to 40%!!
Call me if you want a guarantee on your money.
Stay safe, be well, diversify and do not pay an IAR 1.5% to watch your money go away.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Published in the Aspen Times
I am kind of proud of my article that was printed recently in the Aspen Times on Feb 24th at http://tiny.cc/d1Eso check it out. I think that it is pretty great. Also you could check out my press release at http://tiny.cc/sM7lT
Things are going well with several large cases pending. Also selling a lot of annuities... A 7% compound interest guarantee seems like a lay down in this market.
Hope things are good with you.
Skiing is going away at a rapid clip, trying to do a hut trip this year but may or may not pan out.
Fishing season is upon us! I will keep you posted.
Things are going well with several large cases pending. Also selling a lot of annuities... A 7% compound interest guarantee seems like a lay down in this market.
Hope things are good with you.
Skiing is going away at a rapid clip, trying to do a hut trip this year but may or may not pan out.
Fishing season is upon us! I will keep you posted.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Sleds to the moon
Hey dear readers,
Have you ever watched anyone flip not once but twice a 450 pound machine? At the X games I was amazed and thrilled to watch these young whippersnappers do all manner of flips with snowmobiles sometimes even landing with no hands!!
Amazing. If you can ever see it live it has a much more guttural feel to it than watching on TV.
Have you ever watched anyone flip not once but twice a 450 pound machine? At the X games I was amazed and thrilled to watch these young whippersnappers do all manner of flips with snowmobiles sometimes even landing with no hands!!
Amazing. If you can ever see it live it has a much more guttural feel to it than watching on TV.
Commercial Lending Blues
It is too bad that commercial loans are very hard to get now. I am hearing of 6 to 8 month turn times and if you dont show enough income to personally qualify (even if the income off of the business is great) you may have a very hard time getting a loan, especially if you need $ 30MM.
However, I am still having sucess with very well qualified buyers on the commercial front but gee whiz it is hurry up and wait then wait some more, oh and wait some more. Hopefully it will loosen up shortly however I dont have a whole lot of hope as stated in previous posts banks are just using TARP funds for CY-ing their A. Mostly.
All for now, check my commericial lending site at http://commercialmortagebrokerage.com
It may have some interesting stuff on it to keep you busy thinking about.
However, I am still having sucess with very well qualified buyers on the commercial front but gee whiz it is hurry up and wait then wait some more, oh and wait some more. Hopefully it will loosen up shortly however I dont have a whole lot of hope as stated in previous posts banks are just using TARP funds for CY-ing their A. Mostly.
All for now, check my commericial lending site at http://commercialmortagebrokerage.com
It may have some interesting stuff on it to keep you busy thinking about.
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