SML Planning Minute
SML Planning Minute podcasts provide timely and thought-provoking financial ideas and concepts for individuals, families and business owners. Be sure to listen in! Simply click on a topic below to access a podcast. You can also subscribe to one of the many service providers to listen on the go.
Don’t Be Like These Famous People—Get Your Will Done
Episode 121 – Estate planning is the process of protecting your wealth and transferring a legacy to your heirs in the manner you wish. Even the rich and famous fail to plan, resulting in disaster. Everyone needs a will and estate plan. Continue Reading Don’t Be Like These Famous People—Get Your Will Done
New York Residents Should Review Their Estate Plans – New York Changes Law Governing Powers of Attorney
Episode 120 – For residents of New York State, recent statutory changes make this a great time to review your estate plan. Learn more about these changes and how they may affect your estate plan. Continue Reading New York Residents Should Review Their Estate Plans – New York Changes Law Governing Powers of Attorney
Are Coronavirus-Related Distributions Available in 2021?
Episode 119 – Don’t confuse Qualified Disaster Distributions (QDDs) with Coronavirus-Related Distributions (CRDs), which ended in 2020. A QDD is available only for non-COVID-19-related major disasters, such as hurricanes, wildfires, severe storms and other disasters. Learn more here, including the qualifications required to take a QDD. Continue Reading Are Coronavirus-Related Distributions Available in 2021?
Part 2 – COVID Relief Update: The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021
Part 2: Episode 118 – The details of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 are complicated. Here’s a summary of the provisions related to Unemployment Assistance, Health Insurance, Earned Income Tax Credit, and Rent and Mortgage Payments. Continue Reading Part 2 – COVID Relief Update: The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021
COVID Relief Update: The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021
Episode 117 – On March 11, 2021, President Biden signed into law the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (“ARPA”), fulfilling one of his campaign pledges to provide additional COVID-19 pandemic relief. Because ARPA was just enacted and there are numerous provisions, we will need to wait for future guidance issued by the IRS and Department of Treasury. Continue Reading COVID Relief Update: The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021
Business Owners: Beware of an Involuntary Partial Plan Termination Due to COVID-19
Episode 116 – 2020 was undoubtedly a very difficult year for many small-business owners struggling to keep their businesses afloat while their businesses were forced to close or limit operations as a result of government mandates attempting to slow or stop the spread of the coronavirus. Continue Reading Business Owners: Beware of an Involuntary Partial Plan Termination Due to COVID-19
Estate Tax Planning Strategies in a Low Interest Rate Environment Part 2
Episode 115 – The continuing low interest rate environment makes certain estate tax planning strategies—such as GRATs, CLATs, IDGTs and intra-family loans—more efficient for wealthy individuals and families to consider for minimizing or avoiding estate taxes. Continue Reading Estate Tax Planning Strategies in a Low Interest Rate Environment Part 2
Life Insurance to Insure Your Love
Episode 114 – When it comes to life insurance, for most families the primary motivation for purchasing the insurance is simply because of love. Continue Reading Life Insurance to Insure Your Love
Estate Tax Planning Strategies in a Low Interest Rate Environment Part 1
Episode 113 – The continuing low interest rate environment makes certain estate tax planning strategies—such as GRATs, CLATs, IDGTs and intra-family loans—more efficient for wealthy individuals and families to consider for minimizing or avoiding estate taxes. Continue Reading Estate Tax Planning Strategies in a Low Interest Rate Environment Part 1
Have You Protected Your Hard-Earned Wealth with an Estate Plan?
Episode 112 - A comprehensive estate plan is not just about dying. It helps protect the hard-earned wealth you have accumulated during your lifetime so you will have it to distribute to your family and heirs. Learn more here.Transcript of Podcast Episode...
Why Should 401(k) Plan Sponsors Start Tracking Part-Time Employees’ Hours
Episode 110 – Did you know that as of January 1, many employers are required to track the hours of their part-time employees? Find out why here. Continue Reading Why Should 401(k) Plan Sponsors Start Tracking Part-Time Employees’ Hours
Social Security and the Typical (and atypical) Married Couple
Episode 109 – For a married couple to get the most out of Social Security, the two spouses need to coordinate benefits with each other. This is true for both typical and atypical couples. Continue Reading Social Security and the Typical (and atypical) Married Couple
Do You Have a Guaranteed Retirement Income Source During Retirement?
Episode 108 – For many retirees, receiving a guaranteed lifetime retirement income from a company pension plan is no longer possible and Social Security isn’t enough. An annuity may be a solution. Continue Reading Do You Have a Guaranteed Retirement Income Source During Retirement?
Year-End COVID-19 Legislation, and Its Impact on 2021
Episode 107 - On December 27, 2020, President Trump signed into law the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021. Listen to this podcast for a brief summary of some of the provisions of the law, including additional stimulus payments and unemployment...
Riders, Riders and More Riders
Episode 106 - In this episode we’ll cover some of the most popular and useful riders that you can add to your permanent life insurance program to tailor it to your specific needs. Learn just how critical this is in our latest podcast.Transcript of Podcast...
Behavioral Economics, and How it Affects Your Financial Decisions
Episode 105 - Behavioral economics has become a buzzword over the last few years. But understanding its role in making financial decisions can lead to a better outcome.Transcript of Podcast Episode 105Hello, this is Bill Rainaldi with another edition of...
Healthcare Flexible Spending Accounts for 2020
Episode 104 – A Flexible Spending Account can be an excellent tool to help pay medical expenses. But did you know that the rules have changed in 2020? Continue Reading Healthcare Flexible Spending Accounts for 2020
2020 Year-End Charitable Giving
Episode 103 – 2020 isn’t over yet, and there are still ways you can make an impact with year-end charitable giving. Continue Reading 2020 Year-End Charitable Giving
“A Different Approach to Debt” with Mark Willis
Episode 102 – Is it really a good idea to live debt-free? Our special guest—Mark Willis, CFP®—shares his thoughts in response to this question. Continue Reading “A Different Approach to Debt” with Mark Willis
Avoid These IRS and Social Security Scams Related to the Coronavirus Pandemic
Episode 101 – Phone scams involving people claiming to be from the IRS or Social Security Administration have been getting worse in recent years, and COVID has rapidly accelerated that trend. But there are some simple steps you can take to avoid becoming a victim. Continue Reading Avoid These IRS and Social Security Scams Related to the Coronavirus Pandemic
