Help an Inheritance Help You
When Americans were asked what they would do with a large inheritance, 48% said they would save it; only 8% said they would spend it on things they've always wanted. Could the Great Recession be changing attitudes about money? There are some options to consider for those who expect to receive, or have already received, an inheritance.
HOT TOPIC: The Federal Estate Tax Is Back and May Be Here to Stay
The estate tax has been reinstated after being allowed to lapse in 2010. The new estate tax provisions are the most generous in decades — but they are temporary. A far more stringent estate tax is slated to take effect after 2012. Fortunately, a properly structured trust may help some families reduce their potential exposure to the estate tax.
Why Realistic Expectations May Be Great
Although positive thinking can be powerful, there's a fine line between optimism and unrealistic expectations. There are possible pitfalls when overestimating how a portfolio will perform.
On the Committees
The closely watched "yield curve" has been fairly adept at signaling the onset of U.S. economic recessions. A yield curve inversion would seem to be a fairly straightforward method for ascertaining the direction of the economy, but more often than not it's not so simple.
More Newsletters →