by Ralph Bender, MBA, CFP® | Taxes
It’s almost tax filing season and we want to remind you that LPL typically sends the consolidated form 1099 in February and March. They continue working to improve the delivery of these important forms, so that you can get your taxes filed in a timely manner. This...
by Ralph Bender, MBA, CFP® | Financial Plan, Protecting Family Money, Retirement, Taxes
On December 20, 2019, a new piece of retirement legislation became the law of the land, further pushing the burden of providing for one’s later years into the realm of the individual. Make no mistake about it; if you’re planning to live on Social Security alone, your...
by Ralph Bender, MBA, CFP® | Beneficiary, Financial Plan, Kids and College, Taxes
The Section 529 Plan is one of the best vehicles for accumulating education funds, because they can benefit both the student and the contributor. The funds grow without any tax consequences, and when used for education expenses[ Qualified education expenses include...
by Ralph Bender, MBA, CFP® | Financial Plan, IRA Accounts, Retirement, Running Money ®, Social Security, Taxes
Training for a marathon, like funding a Retirement Plan, is about both quantity and quality. My recent marathon training included very little quality work. I ran about 50 miles a week for the first three or four months of the year, but rarely did any “hard” workouts....
by Ralph Bender, MBA, CFP® | Economic Commentary, IRA Accounts, Kids and College, Politics, Taxes
In the recently passed Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015, Congress did some things that could be considered game-changers. Here’s a few of them that I think could be significant to my constituents (it’s a political year, and I couldn’t resist the word choice). For the...
by Ralph Bender, MBA, CFP® | Financial Plan, Kids and College, Protecting Family Money, Running Money ®, Taxes
Ever since that horrific day in 2001, nearly 14 years ago, we have seen an increase in the use of the calendar to create and enhance awareness of our pet projects or concerns. Star Wars fans adopted May 4th, as in “May the fourth be with you!” Not to be...