Gary W. Pelletier, CLU, ChFC, AIF®
Northeast Planning Associates, Inc.
Hello, and welcome to my blog! Here, I will be posting articles and thoughts relevant to the financial industry, retirement, investments, and financial planning, as well as other related topics. I am also willing to answer questions and respond to any concerns you may have. If you'd like to contact me with a question you want me to address, please email me, and I can either answer directly or in this forum.
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You may be familiar with the Section 121 Residence Exclusion without really being aware of it. This is the actual name for the tax benefit that protects owners from taxation on the sale of their primary residence, specifically gains of...
Read MoreOne of the lesser-known impacts of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 (the act that brought us the second round of COVID-related stimulus payments) is a series of changes to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)...
Read MoreWe return to our Budgeting series. In February, we explored the importance of savings to building your personal budget. This month, we will look at finding a balance between spending and giving. Spending Besides increased online...
Read MorePart 2 of our Budgeting series started last month, will continue next month. On March 11, 2021, President Biden signed the $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package known as the American Rescue Plan (ARP) into law. This is the third...
Read MoreThe last 12+ months have likely had a financial impact on everyone. What kind of impact runs the gamut, from those who lost their jobs or some part of their income to those who managed to save additional money due to their limited...
Read MoreOn December 27, 2020, President Trump signed into a law a new $900 billion coronavirus relief package. This much-anticipated bill was paired with a $1.4 trillion bill to continue government funding into September. We are already in the...
Read MoreThe Week on Wall Street Shrugging off COVID-19 infections and the disruption at the Capitol on January 6, stocks powered higher to kick off a new year of trading.The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 1.61%, while the Standard &...
Read MoreThe Week on Wall Street Stocks moved higher during a holiday-shortened week of trading, capping off a turbulent, but otherwise strong year for equity investors. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 1.35%, while the Standard &...
Read MoreThe Week on Wall Street Stocks climbed higher amid the COVID-19 vaccine rollout and an improving outlook for a fiscal stimulus bill.The Dow Jones Industrial Average, which has lagged all year, gained 0.44%. The Standard & Poor’s 500...
Read MoreWhat’s one positive that can come from an unexpected challenge, whether a natural disaster or a health event? We take a step back from the daily grind and look at how well we are prepared if and when another challenge comes. Many...
Read MoreThe Week on Wall Street Stocks retreated last week on rising COVID-19 infections and slow progress on an economic relief bill. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dipped 0.57%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 dropped 0.96%. The Nasdaq...
Read MoreThe Week on Wall Street Stocks marched higher last week on an improving outlook for the passage of a fiscal stimulus package. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 1.03%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 tacked on 1.67%. The Nasdaq...
Read MoreThe Week on Wall Street Stocks surged last week, ignited by another COVID-19 vaccine announcement, encouraging economic data, and the easing of political uncertainty.The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 2.21%, while the Standard &...
Read MoreThe Week on Wall StreetDespite news of another COVID-19 vaccine candidate, stocks were mixed amid investor anxiety over an increase in new infections and economic lockdowns.The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.73%, while the...
Read MoreThe Social Security Administration announced that the official Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) for 2021 will be an increase of 1.30%. This is slightly less than the 1.60% bump we saw in 2020, and much smaller than the 2.80% increase...
Read MoreThe Week on Wall Street News of a COVID-19 vaccine ignited a rally in economically sensitive stocks and a broad retreat in technology companies last week, though enthusiasm was tempered by reports of rising new infections and fresh...
Read MoreThe Week on Wall Street Stocks soared last week as investors anticipated that a split Congress would raise legislative hurdles to changing corporate taxes and adjusting regulatory oversight of big technology companies.The Dow Jones...
Read MoreThe Week on Wall Street Stock prices dropped last week as hopes for a fiscal stimulus bill faded and investors focused on rising COVID-19 infections, here and abroad. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slid 6.47%, while the Standard &...
Read MoreThe Week on Wall Street The failure to reach an agreement on a new fiscal stimulus bill soured investor sentiment and sent stocks modestly lower for the week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.95%, while the Standard & Poor’s...
Read MoreAs we continue to navigate a world with COVID, many parents and students are reconsidering the traditional college experience and, as such, may be wondering what their options are with college savings. The most popular college savings...
Read MoreThe Week on Wall Street Stocks treaded water last week amid fading prospects for a stimulus bill, fears of a second wave of COVID-19 cases, and increasing political and regulatory pressures on Big Tech companies.The Dow Jones...
Read MoreThe Week on Wall Street Stocks staged a powerful rally last week, riding a wave of optimism over the prospect of the passage of a new fiscal stimulus bill.The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 3.27%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500...
Read MoreThe Week on Wall Street Stocks advanced last week, propelled by hopes that legislators may reach an agreement for a new fiscal stimulus package and optimism generated by a few corporate deal announcements and initial public offerings....
Read MoreIt’s been quite a year so far, where we saw volatility in the market, a global pandemic that lingers, and significant policy action by Washington D.C. to assist our citizens. For those who have taken advantage of some of these policy...
Read MoreThe Week on Wall Street Stocks were mixed last week as worries that stretched from Washington D.C., where prospects of a new fiscal stimulus bill dimmed, to Europe, which saw an increase of new COVID-19 cases.The Dow Jones Industrial...
Read MoreThe Week on Wall Street Stocks slipped as the technology sector remained under pressure and a mid-week announcement by the Federal Reserve failed to inspire investors.The Dow Jones Industrial Average declined 0.03%, while the Standard...
Read MoreThe Week on Wall Street Stocks traveled a volatile path last week as investors appeared concerned about the upcoming elections, an uncertain economy, and more delays with additional fiscal stimulus. The Dow Jones Industrial Average...
Read MoreThe Week on Wall Street A late week sell-off sent stocks broadly lower as investors took some profits after stocks reached all-time highs earlier in the week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slid 1.82%, while the Standard & Poor’s...
Read MoreThe Week on Wall Street Stocks advanced relentlessly last week on positive COVID-19 developments, encouraging economic data, and a supportive policy shift in the Fed’s approach to its target inflation rate. The Dow Jones Industrial...
Read MoreThe Week on Wall Street Stocks powered to another week of gains as the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite set multiple new record highs along the way.The Dow Jones Industrial Average was essentially unchanged while the Standard & Poor’s 500...
Read MoreThe Week on Wall StreetStock prices drifted higher in an otherwise quiet news week, as a slowdown in new COVID-19 cases outweighed a Congressional impasse on a new fiscal-spending measure. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 1.81%...
Read MoreThe rise in identity theft scams continues. According to Javelin Strategy & Research, fraud losses increased 15% in 2019 to $16.9 billion. This was led by account takeovers – ID theft where a criminal gains unauthorized access to an...
Read MoreThe Week on Wall StreetOverlooking stalled efforts by Congress to pass a new fiscal stimulus bill, stocks marched higher last week with the Dow Jones Industrials leading the way and the NASDAQ Composite setting multiple fresh record...
Read MoreThe Week on Wall Street Stocks were mixed last week amid a busy week of earnings, some troubling economic data, and seemingly little progress on a new fiscal stimulus package.The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 0.16%, while the...
Read MoreThe Week on Wall Street Stocks slipped in the final days of trading last week on higher jobless claims and rising tensions in the U.S.-China relationship. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 0.76%, while the Standard & Poor's 500...
Read MoreWere you on the ball and already took your required minimum distribution (RMD) early? As many now know, as a result of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, RMDs were waived for 2020 for all retirement...
Read MoreThe Week on Wall StreetStocks were mixed last week as investors reacted to positive economic data, progress on a COVID-19 vaccine, and the continued nationwide increase in COVID-19 cases. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 2.29%,...
Read MoreThe Week on Wall StreetStock prices notched solid gains last week, looking past an increase in COVID-19 cases and any potential economic concerns raised by the trend. The Dow Jones Industrial Average increased by 0.96%, while the...
Read MoreThe Week on Wall StreetIn a holiday-shortened week, stock prices turned higher as encouraging economic data outweighed an increase in COVID-19 cases and a rollback in economic re-openings.The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 3.25%,...
Read MoreThe Week on Wall StreetA jump in COVID-19 cases dampened investor enthusiasm last week, sending stock prices lower on worries that rising infections could derail the economic recovery. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slumped 3.31%,...
Read MoreThe Week on Wall StreetStocks moved higher last week on news of more Federal Reserve market support and diminished concerns that new COVID-19 cases might lead to another economic shutdown. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 1.04%,...
Read MoreIn last month’s blog, we talked through the details regarding the stimulus payments, but there has since been a new development: Pre-Paid Debit Cards.That’s right. Even with all this talk of checks, for some it’s not going to be a...
Read MoreThe Week on Wall StreetInvestor sentiment turned negative last week, amid an increasing number of COVID-19 cases in states where reopening has been underway as well as a subdued economic forecast from the Federal Reserve. The Dow Jones...
Read MoreThe Week on Wall StreetA positive jobs report sent stocks soaring last Friday, capping a solid week as evidence of a global economic recovery outweighed concerns over civil unrest and tensions with China.The Dow Jones Industrial...
Read MoreThe Week on Wall StreetThe shortened week, which began with a powerful two-day rally of trading, was enough to drive the markets into another week of solid gains. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 3.75%, while the Standard &...
Read MoreThe Week on Wall StreetUpbeat comments by the Federal Reserve Chairman and more signs of an economic turnaround combined to help fuel a powerful rally in the stock market last week.The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 3.29%, while...
Read MoreThe Week on Wall StreetStocks drifted lower last week, weighed down by Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell's unsettling comments on the economy and signs of renewed tensions with China.The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 2.65%,...
Read MoreOne of the key components of the CARES Act to help lessen the financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic was a direct payment to a majority of Americans, called Recovery Rebates or stimulus checks. First, what are these rebates, and...
Read MoreRecently, there were two key orders from the federal government in response to the COVID-19 pandemic: the extension of the tax filing and payment deadlines, and the CARES Act. Let’s take a look. Extension of Tax Filing and Payment Due...
Read MoreA Roth conversion can be a great way to move retirement savings from tax-deferred vehicles to a Roth IRA, where withdrawals on the earnings are not subject to income tax. The “cost” of the conversion is fairly simple: income taxes are...
Read MoreAs you may have heard, the SECURE Act was passed in late December of 2019, with what many are calling the most comprehensive changes to retirement in over a decade. SECURE stands for Setting Every Community Up for Retirement...
Read MoreIt’s a new year and a new decade. There seems to be extra incentive to move towards our goals and resolutions, so we wanted to briefly mention two simple but important tips to help keep you on track. Write out the full year 2020. When...
Read MoreThe holiday season is usually full of reconnecting with family and friends. As you get updates on the lives of those closest to you, it’s a good idea to consider whether the beneficiaries on your investment accounts are up to date. The...
Read MoreThe last couple of posts we’ve talked about giving to and investing in causes that are important to you. For the next two posts, we’re going to bring the topic of giving a little closer to home. This month, we’re going to cover giving...
Read MoreMore and more it appears that people prefer companies to not only have a solid product at a competitive price, but also provide a positive impact on our world. We are also starting to see this spill over into the investing space as...
Read MoreIn last month’s post on technology scams, we reviewed robocalls and tips to avoid getting duped by this rampant problem. In our follow-up posting we look at another scam to watch out for: Sweetheart Scams. Research tells us that...
Read MoreTechnology is great. Think of all the advances in healthcare, communication and transportation just in the past decade. Like anything else, though, you must take the bad along with the good. Advancements in technology open the door to...
Read MoreThat’s a very philosophical question, but important nonetheless, especially when it comes to your relationship with money. Healthy relationships with money can often be illustrated by generosity and charitable intent. This can also be...
Read MoreThere are a couple of bills that are before each of the two houses that could have small but meaningful impact on personal finances and retirement planning. While they are similar, let’s focus on the bill before the House of...
Read MoreUnless you’ve filed for an extension, you now know the impact of the new tax changes on your individual income taxes. Whether positive or negative, many people are noticing that their tax withholding was either too high or not high...
Read MoreSpring is here. The birds are singing, the flowers are blooming – and families are making college decisions. While college enrollment in the U.S. has been flat for the last few years, the rate still hovers around 70%. College remains a...
Read MoreTowards the beginning of a new year is often a good time to review the named beneficiaries on your investment accounts. This is important to do this on an annual basis as life can change quickly and it may not be on your radar to make...
Read MoreAs 2018 winds to a close, it’s a good time for reflection on the past year. The 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act was officially signed in to law on December 22, 2017. 2018 tax returns will be the first time that we all get to see the...
Read MoreAs the year winds down, there are some important actions you may want to take before the clock runs out on 2018. Roth IRA First and foremost, check your eligibility to contribute to a Roth IRA. With most of us seeing a tax deduction in...
Read MoreBeginning September 21, 2018, those concerned about identity theft can freeze their credit and place one-year fraud alerts at no cost. Due to the passage of the new Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act,...
Read MoreMany recent college graduates find they have a difficult decision to make: contribute to their employer’s 401(k) plan or focus on student loan repayments. The choice between paying down debt and funding retirement can be a tough one,...
Read MoreIn July’s post we covered changes to deductions for IRAs resulting from the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. For this month’s, we’ll look at the change to the “do-over” option on Roth Conversions. Prior to 2018, those who converted money...
Read MoreThe tax changes that went into effect this year have widespread implications. It will take a while to see how these changes affect larger aspects of our financial system, like the impact on the Federal deficit and economic growth. But...
Read MoreAs we saw in our last post, Digital Assets can include information stored on an individual’s digital devices (documents, photos, movies, music, etc.), content uploaded to websites (photos, videos, social media posts, blog posts, etc.),...
Read MoreThis is Part 1 in a series on Digital Assets, which I hope will be helpful as the things we purchase and memories we store are more and more intertwined with technology. Part I: What is a Digital Asset, and why should I care? It has...
Read MoreYou’re 54, you’ve been diligent about saving, and are looking forward to retiring soon. Like most people you have the majority of your retirement savings in your employer-sponsored plan – think 401(k) – and you’ll need to use some of...
Read MoreSince the president signed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act into law on December 22 of last year, many clients have been asking if they should make and changes to withholding from their paycheck. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act made significant...
Read MoreLast month we looked at a high-level summary of the changes as a result of the recent Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. One of the more significant changes outside of tax brackets is the classification of secondary school expenses as qualified. A...
Read MoreThe 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act was officially signed in to law on December 22, 2017. This is the most sweeping tax legislation in more than three decades, and it affects both individuals and businesses.The most significant change for...
Read MoreYou might start by asking, “What’s an RMD?” RMD stands for Required Minimum Distribution and refers to the amount that traditional, SEP or SIMPLE IRA owners and qualified plan participants must begin distributing from their retirement...
Read More“We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.” - Winston Churchill As a follow up to last month’s blog on end-of-year planning, here are a couple of ideas for giving, with an eye on what must be done by year-end in...
Read More“Time moves slowly, but passes quickly” - Alice Walker As winter approaches, it’s again time to look at end-of-year planning that is important to do now before the holidays take over. Here are some key things you may want to take a...
Read MoreThere are situations when requesting a “do-over” would be ideal. Think about when you respond to your spouse thoughtlessly – as it leaves your lips you probably immediately apologize and call for a do-over. When you’re playing tennis...
Read MoreMost people in the military and their families are familiar with the ongoing benefits afforded to individuals who served our country, like pensions, inexpensive life insurance and retirement plans, tax-free housing allowances, and...
Read MoreOn June 14, 2017 the Fed announced its fourth increase in their interest rate targets in the past 18 months. Are the interest rate increases we’ve been threatened with for the past 5+ years finally here? If so, this this begs the...
Read MoreThe older you get, the more you realize that celebrities are just like us, only rich and famous. They make mistakes like anyone else, and those mistakes are often magnified by the money involved and the attention afforded their...
Read MoreOne of the key tax initiatives rumored to be part of the new administration’s tax overhaul is a repeal of the federal estate tax. Even if this were to take place, it seems likely that estate planning will remain an integral part in...
Read MoreIf I asked you: “What is the maximum amount you are allowed to contribute to your 401(k) this year?” you would most likely answer either $18,000 or $24,000 depending on your age (50+) and ability to contribute an additional $6,000 as a...
Read MoreThere’s a bit of administrative business that can have impactful consequences if not dealt with in a timely manner: naming and/or updating beneficiaries and the various types of beneficiary designations. Let’s take a look at a...
Read MoreAlong with a hiring freeze, the Social Security Administration (SSA) will mail fewer paper statements in an attempt to cut costs. You may recall that the most recent change to statements was that those not registered for an online...
Read MoreLast month I outlined the upcoming cost of living increase in Social Security benefits for 2017. Another recent announcement for 2017 was in regards to estate taxes. While the annual gift tax exclusion ($14,000 per donee) and the top...
Read MoreThe Social Security Administration recently announced that Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits for more than 65 million Americans will increase 0.3 percent beginning in 2017. There was no Cost-of-Living...
Read MoreFor the first time, the Free Application for Student Aid (FAFSA) is available prior to January 1st. Starting in 2016 and going forward, the FAFSA will be made available on October 1st for the following year. How the FAFSA and Data...
Read MoreGrandparents looking to help their grandchildren defray college costs have a variety of options. But no good deed goes unpunished! Let’s look at a couple of options and some of their pros and cons. Make Payment Direct to SchoolBecause...
Read MoreWith the most recent estate tax changes, the majority of investors will not have an issue with the federal estate tax due to the high current level of exemption ($5.45 Million in 2016). Unfortunately, in addition to the federal estate...
Read MoreWhether you have a graduating senior going off to college in a few months or you are planning college visits this summer, you may have begun to consider what you need to do in order to realize the full benefit of your 529 College...
Read MoreInherited IRA rules may seem straight forward, when a loved one passes away and you are the named beneficiary, you take over the IRA and have to begin taking distributions. But when the death of a beneficiary occurs or a trust gets...
Read MoreWe are down to a month remaining until your tax returns are due. If you haven’t yet taken action in the following areas, you have up until at least the tax filing deadline to do so: Contribute to a Traditional or Roth IRA for...
Read MoreThe key to saving for an anticipated expense or season of life (i.e. retirement) is starting early. The benefits of the concept of compound interest is well-documented, with the main difference-maker being time. Hypothetical Example:...
Read MoreWhen helping clients plan, one aspect that is becoming more and more important is planning for health care costs. One question I get asked often is: “How much should I plan to spend on Medicare and other health care costs in...
Read MoreThe Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015 was recently passed and signed into law as a way to avoid a government shut-down due to previously-imposed debt ceiling limits. Part of this bill results in closing so-called “unintended...
Read MoreAs expected, the Social Security Administration recently announced that there will be no cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for Social Security benefits in 2016. For those under the income limits ($85,000 single/$170,000 joint) and...
Read MoreWhere has 2015 gone? We are already in the last quarter of the year and with that comes some end-of-year planning that’s important to do now before the holidays take over. Here are some key things to take a look at today:IRA...
Read MoreCan you ever save too much? The answer to this question is, of course, different for everyone. So, below are a few tips to help everyone identify and strive towards a better prepared retirement. No matter your age, income, or where you...
Read MoreWhen preparing to send a child to college, there are a lot of things to think about. First, there is finding the right school. But then you have the application process, the aid application process, the supplies, the classes, and the...
Read MoreAs a New Englander, we live in the backyard of America’s best colleges, where there is a rich and deep talent pool. However, those bright minds are highly sought after, which is why it is important to offer a compelling corporate...
Read MoreTax-deferral can be a powerful tool. It’s generally recommended to maintain tax-deferral as long as possible. If, however, there is a need to access money saved in a tax-deferred IRA or employer-sponsored retirement plan before you...
Read MoreIn this post, we focus on retirement plans for new businesses and the importance of a well-conceived design. As a business owner, you had to take a chance – actually a leap of faith. You left your 9 to 5 job and started out on your own...
Read MoreFrom 1982 to 2012, costs of tuition, room, and board for 4-year institutions increased at an average rate of over 14% per year. This increase has been more modest recently (4.65% per year between 2007 and 2012), but still outpacing...
Read MoreSo many times we have heard our new entrepreneurial client’s share the ‘Hard Years’ stories that are usually wonderful gut wrenching uphill battles - with the world against them. It is the struggle of today and the preparation for...
Read MoreHigher-income Medicare beneficiaries have been paying more for their Parts B and D coverage for several years now in the form of income-related monthly adjustment amounts (IRMAA). A new bill signed into law by President Obama in April...
Read MoreThe Social Security Administration recently announced that their mySocialSecurity online accounts now offer the capability to regenerate misplaced 1099 or SSA-1042S forms for tax purposes. In order to access, go to www.socialsecurity...
Read MoreIn October of this year, the IRS announced upcoming changes for 2015 in the area of retirement contributions, income phase-out ranges and Social Security. Below is an overview of the highlights, and if you are interested in learning...
Read MoreIn general to establish an IRA (Traditional or Roth) an individual: 1. Must have compensation (either earned income of an employee or self-employed, or alimony). AND 2. Must meet the following income guidelines: Traditional IRA – Fully...
Read MoreYour digital assets can include email accounts, social media accounts, music, ebooks, and movie accounts, among others. Unfortunately, problems often arise upon the owner’s death due to fine print in the user agreement for a website or...
Read MoreWith the cost of long-term care insurance rising – 8.6% in 2014(1), we want to review some helpful tips for the time when you may be considering coverage for the more common and costly need of long term care for a loved one. 1. Put the...
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