General Financial Planning

Who are the Quality Financial Planners?

 October is Financial Planning Month and Center Partner Tim Wyman takes this opportunity to bring us back to the basics. In this blog 5-part series he clarifies some general questions about financial planning and the financial planning process. 

There are many individuals and companies in the financial services industry to choose from based on your specific needs.  There are large firms in addition to wire house firms.  

Determining who the “best” is challenging and you should be sure to interview a couple to determine a good fit.  Do they work with others like you? Are they experienced in working with similar issues as yours? Are you comfortable with their costs? 

Ultimately a financial planning relationship is a personal relationship.  Regardless of what firm you choose to work with, it is critical that you feel a high degree of confidence in trust with the INDIVIDUALS that you will be working with to accomplish your objectives.

Timothy Wyman, CFP®, JD is the Managing Partner and Financial Planner at Center for Financial Planning, Inc. and is a frequent contributor to national media including appearances on Good Morning America Weekend Edition and WDIV Channel 4 News and published articles including Forbes and The Wall Street Journal. A leader in his profession, Tim served on the National Board of Directors for the 28,000 member Financial Planning Association™ (FPA®), trained and mentored hundreds of CFP® practitioners and is a frequent speaker to organizations and businesses on various financial planning topics.

Any opinions are those of Center for Financial Planning, Inc., and not necessarily those of RJFS or Raymond James.  Every investor’s situation is unique and you should consider your investment goals, risk tolerance and time horizon before making any investment.  Clients should evaluate if an asset-based fee is appropriate in servicing their needs.  A list of additional considerations, as well as the fee schedule, is available in the firm’s Form ADV Part II as well as in the client agreement.

Your Financial Plan: How to Prepare & How Much Does it Cost?

 October is Financial Planning Month and Center Partner Tim Wyman takes this opportunity to bring us back to the basics. In this blog 5-part series he clarifies some general questions about financial planning and the financial planning process. 

A financial plan can be prepared on your own or with the assistance of a professional.  If you choose to work with a professional, a Certified Financial Planner™ practitioner is suggested since they are trained to provide a comprehensive review.  Regardless, if you choose to do it on your own or work with a professional, there are common steps.

6 most common steps in the process: 

  1. Gather Personal and Financial Data
  2. Establish Goals
  3. Process & Analyze Information
  4. Develop Comprehensive Plan
  5. Implement the Plan
  6. Monitor the Plan 

The cost of a financial plan will vary depending upon the experience of the professional you work with and the complexity of your situation.  In many cases, the fee may range from $500 to several thousand dollars – again based on the complexity. 

In the final blog of this 5-part series, we’ll look at who the best financial planners are. 

Timothy Wyman, CFP®, JD is the Managing Partner and Financial Planner at Center for Financial Planning, Inc. and is a frequent contributor to national media including appearances on Good Morning America Weekend Edition and WDIV Channel 4 News and published articles including Forbes and The Wall Street Journal. A leader in his profession, Tim served on the National Board of Directors for the 28,000 member Financial Planning Association™ (FPA®), trained and mentored hundreds of CFP® practitioners and is a frequent speaker to organizations and businesses on various financial planning topics.

Any opinions are those of Center for Financial Planning, Inc., and not necessarily those of RJFS or Raymond James.  Every investor’s situation is unique and you should consider your investment goals, risk tolerance and time horizon before making any investment.  Clients should evaluate if an asset-based fee is appropriate in servicing their needs.  A list of additional considerations, as well as the fee schedule, is available in the firm’s Form ADV Part II as well as in the client agreement.

A Financial Plan: What is it & Who needs one?

 October is Financial Planning Month and Center Partner Tim Wyman takes this opportunity to bring us back to the basics. In this blog 5-part series he clarifies some general questions about financial planning and the financial planning process. 

I must admit, I cringe a bit when hearing the question, “What is a financial plan?” That’s because of my firm belief that the focus should be on the “ing” in planning.  However, a financial plan, done correctly, is a comprehensive road map designed to assist in achieving whatever goals are important to you.  

A financial plan should include analysis and recommendations in areas such as: 

  • Cash management and financial statements
  • A review of risk management needs
  • Analysis as to needed retirement savings goals
  • A plan to reduce income tax liability
  • A comprehensive investment plan
  • Coordination of estate goals 

Most importantly, a financial plan should be an ongoing guide and not a leather binder placed on the shelf to collect dust!  A financial plan can be used to align financial strategies and decisions as life events occur. 

Do I need a financial plan? 

Who needs a financial plan? Financial planning provides a method or structure to help you achieve your life’s goals, no matter how wealthy (or unwealthy) you are.  Whether you work with a Certified Financial Planner™ practitioner or do it on your own, the financial planning process can be the catalyst in making good decisions and achieving your financial goals. 

In the 4th blog of this 5-part series, we’ll look at how to prepare a financial plan and how much it might cost you.

Timothy Wyman, CFP®, JD is the Managing Partner and Financial Planner at Center for Financial Planning, Inc. and is a frequent contributor to national media including appearances on Good Morning America Weekend Edition and WDIV Channel 4 News and published articles including Forbes and The Wall Street Journal. A leader in his profession, Tim served on the National Board of Directors for the 28,000 member Financial Planning Association™ (FPA®), trained and mentored hundreds of CFP® practitioners and is a frequent speaker to organizations and businesses on various financial planning topics.

Any opinions are those of Center for Financial Planning, Inc., and not necessarily those of RJFS or Raymond James.  Every investor’s situation is unique and you should consider your investment goals, risk tolerance and time horizon before making any investment.  Clients should evaluate if an asset-based fee is appropriate in servicing their needs.  A list of additional considerations, as well as the fee schedule, is available in the firm’s Form ADV Part II as well as in the client agreement.

Is Wealth Management different than Financial Planning?

 October is Financial Planning Month and Center Partner Tim Wyman takes this opportunity to bring us back to the basics. In this blog 5-part series he clarifies some general questions about financial planning and the financial planning process. 

The financial planning profession is still a relatively new profession and continues to develop and mature. In the last ten years or so, some firms have begun using the phrase “Wealth Management” to describe their services.  Essentially, some firms wanted to differentiate themselves to higher income and higher net worth clients.  In many cases, Wealth Management and Financial Planning are synonyms.  There are many fine financial planners and firms in the country, unfortunately financial planning to many companies in the financial services industry is not a process; rather it is a tactic used to sell financial products.  From my perspective, the use of other names such as “wealth management” is for marketing and positioning reasons. 

In the end, financial success, like anything worthwhile, takes patience and persistence. Financial planning or wealth management done right is the process of assessing your financial goals and then developing appropriate strategies to accomplish those goals without taking unnecessary risks.  Simply stated, the purpose of financial planning is to efficiently allocate your current and future financial resources. Proper financial planning requires an ongoing series of decisions made on your part, based on interaction between you and all your advisors.  Lastly, regular updates and reviews are necessary to keep you on course and to provide you with the opportunity to make any necessary adjustments as financial conditions change. 

In my next blog, we’ll discuss who needs a financial plan and in the final installment of this series find out how to prepare your financial plan and how much it will cost. 

Timothy Wyman, CFP®, JD is the Managing Partner and Financial Planner at Center for Financial Planning, Inc. and is a frequent contributor to national media including appearances on Good Morning America Weekend Edition and WDIV Channel 4 News and published articles including Forbes and The Wall Street Journal. A leader in his profession, Tim served on the National Board of Directors for the 28,000 member Financial Planning Association™ (FPA®), trained and mentored hundreds of CFP® practitioners and is a frequent speaker to organizations and businesses on various financial planning topics.

Any opinions are those of Center for Financial Planning, Inc., and not necessarily those of RJFS or Raymond James.  Every investor’s situation is unique and you should consider your investment goals, risk tolerance and time horizon before making any investment.  Clients should evaluate if an asset-based fee is appropriate in servicing their needs.  A list of additional considerations, as well as the fee schedule, is available in the firm’s Form ADV Part II as well as in the client agreement.

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What is Financial Planning?

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October is Financial Planning Month and Center Partner Tim Wyman takes this opportunity to bring us back to the basics. In this blog 5-part series he clarifies some general questions about financial planning and the financial planning process.

Ok, figuring out financial planning may not be as deep as asking “what is the meaning of life”, but I would assert that pondering both can potentially be life changing. According to the Financial Planning Association®: Financial planning is the long-term process of wisely managing your finances so you can achieve your goals and dreams, while at the same time negotiating the financial barriers that inevitably arise in every stage of life. Remember, financial planning is a process, not a product.  Before we get too far, let’s be sure to acknowledge that financial planning is not about get-rich schemes or simply betting on the latest stock tip. 

Funding Life’s Goals

As an early leader in the financial planning profession, we at Center for Financial Planning view and practice financial planning in a different manner than many.  Financial planning is all about you – your goals – your family – your financial independence.  For most, money is not the end but merely the means.  Many of life’s goals [sending kids and grandkids to college, funding retirement, starting a business, passing values and asset values to the next generation, etc.] do indeed have a money or financial aspect. So it is critical that you make good financial decisions.  Financial planning provides direction, discipline and structure to improve financial decision-making and, dare I suggest, has the power to improve lives.  

A Coordinated & Comprehensive Approach

Years ago I was an adjunct professor at Oakland University. On the first day of class, I always started with the assertion, “Financial Planning provides a coordinated and comprehensive approach to achieving your goals,” (it was always question one on the first quiz, by the way). If a coordinated and comprehensive approach is not taken, you are simply left with a junk drawer of decisions and purchases. Without a comprehensive and coordinated strategy, people buy some insurance … put it in the drawer, buy a mutual fund or stock … put it in the drawer … have a living trust drafted … put it in the drawer.  Over the years, the individual pieces don’t actually fit together and all that is left is a drawer of stuff (that’s usually impossible to sort through as well). 

Integrating Goals with Approach

The financial planning process integrates or coordinates your resources (assets and income) with your goals and objectives. As you do this, here are some key points you should cover: 

  • Goal identification and clarification

  • Developing your Net Worth Statement

  • Preparing cash flow estimates

  • Analysis of income tax returns and strategies designed to help decrease tax liability

  • Review of risk management areas such as life insurance, disability, long term care, and property & casualty insurance.

  • College funding goals for children or grandchildren.

  • Comprehensive investment management and ongoing monitoring of investments

  • Financial independence and retirement income analysis

  • Estate and charitable giving strategies

In my next blog, we’ll delve into the difference between wealth management and financial planning. Then we’ll take a closer look at a financial plan, who needs one, and how much you can expect to pay for it. 

Timothy Wyman, CFP®, JD is the Managing Partner and Financial Planner at Center for Financial Planning, Inc. and is a frequent contributor to national media including appearances on Good Morning America Weekend Edition and WDIV Channel 4 News and published articles including Forbes and The Wall Street Journal. A leader in his profession, Tim served on the National Board of Directors for the 28,000 member Financial Planning Association™ (FPA®), trained and mentored hundreds of CFP® practitioners and is a frequent speaker to organizations and businesses on various financial planning topics.

Any opinions are those of Center for Financial Planning, Inc., and not necessarily those of RJFS or Raymond James.  Every investor’s situation is unique and you should consider your investment goals, risk tolerance and time horizon before making any investment.  Clients should evaluate if an asset-based fee is appropriate in servicing their needs.  A list of additional considerations, as well as the fee schedule, is available in the firm’s Form ADV Part II as well as in the client agreement.

Say “I Do” to your Wedding Budget

 Approaching retirement, the birth of a child, or writing that first tuition check for college … these are all life events financial planners help clients with on a daily basis. A wedding, as I have found out from first-hand experience over the past year, is certainly one of these major financial milestones that can be overlooked or underestimated.  Last September, I became engaged to my best friend and love of my life, Robin.  We were both beyond excited to start our journey together and begin the wedding planning.  But as we both quickly found out, nothing about a wedding is cheap!  There were some things I have learned throughout the wedding planning process that I think can truly help couples during this stressful, overwhelming but very fun time.

Things I have learned

  • Find out early on what type of financial assistance (if any) is available from family.  This will help immensely to avoid confusion and keep everyone on the same page.
  • Sit down together and take a look at your existing cash flow figures and create a REALISTIC budget that they both of you agree upon and stick to it!
  • Take a close look at your personal savings accounts and determine how much you can afford to draw from those accounts while still leaving funds available for an emergency fund (we typically recommend keeping 3 – 12 months of cash reserves, depending on the client’s situation).
  • Be aware of the potential consequences of using retirement accounts, such as an IRA or 401k to pay for wedding expenses (early withdrawal penalties, excess tax, lack of long term growth, etc.).
  • Do your best to stay away from personal loans.  These types of loans often require a form of collateral, and usually carry hefty interest rates. 
  • Consider RESPONSIBLY utilizing low interest credit cards for a portion of expenses.  Many cards offer 0% rates for 12 – 24 months and, if paid off within this time frame, can be a great tool to help with the incoming costs while planning.    
  • Guys – help your fiancé!  You probably don’t care about how the napkins will be folded at the reception, but taking things off of her plate such as honeymoon planning or researching vendors can really go a long way. 
  • Most importantly – HAVE FUN!  At times, the planning won’t be, but take a step back and realize what the two of you are planning for together and enjoy it! 

As our October wedding approaches, we are in the home stretch and finalizing the last details that make my head spin.  It was not always a smooth or easy ride but knowing I get to spend the rest of my life with Robin has made all of the stress more than worth it.  Know what you can afford, stay on budget and be responsible, just like any other major financial event.  With proper planning and help from your financial advisor, the process will go much smoother and keep the both of you sane!

Any opinions are those of Center for Financial Planning, Inc., and not necessarily those of RJFS or Raymond James.

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The Ideal Age to Start Social Security

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 I recently had an opportunity to travel to Chicago to meet with a group of retired airline pilots.  We had a great conversation on areas such as estate planning, investment planning and income tax planning given changes that occurred in January 2013.  However, it was Social Security that garnered the most interest and questions for this group of retirees between the ages of 60 and 70.  Specifically, the question at hand was, “When is the ideal time to start receiving social security retirement benefits?” 

If you think that the IRS Code is complex, then Social Security claiming rules are a close second.  Unfortunately there is a lot of confusion and misinformation.  Moreover, the stakes are quite high.  Perhaps at age 40 social security benefits are a distant thought, but for those aged 60+ the issue is quite ripe. 

Deciding When to Claim

As with most financial planning decisions, general rules get you only so far.  The key is to structure your decision, when to claim in this case, based on your individual goals and circumstances. The reason that most Americans choose to start social security retirement benefits as early as possible is because frankly they need the money now.  However, for those with flexibility in timing, there are strategies that can be employed to maximize benefits, especially for married couples. 

Social Security Simple Math

All kidding aside, if you know the day you will die then the decision is straightforward and is a “simple” math equation.  Barring certainty on that “day” however, certain assumptions must be made.  You see, social security benefits are designed to be actuarially fair or equal. Meaning, if you collect a reduced benefit starting early at age 62 you will have smaller payments lasting for a longer period of time, but if you elect to postpone receiving benefits you will collect a larger amount for a shorter period of time. If you live to normal life expectancy the math is the same.

There are a variety of software programs designed to assist in making the most-educated decision about the optimal time to claim social security retirement benefits.  Please feel free to contact us if you would like assistance in making this important decision.

Timothy Wyman, CFP®, JD is the Managing Partner and Financial Planner at Center for Financial Planning, Inc. and is a frequent contributor to national media including appearances on Good Morning America Weekend Edition and WDIV Channel 4 News and published articles including Forbes and The Wall Street Journal. A leader in his profession, Tim served on the National Board of Directors for the 28,000 member Financial Planning Association™ (FPA®), trained and mentored hundreds of CFP® practitioners and is a frequent speaker to organizations and businesses on various financial planning topics.

The information contained in this report does not purport to be a complete description of the subjects referred to in this material.  Any information is not a complete summary or statement of all available data necessary for making a decision and does not constitute a recommendation.  Any opinions are those of Center for Financial Planning, Inc., and not necessarily those of RJFS or Raymond James.

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House Hunting How-To: Deciding on the Best Down Payment

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 You have decided to purchase a new home. Now questions start racing through your mind. How much do we put down?  What is our interest rate going to be?  Do we get a fixed loan or a variable loan? Do we finance it over 15 years or 30 years? In today’s historically low interest rate environment the answer to some of these questions may surprise you.

Let’s take a scenario between John Doe and John’s identical twin brother Jack Doe.  John and Jack have the same exact job, the same income, and the same assets.  Everything about them is the same except for how they approach money decisions.  John is a firm believer in staying out of debt. He doesn’t believe in financing anything. He pays cash for cars, houses, vacations etc…  Jack on the other hand believes that responsible use of debt could be a good way to get ahead in life.  He firmly believes that you shouldn’t put more then 20% down on a house, you should finance a car, especially when interest rates are less then 3%, he’ll even put a vacation on a credit card to earn the mileage points, making sure he pays it off within a month or two. 

John and Jack are looking to purchase an identical home in the same neighborhood; same square footage, same interior design, same lawn animals, same everything.  The purchase price of the house is $250,000. They both have identical investment portfolios valued at $250,000. John has the option to finance it with a 30-year fixed loan at 3.5%.  But instead John takes a look at his finances and decides he will take the money out of his investment portfolio and buy the house outright.  John now has no money left in his investment portfolio, but at least this will save him that pesky $1,200 mortgage payment over the next 30 years. He doesn’t like the fact that his investment portfolio now has a 0 balance, but he intends to rebuild his drained investment account by adding $1,200 each month. 

Jack, on the other hand, decides he is only going to put down 20% on the house and keep the rest of his money invested. He needs to come up with 20% of $250,000, or $50,000. After the down payment, Jack will have $200,000 remaining in his investment account.  He won’t be able to add any funds to his investment account because he needs that money to pay the mortgage.

Let’s break down the impact of their decisions after 10 years factoring at a 6% interest rate compounded annually for their investments. Let’s also assume the value of their homes has also appreciated in value at 6%:

Jack has less equity in his house because he put 20% down so, after 10 years, he still owes the bank $150,000 on the original $200,000 mortgage note. From the totals, it might appear that Jack made a slightly better money decision, but life is not quite that simple.  We can’t possibly account for all the “what if’s” that life might throw at the two brothers over that 10 year period. 

Here are some things to consider: 

  • What if John had a sudden emergency such as an unexpected job loss over that 10-year period?  He has no liquidity to tap into to help him pay the bills because he spent it all on the house. 
  • How much mortgage interest can John deduct off his income tax bill annually?  None because he doesn’t have a mortgage! 
  • What if house prices in the neighborhood depreciate in value instead of appreciate?  Jack could potentially hand the keys back to the bank whereas John could be stuck with a rapidly depreciating asset.
  • What if John isn’t as disciplined as he thought he was and starts spending the $1,200 a month instead of saving it?  Jack might not be as prone to this problem because there is a big consequence to him not paying the bank $1,200 a month which is that he loses the house.   

As you can see, having a mortgage might not be the worst thing in the world. Even though it bucks the traditional value of having a home paid off as quickly as possible, there can even be some advantages to using debt responsibly. Make sure you talk to your financial planner when deciding if you’ll follow Jack or John’s example.

The example contained herein is hypothetical and for illustration purposes only.  It is not intended to reflect the actual performance of any particular investment.  Actual investor results will vary.  Investing involves risk and investors may incur a profit or a loss.  Any information is not a complete summary or statement of all available data necessary for making an investment decision and does not constitute a recommendation.  Any opinions are those of Center for Financial Planning, Inc., and not necessarily those of RJFS or Raymond James.  You should discuss any financial or mortgage matters with the appropriate professional.

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Designating beneficiaries: Don’t Let Your IRA Get Derailed

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 Imagine you’ve lined up your will, your trust, all the necessary estate planning documents, thinking you’ve covered your bases. But here’s one you may have forgotten: naming beneficiaries for your IRA. A friend recently found out the hard way that this easily overlooked detail causes huge headaches. You see, her mother wasn’t sure who to name when the account was opened and decided to think about it.  Time went on and her mother passed away before this detail was corrected, sending the IRA to probate. The two intended beneficiaries will eventually get the money, but they will be forced to take the distributions much faster than they want (and absorb the tax implications), rather than stretching the payments over a longer period of time.

Here are some potential problems when a beneficiary is not named on an IRA:

  • There is no backtracking by trustees or personal representatives to “fix” the omission
  • The account will be distributed according to your will; through the probate process which can be lengthy depending on the complexity of the estate
  • The account becomes subject to the creditors of your estate
  • The opportunity for tax deferral by spreading out distributions over a longer period of time may be lost.

It seems easy enough to name a beneficiary, but the reality is that this important designation is often overlooked. To prevent unforeseen mishaps, have your IRA beneficiary form reviewed by your financial planner annually to make sure it reflects your wishes and fits with your overall financial planning objectives. 

Laurie Renchik, CFP®, MBA is a Senior Financial Planner at Center for Financial Planning, Inc. In addition to working with women who are in the midst of a transition (career change, receiving an inheritance, losing a life partner, divorce or remarriage), Laurie works with clients who are planning for retirement. Laurie was named to the 2013 Five Star Wealth Managers list in Detroit Hour magazine, is a member of the Leadership Oakland Alumni Association and in addition to her frequent contributions to Money Centered, she manages and is a frequent contributor to Center Connections at The Center.

Five Star Award is based on advisor being credentialed as an investment advisory representative (IAR), a FINRA registered representative, a CPA or a licensed attorney, including education and professional designations, actively employed in the industry for five years, favorable regulatory and complaint history review, fulfillment of firm review based on internal firm standards, accepting new clients, one- and five-year client retention rates, non-institutional discretionary and/or non-discretionary client assets administered, number of client households served.

The information has been obtained from sources considered to be reliable, but we do not guarantee that the foregoing information is accurate or complete.  Any opinions are those of Center for Financial Planning, Inc., and not necessarily those of RJFS or Raymond James.  You should discuss any tax or legal issues with the appropriate professional.

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Demystifying the Gift Tax

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 Recently we have been receiving quite a few inquiries from parents looking to gift money to their children.  People may give for various reasons, but one of the most common reasons we have heard lately is for a down payment on a first home.  There seems to be a lot of confusion about how much can be gifted annually without being subject to the “gift tax”.

For 2013, the Annual Gift Exclusion Amount is $14,000

What this means is you can gift $14,000 in 2013 to your son, daughter, niece, nephew, neighbor, or a random guy on the street. You can give EACH of them $14,000.  The $14,000 gift does not have to go to a member of your immediate family (they don’t even have to be related to you at all for that matter).  If you are married, then you and your spouse can each give $14,000 to anyone you chose without being subject to gift tax.  Just to be clear, that means if you are married you can gift $28,000 to anyone you want in 2013 and pay nothing in gift tax on that gifted money.  Also, it doesn’t have to be cash. You can also gift stocks, bonds, property, artwork, etc.

Now is where things get a little trickier...

Let’s say that you want to give your son $50,000 for whatever reason.  So you and your spouse each gift $14,000 for a total of $28,000.  That leaves $22,000 remaining that you need to transfer to your son.  How can you get him that money without being subject to gift tax? Simply gift him the additional $22,000 and file IRS form 709 and potentially pay no tax on the additional gift!  Notice I did say “potentially” no gift tax.  For those of you that intend to give more then $5.25 million there could be some gift tax liability. However, for those of you reading this who never intend to give away that much, you shouldn’t be subject to any gift tax on the additional $22,000. 

A little history on why this works: Prior to 1976 wealthier people that were looking to avoid paying estate taxes at their death found a way to circumvent the estate tax by simply gifting assets to their heirs while they were still alive. In 1976 congress “unified” the estate and gift tax law so that any gifts you made during your lifetime over the annual exclusion amount ($14,000 in 2013) would count towards your lifetime exclusion amount. In 2013 the lifetime exclusion amount is $5.25 million per person.  So a married couple could gift $10.5 million over their lifetime without paying gift tax. 

So, John and Jane Doe could gift $50,000 to their son outright and not pay any gift tax on the entire amount. The first $28,000 would fall under the annual exclusion amount and the remaining $22,000 would be applied to their lifetime exclusion amount of $10.5 million. Based on the current laws of 2013 John and Jane would have $10,478,000 left of their lifetime exclusion.

Consult with a qualified tax professional and your financial advisor for help navigating the gift tax.

For additional information please refer to IRS publication 950. The link is included below: http://www.irs.gov/uac/Publication-950,-Introduction-to-Estate-and-Gift-Taxes-1

The information contained in this report does not purport to be a complete description of the subjects referred to in this material.  The information has been obtained from sources considered to be reliable, but we do not guarantee that the foregoing material is accurate or complete.  The example provided is hypothetical and for illustration purposes only.  Actual investor results may vary.  Please not, changes in tax laws may occur at any time and could have a substantial impact upon each person’s situation.

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