Will Social Security Run Out in The Next 10 Years?

Contributed by: Kelsey Arvai, CFP®, MBA

Contributed by: Nick Errer and Ryan O'Neal

No, social security won't run out, at least not entirely. As a result of changes to Social Security enacted in 1983, benefits are expected to be payable in full until 2037. When these reserves are used up, continuing tax revenues are expected to pay 76% of scheduled benefits. What is causing the financial status of the Social Security Fund to shortfall? Americans have fewer children, live longer, and have an aging population of Baby Boomers retiring at a record pace, further lowering the workforce.

Many discussions have surfaced about how Congress will address the issue of an insolvent Social Security fund. Because we are currently in an election term, it is unlikely that any immediate action will be taken, but these are likely the eventual options on the table, barring any other creative solutions.  

Payroll Taxes may increase. The current Social Security tax rate is 12.4%. For most Americans who are W2 employees, this is split 50/50 between the employer and employee. An increase of 1% for both parties would bring the total rate up to 14.4% and substantially improve the program's state.  

Retirement age may have to go up. There have been no significant changes to the Social Security Program since the full retirement age was lifted from 65 to 67 in 1983. Since then, the average life expectancy in the United States has risen from 74.6 to 77.5 years old. A slight increase in the full retirement age represents how much longer people live today. Another increase would extend the fund substantially.

Benefits may get cut. Like any other struggling budget, there are two ways to fix it. One can either increase revenues or decrease spending. Rather than increasing revenue via payroll taxes to improve the state of the Social Security Fund, policymakers may decide to lower the maximum benefit individuals may receive. While this option would face scrutiny in the current high-price environment, it is certainly on the table.

In today's political environment, it is astute to structure your retirement portfolio to accommodate at least 30 years of retirement or longer. You can do this by creating a savings plan and choosing the right mix of investments (also known as a portfolio allocation). Individuals may rely on several fixed income sources besides Social Security in retirement, such as annuities, pensions, rental properties, or other recurring sources. Maintain at least one year of cash in a relatively safe, liquid account, such as an interest-bearing bank account or money market fund. Next, create a short-term reserve in your investment portfolio equivalent to two to four years' worth of living expenses, accounting for regular income sources or not, depending on how conservative you are. Invest the rest of your portfolio in investments that align with your goals and risk tolerance. The overarching goal here should be to hold a mix of stock, bond, and cash investments that can generate growth, provide income, and preserve your capital—balancing retirement income between social security and other income streams to create a more reliable financial future. Are you looking to implement a retirement income strategy? Reach out to us!

Sources:
https://www.ssa.gov/policy/docs/ssb/v70n3/v70n3p111.html  
https://www.investopedia.com/ask/answers/071514/why-social-security-running-out-money.asp  

Kelsey Arvai, MBA, CFP® is an Associate Financial Planner at Center for Financial Planning, Inc.® She facilitates back office functions for clients.

This 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 the author and are 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 or investment decision. Investing involves risk and you may incur a profit or a loss regardless of strategy selected. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Prior to making an investment decision, please consult with your financial advisor about your individual situation.

Mutual Funds vs. ETFs – What’s the Difference?

Contributed by: Nicholas Boguth, CFA®, CFP®

At the highest level…not much! Mutual funds and Exchange Traded Funds are two common types of investments that group individual securities together into a neat package to make it easier for us investors to build our ideal portfolios.

The difference between mutual funds and ETFs shows up more when you dig into the details of their liquidity, tax efficiency, costs, and transparency (more information on each difference is at the bottom of this post for anyone looking for the specifics). ETFs do have some structural benefits compared to mutual funds, which has led to their faster growth over the past decade, but the total assets invested in ETFs are still less than half that of mutual funds.

I buried the specifics at the bottom of this post because, for most of us, ETFs and mutual funds can be used interchangeably to reach our investment goals. In fact, some companies offer the exact same investment product in both fund structures.

The major question: "Which is better?" If only it were that easy…

ETFs do have a handful of advantages compared to mutual funds. Two of the most significant advantages are that they are often cheaper and more tax efficient. But like all things in investing, the best answer is…"It depends." Here are some examples where you might lean towards a mutual fund compared to an ETF: sometimes mutual funds ARE cheaper, or maybe you want to invest in a portfolio manager who doesn't offer an ETF, or perhaps you believe an asset class is better served by the mutual fund structure than the ETF, or you are holding a mutual fund in a taxable account and now have a large capital gain that you do not want to realize yet, or your trading platform charges higher fees to trade ETFs, or you want to set up automatic periodic purchases and a mutual fund is the only way to do that.

Ultimately, your investment portfolio can only be perfect for YOU. We would love the opportunity to help you build a portfolio that will help you reach your financial goals. Shoot us an email to get started!

• Liquidity: ETFs trade intra-day, similar to stocks, so you can get a different price when you buy/sell at 10 a.m. compared to 2 p.m., for example. When you buy or sell a mutual fund, the price is determined at the end of the day.

• Tax Efficiency: Mutual funds and ETFs rebalance and trade their individual holdings throughout the year, and those trades may generate capital gains. Mutual funds and ETFs must pass those capital gains onto you, the end investor. The difference is that the structure of an ETF gives it the option to create or redeem shares or "creation units" that allows them to minimize capital gains for the end investor throughout the year. From your perspective, the capital gains don't just disappear when you hold an ETF. You'll still realize those capital gains once YOU sell the ETF in your portfolio, but it gives you more control over WHEN you will realize them, which can be important for your financial plan.

• Costs: ETFs are generally cheaper than mutual funds. There are a whole host of reasons for this, from operational efficiencies to commission/load differences. However, the average ETF is about half the cost of the average mutual fund when comparing expense ratios. There are exceptions to every rule, though, and trading fees/commissions also have to be taken into consideration when building your portfolio.

• Transparency: Mutual funds generally only report their holdings to the SEC, whereas ETFs report daily. This gives end investors more transparency into what the fund is actually holding and can help inform our investment decisions.

• Minimums and periodic purchases: Mutual funds often have higher minimums than ETFs, but you cannot buy fractional shares of ETFs, which may cause some operational issues in smaller portfolios. You are also not able to set up automatic purchases or sales into or out of ETFs like you can with mutual funds.

Nicholas Boguth, CFA®, CFP® is a Senior Portfolio Manager and Associate Financial Planner at Center for Financial Planning, Inc.® He performs investment research and assists with the management of client portfolios.

Securities offered through Raymond James Financial Services, Inc., member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advisory services are offered through Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc.

Center for Financial Planning, Inc. is not a registered broker/dealer and is independent of Raymond James Financial Services.

This 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 the author and are 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 or investment decision. Investing involves risk, investors may incur a profit or loss regardless of strategy or strategies employed. Asset allocation does not ensure a profit or guarantee against a loss.

Is the 4% Rule Dead?

Contributed by: Nick Defenthaler, CFP®, RICP®

In 1994, financial adviser and academic William Bengen published one of the most popular and widely cited research papers titled: "Determining Withdrawal Rates Using Historical Data," published in the Journal of Financial Planning. Through extensive research, Bengen found that retirees could safely spend about 4% of their retirement savings in the first year of retirement. In future years, they could adjust those distributions with inflation and maintain a high probability of never running out of money, assuming a 30-year retirement time frame. In Bengen's study, the assumed portfolio composition for a retiree was a conservative 50% stock (S&P 500) and 50% in bonds (intermediate term Treasuries).

Is the 4% Rule Still Relevant Today?

Over the past several years, more and more consumer and industry publications have written articles stating that the 4% rule could be dead and that a lower distribution rate closer to 3% is now appropriate. In 2021, Morningstar published a research paper calling the 4% rule no longer feasible and proposing a 3.3% withdrawal rate. Fast forward 12 months later to mid-2022, and the same researchers updated the study and changed their proposed sustainable withdrawal rate to 3.8%.

When I read these articles and studies, I was surprised that none of them referenced what I consider critically important statistics from Bengen's 4% rule that should highlight how conservative this retirement income rule of thumb truly is:

• 96% of the time, individuals who took out 4% of their portfolio each year (adjusted annually by inflation) over 30 years passed away with a portfolio balance that exceeded the value of their portfolio in the first year of retirement.

Example: A couple with a $1,000,000 portfolio who adhered to the 4% rule over 30 years had a 96% chance of passing away with a portfolio value of over $1,000,000.

• An individual had a 50% chance of passing away with a portfolio value 1.6 times the value of their portfolio in the first year of retirement.

Example: A couple with a $1,000,000 portfolio who adhered to the 4% rule over 30 years (adjusted annually by inflation) had a 50% chance of passing away with a portfolio value of over $1,600,000.

We must remember that the 4% rule was developed by looking at the worst possible time frame for someone to retire (October of 1968 – a perfect storm for a terrible stock market and high inflation). As more articles and studies questioned if the 4% rule was still relevant today, considering current equity valuations, bond yields, and inflation, William Bengen was compelled to address this. Through additional diversification, Bengen now believes the appropriate withdrawal rate is actually between 4.5% - 4.7% – nearly 15% higher than his original rule of thumb.

Applying the 4% Rule

My continued takeaway with the 4% rule is that it is a great starting place when considering a retirement income strategy. Factors such as age, health status, life expectancy, fixed income sources, evolving spending goals in retirement, etc., all play a vital role in how much an individual or family can draw from their portfolio now and in the future. As I always say – there are no black-and-white answers in financial planning; your story is unique, and so is your financial plan.

Sources for this article includE:

• https://www.financialplanningassociation.org/article/journal/MAR04-determining-withdrawal-rates-using-historical-data

• https://www.morningstar.com/lp/the-state-of-retirement-income

• https://finance.yahoo.com/news/even-inventor-bill-bengen-revisiting-143000007.html

Nick Defenthaler, CFP®, RICP®, is a Partner and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional at Center for Financial Planning, Inc.® Nick specializes in tax-efficient retirement income and distribution planning for clients and serves as a trusted source for local and national media publications, including WXYZ, PBS, CNBC, MSN Money, Financial Planning Magazine and OnWallStreet.com.

Securities offered through Raymond James Financial Services, Inc., member FINRA/SIPC. Center for Financial Planning, Inc is not a registered broker/dealer and is independent of Raymond James Financial Services Investment advisory services are offered through Center for Financial Planning, Inc. The foregoing information has been obtained from sources considered to be reliable, but we do not guarantee that it is accurate or complete, it is not a statement of all available data necessary for making an investment decision, and it does not constitute a recommendation. Any opinions are those of Nick Defenthaler, CFP®, RICP® and not necessarily those of Raymond James.

Investing involves risk and you may incur a profit or a loss regardless of strategy selected. The S&P 500 is comprised of approximately 500 widely held stocks that is generally considered representative of the U.S. stock market. It is unmanaged and cannot be invested into directly. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Prior to making an investment decision, please consult with your financial advisor about your individual situation.

Don’t Be a Victim! Financial Abuse of Seniors – How to Spot Scams & Protect Yourself

Contributed by: Sandra Adams, CFP®

As a financial adviser in an almost 40-year-long practice, I work very hard to keep my aging client base educated on anything that might be a risk to them or their financial plan. Financial exploitation, including current fraud and scams, rises to the top of this list when it comes to the older adult population.

With technological advances, including artificial intelligence and access to computers, cell phones, and other devices, it is hard to keep up with how we can be attacked, who we can trust, and what is safe. According to the American Bankers Association, senior financial abuse is estimated to have cost victims at least $2.9 billion last year alone.

What is Senior Financial Exploitation?

This is a crime that strips older adults of their resources and independence. You should be on alert if you see signs of theft, fraud, misuse of another person’s assets or credit, or use of undue influence to gain control of an older person’s money or property. Those are signs of possible exploitation. Older adults who may have disabilities, including cognitive impairment, or may rely on others for help can be especially susceptible to scams and other fraud.

Dr. Peter Lichtenberg of Wayne State University’s Institute of Gerontology has done intensive research on financial exploitation in the senior population. He recommends avoiding scams by being aware of PRESSURE:

Phone: Phishing or text solicitations to start a scam.

Requests: That you send money by gift card, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency.

Ex tracking: Your personal information (Social Security number, date of birth, account numbers) to verify your identity.

Secrecy: Scammers insist that you keep their contact with you a secret!

Spamming: Multiple emails or texts, hoping one will catch you off guard.

Urgency: Scammers insist you act quickly before you become suspicious.

Repetitive: Requests to provide money or information (to wear you down).

Emotional: Scammers appeal to your emotions to make you panic (“your grandson is in jail”) or become excited (“you won the lottery”), so you act without thinking.

What are actions you should take to protect yourself against exploitation?

• Make sure your estate planning documents are updated and that you have someone prepared to make decisions for you in the case that you are unable to make those decisions for yourself.

• Shred receipts, bank statements, and unused credit card offers before throwing them away.

• Lock up your checkbook, account statements, and other sensitive information when others will be in your home.

• Check your credit report at least once a year (www.annualcreditreport.com) to ensure accuracy and ensure there are no unauthorized credit openings.

• Never give personal information, including your Social Security number, account number, address, or other financial information, to anyone over the phone or computer unless you initiated the call and the other party is trusted.

• Never pay a fee or taxes to collect sweepstakes or lottery winnings.

• Never rush into a financial decision. Ask for details in writing and get a second opinion.

• Consult with a financial adviser or attorney before signing any document you don’t understand.

• Get to know your financial adviser and build relationships with those who handle your finances. They can look out for any suspicious activity related to your account.

• Check with your trusted financial adviser before proceeding with transactions if you are not sure.

• Check references and credentials before hiring anyone. Don’t allow workers to have access to information about your financial accounts.

• Pay with credit cards instead of cash to keep a paper trail. In the event of fraud, credit cards give you the best recourse for getting your money back.

• Feel free to say “no.” This is your money. Do not be pressured into making a decision.

• Trust your instincts.

What should you do if you suspect you have been a victim of financial abuse?

• Do not keep it to yourself — talk to a trusted family member or professional who has your best interests at heart.

• Contact your financial adviser, an officer at your bank, or your attorney.

• Contact Adult Protective Services in your state or your local police for help.

If you are helping older adults, what are the warning signs of financial abuse?

• Unusual activity in bank accounts, including large, frequent, or unexplained withdrawals.

• ATM withdrawals by an older person who may have never used a debit or ATM card in the past.

• Withdrawals from bank accounts or transfers between bank accounts that the older adult cannot explain.

• New companions accompanying the older person to the bank or financial planning appointments who have never been part of the relationship in the past.

• Sudden and uncharacteristic non-sufficient funds activity or unpaid bills.

• Suspicious signatures on checks or other paperwork.

• Confusion, fear, or lack of awareness on the part of the older adult client.

• Refusal to make eye contact, shame, or reluctance to discuss an issue or problem with their financial account.

• Checks written as loans or gifts when this is not typical of the client.

• Sudden change of address or bank statements that no longer go to the customer’s home.

• New power of attorney that the older adult does not understand.

• Altered estate planning documents.

• Loss of property.

If you suspect financial abuse, what should you do?

• Have a conversation with the older adult to try to determine what is happening; seek advice for these difficult conversations, if needed.

• Report the elder abuse to their bank or other financial institutions to help stop it and prevent its recurrences.

• Contact Adult Protective Services in your town or state for help.

• Report all instances of elder financial abuse to your local police. If fraud is involved, it should likely be investigated.

It is not uncommon to be vulnerable to fraud and scams. Older adults are even more susceptible than most due to things like social isolation, unfamiliarity with technology, cognitive decline, etc. Romance scams, grandparent scams, Medicare and Social Security scams, and new scams are catching us all by surprise and stealing thousands of dollars from unsuspecting seniors every day. Be educated, alert, and careful to avoid the risk of financial exploitation.

To keep informed of the most current ongoing scams, go to www.ftc.gov.

Sandra Adams, CFP®, is a Partner and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional at Center for Financial Planning, Inc.® and holds a CeFT™ designation. She specializes in Elder Care Financial Planning and serves as a trusted source for national publications, including The Wall Street Journal, Research Magazine, and Journal of Financial Planning.

The foregoing information has been obtained from sources considered to be reliable, but we do not guarantee that it is accurate or complete, it is not a statement of all available data necessary for making an investment decision, and it does not constitute a recommendation. Any opinions are those of Sandra D. Adams and not necessarily those of Raymond James.

Prior to making an investment decision, please consult with your financial adviser about your individual situation.

Securities offered through Raymond James Financial Services, Inc. Member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advisory services offered through Center for Financial Planning, Inc. Center for Financial Planning, Inc.® is not a registered broker/dealer and is independent of Raymond James Financial Services.

Q2 2024 Investment Commentary

Contributed by: Angela Palacios, CFP®, AIF®

Contributed by: Nicholas Boguth, CFA®, CFP®

When the circumstances change, our perspective evolves. This anthem of the past year highlights the importance of adaptability and openness to new information. But as much as things have changed this year, much has stayed the same. Megacap tech stocks are still driving the S&P 500 gradually upward for the year. The S&P 500 has had the best start to a presidential reelection year by logging 31 record highs this year and low volatility. Interest rates are still high. Stocks are performing better than bonds, while the U.S. continues to trounce international and large company stocks, which continue to beat small company stocks. 

Elections

The remainder of the summer and fall will surely be dominated by election headlines. Because elections can be divisive and unnerving, it's important to remember that markets are often resilient even in the face of the most unsettling election scenarios. Watch for an invitation to our upcoming election event to hear more details on this topic, but here are some quick observations:

• U.S. stocks trend upward on average in election years regardless of which candidate wins the White House

• Balanced portfolios historically help investors meet their financial planning objectives while managing risk over presidential terms

• It's time in the market and not timing that matters the most for an investor; sitting on the sidelines with long-term assets sitting in cash can be costly to a long-term investment strategy

If you look at average and median returns through a presidential cycle, you can see that election years tend to be strongly positive. Historically, median returns are over 10% in an election year, with average returns over 7% in an election year. 

Returns also tend to come more strongly in the second half of the election year, as shown in the chart below. This year has broken the mold with strong returns through the first half of the year. Usually, when this happens, there tends to continue to be strong returns also through the second half of the year.

What Has Led to These Strongly Positive Returns?

While higher interest rates and high inflation seem like a staple part of the economy now, it is easy to forget that we enjoyed decades of low interest rates, low inflation and globalization that drove those trends.

Inflation has resumed its slow march downward despite a small pause this year and some numbers that had looked like they might be turning back upward. It seems unlikely that inflation will accelerate and should continue to resume the disinflation trend. Now, most of the inflation comes from shelter costs, and we have seen rent prices level off and slow slightly. Rent prices starting to come down should help this source of inflation. You also may have noticed your insurance rates increasing. Car insurance has contributed notably to recent inflation numbers. 

Many consumers still feel the sting of higher prices because slowing inflation only means prices aren't going up at the pace they were. The price increases we experienced over the past several years are here to stay and will need to be permanently factored into budgets going forward. Many households have found substitutes by shopping around at bargain retailers, and some have been lucky enough to experience wage inflation (although not enough to offset economic inflation.

Interest Rates and The Fed

It is hard to talk about inflation without discussing The Federal Reserve and the current interest rate environment. As of the end of the quarter, the 1-year treasury rate was ~5.1%, and the 10-year treasury rate was ~4.4%. You are still getting paid MORE in short-term bonds than you are in longer-term bonds – that is strange! In a normal interest rate environment, you would get a higher coupon from longer bonds because, in return, you are taking on more risk and uncertainty from the longer time until maturity.

This environment has made it much more attractive to hold money market funds, CDs, and other short-term instruments, BUT those are not without risks of their own. If the 10-year rate falls, for example, then the risk of being in the short-term bond is that you will miss out on the price gains of the 10-year bond, and if short-term rates fall as well, then you will have to reinvest your money at a lower interest rate once your bond matures. Without knowing the path of interest rates going forward, there is no way to know with certainty which type of bond will outperform. However, we are here to help make sure your portfolio is positioned well for YOUR financial plan.

Speaking of the path of interest rates, despite inflation heading in the direction that the Fed wants, they kept the Fed Funds rate steady at the same rate as it has been for almost the past year: 5.25-5.5%. There are advocates on each side of the argument saying that they should have cut rates already OR that they should even keep further hikes on the table. Jerome Powell continues to stress data dependence and their commitment to the 2% inflation target, and this sentiment is shown in bond rates as rate cut expectations have continually been priced out of the market year-to-date. No one has control over inflation numbers, the Fed, interest rates, or the stock market – you have to  invest given the hand you are dealt.

AI and Meme Stocks

Several investment crazes have filtered into this stock market rally; some have long-term validity, and some don't. The evolving landscape surrounding artificial intelligence has strongly impacted any company investing heavily in it. Nvidia corporation has been the poster child of a rally surrounding artificial intelligence, which has been up very strongly this year, even though it has recently pulled back some. Nvidia is viewed as a pioneer in the space as its business shifted from gaming consoles to data centers where its chips now power large language models like ChatGPT.  Meanwhile, Gamestop found itself in the middle of the meme stock craze again. While returns attributed to meme stock hype are usually short-lived, the idea of social media heavily influencing trading performance is something the markets are still trying to make sense of. While investing in a long-term productivity enhancement like artificial intelligence can drive long-term fundamental returns, meme stocks are more about hype and short-term volatility.

Hopefully, you take a few moments to check out the Olympics this month. I am often in awe of the amazing talent seen from around the world. That kind of talent comes from a lifetime of diligence and hard work, much like successful investing. Natural ability or luck can only take you so far and can't be counted on. Athletes must train in various muscle groups and mental stamina to be successful. Much like athletes rely on diversified training in investing, we rely on asset diversification, good investor behavior, and consistent saving over time to reach our finish line. We are here to help ensure your investments are helping you reach the finish line no matter what the market environment looks like. Don't ever hesitate to reach out with any questions you may have.

Angela Palacios, CFP®, AIF®, is a partner and Director of Investments at Center for Financial Planning, Inc.® She chairs The Center Investment Committee and pens a quarterly Investment Commentary.

Nicholas Boguth, CFA®, CFP® is a Senior Portfolio Manager and Associate Financial Planner at Center for Financial Planning, Inc.® He performs investment research and assists with the management of client portfolios.

Any opinions are those of the Angela Palacios, CFP®, AIF® and Nick Boguth, CFA®, CFP® and not necessarily those of Raymond James. The information contained in this report does not purport to be a complete description of the securities, markets, or developments referred to in this material. There is no assurance any of the trends mentioned will continue or forecasts will occur. The information has been obtained from sources considered to be reliable, but Raymond James does not guarantee that the foregoing material is accurate or complete. 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. Investing involves risk and you may incur a profit or loss regardless of strategy selected. The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index of 500 widely held stocks that is generally considered representative of the U.S. stock market. The MSCI EAFE (Europe, Australasia, and Far East) is a free float-adjusted market capitalization index that is designed to measure developed market equity performance, excluding the United States & Canada. The EAFE consists of the country indices of 22 developed nations. The Bloomberg Barclays US Aggregate Bond Index is a broad-based flagship benchmark that measures the investment grade, US dollar-denominated, fixed-rate taxable bond market. Keep in mind that individuals cannot invest directly in any index, and index performance does not include transaction costs or other fees, which will affect actual investment performance. Individual investor's results will vary. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Diversification and asset allocation do not ensure a profit or protect against a loss. Investing involves risk and you may incur a profit or loss regardless of strategy selected. Past performance is not a guarantee or a predictor of future results. Raymond James and its advisors do not offer tax or legal advice. You should discuss any tax or legal matters with the appropriate professional.

ATTENTION: Important Information for Owners of Corporations, LLC’s, and Other Business Entities

Contributed by: Michael Brocavich, CFP®, MBA

Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) - Report beneficial ownership information to FinCEN by January 1, 2025

Why was this reporting requirement imposed?

The CTA is mainly an anti-money laundering law and was enacted by Congress to protect national interests and better enable efforts to counter illegal acts. Entities that qualify will have to report information to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) by January 1, 2025. FinCEN is part of the U.S. Department of Treasury.

Who is impacted?

Every corporation, LLC, or other entity created by the filing of a document with a Secretary of State or similar office under the law of a state or Indian tribe.

What information do I need to provide?

To complete the filing through FinCEN, the below information is required:

• Information about the company: Name, EIN, business address, and incorporation date

• Information about the company’s beneficial owners: Name, address, and photo documentation of a driver’s license or passport

What do I need to do?

Report the required information to FinCEN before the January 1, 2025, deadline by using FinCEN’s BOI e-filing website. You are able to report this information directly to FinCEN at no charge, or you can authorize an accountant to file on your behalf.

For those that have created an entity this year, there is a requirement to file within 90 days of creation. 

What resources are available?

The following resources are available through FinCEN’s website:

• FAQs

• Small entity compliance guide

• Quick reference guide

What happens next?

We’re aware of the pending legal challenges related to the CTA, including the recent ruling by the U.S. District Court for the District of Alabama. Under our understanding, the CTA reporting requirements still stand as-is.

Questions?

If you have any questions about the requirements for your specific situation, we encourage you to consult with your attorney.

Michael Brocavich, CFP®, MBA is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional at Center for Financial Planning, Inc.® He has an extensive background in both personal and corporate finance.

The foregoing information has been obtained from sources considered to be reliable, but we do not guarantee that it is accurate or complete, it is not a statement of all available data necessary for making an investment decision, and it does not constitute a recommendation. Any opinions are those of Michael Brocavich and not necessarily those of Raymond James.

Securities offered through Raymond James Financial Services, Inc. Member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advisory services offered through Center for Financial Planning, Inc® Center for Financial Planning, Inc.® is not a registered broker/dealer and is independent of Raymond James Financial Services.

Managing Finances for an Aging Parent

Contributed by: Josh Bitel, CFP®

Being a child of an aging parent can often come with some unexpected responsibilities. As the people in our lives start to get older, an unfortunate reality is that they may need some help with managing their money. Whether making decisions on behalf of a parent, helping organize and consolidate accounts, making sure debts are paid on time, or sorting out an estate – this duty may bring forth some difficult decisions. Below are some ideas to hopefully help make this transition a bit easier.

Consider Establishing Power of Attorney

A power of attorney is a legal document that allows someone else to act on your behalf. This document is one of the "Big Four" estate planning documents that financial planners recommend everyone to consider. This document can and should only be granted when a parent is competent and able to make the decision. It does not mean that a power of attorney has complete control of their lives, but having one in place can help save time and money for family members who would otherwise have to go to court and be appointed if mom or dad should become incapacitated.

Zoom Out and Think "Big Picture"

Seemingly small things that come easy to younger generations may not be commonplace with our parents. Simply switching bills to auto-pay or income to be directly deposited into a bank account can go a long way toward simplifying and organizing monthly cash flow for mom or dad. Aging parents likely also have different time horizons, goals, and liquidity needs than their children. These differences must be taken into consideration when beginning to manage a parent's assets – more stable, income-producing investments often make more financial sense than stocks for aging folks, for example.

Leverage Professionals

Mom and/or dad may work with a financial planner or CPA who has known them for long enough to help make sense of their situation. It is important to understand that handing over the reins of managing the financial household can be a stressful transition for parents; leveraging the individuals in their lives who they have trusted to oversee these matters in the past can help you piece together this puzzle. If mom/dad doesn't have a trusted advisor in their corner, consider using yours or hiring one to help. If your parents do not already have an estate plan in place (see the "big four" linked above), consider partnering with an estate planning attorney to draft these documents. This will allow mom and dad to make sure they are transferring their assets to exactly who they want, when they want, and how they want. Otherwise, the state will choose their estate plan for them!

Be Aware of Emotions

Not only can needing children to help manage the household finances be a stressful time for parents, but siblings can also have a hard time coming to grips with seeing their parent's age. When having these conversations with mom, dad, brother, or sister – consider leaning on the idea that this doesn't mean they are incapable of managing their own affairs, but simply that you want to help take the burden off so they can enjoy their later years and not worry about trivial matters like paying bills and managing income.

There is no sugarcoating these kinds of conversations with family. Proud, aging parents will want to be independent as long as possible, and siblings may not want to impose on mom and dad's financial matters. Leading with the right approach and a careful plan of action can help alleviate some of these stressors and help simplify life for all involved. If you are considering having these difficult discussions and are interested in guidance, I encourage you to contact a trusted advisor such as a Certified Financial Planner™.

Josh Bitel, CFP® is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional at Center for Financial Planning, Inc.® He conducts financial planning analysis for clients and has a special interest in retirement income analysis.

Opinions expressed in the attached article are those of the author and are not necessarily those of Raymond James. Securities offered through Raymond James Financial Services, Inc. Member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advisory services offered through Center for Financial Planning, Inc.® Center for Financial Planning, Inc.® is not a registered broker/dealer and is independent of Raymond James Financial Services.

Beat the Squeeze: ACA Income Planning for Pre-Medicare Retirees

Contributed by: Nick Defenthaler, CFP®, RICP®

Are you currently retired or planning on retiring before Medicare begins at age 65? If so, congratulations! If you have the ability to retire in your early 60s, chances are that you’ve saved aggressively over the years and have prepared well for retirement. In our experience, the top concern or area of stress for those retiring before 65 is the potential cost of health insurance and the impact it could have on their long-term financial plan.

Prior to the Affordable Care Act (ACA), private health care for those in their early 60s could be rigid and very expensive. Since the ACA was signed into law in 2010, a lot has changed. While certainly not perfect, the ACA now allows individuals to obtain private health insurance, the premiums of which are based on their current or projected income for the upcoming year.

If your income is within a certain percentage of the federal poverty level, you will receive a subsidy on your monthly health insurance premiums. Through recent legislation, these income parameters have substantially expanded, now benefiting individuals and couples with income levels that would previously disqualify them from receiving any subsidy on their health insurance premiums.

Open enrollment for ACA plans typically runs from early November until mid-January. When applying for coverage, you must estimate your income level for the upcoming year. From this information, your potential subsidy is determined.

If your actual income level is higher than projected, you will have to pay back a portion (or potentially all) of your subsidy. Your payback amount will depend on how much higher your income is as compared to your original projection. This determination occurs when you file your taxes for the year. On the flip side, if your income is lower than initially projected, you’ll be entitled to the higher subsidy amount you should have received all along (once again, determined when you file your taxes and received as a tax credit).

If you are someone who has saved very well in preparation for your retirement, you likely have various forms of retirement/investment accounts as well as future fixed income sources, which create retirement income flexibility for you. This flexibility makes it possible to structure a “retirement paycheck” that assures your spending needs are met but with significantly less income reported on your tax return. We call this “ACA income planning,” and it allows you to structure your income in a way that could help save you tens of thousands of dollars in reduced health insurance premiums! Read on as we dive into the details of the key elements of ACA income planning to see if this concept could make sense for you.

Overview of Income Sources

As discussed above, the premiums you pay for pre-65 health insurance are based on your projected modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) for the upcoming year. Because of this, it’s important to understand what constitutes as income in the first place:

• Employment/Earned Income: Will generally be 100% included in your MAGI for the year.

• Pension Income: Will generally be 100% included in your MAGI for the year.

• Social Security: While you may not pay tax on your full Social Security benefit, your ENTIRE monthly benefit (taxable and non-taxable component) is included in your MAGI for ACA income determination purposes.

• Traditional IRA/401(k)/403(b) Distributions: Because these retirement accounts were funded with pre-tax income, distributions will generally be 100% taxable and included in MAGI.

• Roth IRA Distributions: Because this retirement account was funded with after-tax dollars, distributions will NOT be taxable or included in MAGI (certain rules such as attaining age 59 ½ and having the Roth IRA open for at least five years will come into play, however).

• After-Tax Investment or “Brokerage” Account: Unlike 401(k) or Roth IRAs, these accounts are not tax-deferred and were initially funded with after-tax dollars. Capital gains, dividends, and interest (even tax-free, municipal bond interest) produced by the investments within this account will be included in MAGI. However, funds withdrawn from this account that have previously been taxed (the cost basis) will NOT be included in MAGI.

• Cash: Similar to an after-tax investment/brokerage account, funds initially deposited into a cash account, such as checking or savings, have already been taxed. Because of this, when funds are withdrawn from your checking/savings account for spending, these dollars are NOT included in MAGI.

• For even more details on various income sources and how they can impact MAGI, please click HERE.

Intentional Distribution Strategy

Because drawing from different accounts will have drastically different tax consequences, it is imperative to have a sound retirement income plan in place while on an individual health care plan before Medicare.

Consider a retired married couple in their early 60s who have saved into other accounts besides 401(k)s or IRAs (e.g., Roth IRAs or after-tax brokerage accounts). Some significant tax and health insurance premium planning opportunities could exist. In many cases, it could be wise for them to spend less out of their pre-tax IRA or 401(k) accounts during this time and take more funds out of Roth IRAs or an after-tax brokerage account. By doing so, income hitting their tax return would likely be significantly less compared to drawing the majority of income from the IRA or 401(k). This, in turn, could qualify them for large health insurance premium subsidies that could save them tens of thousands in the years leading up to Medicare.

Conclusion

As with any retirement income planning strategy, multiple factors must be considered, and the above example is certainly not a one-size-fits-all approach. If you find yourself in this window, where you are on an individual plan before Medicare, I encourage you to discuss your retirement income plan with your adviser. Not doing so could end up costing you thousands in unnecessary tax and insurance premiums.

Nick Defenthaler, CFP®, RICP®, is a Partner and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional at Center for Financial Planning, Inc.® Nick specializes in tax-efficient retirement income and distribution planning for clients and serves as a trusted source for local and national media publications, including WXYZ, PBS, CNBC, MSN Money, Financial Planning Magazine and OnWallStreet.com.

Securities offered through Raymond James Financial Services, Inc., member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advisory services are offered through Center for Financial Planning, Inc. Center for Financial Planning, Inc. is not a registered broker/dealer and is independent of Raymond James Financial Services.

The foregoing information has been obtained from sources considered to be reliable, but we do not guarantee that it is accurate or complete. Any opinions are those of Bob Ingram, CFP® and are not necessarily those of RJFS or Raymond James. Raymond James Financial Services, Inc. and its advisors do not provide advice on tax issues, these matters should be discussed with the appropriate professional.

Investing involves risk and you may incur a profit or loss regardless of strategy selected. Raymond James and its advisors do not offer tax or legal advice. You should discuss any tax or legal matters with the appropriate professional. Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, CFP® (with plaque design) and CFP® (with flame design) I the U.S. which it awards to individuals who successfully complete CFP Board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements.

Leaving a Spirit Legacy

Contributed by: Sandra Adams, CFP®

In the normal course of our financial planning reviews and strategy sessions with clients, we review estate planning and the documents that clients should have in place. This ensures that they have protected themselves and their families legally and that their wishes can be carried out during their lifetimes and after their deaths from a healthcare and financial perspective. What we often neglect to discuss are non-legal estate planning documents that are available to help pass on non-financial/non-physical assets to family members.

What am I talking about? In conversations with clients, they often express that they would like to have a way to pass on to their families things like family stories, their most strongly held values, and the wisdom they have spent a lifetime acquiring. As it turns out, there is a document that can be drafted that was designed just for passing on such important family “assets” — it is called a Spiritual Legacy. Again, a Spiritual Legacy is not an actual legal document. However, it is a document that can be left to your family, and for many clients, passing on these important family stories and values is as important as other assets they might be considering leaving behind.

How do you write a Spirit Legacy?

There is no right or wrong way to write your Spirit Legacy. If you would like some guidance on getting started, “Creating a Spirit Legacy” by Daniel Taylor is a great guide that helps you get started and provides exercises on turning your thoughts into good stories to leave to your family. There is also no reason not to start the process early and to review often. While we may believe that we have the best family stories and values in mind to leave behind, we continue to live (and many of us will live long lives), so it is important to continue to edit and revise our Spirit Legacies to always reflect the best of our stories, our current values, and best of our wisdom too. 

The next time you review your estate planning documents to make sure they are up to date, be sure to make sure that a Spirit Legacy is on your list. Your kids, grandkids, and great grandkids will be glad you did! 

Sandra Adams, CFP®, is a Partner and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional at Center for Financial Planning, Inc.® and holds a CeFT™ designation. She specializes in Elder Care Financial Planning and serves as a trusted source for national publications, including The Wall Street Journal, Research Magazine, and Journal of Financial Planning.

Opinions expressed in the attached article are those of the author and are not necessarily those of Raymond James. Securities offered through Raymond James Financial Services, Inc. Member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advisory services offered through Center for Financial Planning, Inc.® Center for Financial Planning, Inc.® is not a registered broker/dealer and is independent of Raymond James Financial Services.

The Center to Observe Upcoming Juneteenth Holiday

Contributed by: Kelsey Arvai, CFP®, MBA

Contributed by: Michael Brocavich, CFP®, MBA

This year, Juneteenth will be observed on Wednesday, June 19th. The Center, Raymond James, and public trading markets, including NYSE, NASDAQ, Chicago Stock Exchange and bond, unit investment trust, options and mutual fund markets will all be closed in observance.

Juneteenth (which stands for “June nineteenth”) commemorates the day in 1865 that federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas – months after the end of the civil war— to take control of the state and ensure that all enslaved people be freed. This came over two years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation. Although emancipation did not happen overnight for all the enslaved people in Texas, celebrations broke out among the newly freed, and Juneteenth was born. Slavery was formally abolished with the adoption of the 13th Amendment in December 1865.

Juneteenth signifies a historic day for Black Americans and is an important day for all Americans to observe as a part of our collective history. A landmark for social equity, we honor this day to commemorate Black freedom; reflect on how far we’ve come since; and acknowledge that work still needs to be done in the pursuit of social equity.

Kelsey Arvai, CFP®, MBA is an Associate Financial Planner at Center for Financial Planning, Inc.® She facilitates back office functions for clients.

Michael Brocavich, CFP®, MBA is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional at Center for Financial Planning, Inc.® He has an extensive background in both personal and corporate finance.

Securities offered through Raymond James Financial Services, Inc., member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advisory services are offered through Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc.