Congress’s failure to adopt estate tax legislation in 2009 and the possibility that changes will not be adopted during 2010, radically change the estate planning considerations of many clients. For example, Congress has indicated that in 2010 about 6,000 decedents will benefit from the elimination of estate taxes, but over 70,000 heirs will pay higher income taxes because of the change in the income tax basis rules for assets received from decedents.

The Health Care reform has lost momentum and may not come to fruition. It contained surprisingly little about the potentially devastating costs of long-term care needs. There is a bill (The CLASS Act--Community Living Assistance Services and Support) that was introduced by the late Senator Kennedy that would address some the concerns associated with long-term care, but its current prospects are uncertain.

December 2009 Capital Markets Review

The economy and action/inaction of Congress have created more than the usual upheaval with respect to tax planning moving forward into 2010. The federal estate and generation-skipping transfer (GST) taxes lapsed (for one year) at the end of 2009. This has generated some controversial discussion in the media and Congress will have to address this issue sometime this year.

You should monitor the impact of these increases on your estate plan. The pressure to raise revenue is going to be intense over the next decade.

Permanent life insurance is not just about death benefits. It’s an essential tool in estate, business succession, and financial planning, with myriad and diverse uses.

You may have heard about the opportunity for all taxpayers to make a Roth IRA conversion beginning in 2010. This type of tax-planning opportunity only comes around once or twice a decade and should get serious consideration.

September 2009 Capital Markets Review

Diversification in an Uncertain Age

June 2009 Capital Markets Review

Taking the Long-Term View

Who’s Watching Your Back? An Assessment of Life Insurance Policyholder Protections in the Wake of the Financial Downturn.

Choosing Life Insurance Products in Today’s Volatile Economic Environment. From product selection to product performance, there are many factors to consider when buying life insurance. The ongoing volatility in the financial markets can create additional challenges. What should clients be aware of when considering various product types? Are there ways to mitigate the uncertainty of policy performance in this environment?

Q&A: Carrier Solvency and the Impact On Policyholders. As insurance carriers continue to face challenges due to the recent economic turmoil, solvency is on the minds of many clients and advisors. Addressing some basic questions about solvency, and the implications for policyholders, supports efforts to restore confidence in the life insurance industry.