August / September
Showing 433–448 of 469 results
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The right trust can help shield assets from creditors
August / September 2009
Newsletter: Focus
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 606
Abstract: More than ever, people are looking for ways to protect their assets — and with good reason. With the erratic stock market and weakened home values, threats such as a frivolous lawsuit or a forced bankruptcy filing could sink a business owner’s financial ship. Or, he or she may be more concerned about threats to assets being passed to children. All of these threats can be battled by placing assets in a trust — but not just any trust. Spendthrift trusts and offshore trusts may offer special protection — although there are some caveats.
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Rewarding nonfamily employees – Offer “alternative” compensation and benefits
August / September 2009
Newsletter: Focus
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 587
Abstract: Family business owners understand the need to reward their nonfamily workers. After all, in many cases, these employees make up the lion’s share of a company’s workforce. But it can be difficult to keep the “lions” motivated when family employees are also owners and nonfamily employees aren’t. To avoid giving ownership interests to nonfamily members, consider instead offering them “alternative” compensation and benefits. These may include matching contributions for a retirement plan or, for executive employees, participation in a nonqualified deferred compensation plan. Phantom stock and fringe benefits are also possibilities.
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Does your retirement future look as bright as it used to?
August / September 2009
Newsletter: Focus
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 925
Abstract: Many people approaching their “golden years” are understandably nervous about opening their retirement plan statements these days. Although leaving the workforce — and a steady income — behind during the current economic downturn probably isn’t ideal, it may still be possible to retire in style. But it’s important to look at finances. How lavish a retirement is desired? Will there be enough money for health care? Beyond Social Security, one must look to a tax-advantaged retirement plan, such as a 401(k), IRA, or simplified employee pension (SEP). Or one can work longer, but retirement plan minimum distribution requirements take effect at age 70½ (although, as a sidebar explains, these have been suspended for 2009).
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Practical Perspectives: key financial issues for you and your family – What to consider when a family member asks for a loan
August / September 2009
Newsletter: Trendlines
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 535
Abstract: This issue examines the case of Irving, Veronica and Irving’s sister Patricia, who has lost her job and is in desperate need of a loan. Before they make a decision, Irving and Veronica visit their financial advisor, who explains the steps that are necessary to formalize the loan and to avoid negative tax consequences.
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Moneylines: News Briefs for Businesses
August / September 2009
Newsletter: Trendlines
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 419
Abstract: This issue’s “Moneylines” discusses slower customer payments being experienced by some businesses, while others’ owners are forgoing their own salaries to keep their enterprises afloat. There’s also increased usage of “cloud computing,” and one study shows that surfing the Internet at work might not be the productivity-killer that many have feared.
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How do you hold title to your assets? – The answer could affect your estate plan
August / September 2009
Newsletter: Trendlines
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 1088
Abstract: The manner in which you own — or “hold title” to — your assets can have a big effect on how and whether those assets are passed on to your heirs according to your wishes. But there are three key ways to hold title assets, each of which could affect the feasibility of your estate plan: joint tenancy with the right of survivorship; an irrevocable life insurance trust; and a credit shelter (or “bypass”) trust. A sidebar notes current and potential changes in the estate tax exemption.
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Retaining your best staff in a down economy
August / September 2009
Newsletter: Trendlines
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 831
Abstract: With rising unemployment numbers getting plenty of media attention over the past year or so, it may seem counterintuitive to worry about retaining staff. Yet a star employee moving on to greener pastures during tough economic times is hardly an impossibility. And your remaining employees may feel unsettled when key staff depart, hurting their productivity and leaving them eyeing the exits. For these reasons, it’s important to brush up on some best practices in staff retention. These include relevant training, a challenging environment, work-life balance and employee empowerment. And a sidebar points out that, for those who do leave, an exit interview can provide important lessons.
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3 retirement benefits options for small businesses
August / September 2009
Newsletter: Employee Benefits Update
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 325
Abstract: For small business owners, a 401(k) plan may be impractical. Yet helping employees save for their retirement is a perk for many businesses. This brief article explains three possible alternatives, and two of them allow employees to save quite a bit more than they can with a traditional IRA.
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American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 – What you need to know about changes to COBRA coverage
August / September 2009
Newsletter: Employee Benefits Update
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 435
Abstract: The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) makes substantial changes to COBRA coverage, including the addition of a government subsidy for medical premiums. Signed into law earlier this year, ARRA affects employers with 20 or more employees who maintain group health plans. This article summarizes the changes made to COBRA under the act.
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Is your plan ready for automatic enrollment? IRS issues final regulations
August / September 2009
Newsletter: Employee Benefits Update
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 764
Abstract: Final IRS regulations now in effect encourage greater retirement plan participation through two types of automatic enrollment arrangements: qualified automatic contribution arrangements (QACAs) and eligible automatic contribution arrangements (EACAs). This article provides some highlights of each arrangement.
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IRS simplifies timing of taxes on ADP corrections
August / September 2009
Newsletter: Employee Benefits Update
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 860
Abstract: Many plans that provide for elective contributions are subject to the actual deferral percentage (ADP) test. This test limits the amount that certain plan benefits provided to highly compensated employees (HCEs) may exceed benefits provided to nonhighly compensated employees (NHCEs). A failing ADP test is something that many plans have to face at some point in time. While this sounds intimidating, the fix is actually pretty easy under new IRS requirements. This article takes a look at the law and provides a few examples.
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NEWS FOR NONPROFITS – Google launches portal for nonprofits
August / September 2008
Newsletter: Nonprofit Agendas
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 520
Abstract: This issue gives the lowdown on Google’s recently launched portal for nonprofits, the IRS’s final rules on excess benefits, and new information on the IRS’s processes for ensuring you don’t abuse your tax-exempt status. A fourth item highlights a study that reveals how the next generation of nonprofit leaders is turned off by low salaries and other factors.
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Valuing and reporting gifts in kind and donated services
August / September 2008
Newsletter: Nonprofit Agendas
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 780
Abstract: The support you receive during the year doesn’t come only in the form of straight cash donations or fees for services — it also comes in the form of gifts in kind or donated services. Sometimes, these sums must be recorded on your books and recognized as revenue, expenses, and/or assets at year end. This article explains when each scenario applies.
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One for all and all for one – How to transition leadership during a merger or acquisition
August / September 2008
Newsletter: Nonprofit Agendas
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 754
Abstract: Mergers and acquisitions are taking place more often among both large and small nonprofits today. For nonprofits taking the plunge, one of the most daunting challenges — one likely to determine the effort’s success or failure — is transitioning the key leadership so that it stays invested and involved in the process. (Updated 2/20/12)
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Donor intent becoming hot-button issue – Gift documentation, acceptance guidelines ward off future problems
August / September 2008
Newsletter: Nonprofit Agendas
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 1050
Abstract: What’s probably the largest donor intent lawsuit in U.S. history, Robertson v. Princeton University, is expected to go to trial this fall. With its allegations of fund misuse, the case could set the stage for charitable giving in this century. Here’s what you need to know to protect yourself against such accusations.
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Ask the Advisor – Q: How is the dollar’s declining value likely to affect the sale of my business?
August / September 2008
Newsletter: Merger & Acquisition Focus
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 470
Abstract: This column addresses issues relating to the declining dollar. These include how a weak dollar is helping some U.S. businesses that have substantial overseas operations and hurting those that rely on imported supplies or overseas labor. It also talks about why foreign buyers may be more — or less — inclined to buy a U.S. company these days.