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  • How much tax will I have to pay when cashing out on a non-qualified annuity?

    Posted by admin on January 31st, 2010 and filed under Annuity Cash | 2 Comments »

    I know I wont have to pay the 10% penalty at age 59 1/2…And I want to take it all out. I have doubled my original investment. So If I do have to pay taxes ,will it be on all of it or just the amount I made above original investment? And if I do have to pay taxes, what would the rate be in CA?

    Return of your original investment is typically not taxable IF there was no tax favored treatment of the account with original invest and interest gained, etc.

    If you were to remove or "cash out" 6 figures that could throw you into a high tax bracket. Example you take out 300,000 the IRS will tax you 100,000 just on the federal alone. Which leaves you with 200,000 quite a lot to hand over to the IRS plus don’t forget the state.

    You need to talk the the account manager or someone at the financial institution handing the account to be sure of the tax treatment.

    Which Lottery payment option is best from a tax aversion perspective, cash payout or annuity?

    Posted by admin on January 28th, 2010 and filed under Annuity Cash | 4 Comments »


    When choosing a lottery payout option, making it based solely on tax avoidance is a fool’s mission.

    You should always base ALL financial decisions on MAXIMIZING WEALTH, not just minimizing taxes. While the tax aspect has to be considered it must be given its correct weight, no more and no less.

    Keep in mind that the principal way that you minimize taxes is to minimize taxable income. You’ll NEVER maximize your wealth that way! As long as tax rates are below 100%, ALWAYS take the extra income and pay the tax. You’ll have MORE money in your pocket when the ink dries on the check that way.

    While an annuity certain gives you the total number of dollars offered and does minimize the tax burden you have to keep two things in mind, neither of which can be predicted.

    First off, the effects of inflation will erode the value of those dollars in the future. That $400k annual payout looks great on paper today but if those dollars are worth less than $80k in 20 years you will have lost a LOT to inflation. It would only take a burp of double-digit inflation like we experienced in the late 70s and early to mid 80s to permanently skew those numbers in the wrong direction. Since it’s not possible to accurately predict the pressures of inflation the only way that you can protect yourself is to deal with it in today’s dollars. That leans heavily in the direction of taking the reduced lump sum.

    The next unpredictable issue is taxation. Sure, under the present law you’ll pay less tax in the long run if and only if tax laws stay static. Since laws are at the whim of Congress you can’t depend upon taxes remaining the same. There would be nothing to stop them from passing a law that would wipe out the tax advantage of future annuity payments. Again, advantage to the reduced lump sum as you know what todays tax burden will be for certain.

    The overriding consideration is the time value of money. You take out a loan, you pay interest. You put money in savings, they pay you. Pretty simple stuff, really. Now I’d never recommend dumping a major lottery hit in a bank savings account — unless you could negotiate a much more favorable rate which may be entirely possible; money does talk, and loudly so — but careful infestment of the entire proceeds of the reduced lump sum payout even after paying the increased tax bill right now puts far more dollars to work for you right now, not 10, 15, 20, or more years in the future when those dollars may be worth 1/5th of what they are today.

    how many times do people take the life, health and variable annuities exam?

    Posted by admin on January 21st, 2010 and filed under Annuity Information | 1 Comment »

    Any tips, advice, techniques or information.

    I must admit I’ve never heard of these exams but then again I’m only 14.

    Financial Planner stole my identity…?

    Posted by admin on January 13th, 2010 and filed under Annuity Information | 3 Comments »

    Several years ago my financial planner was putting together my portfolio which included some stocks, annuities etc. that my parents were going to give me as a gift. Well, my father was out of the country and he told me that he wanted to be present when All of these gifts were switched from his name to mine. I fully understood and told the planner we’d need to wait. Well, when my father returned in 3 weeks I received a call from him and he was extremely upset. He asked how I had taken nearly $75,000 from his stock/annuity accounts without respecting his wishes to be present.

    I had no answer and I called my planner to ask him. Only to find that she said that she just went ahead and took care of it as she had my fathers information (bank numbers/passwords and SSN).

    Well, my father was furious but he calmed down and it was excused.

    Now to 2009…….my husband and I have decided to divorce and to be honest, it’s getting quite ugly as we are not agreeing on asset distribution. Well, the other day I was going through some financials with the paralegal at my lawyers office and there is a large sum of money (about $50,000) that is unaccounted for. I was sure that the planner (yes, we both still use her) had just moved it and it would all make sense. Then I called a credit card company only to find out that the account (in my name) had been canceled. OK, now something is wrong.

    Well, I have our cell phones in my name (5 of them- me and my husband and 3 kids). All are in MY name and I called to see if we had gone over on our plan (thanks to the kids) and I learned that my bill was about $35 less than normal. This made no sense so I looked further and the person at the cell company explained that "I" had called in last month and asked to have one of the phones (husbands) placed into a new account and that I had lost rights to this phone. The representative explained that the call was recorded and it could be proven. Well, I knew exactly what had happened. They were able to tell me the date and time when "I" had called in and guess who my husband was with at that exact time/date…yep, our financial planner who I had watched first hand lie to multiple banks and even an insurance company claiming to be someone she was not. Don’t misunderstand, I saw nothing wrong with what he was doing as it was usually just her calling claiming to be me at my request since I didn’t want to go throught the hassles. Now, it’s painfully obvious that she is steering my husband throughout this divorce behind my back.

    Is it worth my time to subpoena for this digitally recorded phone call which I feel 100% certain will show who the real "ME" is using my personal data (SSN etc.). No, in the big scheme of things losing this number is no biggie, however, it is obvious to me that this once trusted friend (professional) sees where she can benefit most by aiding my husband throughout this divorce process and she’s willing to do this to make it happen.

    I don’t want her in trouble with the law as I just don’t operate that way. However, if my lawyer gets this record and it’s clearly her, what are the different scenarios that could happen?

    It is possible that it’s my daughter and if that’s the case then I’ll just laugh but if it’s someone outside of my family I have a very big problem with that.

    Thank you in advance!

    Pat

    You have a lawyer so he/she should be handling this, not you. You are too personally invested in this matter to make decisions about this. It’s possible that you husband had a friend call the phone company (he certainly knows your SS#). He could also have cancelled your credit card just to be vindictive. You have no proof at this time that your financial planner is causing you these problems. However, if you no longer trust the woman, then pull your money out of her control because you don’t need any additional grief at this time. Check with your lawyer.

    if you won the lottery would you choose the Cash Value or Annuity?

    Posted by admin on January 7th, 2010 and filed under Annuity Cash | 17 Comments »


    Lump sum payout. I may not be here next year.

    The concept of time value of money is important to financial decision making because..?

    Posted by admin on December 25th, 2009 and filed under Annuity Information | 1 Comment »

    1) a. it emphasizes earning a return on invested capital
    b. it recognizes that earning a return makes $1 worth more today than $1 received in the future
    c. it can be applied to future cash flows in order to compare different streams of income
    d. all the above

    2. As the discount rate becomes higher and higher, the present value of inflows approaches…
    a. 0
    b. minus infinity
    c. plus infinity
    d. need more information

    3. You are to receive $12,000 at the end of 5 years. The available yield on investments is 6%. Which table would you use to determine the value of that sum today?

    a. Present value of an annuity of $1
    b. Future value of an annuity
    c. Present value of $1
    c. Future value of $1

    4. As the interest rate increases, the present value of an amount to be received at the end of a fixed period…
    a. increases
    b. decreases
    c. remains the same
    d. not enough information to tell

    5.As the time period until receipt increase, the present value of an amount at a fixed interest rate…
    a. decreases
    b. remains the same
    c. increases
    d. not enough information to tell

    6.Mr Blochins is creating a college investment fund for his daughter. He will put in $850 per year for the next 15 years and expects to earn an 8% annual rate of return. How much money will his daughter have when she starts college?
    a. $11,250
    b. $12,263
    c. $24,003
    d. $23,079

    7.Mr. Nailor invests $5,000 in a certificate of deposit at his local bank. He receives annual interest of 8% for 7 years. How much interest will his investment earn during this time period?
    a. $2,915
    b. $3,570
    c. $6,254
    d. $8,570

    8.Sharon Smith will receive $1million in 50 years. The discount rate is 14. As an alternative, she can receive $2,000 today. Which should she choose?
    a. the $1 million dollars in 50 years
    b. $2,000 today
    c. She should be indifferent
    d. need more information

    9.Mr. Fisher wants to build a house in 10 years. He estimates that the total cost will be $170,000. If he can put aside $10,000 at the end of each year, what rate of return must be earn in order to have the amount needed?
    a. between 11% and 12%
    b. between 8% adn 9%
    c. 17%
    d. none of the above

    10. The shorter the length of time between a present value and its corresponding future value…
    a. the lower the present value, relative to the future value.
    b.the higher the present value, relative to the future value.
    c.the higher the interest rate used in the present-valuation.
    c. none of the above

    11. A dollar today is worth more than a dollar to be received in the future because…
    a. the dollar can be invested today and earn interest
    b. of the risk of nonpayment in the future
    c. inflation will reduce purchasing power of a future dollar
    d. none of the above

    12. The higher the rate used in determining the future value of a $1 annuity…
    a.the smaller the future value at the end of the period.
    b. the greater the future value at the end of a period.
    c. the greater the present value at the beginning of a period.
    d. None of the above – the interest has no effect on the future value of an annuity.

    13. Mr. Darden is selling his house for $165,000. He bought it for $55,000 nine years ago. What is the annual return on his investment? …
    a. 3%
    b. Between 14% and 16%
    c. 13%
    d. none of the above

    1.a
    2.d
    3.c
    4.c
    5.c
    6.c
    7.a
    8.a
    9.c
    10.a
    11.c
    12.c
    13.b

    The concept of time value of money is important to financial decision making because..?

    Posted by admin on December 24th, 2009 and filed under Annuity Information | 1 Comment »

    a. it emphasizes earning a return on invested capital
    b. it recognizes that earning a return makes $1 worth more today than $1 received in the future
    c. it can be applied to future cash flows in order to compare different streams of income
    d. all the above

    As the discount rate becomes higher and higher, the present value of inflows approaches…
    a. 0
    b. minus infinity
    c. plus infinity
    d. need more information

    You are to receive $12,000 at the end of 5 years. The available yield on investments is 6%. Which table would you use to determine the value of that sum today?

    a. Present value of an annuity of $1
    b. Future value of an annuity
    c. Present value of $1
    c. Future value of $1

    As the interest rate increases, the present value of an amount to be received at the end of a fixed period…
    a. increases
    b. decreases
    c. remains the same
    d. not enough information to tell

    As the time period until receipt increase, the present value of an amount at a fixed interest rate…
    a. decreases
    b. remains the same
    c. increases
    d. not enough information to tell

    Mr Blochins is creating a college investment fund for his daughter. He will put in $850 per year for the next 15 years and expects to earn an 8% annual rate of return. How much money will his daughter have when she starts college?
    a. $11,250
    b. $12,263
    c. $24,003
    d. $23,079

    Mr. Nailor invests $5,000 in a certificate of deposit at his local bank. He receives annual interest of 8% for 7 years. How much interest will his investment earn during this time period?
    a. $2,915
    b. $3,570
    c. $6,254
    d. $8,570

    Sharon Smith will receive $1million in 50 years. The discount rate is 14. As an alternative, she can receive $2,000 today. Which should she choose?
    a. the $1 million dollars in 50 years
    b. $2,000 today
    c. She should be indifferent
    d. need more information

    Mr. Fisher wants to build a house in 10 years. He estimates that the total cost will be $170,000. If he can put aside $10,000 at the end of each year, what rate of return must be earn in order to have the amount needed?
    a. between 11% and 12%
    b. between 8% adn 9%
    c. 17%
    d. none of the above

    The shorter the length of time between a present value and its corresponding future value…
    a. the lower the present value, relative to the future value.
    b.the higher the present value, relative to the future value.
    c.the higher the interest rate used in the present-valuation.
    c. none of the above

    A dollar today is worth more than a dollar to be received in the future because…
    a. the dollar can be invested today and earn interest
    b. of the risk of nonpayment in the future
    c. inflation will reduce purchasing power of a future dollar
    d. none of the above

    The higher the rate used in determining the future value of a $1 annuity…
    a.the smaller the future value at the end of the period.
    b. the greater the future value at the end of a period.
    c. the greater the present value at the beginning of a period.
    d. None of the above – the interest has no effect on the future value of an annuity.

    Mr. Darden is selling his house for $165,000. He bought it for $55,000 nine years ago. What is the annual return on his investment? …
    a. 3%
    b. Between 14% and 16%
    c. 13%
    d. none of the above

    d.

    a.

    a.

    b.

    a.

    c.

    a.

    b.

    d.

    b.

    d.

    c.

    How do I find the amount of time in an annuity fund problem?

    Posted by admin on December 22nd, 2009 and filed under Buy an Annuity | 1 Comment »

    The question is this: you can afford monthly deposits of $200 into an account that pays 5.7% compounded monthly. how long will it be until you have $7,000 to buy a boat?

    I used the formula FV=PMT([(1+i)^n-1]/i) but couldnt figure out how to solve for n. Please help me

    first month 200x.057=11.40 (interest) ……….211.40 (balance)
    second month 211.40x.057=12.05+200 …….. 423.45
    third month 423.45x.057=24.14+200…………. 647.59
    fourth month 647.59x.057=36.91=200 ………… 884.50

    can you see how it goes? keep going like this and you will reach $7000
    I am sure there is a shorter way to find your answer, but you can at least see how this works.

    is it better to go for the Cash Value or Annuity if you win the lottery?

    Posted by admin on December 16th, 2009 and filed under Annuity Cash | 3 Comments »


    If you believe you can earn more by investing on your own than what the Annuity pays, then taking a Cash Value makes sense. But a more conservative way would be to take the annuity. Not only will you be assured of the annual payout, but you won’t have the stress of deciding how to spend or invest the lump sum payout.

    80 year old mom wants to buy annuities?

    Posted by admin on December 16th, 2009 and filed under Buy Annuities | 2 Comments »

    I read a little about the woman who was 80 and had lots of money and her broker wanted to sell her annuities. Many people said that was not a good idea.
    My mom is 82 and has absolutely no money in the bank. Her income was from a building she was part owner of that was leased as a resturant. The business went belly up and the building was sold. It is in escrow as I type. She will get about half a mil when all is said and done in January.
    She is talking to a broker that wants her to put all of it into some kind of annuoity that pays 9 per cent. He is tall and friendly as his qualifications. I have never met him but I just picked up the prospectus package when I last visited.
    It is through Jackson National Life and it is a variable annuity.
    I will meet with this guy sometime next month but have no facts to counter his proposals.
    Someone have some thoughts on this situation?

    An annuity is a good way for older individuals to receive income because the payments can be taxed less if set up properly AND provide with lifetime payments with the balance passing to heirs (you I’m guessing) very easily without going through probate. HOWEVER, for someone in their 80’s, a fixed annuity would be much safer and less volatile. Jackson National is a good company, but have her guy talk to you about fixed annuities, which have more guarantees and safety for older individuals