Donald Jay Korn

High-net-worth clients have more assets exposed to various claims so advisors should make certain liability insurance is far-reaching and asset titling decisions recognize creditor protection concerns.

High-net-worth clients have more assets exposed to various claims so advisors should make certain liability insurance is far-reaching and asset titling decisions recognize creditor protection concerns.

If an advisor is offered 360% of trailing-12, this app will break down the details: how much is upfront and how much is doled out for various thresholds along the way. Plus, annual payout bonuses will be revealed.

Traditional immediate annuities are now known as income annuities, and consumers are making sure of substantial future cash flows by paying well in advance.

Increased taxes on long-term capital gains has renewed interest in trusts that can sell donated assets, avoid tax, and pay a stream of income to the donors.

To report a capital loss yet retain a position in the relinquished asset, clients can double up in November and sell the original holding after waiting more than 30 days.

Health insurance questions may dominate this year’s conversation, as the Affordable Care Act’s effects become widespread, but advisors should help clients with other key areas as well.

Many clients believe there will come a time when estate tax is again a concern and liquidity will be needed.

From now to December 7, seniors can decide whether to look for flexibility in original Medicare or cost savings in a private Medicare Advantage plan.

Married clients can arbitrage Social Security benefits for maximum long-term payouts.

With a Roth IRA conversion and a precise recharacterization, a client can report the right amount of income to fill up a low tax bracket each year.

Higher taxes on long-term capital gains may revive interest in like-kind exchanges of investment property.

Instead of converting a traditional IRA to one Roth IRA, convert to two or more Roth IRAs, by asset class or by individual securities.

Clients’ desire for principal protection plus profit potential has benchmark-based products booming.

As retail funds for alternative investments become more widespread, planners must explain their purpose in a portfolio.

MLPs offer high yields plus tax advantages, but advisors need to drill down to deliver those tax breaks without the headaches.

Rolling redemptions offer reinvestment opportunities in longer-term, presumably higher-yielding bonds.

Because excess capital losses can be carried forward to future tax returns, with no expiration date, clients can use this “bank” of losses to offset future net capital gains.

Patience is prudent when it comes to Social Security.

As real estate recovers, non-listed REITs are soaring, but they haven’t been much of a hit with customers of Merrill Lynch.