Eric Hagen 2/14/13 Eric Hagen 2/14/13

Interest Rates & Bonds

The Federal Reserve has said that it will do what it can to keep interest rates low, but these efforts cannot stem the tide forever; it’s inevitable, at some point, that interest rates will rise and diminish bond prices. The only question is: when and how much?

Eric Hagen 2/1/13 Eric Hagen 2/1/13

IRA Rollovers for Lump-Sum Pension Payouts

If you are taking a lump sum pension payout from your former employer, what is the next step for that money? It will be integral to your retirement; how can you make it work harder for you?

Eric Hagen 1/31/13 Eric Hagen 1/31/13

The Charitable IRA Rollover Returns for 2013

Religious institutions, schools, hospitals and other non-profit organizations are welcoming the return of the charitable IRA rollover – an opportunity that lets a traditional IRA owner aged 70½ or older donate up to $100,000 to charity with a tax perk attached.

Eric Hagen 1/29/13 Eric Hagen 1/29/13

The Debt Ceiling Dilemma

In late December, the U.S. technically reached its debt ceiling of approximately $16.4 trillion, with the federal government taking what Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner called “extraordinary measures” to avert a default. Even as House GOP leaders announced plans Friday to approve a three-month increase in the federal debt limit, tension remains - and that tension could provoke a debt ceiling battle on Capitol Hill reminiscent of the impasse of 2011 later this year.

Eric Hagen 1/15/13 Eric Hagen 1/15/13

IRA Deadlines are Approaching

Many of us associate April with taxes. We should also associate it with IRAs, for April is the month with the deadlines for IRA contributions and mandatory IRA withdrawals.

Eric Hagen 1/5/13 Eric Hagen 1/5/13

The Fiscal Cliff Deal & Your Taxes

What will change (and won’t change) as a result of the new legislation - here are the major details in the bill, which in the big picture would raise taxes by roughly $600 billion across the next ten years.

Eric Hagen 1/2/13 Eric Hagen 1/2/13

Why 2013 May Be a Very Good Year

With 2013 approaching, stock market volatility seems to have increased. Equities rise on optimistic remarks about a fiscal cliff solution, then fall when another voice expresses pessimism, and vice versa. In addition to this constant seesawing, the market is contending with anxieties about Europe, with the eurozone now officially in another recession, and the strong possibility of higher taxes on capital gains and dividends in 2013 plus surtaxes on varieties of net investment income. Even so, 2013 may turn out to be a good year for stocks. Our economy looks to be healing, and that may give investors around the world more optimism.

Eric Hagen 12/21/12 Eric Hagen 12/21/12

Should You Always Withdraw from IRAs Last?

According to conventional retirement planning wisdom, you should structure your retirement withdrawals so that money comes out of your taxable accounts first, then your tax-deferred accounts, and then finally your tax-free accounts. Roughly speaking, that means withdrawing income from investment funds, CDs, money market accounts and bank accounts before taking a dime from your IRAs.

Eric Hagen 12/19/12 Eric Hagen 12/19/12

Will You Be Hit by the Medicare Surtax?

On January 1, a new 3.8% tax on certain kinds of investment income is set to take effect. The Medicare surtax (officially termed the Unearned Income Medicare Contribution) is slated to affect...

Eric Hagen 12/12/12 Eric Hagen 12/12/12

The Year in Review - A Look Back at 2012 Thus Far

Stock market bears might characterize 2012 as a year of living dangerously, a year in which Wall Street coped with major risks to the American and European economies. Stock market bulls might end up remembering 2012 for what didn’t happen: Greece had resisted a temptation to exit the euro, and it looked as if bipartisan negotiation might save the U.S. economy from heading over the fiscal cliff. In late November, stocks appeared on track for some solid yearly gains.

Eric Hagen 12/4/12 Eric Hagen 12/4/12

CEO of NEXT Financial on the 700 Club: Year-End Tax Tips

Watch this video for some great tax tips from the chairman & CEO of my company, Gordon D'Angelo on The 700 Club - he also talks about his New York Times best-seller "Vision: Your Pathway to Victory". These year-end financial planning tax tips will come in handy as tax season approaches in the new year.

Eric Hagen 11/21/12 Eric Hagen 11/21/12

Big Tax Questions of 2013

Decisions must be made. In the next couple of months, Congress will address several major tax matters. Here are the big questions looming...

Eric Hagen 11/10/12 Eric Hagen 11/10/12

Some Fiscal Cliff Scenarios

The fiscal cliff is getting closer and closer. In the worst-case scenario, Congress argues and deadlocks. Tax hikes and roughly $109 billion in federal spending cuts take a bite out of GDP and another recession becomes a possibility. There are other possibilities, however. The fiscal cliff may yet be averted, or at least we might back away from its edge. One of several scenarios might come to pass.

Eric Hagen 11/7/12 Eric Hagen 11/7/12

Overview of SIMPLE 401(k)s

What do you know about the SIMPLE 401(k)? Most business owners have heard of it, yet don’t know much about this retirement savings vehicle.

Eric Hagen 11/2/12 Eric Hagen 11/2/12

Important IRS Adjustments for 2013

The IRS has set annual contribution limits for IRAs, 401(k)s and other retirement plans higher for 2013, and made other important adjustments for inflation as well. Here is an overview of some notable changes just announced.

Eric Hagen 11/1/12 Eric Hagen 11/1/12

Annual Financial To-Do List

What financial, business or life priorities do you need to address for 2013? Now is a good time to think about the investing, saving or budgeting methods you could employ toward specific objectives. Some year-end financial moves may prove crucial to the pursuit of those goals as well.

Eric Hagen 10/8/12 Eric Hagen 10/8/12

Q3 2012 Quarterly Economic Update

THE QUARTER IN BRIEF While fundamentals may not have supported a powerful rally in Q3 2012, the policy decisions of central banks certainly did. The Federal Reserve launched its third round of easing in the past four years during the quarter and the European Central Bank also embarked on a new stimulus effort. Wall Street seemed to put concerns about Europe and China and job growth on the back burner – the Dow gained 4.32% in three months. The real estate market – already looking better – got a shot in the arm from the Fed. Commodity markets heated up. Our economy still appeared lethargic, but bulls ran freely during a pleasantly surprising quarter for investors.

Eric Hagen 10/2/12 Eric Hagen 10/2/12

Stocks & Presidential Elections

Stock market historians have repeatedly analyzed market behavior in presidential election years, and what stocks do when different parties hold the reins of power in Washington. They have noticed some interesting patterns through the years which may or may not prove true for 2012.

Eric Hagen 9/27/12 Eric Hagen 9/27/12

Major Risks to Family Wealth

All too often, family wealth fails to last. One generation builds a business – or even a fortune – and it is lost in ensuing decades. Why does it happen, again and again? It is because families fall prey to serious money blunders – old and new. Classic mistakes are made, and changing times aren’t recognized.

Eric Hagen 9/25/12 Eric Hagen 9/25/12

Financial Considerations for 2013

We are now in plain view of the “fiscal cliff”. After the election, Congress may or may not end up keeping income and estate tax rates at their recent levels. Next year may bring some notable financial developments, and it isn’t too soon for households to think about them.