Another Year, Another AMT Patch
The 2010 Tax Relief Act adjusted AMT exemption levels for 2010 and 2011 to help prevent an estimated 21 million middle-income taxpayers from being subject to the alternative minimum tax. Will Congress enact another patch for 2012?
HOT TOPIC: Current Economic Conditions and the Prospect for Inflation
Inflation jumped up to 3.2% in April. That’s still below the 50-year average but it may be little consolation for anyone who has been to a gas station or a grocery store recently.
Deciding When to Begin
Waiting until full retirement age (or up to age 70) to claim Social Security may result in significantly higher monthly benefits. At age 62, the earliest age to claim Social Security, the amount received could be only 70% of the benefit received at "full retirement age" (which ranges from age 65 to 67 depending on year of birth).
Variable Annuities and Your Retirement Strategy
An insurance product may appeal to pre-retirees who want to invest more of their current incomes for retirement and defer taxes on market gains. A variable annuity enables investors to pursue investment gains with the option to purchase guarantees (for an additional cost) to help protect against the downside risks of investing in the markets.
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