Tag: Ask A Trust Officer

DEAR TRUST OFFICER: Now that the federal estate tax exemption is over $10 million, do I still need a marital deduction trust in my will for my wife? — CONCERNED HUSBAND DEAR CONCERNED HUSBAND: Most likely, yes. If your current will includes a trust for a surviving spouse, you probably will want to keep it. […]

DEAR TRUST OFFICER: How about that stock market? Can it last? — HAPPY INVESTOR DEAR HAPPY INVESTOR: Higher stock prices are driven by two factors: increasing earnings and increasing investor speculation.  The good news for investors is that the stock market records set in August were grounded upon increased earnings and a strongly growing economy.  […]

DEAR TRUST OFFICER: I’m turning 65 this year and thinking about retirement.  How long should I plan for? — ANXIOUS PRE-RETIREE DEAR ANXIOUS PRE-RETIREE: According to the latest data from the National Vital Statistics Reports (August 2017, reporting on 2014 experience), a male age 65 should expect to live 18 more years (to age 83) […]

DEAR TRUST OFFICER: Are the tax cuts enacted last December having the hoped-for impact? How is the economy doing? — ETERNAL OPTIMIST DEAR ETERNAL OPTIMIST: Too soon to say, but we have a number of good portents. Gross Domestic Product was up 2.2% in the first quarter. In the last four years, the first quarter […]

DEAR TRUST OFFICER:  What is this “impact” investing I’ve been hearing about?  Can trust assets be invested for social impact? — SEEKING SOCIAL JUSTICE DEAR SEEKING SOCIAL JUSTICE:  There is no simple definition of “impact” investing.  One writer called it “a movement that aims to force social change by minimizing or eliminating investors’ exposure to […]

Dear Trust Officer: How much can I save on my income taxes if I put my investments into a living trust? — Looking for Loopholes Dear Looking for Loopholes: Nothing. A revocable living trust that a grantor sets up to manage his or her wealth provides no income tax advantages. The trust’s income and capital […]

Dear Trust Officer: What’s up with the stock market? Market indices went into correction territory in February, but have since recovered somewhat. Are we out of the woods now? —Nervous investor Dear Nervous Investor: The February stock price volatility was fed in part by a record level of margin debt.  Some investors borrow against the […]

Dear Trust Officer: Last year I converted my traditional IRA to a Roth IRA.  However, now that I see the income tax that will be due, I’m not so sure it was a great idea.  Can I change my mind? —Second Thoughts Dear Second Thoughts: You have until October 15, 2018, to re-characterize your 2017 […]

DEAR TRUST OFFICER: I heard that the exemption from the federal estate tax has doubled. What does this mean for my estate plans? — Following Up DEAR FOLLOWING UP: Whenever there is a major change in the federal taxation of estates and gifts, that moment is a good one for the review of estate plans […]