Estate Planning: It’s Not Over

May 10th, 2017|0 Comments

Given the results of last November’s election, a repeal of the federal estate tax is now a distinct possibility faced by an entire generation of people who, only a few months ago, were planning for potential increases to the tax. President Donald Trump and several other prominent government officials have called for a complete repeal of the so-called federal “death tax,” which, aside from 2010, has been in place for about a century.

Millions Could Get Slapped with Steep Premium Hikes for Universal Life Insurance

May 10th, 2017|0 Comments

While I certainly hope that no one reading this is currently involved in a fight with their life insurer over the rising costs of their universal life premiums, I know better. Over just the last two years, tens of thousands of universal life policyholders have been hit with double-digit premium increases from companies such as Axa Equitable, Voya Financial VOYA, +1.31% and Transamerica. More premium hikes, especially to longtime policyholders, are expected.

PA Announces Opening of ABLE Account Program

May 10th, 2017|0 Comments

The Pennsylvania Department of Treasury has announced that the PA ABLE Savings Program will open on April 3, 2017. On that date the Department will officially begin accepting applications for enrollment. In December 2014, the Federal government enacted a law which authorizes states to create “Achieving a Better Life Experience” [ABLE ] tax free savings account programs. ABLE accounts allow certain individuals with disabilities to accumulate savings without losing their eligibility for means tested SSI, Medicaid and other government benefit programs. To be eligible for an ABLE account an individual’s blindness or disability must have occurred before the individual reached age 26.