- Estate Planning For The Client’s ‘Real’ Estate
The home is often the most complex part of an estate plan
For most families, a home is among their most valuable assets, both financially and emotionally. Primary homes and vacation homes are often the most complex parts of an estate plan. Few possessions are wrapped up in so much history and emotion, are worth so much money, and are so complicated to inherit.
read more - Why Do Charitable Gifts NEVER Make Economic Sense?
But for your charitably inclined clients, there are a wealth of advisory options
by Herbert K. Daroff, J.D., CFP, AEP
With lower income tax brackets, higher standard deduction, and larger Federal estate tax exemptions, will charitable giving suffer? Keep in mind, that in some states, we still have state estate taxes. And, keep in mind that retirement accounts are still taxable as ordinary income whenever they are distributed.
read more - Codifying a ‘Corporate Social Responsibility’ Culture
How businesses, big and small, are connecting with customers by doing good
by Catherine Hernandez-Blades
As children, we are taught the value of helping others, doing what is right and looking out for one another. In business, these values can be demonstrated through corporate social responsibility (CSR), a term used to describe how a company shares its business’ culture, values and ways of giving back.
read more - Business Owners and Baseball: Pitching Succession Planning
How advisors can help their clients ‘think through the game’
by John Going, CFP
Prepare, create, grow and retire – a natural progression that exists in many facets of life. Take baseball for instance. Every game requires a succession plan. The starting pitcher sets the pace for the game and hopefully positions the team for success early on. If all goes as planned, the starter can retire after the…
read more - Redefining Life Insurance Development, Underwriting and Distribution
Innovative carrier initiatives meet client and advisor needs
by Rod Rishel
As technology advances, big data generates new insights, and consumer needs and buying preferences evolve, so too do the ways in which major carriers respond to meet them. Innovation increasingly is reflected in life insurance product development, underwriting and distribution.
read more - Industry Innovation: Where It Is And Where It Ain’t
For the first time in a very long time, it’s starting to feel real
by Chris Behling
As head of strategy for Swiss Re’s Life & Health business, I’ve had the opportunity to see many companies - from large insurers to start-ups - who are attempting to innovate in the life insurance space. Through this experience I am heartened and encouraged by the amount of innovation that is happening and being contemplated.
read more - Responsively Designed Retirement Websites
How plan providers are approaching this digital trend
by Olivia Jack
As consumers manage more aspects of their financial lives from their mobile devices, more retirement plan providers are turning to “responsively designed” websites to deliver the best possible digital user experiences.
read more - The Sharing Economy: Who Can You Trust?
Navigating personal identity & managing risk
by David Thomas
The lack of uniform definition of online identity verification, and the perils of storing sensitive information once it is obtained, create an untenable situation for digital platforms managing multiple and ever-shifting users (both providers and consumers).
read more - Jimmy Fallon Shouldn’t be the Only One Writing Thank You Notes!
Have you ever considered sending a handwritten note to thank a prospect for hanging up on you?
by Eric Silverman
One of my favorite comedy bits on the new Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon is his Friday night “thank you notes” segment. Sure, they’re hilarious and witty, and the musical interaction with his band member and his co-host is comedy gold, but what I like most is that Jimmy hand writes each note one-by-one.
read more - Are You Over-Invested in Company Stock in Your Retirement Plan?
Be careful not to put too many eggs in your 401(k) basket
by Brian M. Rys, AIF, CFP, CLU, ChFC
Financial advisors tell their clients to save as often and as much as possible for their future retirement needs. Taking charge of your finances early allows you to make thoughtful decisions about your future and your long-term security.
read more - Process To Profit
Business process management and automation for financial institutions
by Mark Holenstein
The term “Business Process Management” has been adopted to identify the discipline of operations management. It uses for various methods to discover, model, analyze, improve and automate business processes.
read more - Leverage IUL in Executive Bonus Arrangements
Help small business owners recruit and retain key employees
by Jeff Barker
Small business owners may need help recruiting and retaining valuable employees. An executive bonus arrangement using an index universal life (IUL) insurance policy allows employers to provide key employees with individual life insurance, supplementing any group term life plans in place
read more - The Cohesive Company
To succeed as a leader, share the big picture
by Walt Grassl
Mike worked for a medium-sized business and went to work every day happy to have a job. But he wasn’t too enthused about his work environment. Employee morale was so-so because most long-time employees were merely going through the motions.
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