2012: The Beginning of the End
It is October, fourth quarter, the beginning of the end of the year. Are you ready?
Here is what you should consider:
Investments
- Clarify your investment goals and expectations
 - Revisit income and savings objectives
 - Review asset allocation
 
Taxes
- Review sales of appreciated property including real estate, a business, or artwork
 - Collect cost-basis information on securities sold
 - Tax harvesting: maximize tax advantages by reviewing realized and unrealized gains and losses
 - Plan charitable contributions
 - Check loss carry-forwards from 2011
 - Identify transactions that could improve your tax position
 - Maximize income in 2012; unless Congress acts tax rates may be significantly higher in 2013
 - Project year-end tax refund or payments due
 - Claim potential tax deductions or credits before year-end
 
Retirement
- Analyze potential Roth IRA conversion scenarios
 - Maximize IRA / 401(k) contributions including catch-up provisions
 - Explore self-employed retirement plan options
 - Take required minimum distributions from IRA's
 - Plan overall retirement income strategy
 
Insurance
- Identify material changes in life, business, or financial circumstances that might require adjustments in coverage
 - Shop life insurance, health insurance, and property & casualty coverage to see if current plans are cost competitive
 
Health
- Maximize contributions to Health Savings Account (HSA)
 - Review medical insurance deductible. If not met, consider postponing non-essential medical care until 2013. If met, consider the opposite
 - Spend remaining amounts in Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
 - Take advantage of the Medicare Supplement open enrollment period
 
Milestone Ages
- Age 50: Now you can make catch-up contributions to IRA's and some qualified retirement plans
 - Age 55: If retired, you may be able to take distributions from 401(k) plans without penalty
 - Age 59 ½: You can take distributions from retirement plans without penalty
 - Ages 62 – 70: You can apply for Social Security benefits
 - Age 65: You can apply for Medicare
 - Age 70 ½: You must begin taking Required Minimum Distributions (RMD's) from IRA's
 
Family
- Consider contributions to education accounts
 - Reduce estate value by making tax-free gifts to family members
 - Review and fund trusts
 
Significant Changes
- Did you move?
 - Did you transfer any financial assets?
 - Did you refinance a mortgage?
 - Did your employment or income change?
 - Has there been a change in marital status?
 - Did your family grow through birth or adoption?
 - Was there a death in the family?
 - Do you have a parent or other family member in need of assisted living?
 - Is there a severe illness in the family?
 - Did you receive a gift or inheritance?
 
If you have any questions or concerns, we would be happy to discuss possible outcomes for 2012 and 2013. Call 515-255-3354 or send an email to schedule a review.
Photo New Years Eve by conwil
                        
                        
                        
                        
                        
                        
                        
                        
                        
                        
                        
                        
                        
                        
                        
                        