Personal financial planning news and resources

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January 23, 2020

Americans’ financial satisfaction at all-time high

Americans’ financial satisfaction hit an all-time high in the fourth quarter of 2019. Stock market gains coupled with declines in underemployment and loan delinquencies helped lift the index to new heights.

January 21, 2020

The financial and human cost of loneliness in retirement

Isolation and loneliness can have serious emotional, social, and financial consequences, and can contribute to declines in clients’ physical and mental health and quality of life.

January 1, 2020

How to guard client finances against dementia

Cognitive impairment adds a difficult layer of complexity to a client’s financial plans. Here are steps CPAs can take to protect clients with dementia against fraud.

January 1, 2020

Proceeding into retirement

CPAs describe how they made a successful transition at the end of their careers.

December 20, 2019

Qualified opportunity zone regs. finalized

The IRS issued final regulations providing guidance on tax-favored investments in qualified opportunity zones (QOZs).

December 9, 2019

Government report finds deficiencies in most US hospices

Advise clients to do their research before choosing hospice care.

December 1, 2019

Helping clients after they are divorced

CPAs should review several key financial planning steps with newly single clients.

December 1, 2019

Keep clients coming to you with PFP services

A tax practice can weather demographic and technological changes by expanding its reach in financial planning. Tax knowledge gives CPAs an advantage when it comes to financial planning because almost every aspect of financial planning involves tax.

November 25, 2019

5 steps to a successful sale

Fentress Seagroves, deals partner for the U.S. with PwC, outlines the steps business owners can take to ensure a successful transition and discusses the many ways CPAs can support them during this process.

November 6, 2019

Retirement plan contribution limits increase for 2020

Annual contribution limits for 401(k) plans will increase from $19,000 in 2019 to $19,500 in 2020, and most other limits are increasing as well.

November 1, 2019

Planning for Medicare taxes, premiums, and surcharges

Don’t neglect these basic health care considerations in clients’ retirement planning.

October 24, 2019

Financial satisfaction stays high, but economic concerns remain

Despite fears about the economy, Americans’ personal financial satisfaction stayed high in the third quarter of 2019, according to the PFSi, a proprietary economic indicator calculated quarterly by the AICPA.

October 1, 2019

Tillery receives PFP Distinguished Service Award

Susan Tillery, president and co-founder of Paraklete Financial Inc., received the AICPA’s 2019 Personal Financial Planning (PFP) Distinguished Service Award.

October 1, 2019

Website helps CPAs and clients plan for life and beyond

A monthly look at applications, gadgets, and other technology that can improve a CPA’s job and life. This month: Everplans.com.

October 1, 2019

Standing Ovation program recognizes CPAs for contributions to PFP

Seven CPAs under the age of 40 were recognized under the Standing Ovation program for their contributions to personal financial planning.

October 1, 2019

Kessler honored for lifetime achievement in PFP

Stuart Kessler, who was tax director for CohnReznick in New York City, received the Stanley H. Breitbard Lifetime Achievement in Personal Financial Planning Award.

October 1, 2019

Great time for a GRAT

Grantor retained annuity trusts may be an optimal wealth-transfer vehicle for many.

October 1, 2019

Ward receives P. Thomas Austin PFP Scholarship

Richard L. Ward, president of Capital Configuration LLC in Pittsburgh, received the 2019 P. Thomas Austin Personal Financial Planning (PFP) Scholarship.

October 1, 2019

Children’s average allowance in 2019: $120 a month

An overwhelming 92% of American parents say it is very important that children understand how to effectively manage their money, according to a new poll conducted for the AICPA by The Harris Poll.

September 25, 2019

IRS issues 2019 to 2020 per-diem rates for traveling away from home

The IRS issued its annual notice specifying the special per-diem rates, including the transportation industry meal and incidental expenses rates, the rate for the incidental-expenses-only deduction, and the rates and list of high-cost localities for purposes of the high-low substantiation method.