WrapManager's Wealth Management Blog

This year giving a monetary gift to your spouse, favorite charity or individuals you care about could be one of the best moves you make this tax season. Taking advantage of the gift tax is a smart tax planning strategy if you are in search of ways to help those you care about and save money on your annual tax bill. There are a couple of things to keep in mind when utilizing the gift tax. [+] Read More

Quizmaster, Doug Hutchinson has come up with another great quiz that compares buy-and-hold versus account rebalancing. Let’s see what the math has to say. Good luck! [+] Read More

Money manager strategies can be likened to the fuel for your retirement plans. Much like gasoline in a car or wind for a sailboat, money managers can propel your investment plan forward along the way to your retirement goals. As such they need to be researched and monitored closely. How do you know if your money manager’s performance is real? What should you look for in a good money manager? What are things to watch for? While each person’s approach is different, these are important questions to ask, especially if you’re noticing any of the following with your current or prospective money manager. [+] Read More

Transitioning from the working world into retirement brings a wealth of exciting new opportunities – having more time to spend with your family, traveling the world with a loved one, or perhaps devoting fresh time to an old (or a new!) hobby. If there’s one challenge though, it’s making sure you have sound wealth management strategies in place to support all of your income needs. The good news is that it’s a challenge you can easily address with the help of a financial advisor, and it essentially boils down to four easy steps. [+] Read More

Oil prices have moved around quite a bit over the last decade, but the pace and magnitude of the recent decline has investors wondering if there’s trouble ahead for the markets. Oil Prices Have Fluctuated Greatly in the Last Ten Years Click for larger view [+] Read More

Quizmaster, Doug Hutchinson, has come up with another great quiz for us regarding the cash we keep in our portfolios and its effect on performance. Test your investment knowledge of how your money is invested and what makes the most sense for your situation. Good luck! [+] Read More

While the US equity market performance was generally positive in the 3rd quarter, international equity markets were hampered by lackluster economic data in Europe, continued geopolitical turmoil in Ukraine, and disappointing economic growth in China. International equity manager WHV Investments, summarizes a volatile 3rd quarter in international equity markets, while suggesting that international policy makers may take actions to stimulate economic growth in the future. Download WHV's Full Commentary Here Get Free Research Reports on WHV Investments [+] Read More

Many people think of Social Security as a steady, if meager, contributor to their retirement income—no flexibility, but at least it shows up monthly. The truth is, however, that there are strategies you can use to maximize your Social Security income. By incorporating these strategies into your overall retirement lifestyle planning, you can provide yourself with more options during retirement. The Restricted Application for Spousal Benefits The Restricted Application for Spousal Benefits allows for one spouse to begin collecting spousal benefits even as their own retirement benefits continue to grow. If you continue to let one spouse’s benefits grow until age 70, the benefit will be quite a bit higher than it would have been if collected at age 66. [+] Read More

The addition of a new family member is a wonderful and life-changing event! Your new family member may be a new spouse, a new son- or daughter-in-law, a new child, or a new grandchild. Along with celebrating this new family member’s arrival, consider how you may need to make changes to your retirement lifestyle planning. The following helpful reminders can help you to start your new family member on firm financial footing. [+] Read More