Social Security Survivor’s Benefits

Contributed by: James Smiertka

We’d all like to think that we can all count on receiving Social Security benefits during our lifetimes if we work and reach retirement. But in the case that the unforeseen happens, it is important to know how Social Security benefits can affect our survivors. When someone dies who has worked and paid Social Security taxes over their lifetime, certain family members may be eligible for survivor benefits.

Per the Social Security Administration, there are approximately 5 million widows/widowers receiving Social Security benefits based on their deceased spouse’s earnings record. This can be a very important part of a survivor’s overall income.  

What are the benefits that a deceased’s surviving family members might be eligible for?

• A widow/widower can receive a reduced benefit as early as age 60 or full benefits at their full retirement age (FRA). At FRA, they would receive their full benefit, but if they applied between age 60 and FRA they would receive an amount that equals between 71.5% and 99% of their benefit. Divorced surviving spouses are also eligible if the marriage lasted 10 or more years and they did not remarry before age 60 (age 50 if disabled).

• A widow/widower can begin be benefits as early as age 50 if he/she is disabled with the disability starting before or within seven years of the deceased spouse’s death. In addition, if the widow/widower gets remarried after age 60 it will not affect their eligibility (again, age 50 if disabled).

• Surviving spouses and ex-spouses caring for a child, or children, of the deceased spouse (with the child being under age 16 or disabled) are eligible to receive 75% of the deceased spouse’s benefit at any age.  Note:  A survivor benefit is treated the same in regards to the earnings test with the benefit being reduced based on any earnings if the recipient is under FRA. Check out the blog I wrote previously on the earnings test for more information.

• Surviving unmarried children & dependent parents can also receive survivor benefits depending on the circumstances. Keep in mind that the aggregate amount that a family receives in survivor benefits is limited to around 150% to 180% of the deceased worker’s benefit. Here is a breakdown of the amount of benefits survivors may receive:

  • Widow or widower, FRA or older: 100 percent of the deceased worker's benefit amount

  • Widow or widower, age 60 to FRA: 71½ to 99 percent of the deceased worker's basic amount

  • Disabled widow or widower aged 50 through 59: 71½ percent

  • Widow or widower, any age, caring for a child under age 16: 75 percent.

  •  A child under age 18 (19 if still in elementary or secondary school) or disabled:  75 percent.

  • Dependent parent(s) of the deceased worker, age 62 or older:

  • One surviving parent: 82½ percent.

  • Two surviving parents: 75 percent to each parent.

How this information could affect you: If your survivor’s benefit is more than your own benefit, it may make sense to receive this benefit at age 60, as the Social Security Administration states that “survivor benefits based on age will be about the same total amount over a lifetime.” If your own benefit will be greater you are able to switch to your own benefit at age 62 to 70. Additionally, in some cases it can make sense for the spouse with the higher benefit to suspend/grow their benefit until age 70 (depending on age & life expectancy of both spouses) in order to provide a larger survivor benefit to the potential surviving spouse. Even after many lost the ability to file & suspend with the recent Social Security law change, there are still strategies & items to be aware of that can help you be most efficient with your plan. As always, contact your financial planner with any questions or concerns.

James Smiertka is a Client Service Associate at Center for Financial Planning, Inc.

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https://www.ssa.gov/ The information contained in this report does not purport to be a complete description of the securities, markets, or developments referred to in this material. The information has been obtained from sources considered to be reliable, but we do not guarantee that the foregoing material is accurate or complete. Any information is not a complete summary or statement of all available data necessary for making an investment decision and does not constitute a recommendation. Any opinions are those of James Smiertka and not necessarily those of Raymond James. There is no guarantee that these statements, opinions or forecasts provided herein will prove to be correct. Links are being provided for information purposes only. Raymond James is not affiliated with and does not endorse, authorize or sponsor any of the listed websites or their respective sponsors. Raymond James is not responsible for the content of any website or the collection or use of information regarding any website's users and/or members.

Webinar in Review: Cash Balance Plans

Contributed by: Clare Lilek

Here at The Center for Financial Planning, Inc., we host webinars not only for our clients but also for other professionals who we may work with as part of the team to best serve our clients. During these webinars, our CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERS™ dive into specific topics in greater detail than you might find in a typical blog. In our latest webinar of this kind, Nick Defenthaler, CFP®, with the help of Abram Claude, Head of Value Add Programs Learning Center at Columbia Threadneedle Investments, hosted a 45 minute webinar detailing Cash Balance plans as a way to help business owners potentially accelerate retirement savings and lower taxes.

First, Abram clarified a cash balance plan as one type of defined benefit plan. He detailed the differences between a traditional defined benefit plan versus what the majority of the webinar discussed, a Cash Balance plan. Below you can reference a chart that distinguishes the two:

Typically, Cash Balance plans have been seen as an option only for larger companies, but many smaller businesses have been utilizing this retirement saving strategy because they’re usually easier to manage, they’re not as dependent on interest rate changes, and they offer the same benefit cost for the employer independent of the employee’s age or time with the company, compared to Traditional defined benefit plans.

Here are some questions to ask to determine whether or not a business might be a good fit for a Cash Balance plan:

• Does the business have a consistent, profitable history?

• Will the business have significant and consistent cash flow moving forward?

• Does the business have a budget that can support plan contributions?

• Does the business already maximize its contributions to a defined contribution plan (401k, 403b, etc.)?

• Are there multiple owners or partners?

• Do the business owners or partners want to accelerate their ability to save for retirement and save taxes?

• Is there a low ratio of non-highly compensated employees to highly compensated employees?

• Are the highly compensated employees older than the non-highly compensated employees?

• Is the company relatively small in size (e.g. fewer than 20 eligible employees)

The more “yes,” responses, the greater possibility that a Cash Balance plan might be a good fit for your business or your clients!

For more information, watch the webinar below as Nick and Abram go into the details surrounding the mechanics of these plans, along with helpful examples to illustrate the potential benefits of a Cash Balance plan. If you have any questions after watching the webinar, please feel free to call the office or reach out Nick Defenthaler, CFP®, and we’d be happy to help!

The information contained in this blog does not purport to be a complete description of the securities, markets, or developments referred to in this material. The information has been obtained from sources considered to be reliable, but we do not guarantee that the foregoing material is accurate or complete. Any opinions are those of Clare Lilek and and not necessarily those of Raymond James. Expressions of opinion are as of this date and are subject to change without notice. There is no guarantee that these statements, opinions or forecasts provided herein will prove to be correct. Prior to making an investment decision, please consult with your financial advisor about your individual situation. Raymond James is not affiliated with and does not endorse the opinions or services of Abraham Claude.

Clare Lilek is a Challenge Detroit Fellow / Client Service Associate at Center for Financial Planning, Inc.

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Raymond James is not affiliated with and does not endorse the opinions or services of Abram Claude and/or Columbia Threadneedle Investments.

Inherited IRA – Learn About Your Choices as a Non-Spouse Beneficiary

Contributed by: Laurie Renchik, CFP®, MBA

During a recent meeting with a client (let’s call her Anne), we discussed the options available to her as the beneficiary of her brother Jim’s IRA. This is an important discussion because there are certain tax benefits that come with inheriting an IRA, but the rules differ depending on whether you are a surviving spouse or what is called a non-spouse beneficiary. In this case Anne is considered a non-spouse beneficiary because she is the sister of the original account owner, Jim.

Here are the options available to Anne:

1. She can rollover the assets directly into an Inherited IRA for her benefit. With this option Anne will take distributions over her lifetime and enjoy the benefits of tax deferred growth.     

2. Anne can take a lump-sum distribution. With this option, there is an immediate tax impact. The value of the distribution is taxed as ordinary income in the year it is withdrawn. Because the IRA is inherited Anne can take the lump sum prior to age 59 ½ and not be subject to the 10% penalty that is usually applied for distributions before age 59 ½. 

3. The third option is that Anne does not have to take the inheritance. She can disclaim all or part of the inherited assets. If this option is chosen the assets pass to the next eligible beneficiaries.  If Anne considers this option she wants to be sure all of the legal requirements are met.

When handled correctly, Anne as a non-spouse beneficiary can enjoy the continued potential for tax-advantaged growth of these assets while avoiding the immediate income taxes.

Our discussion also highlighted some common mistakes to avoid:

1. A non-spouse beneficiary cannot move the inherited IRA into his or her own IRA. An inherited IRA must be kept totally separate from other IRA’s Anne may have and no new contributions can be deposited into the account.

2. Beneficiaries named on an IRA account supersede instructions provided in a will or trust. Since the IRA account information takes precedence it is important to make sure the designated beneficiaries named on the inherited IRA are up to date. 

3. No 60-day rollover. With this rule, you can take a distribution from your own IRA as long as you put the money back in the same account within 60 days, you won’t have to pay income taxes or a penalty. Unfortunately, you can’t do this with inherited IRAs. There is no 60 day rollover rule for inherited IRAs. If you withdraw the money, it’s taxed.

4. If you inherit an IRA, whether it’s traditional or Roth, the IRS requires you take at least some of the account balance each year. It’s called a required minimum distribution and must be taken annually, regardless of your age, beginning the year following the year-of-death of the original account owner. If you don’t take the distribution, the penalty ends up being 50% of the amount you were required to take.

If you are faced with decisions regarding an inherited IRA and have questions feel free to give me a call or send me an email.  I’ll be happy to review your options with you and make sure the choice works in harmony with the rest of your financial plan goals and objectives. 

Laurie Renchik, CFP®, MBA is a Partner and Senior Financial Planner at Center for Financial Planning, Inc.® In addition to working with women who are in the midst of a transition (career change, receiving an inheritance, losing a life partner, divorce or remarriage), Laurie works with clients who are planning for retirement. Laurie is a member of the Leadership Oakland Alumni Association and is a frequent contributor to Money Centered.

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The information contained in this blog does not purport to be a complete description of the securities, markets, or developments referred to in this material. The information has been obtained from sources considered to be reliable, but we do not guarantee that the foregoing material is accurate or complete. Any information is not a complete summary or statement of all available data necessary for making an investment decision and does not constitute a recommendation. Any opinions are those of Laurie Renchik and not necessarily those of Raymond James. There is no guarantee that these statements, opinions or forecasts provided herein will prove to be correct. Every investor's situation is unique and you should consider your investment goals, risk tolerance and time horizon before making any investment. Prior to making an investment decision, please consult with your financial advisor about your individual situation. Raymond James and its advisors do not offer tax or legal advice. You should discuss any tax or legal matters with the appropriate professional.

5 Tips for Budgeting Post-Graduation

Contributed by: Clare Lilek

Graduation season can be a whirlwind of exams, parties, job interviews, parties, endless nights fueled by caffeine, and more parties. Once the adrenaline and celebration subsides, however, and when reality comes hurtling towards you at full speed, it’s helpful to have your finances in order. Life after graduation can be exhilarating, partly due to the uncertainty, but don’t let uncertain finances take the fun out of adult life.

Here are 5 simple tips to keep in mind when creating your post-college budget, as you prepare for a *hopeful* increase in monthly income:

1. Whether you’re working at a fast food chain or a Fortune 500 company put 10% of your salary away into what I like to call a “No Touch Savings.” This is a savings fund for emergencies only—in case you lose your job, or your car needs major repairs, or just for when life happens unexpectedly.

2. Divide your bank accounts into sub folders: Emergency, Travel, Bills, Fun Money, etc. Put money away each month into the various buckets and don’t dip into other buckets. Pro Tip: Make sure you’re allocating the appropriate percentage of funds to each bucket—your fun money bucket probably shouldn’t have a higher deposit rate than your bills bucket (well not yet at least).

3. Cut out unnecessary spending. When you’re first starting out on your own and creating a budget, it behooves you to be as frugal as possible. If you’re buying coffee and breakfast every day, cut that out of your spending and try to do your early morning routine at home. See how far your salary actually takes you each month first and then add in luxuries, as long as your savings do not suffer.

4.  Write it out. When drafting up a budget, with your subfolders, savings, and planned spending, write it out on paper. It helps to physically write out your spending and saving goals. For the first few months under your budget, make sure to write out your actual spending and saving as well. See how closely your goals align with your spending reality and make adjustments as necessary. It helps to physically see how much you’re spending to know where you can eventually save.

5. Set spending priorities. Watch out for superfluous spending on items or experiences that aren’t really important to you, but don’t be afraid to splurge on the things that truly matter. Save as much as you can, but remember to find joy in what you choose to spend your money on, or better put, spend money on items and experiences that truly give you joy.

When creating and following your budget, use the method that best suits you and your style of living. Some people prefer paper and pen (including myself), others excel spreadsheets, and more recently, a growing number of people are using applications and websites. If you need a larger system to help you create and stick to a budget, I suggest Mint. It’s a website and an application that helps you track spending by linking to your bank account. Find what works best for you and stick to it! Consistency is key.

Joining the adult world can be an amazing experience but comes with a rather large learning curve. As you, your children, or your grandchildren begin professional careers post-graduation and start to receive an increase in monthly earnings, remember to take it slow and follow some simple guidelines. You never want to end up over your head, fresh out of college.

Clare Lilek is a Challenge Detroit Fellow / Client Service Associate at Center for Financial Planning, Inc.

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The information has been obtained from sources considered to be reliable, but we do not guarantee that the foregoing material is accurate or complete. Any opinions are those of Clare Lilek and not necessarily those of Raymond James.

Millennials Matter: Paying Down Debt While Saving for the Future

Contributed by: Melissa Parkins, CFP®

If you missed it, last month I began a monthly blog series geared towards millennials, like me, with topics that are important and relevant to us. Chances are you are going to have debt at some point in your life—student loans, credit cards, new cars, or perhaps a mortgage—and let’s be honest, most of us millennials are drowning in student loan debt these days! Let’s say you finally have a steady income stream and want to start building your net worth… but have enormous student loan debt and maybe some credit cards to think about too. If you are like me, a big question on your mind is probably, “with extra money in my budget over my necessary expenses, do I pay down more debt, or invest more for the future?” The decision can be overwhelming and definitely not easy answer-- how do you decide the right mix of paying down debt and saving for the future?

Things to Consider:

• First, make sure you are able to at least make the minimum payments on your debts and cover all your other necessary monthly expenses. Then, determine how much extra cash you have each month to work with for additional loan payments and to invest for the future.

• Have an adequate emergency reserve fund established (the typical emergency fund should be 3-6 months of living expenses). If you don’t have a comfortable emergency fund, start building one with your extra monthly cash flow now.

• Take advantage of your employer’s 401(k) match, if they offer one.*  If there is a 401(k) match, contribute enough to get the matching dollars. You are not only saving for the future, but it’s extra money invested for retirement too!

• Make deductible IRA contributions – who doesn’t like saving for the future while saving on taxes? If you have earned income and are not covered by a retirement plan like a 401(k) through work, you are eligible to make deductible IRA contributions up to the annual limit. If you are covered by a retirement plan at work, the deduction on IRA contributions may be limited if your income exceeds certain levels.

• Make high interest rate debt a priority. Take inventory of your debts and their corresponding interest rates and terms. It is a good idea to pay more than the minimum due on high interest rate debt so you are reducing your interest paid over the life of the loan. You can do this by increasing your monthly debit amount or by making more than one payment a month. Also, check with your lenders for discounts for enrolling in auto payments – many offer a small rate reduction when payments are set to be automatically debited each month.

• Remember that interest you pay on some debt is tax deductible, like student loan interest (if your income is below certain levels) and mortgage interest (if you are itemizing your deductions). So at least some of the interest payments you are making on your loans go towards saving on your taxes.

• Lastly, don’t forget to consider what short-term goals you have to pay for in the next 1-2 years. Are you looking to buy a home and need a down payment? Wedding to pay for? New car? Or maybe you have just been working hard and want to treat yourself to a vacation! Lay out these larger short-term goals with amounts and time frame, and see how much of your monthly extra cash should be going to fund them.

Ideas and Tools to Help

• Technology – Consider the use of budgeting apps like Mint or Level Money to keep your spending in check and your goals on track

• Social Media – Look to your Twitter feed for inspiration and helpful tips (personally, I like to follow @Money for motivation).

• Do you receive commissions, bonuses or side income above your normal pay? Instead of counting on that as typical cash flow, each time it comes in put it towards paying off high interest rate debt (I do this and I promise, the feeling is rewarding!). You can also do this with your tax refund each year.

• When you receive a pay increase at work, instead of increasing your spending level, use it to increase your savings (have you read Nick’s blog on his “One Per Year” strategy?)

• Call us! We are here not only as financial planners, but also as behavioral coaches to help you effectively achieve your goals!

Ultimately, how do you feel about debt? Your balance between paying down debt and saving for the future will depend on your personal feelings about having liabilities. It is a good idea to start saving as early as possible because of the power of compounding over the long term. But that doesn’t mean you can’t be aggressively tackling your debt as well. Create a plan that you are comfortable with, review it often to make sure you are staying on track, and make adjustments as your cash flow changes over time.

Continuing on with the topic of debt… read next month about student loans and what you can  be doing to be more efficient with them. Don’t forget to look for more info on our upcoming webinar in July as we’ll be going into more details about student loans!

Melissa Parkins, CFP® is an Associate Financial Planner at Center for Financial Planning, Inc.

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*Matching contributions from your employer may be subject to a vesting schedule. Please consult with your financial advisor or your retirement

The foregoing information has been obtained from sources considered to be reliable, but we do not guarantee that it is accurate or complete, it is not a statement of all available data necessary for making an investment decision, and it does not constitute a recommendation. Any opinions are those of Melissa Parkins and are not necessarily those of Raymond James. Expressions of opinion are as of this date and are subject to change without notice. While we are familiar with the tax provisions of the issues presented herein, as Financial Advisors of RJFS, we are not qualified to render advice on tax matters. You should discuss tax matters with the appropriate professional.

Are Your Aging Parents a Roadblock in Your Retirement Planning?

Contributed by: Sandra Adams, CFP®

As the meat in the so-called “sandwich generation,” the baby boomers are approaching retirement at a record pace. As we work with clients and client couples to get their financial and non-financial “ducks in a row,” it is becoming more and more common to discuss issues surrounding the assistance of one or both sets of parents and aging/long term care issues. If this sounds familiar, here are the possible roadblocks that this can cause for your retirement planning and some suggestions about what you can do to prevent them.

What are the Roadblocks?

• Providing assistance/caregiving often limits the time you can work; you may be forced to take family leave time to provide care, go to part time work, or even take early retirement.

• Working less reduces earnings, providing less Social Security earnings, and less in retirement savings for future retirement.

• Stopping work prior to age 65 may mean a need to bridge a health insurance gap when that was not the original plan.

• Caregiving can be stressful, especially if you are trying to continue to work and also have responsibilities with adult children and/or grandchildren, so your own health can become a concern.

• With so much going on, just being able to keep your “eye on the ball” and concentrate on your own retirement goals can be a challenge.

What Can You Do to Make Sure To Stay On Track?

If you find yourself in the position of assisting aging parents, now or in the future, do not assume that all is lost. There are things that you can do to make sure that your own retirement will stay on track:

• Have conversations with your parents and plan ahead as much as possible to make sure that their long term care is funded; have a conversation to discuss if they are willing and able to have non-family members provide care if and when the time comes (at least until you retire); have a professional moderate the planning conversation if it’s not a talk your family is comfortable having on their own.

• If you do end up leaving work to care for an aging parent, discuss having a paid caregiver contract drafted or determine if your parent’s Long Term Care insurance policy has the ability to pay you for your services as a caregiver.

• Make sure others take their turn and spread the responsibilities amongst others (see my recent blog on Family Care Agreements); take breaks and take care of yourself (caregiver stress is a real thing!).

• Continue to meet with your financial planner on an annual basis to keep yourself focused on your own goals along the way—continue to save for retirement as you are able and make progress.

We all have roadblocks that slow our progress towards our goals; aging parents might be one of yours.  The love and care we have for our family—especially our parents—is not something we would ever deny, however frustrating it might be when it delays that ultimate freedom we call retirement. But if we plan ahead, and coordinate with our families and professional partners, we can hope to make the roadblock more of a speedbump.  Contact me if you have questions about how your financial planner can be of assistance.

Sandra Adams, CFP® is a Partner and Financial Planner at Center for Financial Planning, Inc. Sandy specializes in Elder Care Financial Planning and is a frequent speaker on related topics. In addition to her frequent contributions to Money Centered, she is regularly quoted in national media publications such as The Wall Street Journal, Research Magazine and Journal of Financial Planning.

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The information contained in this blog does not purport to be a complete description of the securities, markets, or developments referred to in this material. The information has been obtained from sources considered to be reliable, but we do not guarantee that the foregoing material is accurate or complete. Any opinions are those of Sandy Adams and not necessarily those of Raymond James. Prior to making an investment decision, please consult with your financial advisor about your individual situation.

Continuing to Work after Filing for Social Security

Contributed by: James Smiertka

If there’s a chance you will earn income while you are collecting Social Security, you will want to know about an extremely important rule put in place by the Social Security Administration called the “Earnings Test.” There are a variety of reasons why someone may earn income while receiving Social Security.  Whether it’s simply pursuing a passion after retirement or the financial need to pick up a part-time job, it’s important to fully understand the implications of earning income and collecting Social Security benefits prior to reaching your full retirement age (FRA). (Click here to see what your FRA is.) Once you reach full retirement age, however, you are not subject to any reduction of benefits from the “earnings test” on your earned income. Let’s take a look at two different examples in detail:

If you are under full retirement age (FRA) for the entire year:

• Earnings limit: $15,720

• Reduction of benefits: $1 for every $2 you earn above the earnings limit

• Example: John is currently 63 and his FRA is 66. John retires, immediately turns on Social Security benefits ($20,000/yr) but decides he wants to pursue his passion as a tutor and plans on earning $35,720 for the year. Since his earnings would be $20,000 over the Earnings Test limit ($35,720 – $15,720), one half ($1 of every $2 earned), or $10,000, would be withheld from his annual Social Security benefit, therefore, reducing John’s Social Security benefit to $10,000 for the year. 

In the year you reach full retirement age (FRA):

• Earnings limit: $41,880

• Reduction of benefits: $1 for every $3 you earn above the earnings limit

• Example: Sue is currently 65 but is reaching her FRA of 66 in a matter of months. She recently started collecting Social Security, which provides her $30,000/yr. Sue is still working, earning $161,880 annually and was not aware of the Social Security Earnings Test. Her earnings would be $120,000 over the earnings test limit ($161,880 – $41,880), one third ($1 of every $3 earned), or $40,000 would be withheld from her annual Social Security benefit. Since this amount is greater than her Social Security benefit, her entire benefit for this year would be withheld.

It’s important to note that if you have had Social Security benefits withheld because of your earnings, they are not lost forever. Once you reach full retirement age, your benefit will increase to compensate for the benefits that were withheld. It does, however, on average, take nearly 2 decades to essentially recover the benefits that were withheld. The bottom line is that there are very few instances where it would make sense to start collecting benefits if there is a strong likelihood that you will continue working. Instead of collecting Social Security early and more than likely having the majority (if not all) of your benefits withheld, you could simply delay benefits which permanently increases your Social Security benefit up to age 70 (More information on that here).

As you can see, there are many moving parts with Social Security, especially for clients who still plan to work prior to reaching full retirement age. Before turning your benefits on, we always recommend that you reach out to your financial planner to discuss your situation in detail to ensure the strategy you’re selecting is in line with your own personal goals and objectives. If you’d like to chat about your benefits and discuss different filing strategies, give us a call, we are happy to help! 

James Smiertka is a Client Service Associate at Center for Financial Planning, Inc.

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This material is being provided for information purposes only and is not a complete description, nor is it a recommendation. Any opinions are those of Jim Smiertka and not necessarily those of Raymond James. The information has been obtained from sources considered to be reliable, but Raymond James does not guarantee that the foregoing material is accurate or complete. Examples provided in this material are hypothetical and for illustrative purposes only.

Identity Protection: Freezing your Credit Report

Contributed by: Melissa Parkins, CFP®

Some 9 million Americans are victims to identity theft every year. Anyone who has ever had their identity compromised knows how frustrating it can be to fix – trust me, I know from the experience. Last year, I wrote about how to check your credit report and what to do if you see something unusual. As you may know, you are entitled to pull your full credit report from each of the 3 credit bureaus once per year at no charge; but what about the remaining 364 days a year (or 365, in 2016’s case)? Chances are you won’t realize that your identity has been compromised until you check your credit report once a year OR you go to apply for a new line of credit and are denied because your score has plummeted. What’s worse is that when you do not catch it right away, it becomes more and more difficult to fix.

So what else can you do to protect yourself?

You can actually block access to your credit report information with a “credit security freeze.” To do this, you contact the three major credit bureaus and instruct them to prohibit new creditors from viewing your credit report and score. Companies with whom you currently have existing accounts with will still be able to access your credit information. You can set up a freeze on your credit information even if you haven’t experienced any fraudulent activity before. A credit security freeze can increase the likelihood of catching identity thieves before they can open new accounts in your name.

How do you do this, and what are the fees?

To freeze your credit reports, you must contact each of the three credit bureaus individually. This can be done online here: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. Fees and filing requirements vary according to state law.

• In Michigan, The fee to freeze your credit report is $10 for each credit agency you decide to do this with – so $30 total if you freeze your credit with each bureau.

• Once you have frozen your credit report, it can be lifted at any time. In Michigan, it is another fee of $10 to permanently remove the credit freeze.

• You can also have the freeze temporarily lifted for a specific period of time or for a specific party (specific party lift is not available in Michigan, but it is in some states). For instance, if you were to start a new job or open up a new line of credit and that company needed access to your credit report, you would need to temporarily lift your freeze. Again, in Michigan it would be a $10 fee for a specific date range lift.

• If you are a past victim of identity theft, the fees are waived (must provide a copy of a valid complaint filed with law enforcement or a police report), so you can freeze your credit and utilize the temporary lifting at any time for no cost.

Who should freeze their credit reports?

As you can see, all of the fees can really add up. So if you are planning any action that requires a credit check, you may want to delay setting up a freeze. Some actions that would require a credit check are things like:

• Starting a new job

• Buying or refinancing a home

• Taking out a loan

• Opening a credit card

• Opening an account with anew utility company or cellphone provider

Placing a security freeze on your credit report does not affect your credit score, nor does it keep you from obtaining your credit report from each of the agencies at any time. Although a freeze can help block identity thieves from opening new accounts with your information, it does not prevent them from making charges on existing accounts. So you should still continue to monitor statements for existing accounts for fraudulent transactions. As you can see, freezing your credit report can be a useful tool for protecting your identity, but it may not be right for everyone. Before setting up a freeze on your credit report, you will want to make sure the timing is right for your unique situation. Let us know if we can be of help.

Melissa Parkins, CFP® is an Associate Financial Planner at Center for Financial Planning, Inc.

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This material is being provided for information purposes only and is not a complete description, nor is it a recommendation. Any opinions are those of Melissa Parkins and not necessarily those of Raymond James. The information has been obtained from sources considered to be reliable, but Raymond James does not guarantee that the foregoing material is accurate or complete.

Raymond James is not affiliated with Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion.

Links are being provided for information purposes only. Raymond James is not affiliated with and does not endorse, authorize or sponsor any of the listed websites or their respective sponsors. Raymond James is not responsible for the content of any website or the collection or use of information regarding any website's users and/or members.

How Should I Use My Tax Refund?

Contributed by: Jaclyn Jackson

Tax filing season is over and many people are entitled to get money back from Uncle Sam.  While most of us are tempted to buy the latest gadget or book a vacation, there may be a better way to use your tax refund. If you are pondering what to do with your tax refund, here are a few questions to help determine whether you should SAVE, INVEST, or SPEND it.

Have you been delaying one of the following: car repair, dental or vision checks, or home improvement?

If you answered yes: SPEND

If you had to be conservative with your income last year and as a result postponed car, health, or home maintenance, you can use your tax refund to get those things done.  Postponing routine maintenance to save money short term may add up to huge expenses long term (i.e. having to purchase a new car, incurring major medical expenses, or dealing with costly home repairs.)

Do you have debt with high interest rates?

If you answered yes: SPEND

High interest rates really hurt over time. For instance, let’s say you have a $5,000 balance at 15% APR and only paid the minimum each month.  It would take you almost nine years to pay off the debt and cost you an additional $2,118 interest (a 42% increase to your original loan) for a total payment of $7,118. Use your tax return to dig out of the hole and get debt down as much as possible.

Could benefit from buying or increasing your insurance?

If you answered yes: SPEND

1. Consider personal umbrella insurance for expenses that exceed your normal home or auto liability coverage.

2. Make sure you have enough life insurance.

3. Beef up your insurance to protect against extreme weather conditions like flooding or different types of storm damage that are not normally included in a standard policy.  Similarly, you can use your tax refund to physically your home from tough weather conditions; clean gutters, trim low hanging branches, seal windows, repair your roof, stock an emergency kit, buy a generator, etc.

Have you had to use emergency funds the last couple of years to meet expenses?

If you answered yes: SAVE

Stuff happens and usually at unpredictable times, so it’s understandable that you may have dipped into your emergency reserves. You can use your tax refund to replenish rainy day funds.  The rule of thumb is to have at least 3-6 months of your expenses saved for emergencies. 

Are you considered a contract or contingent employee?

If you answered yes: SAVE

Temporary and contract employment has become pretty common in our labor-competitive economy where high paying positions are few and far between. If you paid estimated taxes, you may be eligible for a tax refund. Take this opportunity to build up savings to buffer against slow seasons or gaps in employment. 

Could you benefit from building up retirement savings?

If you answered yes: INVEST

Get ahead of the game with an early 2016 contribution to your Roth IRA or traditional IRA.  You can add up to $5,500 to your account (or $6,500 if you are age 50 or older).  Investing in a work sponsored retirement plan like a 401(k), 403(b), or 457(b) is also recommended so you could beef up your contributions for the rest of the year and use the refund to supplement your cash flow in the meantime. 

Are you interested saving for your child’s college education?

If you answered yes: INVEST

College expenses aren’t getting any cheaper and there’s no time like the present to start saving for your child’s college tuition.  Money invested in a 529 account could be used tax-free for college bills with the added bonus of a state income tax deduction for you contribution.

Could you benefit professionally from entering a certification program, attending conferences/seminar, or joining a professional organization?

If you answered yes: INVEST

It’s always a good idea to invest in your development.  Why not use your tax refund to propel your future?  Try a public speaking or professional writing course; attend a conference that will give you useful information or potentially widen your network.   

Did you answer “no” to all the questions above?

If you answered yes: HAVE FUN

Buy the latest gadget.  Book the vacation.  You’ve earned it!

Jaclyn Jackson is an Investment Research Associate at Center for Financial Planning, Inc. and an Investment Representative with Raymond James Financial Services.

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This material is being provided for information purposes only and is not a complete description, nor is it a recommendation. Any information is not a complete summary or statement of all available data necessary for making an investment decision and does not constitute a recommendation. Any opinions are those of Jaclyn Jackson and not necessarily those of Raymond James. You should discuss any tax or legal matters with the appropriate professional. Prior to making an investment decision, please consult with your financial advisor about your individual situation. Please include: Links are being provided for information purposes only. Raymond James is not affiliated with and does not endorse, authorize or sponsor any of the listed websites or their respective sponsors. Raymond James is not responsible for the content of any website or the collection or use of information regarding any website's users and/or members. Hypothetical examples are for illustration purposes only.

"Help! I’m Facing a Larger than Expected Tax Bill,"

Contributed by: Matt Trujillo, CFP®

Every year, as the initial filing date approaches for federal tax returns, inevitably a client calls or emails with something along the lines of “Help! I owe the feds some money! Is there anything I can do to avoid the tax?!” 

I can certainly empathize with getting hit with an unexpected tax bill, and depending on your situation sometimes there are perfectly legal ways to avoid an unexpected tax bill. I have summarized a list of ideas below to keep in mind in case you find yourself in this situation:

Max out the HSA

If you have a qualified high deductible health plan and have an account established, you can defer up to $6,650 in 2015 and this can be done up to the filing deadline of April 18th for 2016.

SEP IRA

For 1099 earners look at setting up and contributing to a SEP IRA; this can be as much as 25% of your net income after expenses that are accounted for on the 1099 income.

Spousal IRA contribution

Maybe you work and have access to a 401(k) or 403(b) plan so you’re not able to make a deductible IRA contribution, but don’t rule this out entirely as your spouse could potentially make a deductible IRA contribution even if they aren’t working. Up to $5,500 for those under 50 and $6,500 for those over 50.

All of the aforementioned can be done right up to the filing deadline of April 18th for 2016, so it makes sense to review these even if it's passed December 31st of the calendar year! If none of these apply to your situation and you are wondering how to avoid owing a big tax bill again on next year’s tax return, consider the following ideas to help mitigate the upcoming year’s tax liability:

Max out 401(k)’s

For those under 50, you can contribute $18,000 and for those over 50 you can contribute $24,000. This has to be done through payroll deduction so you only have until December 31st of the calendar year to defer money into the plan and avoid income tax.

Deferred Compensation Plan

Some plans will allow you to defer your entire salary if desired so make sure you explore the options in your plan and know the specifics of how it works. These plans can be subject to substantial risk of forfeiture, so be very careful and make sure your organization is on solid financial footing before contributing to these plans.

Increase withholding on your paycheck

Nothing fancy here. Sometimes it's just as simple as sending an email to human resources and letting them know you want to withhold more state and federal taxes from your paychecks so you don’t get hit with a big tax bill at the end of the year.

Be sure to consult with a tax professional before implementing any of these strategies. 

Matthew Trujillo, CFP®, is a Certified Financial Planner™ at Center for Financial Planning, Inc. Matt currently assists Center planners and clients, and is a contributor to Money Centered.

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Any opinions are those of Matt Trujillo and not necessarily those of Raymond James Financial Services.