The Roth IRA is a powerful tool you can use to stash and grow retirement savings. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the tax benefits of the Roth IRA as well as income and contribution limits for the 2021 tax year....
If you’re one of the millions of business owners who received funds through the Paycheck Protection Program, it may now be time for you to apply for loan forgiveness. In this article, we’ll take a look at the basic questions you’ll need to answer and the requirements for full forgiveness of your SBA PPP loan. ...
If your business has been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, an SBA Paycheck Protection Program loan can help you through this challenging time. Independent contractors, sole proprietorships, single-member LLCs, partnerships, C corporations, and nonprofits can all benefit if they meet the SBA’s required qualifications. Learn more about them in this article. ...
Many people in California are tired of the supermajority politics of California and have sought greener pastures elsewhere. Things like high taxes, cost of housing, regulations, and high cost of living have driven many people to leave the state for lower tax states like Texas,......
Right when the country seemed to finally be getting back on the right track our progress has been derailed once again. What was once a summer full of hope that the worst was behind us, has now given us more questions than answers. With many......
Six months into 2020 and we have already experienced more not only globally but also as a country. It is not hard to see why this year has been especially hard and every American in one way or another whether you lost your job and......
Last year all we thought we had to face going into 2020 was the brewing trade war between China and America. Little did we know that by June we were going to be in a countrywide state of panic. COVID-19, businesses closed for months, and......
It has now been about six months since the infamous coronavirus began popping up on our news headlines. And now, we are three months into a nationwide quarantine that has left millions jobless and even more without any idea as to what the future holds.......
Let’s imagine you’re in high school and you decided to start a lawnmowing business. You’re a likable kid, and the neighbors know you, so it’s easy to get everyone on the block. But now you are about to have enough money for a car, what......
If you’re in your 50’s, you’re likely enjoying peak earnings in your chosen career. However, while you probably started saving for retirement decades ago, you may be finding it difficult to make significant investments with other expenses—such as paying for the kids’ college and whittling......
Annuities may not be known for their flexibility. I mean it is a contract with an insurance company so that isn’t much of a surprise that liquidity is not their area of strength. What annuities lack in flexibility they make up for with variety. There......
These days, market unrest seems to have become the norm and many investors believe It’s likely to remain so—at least as long as the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic continues to sweep its destabilizing way around the globe. After falling sharply for much of the past......
When someone googles ‘annuities’ the search results always seem to remind one of the famed Clint Eastwood Western films, ‘The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly’. Every other link on the first page ranges from annuities giving you the retirement of your dreams, to annuities......
When money is invested in any way, there are three things the investor is looking for in the financial vehicle: growth, safety (risk mitigation), and liquidity. When it comes to stocks, you are sacrificing security for liquidity and excellent potential for growth. With annuities, you......
For some people, they do not have the luxury of time to have their money in the stock market. The market always bounces back, but some people don’t have as many years as someone in their 20’s opening their first investment portfolio. For people that......
CARES Act Explained In light of the tremendous economic hardships that the COVID-19 pandemic has placed on the American people, the U.S. government is rolling out the largest economic relief package in our country’s modern history. The CARES act is intended to slow the negative effects this pandemic is......
Endowment Model #6: Bonds When we think of securities we usually think of stocks or mutual funds, but not many people think about debt as a form of equity. Bonds, a form of debt investment, are great additions to investment portfolios, not only because......
The Endowment Model #5: Mutual Funds Although the concepts of stocks as an investment vehicle may be easy to grasp, understanding how to properly invest in them is a completely different story. In this need for understanding a new investment vehicle was born, the Mutual Fund. Mutual Funds are great investment......
Endowment Model #4: Equities. In this next edition of the Ortiz World Wealth Endowment Model series, we will be discussing one type of Non-Guaranteed asset in particular, equities. An easier and much more recognizable term for equities is stocks. The bread and butter of the......
Endowment Model #3 Non-Guaranteed Investments In this installment of the Ortiz World Wealth Endowment Model series, we will be covering Non-Guaranteed asset classes. These asset classes might sound a little more familiar to you but that doesn’t mean that there isn’t anything to learn. As......
Part 2: Explaining asset classes The Endowment method is the bread and butter of not only our investment strategies but also those of Ivy League schools such as Yale and Harvard. What makes this method so effective Is not only the Alternative Investments but the......
Part 1: Intro to Endowment We have all seen the late-night infomercials promising a million-dollar secret at the low price of $19.99. Everyone has some secret to how they made millions in the market. The reality is, that there is no secret. Everybody wants......
The coronavirus has been on the news for quite some time now and it doesn’t seem like it will leave the headlines for a while. In fact, it is starting to stretch into the financial sphere as its reach expands into the global economy. Nations around the......
The deadline for filing 2019 tax returns is April 15, 2020. If you’re still working as an employee or independent contractor, you can expect to receive any Form W-2s and Form 1099-MISCs from your employers or clients by January 31. If you’re due Form 1099-INTs......
Conventional wisdom dictates minimizing expenses if you want to stretch your retirement savings as far as possible. Traditionally, this has included paying off your home mortgage. However, a 2018 survey by a national mortgage broker indicates that practice may be changing. In fact, the survey......
Every year or so there seems to be a new outbreak or health concern blazing its way across television and internet headlines for weeks. Banners and headlines warn us not to eat German lettuce or sneeze from the hours of 4:00 – 6:00 PM. As much as we......
As we approach our retirement, we can tend to get quite a mixed bag of feelings, thoughts and emotions. For those who are unprepared or unclear what their retirement may hold for them, anxiety and maybe some fear might be swirling in your stomach. And......
For many people who enter the world of investing, Wall Street offers enough options to satisfy their curiosity. But for others, that’s just not the case. Some people would like to make their money do something but have no faith in the market, and don’t......
In the financial world there are different types of financial advisors you can entrust your money to. These advisors of your funds adhere to different laws and standards based on how they can help you specifically. This article is meant to inform you on the......
This record hike in the stock market has been confusing many people, experts or not. This bull market has managed to sustain itself for just over ten years, and even now through talks of our president‘s impeachment, a trade war with our most traded with country, and......
Beautiful beaches, lush forests, and the best weather in the states, it’s no surprise that we here have earned the title of the Golden State (well and the actual gold). With all of the amenities one could want in their home state, it did not take long......
November was a month of low volatility for the U.S. as well as steady growth, despite the China trade talks in a gray fog, and impeachment talks reaching new levels. The tariffs being placed on South American countries as well as China has definitely taken......
Most parents consider college an important investment in their child’s future. However, covering its costs can be difficult. According to Sallie Mae, Americans spent an average of $26,226 for the 2018-2019 academic year. Nearly a quarter of them (24 percent) had to borrow money to......
How much have you saved for retirement? If you answered, “Not enough,” you’re not alone. According to Northwestern Mutual’s Planning and Progress Study 2019, 22 percent of Americans have less than $5,000 stashed away for retirement. Another 15 percent have no retirement savings at all.......
Recent updates in the market have been looking as positive as ever. The trade talks are supposedly getting closer, and Wall Street is pumping out healthy numbers. This article will give you some simple updates on the status of the market, and the political economy,......
Following the turbulence from earlier months, we had quite a few weeks of positive growth in the market. However, much of this came from the presumption that D.C. and Beijing were approaching some sort of agreement. Unfortunately, that is not the case. After a......
Did you know that women face retirement planning challenges that most men never encounter? It’s true, though if you ask most financial planners about it, they’ll tell you that every retirement plan is unique because every retiree is as well. However, while there are certainly......
Do you think a storm is headed towards the American economy? With steady economic growth over the past decade, some worry that the U.S. economy’s winning streak could be coming to an end. Between a slowing global economy, several ongoing trade disputes, and the upcoming......
When it comes to retirement, we have to make a fair amount of big decisions in a fairly small amount of time. Some are trying to relocate, others are looking to travel, and some simply want to enjoy the luxuries of life. All of these......
The economy recently has had some interesting developments. Some are just the aftermath of old wounds, and others are brand new situations. From the oil and energy sector to the trade war, the market and global economy have been reacting in a rollercoaster fashion. Staying......
Economic recessions are never pleasant. But they’re an unfortunate reality that investors have to deal with from time to time. While it’s impossible to predict when a recession will hit, there are often clues that warn of a potential economic downturn. If you’re worried that another recession......
U.S. endowments are exceptionally well resourced and have access to the best fund managers and private equity programs, which contributes significantly to their investment success. By adopting a more dynamic, proactive version of the asset-allocation principles used by these endowments, it is possible for smaller......
Unions were once the strong backbone that supported the average working American. They have helped preserve the rights and interests of the laborers of our country. One of the largest working union is the United Auto Workers Union. And as one of the largest Unions......
August has been a turbulent month for the market, many ups, and many downs. Coming into the back end of September we are starting to see the numbers from last month come in. Brexit has continued to make the EU unsteady and a strike......
It seems that this trade war is a recent event. Especially with the escalation of tension in the past few weeks. But in reality, this dispute has been going on for over a year. We just so happen to be at the boiling point as......
This past month has been quite eventful to say the least. (insert news headlines from July) With so much going on, and so many ups and downs in the market, it’s important to cover the basics and get a general idea of where the market......
Things are heating up. The new developments in politics globally, and here at home are changing the economic landscape. As drama in Hong Kong escalates, other countries (including the U.S.) have been pressured more and more to become involved in the situation. It is likely......
Many of the times that we find ourselves looking at our bank account, we are regretting the avenues our money went down, thinking of better paths our coin could’ve ventured. We wish we could’ve spent our money more wisely, and many times that wise decision......
The past week has been a roller-coaster for the market. Ups and downs have been fueled by the trade talks with China and that doesn’t seem to be changing anytime soon. The talks that happened this morning between the States and China seemed to be for......
The S&P 500 Index plunged 3.0% on Monday, compounding the previous week’s losses (- 3.1%) as the U.S.-China trade war escalates, marking the worst single day of trading in 2019. With the 10-year Treasury note rates falling to 1.74%, one of the market’s most-trusted recession......
It isn’t news that pensions haven’t been doing as well as they used to. They are no longer the powerhouse that fueled the American retirement. In fact, many of the countries largest pension plans are starting to falter on a significant scale. Teamsters for......
When it comes to strategies to invest, there is no single strategy that can solve all your problems. But there are ways to make sure that you and your money are taken care of the way that you want to be. The largest concern we......
At a funding level of only 31%, Kentucky’s pension is in trouble. Only New Jersey, with a similar level of funding, can match it in the race to the bottom. Despite being fully funded in 2000, years of shorting pension contributions to patch holes in......
Many experts believe that we should have all of the leverage in the trade negotiations, due to the fact that China exports far more to the United States than the other way around. The problem is that the administration cannot decide where to focus our......
The recent weeks have been very chaotic for the global economy, with the United States at the epicenter. Trump has been working at resolving what is seen as unfair business relations between the U.S. and several our trading allies, and adversaries. These trade disputes have......
International relations have not been the most positive news headlines on our media outlets in recent weeks, and recent developments with Iran have not changed that one bit. Our White House administration has been involved with trade disputes with multiple countries recently, with China at......
When it comes to investment vehicles, liquidity is one of the most sought-after qualities. It is important to fully understand where you are placing your money, and what will be happening to it. This short video from JP Morgan helps explain what you need......
The trade concerns between the U.S. and China has been headlining the news for far too long, and in far too many countries. It is newsworthy, to say the least. Mostly because when the worlds two largest economies participate in a trade war, all countries......
We are all aware of the problems that are facing Social Security, especially because we must pay into it. But one thing that may not be in the direct focus of workers across the country, is the welfare of our nations pension plans. Public, private,......
Federal employees are often unsure about what happens to their health insurance when they retire. There is confusion regarding premium payments, integration with Medicare, and whether or not retirees can even keep FEHB. It is important for federal employees thinking about retirement and federal retirees......
Diversified, risk-managed, low cost, and tax efficient: These are the primary characteristics that most investors look for in a portfolio. But checking all of those boxes can be a little tricky when so many traditional investments seem to share downside correlation. Finding an asset mix......
The trade dispute between America and China has been on the headlines for quite some time, and for good reason at that. It not only has been a dramatic sequence of events, it also has begun to affect both economies, as well as the......
The trade war between the United States and China has been escalating day by day. With each new development, there comes new troubles. Troubles that may have been previously foreseen, but new troubles, nonetheless. As our governments continue to debate back and forth, many of......
Last March saw the yield curve inverted by one basis point when the three-month Treasury bill yield surged above the ten-year Treasury bond yield. It was the first time since 2007 that this magnitude of yield curve inversion has occurred. While the yield curve has......
Monthly Energy Letter April 2019 The Month’s Market Highlights Last month oil prices rose, reaching a six-month-high. Brent North Sea quality opened the listings at $69.22/bbl and closed at $71.68/bbl, while West Texas Intermediate crude started the quotations at $61.74/bbl, closing at $63.56/bbl. On April 24th, the......
As Social Security gets to the point where it starts paying out more than it is taking in, experts are increasingly worried about its future and the economic impact it is having. Former Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan warns that underfunded entitlement programs are “creating......
The U.S. China Trade War & How it Will Affect Americans If you have been watching the news in recent weeks, then you should at least be aware of the escalating trade war we are currently involved in with China. Well, for those who......
There have been many developments in the economy as of late. Not just domestically but abroad as well. The yield curve drama, the complications with the Brexit and the European Union, and many other dramatic events in the political domain. This first fiscal quarter of......
There has been a lot of talk about the yield curve in the past two weeks. What it says, what it means, and how it is going effect us. But what exactly is the yield curve? And why do we need to know it? Well......
With so much going on in politics and current events, its hard to narrow down our focus on the economy. But this is especially important when you need to keep track of what is happening with your money. There have been some changes that......
2018 ended with a dramatic shift in market sentiment. With all of the volatility in the stock market right now, how can investors tame it and make the most of it? The last few months have seen oil prices plummet and stock market sell-offs due......
The IRS announced new inflation-adjusted limits for retirement savings plans for 2019. How will it affect you? After six years of a $5,500 contribution limit, savers can now contribute up to $6,000 per year to their IRA accounts. For 401(k)s, the new limit is $19,000,......
The economic boom that has continued since the end of the Great Recession has seen stock markets rebound and investors raking in record profits. But in 2018, the markets experienced a bit of a hiccup, with U.S. markets seeing two corrections (defined as a decline......
There has been a decent amount of turbulence in the world economy during this transitional period into the new year, to say the least. There have been plenty of ups and downs domestically as well as internationally. This article gives a synopsis of the changes......
Cost Segregation Analysis Taxes are a necessary part of any functioning economy. And although I am sure we all would prefer a world without taxes, there are still ways that we can make our taxes work for us. The government has created tax incentives in......
Alternative assets are on the rise as HNWs look to restructure their portfolios. According to a recent survey by Connection Capital, a boutique investment firm, alternative assets such as hedge funds now make up at least 20% of one in four HNWs’ portfolios. The firm......
Tax time is fast approaching. If you’re a pensioner or retiree, you may be in for a big tax surprise if you didn’t review and adjust your withholding’s earlier in the year. The tax code underwent a major overhaul because of a new tax law......
Those that have worked hard and saved for retirement deserve to enjoy their golden years without having to worry about outliving their savings. With growing inflation, high life expectancy and low yield on stocks, deploying strategies and tactics that will produce constant growth and hedge......
Americans are living longer than ever, which is mostly great news for retirees and those nearing retirement. This means you’ll have more time to enjoy your grandchildren, help your community or travel the world. The downside is that many retirees are faced with the problem......
The probate process can be lengthy, intense and sometimes very frustrating. That’s why many financial advisors advise their clients against having their estates go through probate. While the average American may have experienced a typical court hearing, few have seen or undergone a probate proceeding.......
Retirement is the end goal for most of us. It’s even in our minds in the beginning of our lives. From the first interview with that company to getting your first real paycheck, we can’t help but think, “What about that pension?” or “How much......
With every new stage in life, we usually end up introducing ourselves with questions; “Am I ready? What will it be like?” and most importantly “How am I going to handle this?”. With retirement in particular the most popular question is if you are actually......
We are inclined to think that in retirement our spending will decrease. While we will indeed see a decrease in spending, there are also expenses that can easily go up in retirement. Studies have shown that most people will need about 80% of their pre-retirement......
There are no radical changes to social security in 2018. There are, however, some minor amendments to the existing rules. Here are some of the changes that are taking place: Full Retirement Age Increases The full retirement age for social security benefits for Americans born......
Turning retirement savings into disposable income is critical to people nearing retirement. We are all accustomed to building nest eggs but what we do with these savings once we retire will play a crucial role in whether or not we are able to meet our......
Many people have been told to avoid probate. But what exactly does that mean? And how do you keep your heirs from having to go through probate? Probate is a legal process for transferring assets to the heirs. According to LegalZoom, probate costs American families......
Setting up an estate plan ensures that your wishes are followed and that your heirs are taken care of after your passing. Save your family from hassle and unnecessary legal fees by taking steps to protect your estate. Unless you’re an attorney, there’s nothing good......
Naming who will get the insurance proceeds after you die sounds simple, but mistakes are surprisingly common. Failing to properly name beneficiaries could lead to life insurance money being paid to non-intended beneficiaries or results in a costly legal battle for your family. One thing......
Life is a grand adventure. An adventure filled with surprises at every turn. However, not all surprises are good. As we get closer to our golden years, healthcare becomes one of the least pleasant of our surprises. Health care cost is the biggest problem retirees......
James Gandolfini’s $30 Million Estate Tax Mistake In “The Sopranos,” the IRS didn’t stand a chance against Mafia boss Tony Soprano. But thanks to poor planning, the IRS will be the biggest beneficiary of actor James Gandolfini’s estate. Gandolfini died with an estate worth an......
Social Security Filing Options: How You Can Maximize Your Benefits There are many things in life that should be simple. For example, receiving what you worked for. Although it shouldn’t be, the social security filing process is complicated. In 2015 Congress made some changes to......
Have you seen the ads from Fisher Investments offering a free report that explains why Ken Fisher hates annuities? For those unfamiliar with Ken Fisher, he is a well-known financial analyst. He owns his own money management firm, writes a monthly column for Forbes magazine,......
When investors focus solely on the accumulation of a certain amount of money—such as $1 million or $2 million—to finance their retirement plans, they ignore the importance of cash flow. Creating reliable cash flows means you won’t be at the mercy of stock market declines,......
One of the prime principles of Ortiz World Wealth Advisors, is keeping our clients money as safe as possible. Its for this reason that many of our clients choose annuities as a part of their retirement plan. However there is more to annuities than just......
(Living Trusts are a crucial piece of a successful estate, allowing you to have far more control over your assets than a simple will.) A revocable living trust allows you to save time and money by avoiding probate, but the benefits don’t end there. Prevent......
Fixed annuities are really popular right now. According to the LIMRA Secure Retirement Institute, first quarter 2016 fixed index annuity sales increased by 35% over the same period during the previous year. That marks eight consecutive years of growth, while variable annuity sales dropped 18%,......
While collecting Social Security payments may seem simple enough, there are several benefit collection strategies – particularly for married couples – that might boost your retirement income. (Here at Ortiz World Wealth Advisors, we believe that by maximizing your social security you can expand your......
According to a Prudential survey, more than seven out of 10 Americans are concerned about outlasting their income during retirement. Most baby boomers planning to retire during the next 20 years will need a combination of post-retirement work, Social Security distributions, and smart portfolio management.......
Trumps presidency has offered promise of economic growth in America, but economic growth doesn’t mean that everyone in the country is going to have more money and suddenly be in a better place. In fact, the bulk of Trumps plan, or at least what we......
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