The U.S. rejoined the 197-nation Paris Climate Accord. Under the accord, the U.S. has committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 50% of 2003 levels. President Biden has also stated that his administration wishes to move the U.S. to net zero emissions by 2050.

There is a great deal of trepidation about the potential economic consequences surrounding this matter. The concern is that it will require a lowering of consumption in the U.S. and even our standard of life.

If these targets are not just posturing but serious goals, they may portend both large government spending and tax incentives. Rejoining the Paris Climate Accord may signify a historical capital spending boom by both government and private businesses.

Do you own your employer's publicly traded stock in your qualified retirement plan? And are you planning to retire soon? If yes, then the use of Net Unrealized Appreciation (NUA) may represent a significant tax planning opportunity for you. 

It is very likely you have heard of the book, The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up, or seen the recent Netflix series, Tidying Up. This popular system for organizing your house and office, the KonMari Method, was created by Marie Kondo.

What brings you joy?

Kondo and her writings have become incredibly popular both through her engaging personality, practicality of advice, and her simple but deep message.     

As a follow up to our previous post "Fiduciary Rules? Or April Fools...", The Department of Labor’s regulations, aimed at curbing abusive fee practices in regards to the management of IRA, 401(k) and HSA accounts, was finally released on April 5^th.  The draft regulations released for comment earlier in the year were tough, substantive and had teeth.

However, the final regulations, just released, are virtually meaningless as a consumer protection and may even be softened. 

The markets moved dramatically up and down in the third quarter, ending down.  The volatility and decline seems out of sync with the U.S. economy which has continued to show growth, albeit without much in the way of animal spirits.  The U.S. has a historically low unemployment rate, exhibits decent growth in consumer spending and shows improved housing prices and low inflation.  

But, investors do not like uncertainty.  A combination of factors and fears of the unknown appear to be at play.  It is noted that the most dangerous times for financial markets is when “stories” become broken.  A whole crop of stories broke down in the third quarter from “Invincible China” to “Energy Demand Always Growing Faster than Supplies.”   This in turn has resulted in multiple levels of uncertainty:

A recent survey indicated that the average person’s digital estate included assets valued at over $65,000. Actor Bruce Willis has been reported as being in litigation with Apple over his ability to leave his daughters his 60,000+ selection iTunes Library.  (Apple’s policy has been that the music is licensed to you rather than owned by you so that after your death the library is extinguished).  While this is extreme, your digital assets typically can include:

While this sign is designed to remind riders of the tube in the UK to “mind the gap” between the platform and the train, it is apropos for the investor undertaking estate planning  as well.

In talking with clients, we often hear the following questions; 

“My children (or I) had U.S. Savings Bonds that are missing. Is there any way of ever recovering the money?” 

“My parents’ affairs are a mess. How can I be sure I’ve found all of their assets?”

 “When I moved to Florida, I never chased several checks. Is it too late to try and get my old utility deposit refunds, etc.?”

“I have a stock certificate for a company that I can’t seem to find out anything about. Can you help?”

“Everything is Awesome!!!” is the theme song of the Lego Movie.  It is a good theme song title for U.S. equity investors in 2014. The fourth quarter concluded with the S&P 500 returning 13.7% for the year (4.9% in the fourth quarter alone).  This is even more impressive considering a violent downdraft after Thanksgiving.  Almost all major market indexes are at record all-time highs.  Small Cap U.S. stocks, while still slightly trailing large cap for the year, returned an impressive 9.4% in the fourth quarter.  Since bottoming in March of 2009, the S&P 500 has posted a 246% total return.  

Last night, the Senate passed a one year extension on a number of tax items. One of them is an extension to individuals 70 1/2 years of age the ability to donate to a charity directly from an Individual Retirement Account (IRA), without triggering taxes on such a donation as a withdrawal from the IRA. This exemption retroactively covers any such gifting done earlier in 2014.

But don't delay! This charitable transfer expires January 1, 2015.  The President has indicated that he will sign the bill before leaving on his family vacation. 

If you wish to proceed with such a gift, please let us know as soon as possible considering many custodians are already processing year end paperwork on a best efforts basis. Frustratingly, we will likely need to wait until next year to see if this is again renewed for 2015 giving. 

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