Dear Liz: Please have another go with respect to answering a recent question about making qualified charitable distributions from an IRA using a debit card, which is something we have also wondered about. Several of the large mutual fund companies tell their customers that checks from their IRA account going to qualifying charities will qualify as […]
Recent Blog Posts
Q&A: Should I borrow against my life insurance to travel?
Dear Liz: My wife and I live on her pension, my Social Security, and enough dividends from our blue-chip stocks to cover our daily living expenses. But at our age (80), we would like to spend a little more in order to travel. We will have to borrow the money for that. I see that I […]
Q&A: How to track down lost savings bonds
Dear Liz: My mother passed away two years ago. She left a small mountain of paperwork which my brother, sister and I have finally started to sort through. Among the surprises that we have found is a receipt from a bank for the purchase of $4,500 of U.S. government savings bonds. The date of purchase […]
Q&A: Bequests to household employees can trigger fights, taxes
Dear Liz: Please consider mentioning employers who haven’t forgotten long-time employees in their estate planning. Caregivers and domestic workers may work for families, the elderly or seriously ill patients for decades. When there is a death, the estate or family members rarely remember these workers who feel their effort must have meant very little not […]
Q&A: Why each spouse should have a credit card in their own name
Dear Liz: My husband was the primary account holder on our credit cards and I was the authorized user. When he recently passed away, I was told I had to close the cards. I have tried to open my own credit cards and have been declined by two banks because my debt is too high. […]
Q&A: Couple worries about soaring ACA health care premiums
Dear Liz: My wife and I have health insurance through the Affordable Care Act exchange. With the enhanced tax credit ending this year, our insurance bill could go up from $500 a month to about $2,000 a month. Are there any good options or plans you can recommend? Would filing taxes separately help if my […]