We discuss the effect on portfolio success when comparing whether a client should draw down Social Security assets while she waits for deferred Social Security or claim Social security as soon as possible to preserve other assets. We learn that deferring Social Security can actually help to extend the portfolios longevity.

When a client has both stocks and bonds, determining the appropriate asset location is critical to maximizing the value of the portfolio. We learn principles that help the advisor choose which types of investments are best held in tax advantaged retirement plans (both tax-deferred and tax-exempt) and which are more appropriate to hold in taxable accounts.

A critical decision in retirement is choosing the most tax efficient order of withdrawals from taxable, tax-deductible, and tax-exempt accounts We learn principles to help clients make appropriate decisions.

An examination of the assumptions required when using a retirement accumulation calculator and the merits of choosing one assumption over another. We learn how to fine-tune assumptions to reflect client conditions.

A look at the concept of provisional income and the income limits that exempt Social Security form federal taxation. We learn that some clients will receive all of the Social Security tax free, some will have up to 50 percent of their Social Security taxed, and some will have up to 85 percent of their Social Security taxed.

We look at options for the solo practitioner and the small employer. We learn that the practitioner should focus on the amount he/she would like to save and administrative simplicity when choosing a tax advantaged plan.

In this video we discuss the NCOA and MetLife Study, Tapping Home Equity in Retirement. We learn about using home equity to increase retirement income, defer payment of a mortgage, or as an emergency fund to cover important expenses that allow a retiree to remain in the home.

We discuss all aspects of the tax treatment of nonqualified annuities during the life of the contract holder. We learn about the early withdrawal penalty tax as well as the difference between the tax treatment of withdrawals prior to and after annuitization. We also learn about calculating the exclusion ratio when the annuity is a variable annuity or contains an inflation rider.

This discussion looks beyond traditional portfolio failure analysis to invent a warning signal for when a clients situation is likely to change. We learn how to determine if a clients sustainability number is stable by calculating a SORDEX. Most importantly this calculation tells us how often to meet with clients.

We compare conventional loans, reverse mortgages, single purpose loans, and downsizing. We find out the appropriate use for each strategy.