Monday, August 31, 2009

Insurance & Financial Services

Products

As a licensed agent of New York Life Insurance Company and a registered representative of NYLIFE Securities LLC, I offer a variety of products that can help you meet a number of insurance and financial needs. I invite you to read all about the insurance and financial products I can offer and to contact me for an in-depth discussion of your financial goals.
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Life Insurance - Many people think that life insurance is only for people with families. While it is true that life insurance can help provide for the needs of dependents, life insurance also can be an important part of a well-thought-out estate, business succession or charitable giving plan. And permanent life insurance offers many living benefits as well, such as tax-deferred cash value accumulation. For all of these reasons, life insurance can be important for someone starting out — or for someone who's starting over.
You can use the articles on this page to learn more about the various types of life insurance that are available.

  • Whole Life - Whole Life insurance is also known as permanent insurance. You receive coverage for your entire life, as long as premiums (which are a set amount per period) are paid. Whole life policies accumulate cash value tax-deferred.
  • Term Life - Term Life policies provide coverage for a specific amount of time – such as 5 years, 10 years or 20 years. Term premiums are often less expensive than whole life premiums, but once the term of the policy is complete, coverage terminates. There is no accumulation of cash value.
  • Universal Life* - Like Whole Life, Universal Life is a permanent insurance policy, which means that it covers you for your entire life, as long as premiums are paid. Universal life, however, offers you flexibility that enables you to change your premiums and death benefit as your needs change.
  • Variable Universal Life# - Variable Universal Life combines the premium and death benefit flexibility of a Universal Life policy with investment opportunities. You can allocate your premium amongst a variety of professionally managed investment divisions plus a fixed account. Assets allocated to the investment divisions are subject to market risk and may lose value. Of course, with investment opportunities comes risk along with the potential for reward.
  • Survivorship Life - Survivorship life insurance – available as whole life, universal life* or variable universal life# – covers two people and provides payment of the proceeds when the second insured individual dies. Survivorship life insurance is often used to help meet estate planning or business continuation goals.

* Issued by New York Life Insurance and Annuity Corporation (A Delaware Corporation), a wholly owned subsidiary of New York Life Insurance Company.
# Offered by NYLIFE Securities LLC (member FINRA/SIPC).

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Annuities - An annuity is a unique financial vehicle designed to help you accumulate money for your retirement and/or turn a lump-sum of money into a guaranteed stream of income payments.
Deferred annuities offer the advantage of tax-deferral and can be used to accumulate money for retirement.
You can use the articles below to help you learn more about which annuity might be right for you.

  • Variable Deferred Annuities# - A Variable Deferred Annuity offers the advantage of tax deferral and can be used to accumulate money for retirement. The policy’s accumulated value – and sometimes the amount of monthly annuity benefit payments – fluctuates with the performance of your investment account. There are fees, expenses and risks associated with the contract. Please be aware than assets allocated to the investment divisions are subject to market risks and will fluctuate in value.
  • Fixed Interest Deferred Annuities* - With a Fixed Interest Deferred Annuity, the interest rate on your policy is guaranteed never to fall below a certain amount. For many people, this provides a measure of security about their investment.

* Issued by New York Life Insurance and Annuity Corporation (A Delaware Corporation).
# Offered by NYLIFE Securities LLC (member FINRA/SIPC).

Income annuities are used to generate a stream of income payments that is guaranteed to last for as long as you need it to -- even for the rest of your life.
Guaranteed Lifetime Income Annuities** - An income annuity where income payments begin immediately - one period after the annuity is puchased. It is designed to provide you with predictable income monthly, quarterly, semi-annually or annually, no matter how long you live, and regardless of how the financial markets perform.

** Guaranteed Lifetime Income Annuities are issued by New York Life Insurance and Annuity Corporation (a Delaware Corporation), a wholly owned subsidiary of New York Life Insurance Company. In New York, the annuity is issued by New York Life Insurance Company.
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Investments# - At New York Life and its subsidiaries, we offer comprehensive products and services to help you develop a sound, long-term investment strategy. You can choose from over 10,000 mutual funds, including self-directed, tax-deferred Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs). We also offer products to fund plans for companies of all sizes, ranging from SIMPLE IRAs to full-service defined contribution and defined benefit plans.

#Offered by NYLIFE Securities LLC (member FINRA/SIPC).
NYLltcPic

Long Term Care Insurance - Long-Term Care Insurance is still a relatively new type of insurance product. Many people do not understand what long-term care insurance policies cover, how and when the policies pay benefits, and who should obtain coverage.
NYLOtherPic

Other Products - Follow this link to information about other products, such as Disability Income Insurance, Individual and Group Health Insurance products.**

陈夷非保险知识问答

永久寿险是如何延税的?

首先让我来介绍一下什么是延税。延税,即延缓缴税,是运用某些财务产品去积累资金,其过程所获得的增值,利息及红利,只要它们仍留在账户内,就可以一直延迟到提款时才需付税。由于不必马上缴税,便可以有较多的利息或红利收益保留在账户内,以利生利,利滚利,这样一来,账户内的资金增长速度会快很多。因此,充份利用延税的方法,可使您获得可观的经济利益。如果您参加了雇主提供的401(K)计划,或设立了个人退休账户(IRA),那么您已经在享受着延税积累资金的好处。永久寿险也同样具有延税的特点。

延税的经济效益是不容忽视的。一项财务计划,有无延税功能,其最终结果相差甚远。下面用一图表来比较一下两者的差别。图中假设一次性投资五万美元,投资期为三十年,利息按百分之六复利计算。我们可以看到,以延税方法积累的金额比不延税积累的金额要多得多。如果您的缴税税率(Tax Bracket)是百分之二十八,不延税的账户三十年所积累的金额约为十七万八千美元;但如果使用延税帐户去积累资金,三十年后其金额将超过二十八万七千美元。(值得注意的是,如果您在五十九岁半前,从年金,401(K),IRA帐户或某些保险产品中提款,国税局可能要加收百分之十的罚款)


延税产品能够帮您掌握自己的财务状况。您不仅可以通过延税产品来长期积累资金,而且还可以通过周全的计划,适当控制提款的数额和时间来避免缴纳太多的税。延税的策略最适合长期计划,通常是退休计划。方法是将一笔钱存起来,长期不去动用,任其增值。当然,在您退休后开始动用这笔钱时,您就要付税了,不过到那时,您的所得税率可能因收入减少而降低,从而可以减少应缴的税款。另外,美国税法将纳税人的收入分为几个等级,较高的收入相应有较高的税率,而每一等级都有规定的收入起点。您可以参照相应税率的收入起点来决定该年提款的金额。如果您小心计划,不使自己的收入达到较高的税率等级,那么您所需要缴纳的税款便可降至最少。

终生寿险和年金的现金值均能以延税的方式不断积累。固定年金可以为您提供稳定而源源不断的收入,细水长流,使您在有生之年不会有财源耗竭之虞。并且,年金只有在提取时才需要付税。终生寿险的主要作用是为受益人提供财务保障,但它也同样具有延税积累资金的好处,这些资金可以通过向保单贷款的方式来使用。另外,人寿保险在税务上的另一项优点,是保险赔偿金在大多数情况下不必缴纳联邦所得税。

如果您需要了解更多有关保险和其他金融产品的资讯,请与纽约人寿的?业务代表陈夷非女士联络。陈夷非女士凭着真诚敬业的精神竭诚为广大同胞提供优质满意的服务,并免费为您设计适合您需要的理财方案。日夜直线电话:(202)870-1696;电子邮箱: wendy2k@msn.com

解读杰克逊遗嘱兼谈遗产规划(八)

  麦克杰克逊的葬礼费用能抵遗产税吗?(下)
谁都不能否认7月7日麦克杰克逊追思会是一场盛况空前,全球为之动容的盛典。这是戴安娜王妃去世之后最受瞩目的一场追悼会。全球有大约十亿人通过网络、手机、电视等各种方式收看有史以来最大规模的名人告别仪式。

但对面临5.3亿美元预算赤字的洛杉矶市政府来说,为保障民众安全和秩序花费的380万美元是一笔突如其来的大开销。根据洛杉矶时报的消息,警方出动了 3,200人,不仅在举行公开纪念活动的斯特普尔斯中心地区,也在杰克逊家族举行私人纪念仪式的森林草坪纪念墓园,部署了大批警力。为此,市议员要求调查市府官员核准开支的程序, 检察官还表示,要协助市政府追回相关经费。

日前,这一问题得到了“良好”的解决:杰克逊家族宣布他们会为追思会“慷慨”埋单。于是乎,洛杉矶市政府和议员大声鼓掌,他们节省了这笔额外开支。但他们可能并没有料到,这其实是山姆大叔与杰克逊家族共同埋单,是从洛杉矶市民付账变成了全美付税人付账,而让杰克逊家族卖了个“乖”。

根据美国遗产税法,付税人只对应付税遗产缴税。应付税遗产是在总遗产减去“允许的抵扣”后产生。就像收入税中,慈善捐赠和贷款利息都是合法的抵扣一样。税法代码第2051指定,遗产法中“允许的抵扣”之一是 “葬礼费用”。税法列举的“葬礼费用”包括,“合理的墓碑、纪念碑或者陵墓的开支”;“未来墓地管理的合理开支,只要地方法律允许这样的开支”;“把遗体运往墓地的运输费和送葬者的交通费”。这其中“合理”的定义很值得玩味,绝对是因人而异。对你我百姓是合理的,未必对亿万富翁合理。对于麦克杰克逊,国税局应该会在如何界定“合理的葬礼费用”时眼开眼闭。

在麦克杰克逊案例中, “葬礼费用"大概会有:
1. 所有与麦克葬礼有关的开销,这主要是私人葬礼部分,无论有多少侈奢昂贵,都将允许作为抵扣。
2. 所有与麦克遗体下葬有关的开销,也是可抵扣的,包括修建纪念碑在内。1927年有一个案件,当时税务法庭认定 21,000美元的陵墓开销是合理的。那么,当年的21,000美元,远超过今天的25万美元。

3.所有运输麦克遗体的费用,从医院到殡仪馆,从追思会场地到他的长眠墓地。这还包括家族信托付给地方政府的所有费用,如警察护送,封闭城市街道,额外安全等等。从理论上不被容许的公共纪念仪式场地,都将被容许。所有送葬者的交通费。
4. 所有不应该作为抵扣的公共纪念仪式的花费,特别是盛况空前的追思会。这不是私人葬礼的部分,国税局如果强力辩论,他们可以禁止作为抵扣。但是,如果杰克逊遗嘱执行人采用了抵扣,国税局也会允许。

在麦克杰克逊案例中,国税局知道,在为最大程度收受遗产税的争斗中, "葬礼费用"只是小小虾米,关键是如何评估麦克无形资产的价值,包括版权等,和如何计算他的实际债务。为逮住大鱼大虾,国税局愿意放弃小虾米。

解读杰克逊遗嘱兼谈遗产规划(七

   杰克逊遗产如何避免双重遗产税?(下)

上次我们谈到了麦克杰克逊把一大部分遗产留给他的妈妈凯瑟琳,付了一大笔遗产税。若干年后,当年迈的凯瑟琳去世,又不得不再交上一笔遗产税。如此一来,假如麦克留给她的2亿美元遗产,先后有1亿3500万美元"贡献"给了山姆大叔,纳税比例高达67.5%。

绝大多数人不会预见到自己会先于自己的父母过世,麦克杰克逊立遗嘱时一定也如此。但是他热爱自己母亲,要保证万一有什么事发生,母亲的余生无忧无虑。但仅仅把遗产分给母亲而没有合适的遗产规划,结果会是一场税务灾难:把三分之二的遗产拱手送给政府。
给凯瑟琳的遗产如何避免双重遗产税?回答是建立一个带有附加条件的信托,让她使用遗产。

美国遗产法中最重要的一条,是谁拥有遗产谁支付遗产税。"拥有"很大程度上就是控制。谁控制这部分财产,自由决定如何使用如何分配,谁在遗产法中就是" 拥有者"。在杰克逊遗产的案例中,如果凯瑟琳直接收到麦克的遗产,她当然就控制和拥有了这部分遗产;即便使用普通的信托把麦克的遗产分给她,她是唯一的信托委托人(Trustee),她可以自由自在地使用麦克的遗产,她当然也控制和拥有了这部分遗产。既然有控制和拥有,这部分遗产就是凯瑟琳的财产,当她过世时,就免不了要付她的遗产税 。

但是,如果把麦克分给凯瑟琳的遗产转入一个有独立委托人管理的信托,有独立委托人负责决定什么时候,在什么情况下,把部分遗产分配给凯瑟琳使用。也就是说,把凯瑟琳从麦克遗产的拥有人转变为麦克遗产的受益人。只要分发遗产的原因是限于某些"可确定的标准",如提取遗产是为了凯瑟琳的健康、教育、和维护她日常生活所需等等。在这种情况下,根据遗产法,凯瑟琳过世时,信托中的遗产不必交第二次遗产税,因为这遗产并不是她的。甚至,可以为凯瑟琳创建一个信托,让她成为这信托的委托人,并决定分发遗产给自己,但只是为了她的健康、教育、和日常生活所需。在她的死亡时,在信托中的财产不用再付遗产税。

尽管凯瑟琳并不法律上"拥有"这部分遗产,但她仍可使用遗产,过着豪华舒适的生活,而且可以避免了第二次遗产税。这是麦克杰克逊遗产计划的重点。

这也是媒体不了解为什么凯瑟琳可以得到麦克40%的遗产,干吗还要挑战麦克遗产执行人的地位,要对遗产执行人的动议提出异议。尽管凯瑟琳不拥有麦克遗产,她使用遗产还要受到遗产执行人的钳制,她的所作所为并非"唯恐天下不乱",而是争取她在麦克遗产管理中的话语权和参与权。

解读杰克逊遗嘱兼谈遗产规划(六)

     杰克逊遗产如何避免双重遗产税?(上)

麦克杰克逊过世一个多月了,有关他的新闻仍然不绝于耳。近日洛杉矶高等法院批准了索尼影视公司向AEG公司和杰克逊遗产购买杰克逊人生最后阶段,排演伦敦音乐会的片段,把它编辑成电影,用“This Is It”之名在10月30日隆重推出。这是一笔6000万美元的交易,AEG公司是当初策划伦敦音乐会的主办者,它从6000万美元中拿走它的一部分,其余作为杰克逊遗产注入 “麦克杰克逊家族信托”。

杰克逊通过“麦克杰克逊家族信托”分配他已有的遗产,和源源不断类似6000万美元这样的将来收入。因为这是一个信托,很少人知道它的分配比例和分配形式。至今传出的是麦克杰克逊母亲,三个孩子和慈善机构各得40%,40%和20%。

暂且不论分给三个孩子的40%如何管理,分给他母亲的40%如何避免双重遗产税,是遗产律师和金融策划师关注的焦点。

假如传说的分给他母亲的40%遗产是真的,假如杰克逊净遗产有5亿美元,他母亲就可以分到2亿美元。就如我上几次讨论的,杰克逊的遗产税率是45%,老妈凯瑟琳不得不在杰克逊去世9个月之内,寄一张9000万美元的支票给山姆大叔。这是在美国阎王老爹都跑不掉的税务责任。

付了 9000万美元给国税局,凯瑟琳就一了百了,便可高枕无忧享用付过税的1亿1千万美元吗?非也。凯瑟琳已经79岁,再是天天山珍海味,浑身穿金戴银,有生之年也无法用完1亿多美金。每年"挥霍"100万,十年也不过1000万美元,79岁的凯瑟琳还有几个十年呢?有人说他们全家可以帮她花,但除了每年 13000美元免税额,全家帮她花会让凯瑟琳面临赠与税。当凯瑟琳过世时,她用不完的财产,假如是1亿美元,就变成了她的遗产,她的遗产以45%的遗产税率,其中4500万美元又得乖乖交给国税局。如此一来,她儿子留给她的2亿美元遗产,先后有1亿3500万元贡献给了山姆大叔。每个读者可以想象税赋之重,连杰克逊这样的名人家族都无法幸免。当然,凯瑟琳可以把她的遗产全部留给她的丈夫乔,遗产法规定夫妻间遗产转移是免税的。问题是,乔能否活得比凯瑟琳更久,把麦克杰克逊的遗产转移给曾虐待麦克的乔是否妥当,而且乔继承了凯瑟琳的遗产,他死时也要付遗产税。

杰克逊遗产如何避免双重遗产税?这是杰克逊起草遗嘱和安排信托时,他的法律团队优先考虑的问题。(下期续)
(崔培良注册金融策划师(CFP)和注册税务师(EA) 提供商务、税务、遗产规划和资产保护等服务,请电703-620-0977,Web:cuisfinancialgroup.com。博客:blog.sina.com.cn/plcui)

解读杰克逊遗嘱兼谈遗产规划(五)

                                      杰克逊遗嘱和它的执行人
    遗嘱执行人,被认为是死者遗产的法人,一般有遗嘱指定,再有认证法庭批准,代表死者或死者的信托分配其财产。对凡夫俗子,自己的配偶、子女或要好的朋友常会被选作遗嘱执行人,只要他们有能力和意愿去处理一系列法律、财务的问题。

而坐拥数亿美元资产的杰克逊遗产,它的遗嘱执行人岂可是等闲之辈。杰克逊生前一定绞尽脑汁,倾听一流律师团队的建议去寻找他的遗嘱执行人。他在自己 2002年的最后遗嘱中,指定了三位共同遗嘱执行人,其中一人,会计师巴里·斯格尔,已在2003年辞去遗嘱执行人的职务,剩下的两位,一个是约翰·布兰卡(John Branca),他是杰克逊长期雇佣的律师,另外一位是约翰·麦可伦(John McClain),一位音乐制作人,并是杰克逊的常年好友。

这两位遗嘱执行人与杰克逊长期交往,彼此了解,心心相通。特别是布兰卡,1983年就认识杰克逊,帮助杰克逊找到资助,把音乐片"惊悚"一炮打响,从此摇滚音乐靠着音乐片的形式迅速推广开来。1985年,布兰卡帮助杰克逊用4700万美元购买了披头士的出版目录,短短几年之内,这目录总价值超过4亿美元。在布兰卡的第一次婚礼上,杰克逊是男傧相。布兰卡曾作为杰克逊在索尼/ ATV董事会的代表。 2006年,布兰卡离开杰克逊。大约在杰克逊死之前三个星期前,他被杰克逊重新雇用。遗嘱是对身后财产的安排,遗嘱执行人实际是逝者死后无形的手,按照死者的遗愿去控制遗产和关照受益人。杰克逊的遗嘱执行人就是这样的角色。

同时,遗嘱执行人必须有足够的经验,对付各种法律和财务问题。在管理杰克逊的遗产中,布兰卡是富有经验的娱乐界名律师,他代理过29宗大案例,他的客户有福布斯杂志,阁楼杂志,花花公子杂志,MCI 等等,当然包括杰克逊。管理杰克逊的遗产,既要面对政府索讨税务,还要准备“有心人士”的巧取豪夺,这都非杰克逊父母和兄弟姐妹能处理好的。

除此,遗嘱执行人还要有足够的能力去对付麦氏家族的内部纠纷,摆平各种关系。现在法院的听证还没开始,老妈凯瑟琳就挑战这两位遗嘱执行人与杰克逊的关系有多深,并要求获得对遗嘱执行人在对遗产所做财务决定时的核准权;老爸乔瑟夫背后搬弄是非,也要控制遗产;杰克逊前妻也要借孩子的监护权分一杯羹;杰克逊妹妹也表现出对小孩监护权的兴趣。。。。。豪门深似海,各人各有一本小算盘。如遗嘱执行人没有几把刷子,今后几年只能泡在遗产法院里,面对麦氏家族的一一盘问和听命于法官的事事判决了。而最终吃亏的是受益人的金钱,杰克逊的遗愿怎能伸张?

所以,遗嘱执行人要以为遗嘱设立者的最佳利益工作,为遗嘱受益人的最佳福祉考虑为本。好的遗嘱执行人,是执行遗嘱的最佳保证。而杰克逊的遗嘱执行人已经被外界大为看好,被称为"最受信任,最为成熟,最有睿智,而又最富经验的团队。"
(崔培良注册金融策划师(CFP)和注册税务师(EA) 提供商务、税务、遗产规划和资产保护等服务,请电703-620-0977,Web:cuisfinancialgroup.com。博客:blog.sina.com.cn/plcui)

解读杰克逊遗嘱兼谈遗产规划(四)

                                        杰克逊遗嘱和遗产税

迈克尔杰克逊在世时,一直被认为我行我素,放荡不羁,不负责任,但在他的遗嘱中他却多次提到他死后的税务责任,如"我指定所有因我死亡或在我死亡之时需支付的联邦遗产税和州继承税(简称"遗产税"),由迈克尔杰克逊家庭信托基金财产支付","本遗嘱所涉遗产之外的遗产税,除了构成基金财产的部分,应由上述财产获得者支付。"

遗产税,又被反对它的人称作"死亡税",是所得税以外的另一种税。它是在一个人死亡之时,转移财产的特许权税。对杰克逊而言,他的财产包括他拥有的所有财产,如现金、股票、债券、房地产、披头士的歌曲和"大象人骨头"。在2009年死亡的人,他们的遗产税免税额是350万美元,即在死亡时转移价值350万美元的财产,不用支付遗产税。在这数字以后,遗产税税率是财产的45%。与遗产税交织的是终身赠与税。在2009年,终身赠与税的免税额是100万美元。现在没有任何资讯显示,迈克尔杰克逊死前做了任何免税的赠与。

美国社会和两党一直在争论是否要提高遗产税免税额,免税额越高,要交税的人越少。十年前的豁免额,只有65万美元,造成很多人要交遗产税。现在只有不多的美国人有价值350万美元的遗产,特别是经历了近年来的股市和房地产崩盘。如果一对夫妇能做好遗产规划,他们可以免税留给后人的遗产可高达700万美元。

但对杰克逊而言,多少免税额与他毫不相关。当你有几亿美元财产时,免税额是100万美元,或350万美元,甚至是1000万美元都不重要。真正重要的是税率,就是财产的百分之几将是要交税。他的遗产税率也应该是45%。据报道,他的遗产在10亿美元左右,当然他的应付税遗产远远低于这个数字。应付税遗产,是在减去三部分的抵税额以后取得。首先要扣除他死亡之时的所有债务。已经有披露,杰克逊生前花钱如流水,极尽挥霍。单是雇用那个怀疑致他死亡的医生的费用就是每月15万美元。杰克逊的债务非常庞大,总计超过4亿多美元。他的债务使他的实际净遗产少很多。其次,是扣除他捐给慈善机构的善款。象所得税的慈善扣除一样,遗产税也有扣除。据说迈克尔杰克逊家族信托财产中,有20%会捐给慈善机构。这一部分善款会减少他所欠的相当数量的遗产税。第三,对遗产的清点和付税前的管理费用,也可在遗产总额中扣除,当然这部分开销并不会很多。已经有传说,清点和整理杰克逊的遗产要化好几年时间,但山姆大叔可没有耐心等待,所有遗产税必须在死后九个月内一次付清,否则利息加罚款会是非常严厉的。

根据现有资讯,杰克逊的应付税遗产大概在5亿美元左右。从他的税率来看,他的遗产税大概是2亿多美元左右。试想他一生演艺,累积的所有遗产先要被国税局咬去了这么大一口。再试想一下,如果杰克逊没有在2009年6月25日去世,而是再晚190天,在 2010年过世,他足足可以省下这2亿多美元的遗产税。因为就是在2010年一年,美国遗产税将全部撤销。不管你有多少遗产,你都没有遗产税。早已听说有人将使用维生系统,来控制死亡时间,以避免遗产税。试想这些,有没有令人唏嘘呢?

(崔培良注册金融策划师(CFP)和注册税务师(EA) 提供商务、税务、遗产规划和资产保护等服务,请电703-620-0977,Web:cuisfinancialgroup.com。博客:blog.sina.com.cn/plcui

解读杰克逊遗嘱兼谈遗产规划(三)

                                   杰克逊遗嘱如何安排遗产?

说到遗嘱,人们常常想到遗嘱设立人会指明有多少遗产留下来,有多少遗产会分配给谁……可读遍杰克逊遗嘱,我们找不到一元一毛,更没有任何美元的记号;麦克杰克逊去世已有几个星期,除了人们猜测的几宗大资产外,无人知道杰克逊的具体遗产有多大。对杰克逊遗产如何分配,也只有坊间的一些传闻,无人知道真正的分配方案。杰克逊遗嘱为何不谈具体遗产,麦克杰克逊的遗产哪里去了?

1994年5月19日,曾以个性和魅力赢得世人赞叹的杰奎琳·肯尼迪·奥纳希斯-肯尼迪总统的夫人去世。才过了几天,她的遗嘱立刻变成了上亿美国人饭后茶余闲谈的话题。美国各大媒体纷纷挖掘她遗嘱中的每一个部分和每个细节,成千上万的读者都知道她拥有哪一宗财产,她的房产是哪一栋,她留下来多少遗产给哪一个继承人,每份遗产继承的条件是什么,等等。特别遗憾地是,杰奎琳在世时非常在意自己的隐私和自己孩子的隐秘。她不得不公开的遗嘱把她的隐私隐秘,摊在无数世人的眼皮底下,这不仅爆露了她的遗产和她遗产的分配,更是对她遗愿的不尊重。

1962年,一代影星玛丽莲·梦露过世。当她的遗嘱公开时,据评估遗产帐面价值160万美元,当然不包括她身后的巨大的版权等无形资产。在她的遗嘱中,她详细罗列了什么遗产给谁。如她的遗嘱中第五条为“抚养我的妈妈和另一个亲属,并设立了一个资产为10 万美元的信托财产。”她把遗产的全部剩余财产的25%留给了她的精神科医生,把全部剩余财产的75%的留给了引领她入道的表演老师,等等。既然是遗嘱,它免不了要进行公开听证和认证,而且是漫长的法律程序。多漫长?梦露这些遗产的认证和遗产分配足足花了长长的18年,继承人最终得到的只是11万美元,而超过100万美元,大约是遗产的三分之二,支付了遗产税和律师费用。

21世纪的麦克杰克逊,从历史上名人的失败遗产规划中学到了教训。针对遗嘱的被迫公开,强制认证,程序冗长和费用昂贵的特征,杰克逊的法律团队把遗嘱和“生前信托”结合起来,让遗嘱作为遗产管理和子女监管的“授权书”,让法官法院“背书”认定,这是“生前信托”无法做到的;再把遗产笼统而全部归入早已设立好的"生前信托":" 麦克杰克逊家族信托",根据信托文件分配遗产。"生前信托"完全不同于遗嘱,它在设立者生前建立,财产可以在身前或身后转入。"生前信托" 不用公开,让有心人无从探得其中细节;"生前信托"无需听证认证,不用"劳驾"法官法院,一切财产按信托文件安排;"生前信托"在设立者一过世即生效。由于没有冗长的法律程序,没有利益相关各方的争执,财产可以迅速可按信托文件开始分配;"生前信托"没有听证认证,如何管理也依文件去做,费用不足为道。" 生前信托"的这些特质正好补充了遗嘱的"不足"。

尽管有关杰克逊子女的监护权还要争论一段时间,但因为杰克逊遗嘱并没有把他遗产的"大肥肉"摊在桌子上,迄今为止,见缝插针的有心人和穷追猛挖的媒体人好似进展不大,收获不丰。

(崔培良注册金融策划师(CFP)和注册税务师(EA) 提供商务、税务、遗产规划和资产保护等服务,请电703-620-0977,或 888-734-6234,Web:cuisfinancialgroup.com。博客:blog.sina.com.cn/plcui)

(本文发表于首页个人理财, 已被阅读42次)

解读杰克逊遗嘱兼谈遗产规划(二)

                                 杰克逊遗嘱如何保护子女?

如果你观看了麦克杰克逊告别追思会,他11岁女儿最后一段感伤告别辞,很难让人不动容。尽管一生争议不断,褒贬不一,但作为父亲的杰克逊,他关爱和保护儿女的舔犊情深,和天下绝大多数父母毫无两样。他在篇幅不长的遗嘱中,八节中有三节提到了自己未成年子女,并在法律容许范围内最大程度为子女的未来做了安排。

在遗产规划中,一个人如家有未成年子女,活着设立遗嘱时,最担心的是一旦自己过世,谁是监护人,来抚养子女;如果是双亲家庭,担心的是父母同时去世后,谁来照顾子女;如果有了合适人选,接下去的问题是用什么来抚养大子女,有多少资产留给子女,谁来管理和安排这些资产,什么是最好的方法管理这些资产。

杰克逊的遗嘱对此都有详尽安排。他指定自己最挚爱的母亲和自己最信任的好友,作为子女的第一和后备监护人,而非曾"虐待"自己的父亲,更利用某种形式刻意排除前妻。对留下的遗产,杰克逊对如何转移,谁来管理,遗嘱执行人的职责和权限,如何支付遗产税等,都有详尽安排,因为遗产的一部分将会留给子女。

有人读不懂杰克逊遗嘱中这一段话,他说"除了在遗嘱中提到或第三节提到的信托外,我是有意地没有留遗产给我的继承人。我是有意地没有留遗产给我的前妻子黛比-简-罗薇-杰克逊"。看似像排除前妻一样,杰克逊也排除留遗产给子女。但这种排除,与排除给前妻完全不同。排除前妻,是为了把前妻完全赶出杰克逊家族,不让前妻染指他的遗产和他的子女;而排除子女,是为了避免触犯加州的家事法和遗产法。美国各州对未成年孩子取得没有成人监管的资产都有限制,一般在1000美元到5000美元之间。超过此数字而又没有具体成人监管的条例,都可能被法院推翻。而且,遗嘱必须经过法院认证,如具体谈论遗产,会增加受到各方挑战的机率,延长认证时间。尽管他"有意地没有留遗产给我的继承人",但他早已建立好了"生前信托":“麦克杰克逊家族信托”,并已指定所有遗产在他死后,全部转入该信托,根据信托文件分配遗产。不同于遗嘱,"生前信托"无需认证,不用公开,又有专人管理,只要设计得当,可以长期存在。

在一流律师团队的帮助下,杰克逊的遗嘱配上他的家族信托,让有心人几乎无孔可钻。尽管如此,他生前和往生后一定也非常无奈,因为他无法躲过法院的认证和法官的裁决。美国各州的遗产法规定,有关指定未成年人的监护人,必须通过遗嘱制定。未成年人不是一种财产,不能像资产那样打包放入信托,必须在遗嘱中专门确定。而只要是遗嘱,就必须经过法院认证。如此一来,他无法随心所欲指定监护人,进而如愿分配他的遗产;他也无法控制身后对他遗产的争夺。这就是美国的遗产法。

(崔培良注册金融策划师(CFP)和注册税务师(EA) 提供商务、税务、遗产规划和资产保护等服务,请电703-620-0977,或888-734-6234,电邮:barrycui@cuisfinancialgroup.com。博客:blog.sina.com.cn/plcui)

(本文发表于首页个人理财, 已被阅读44次)

解读麦克杰克逊遗嘱兼谈遗产规划(一)

对麦克杰克逊是否有遗嘱,笔者上星期专栏中的讨论,最终有了一个良好的答案。7月1日,他的律师把他2002年准备的最后遗嘱交给了法庭,让不想看到一场遗产争夺大灾难的人松了一口气。对麦克杰克逊的遗嘱,美国遗产法和遗产规划专家评论颇佳,它四平八稳,反映了麦克杰克逊的愿望,几乎找不到漏洞。

媒体报道中,似乎非常惊奇麦克杰克逊遗嘱特意排除留遗产给前妻黛比罗。从遗产规划角度,麦克杰克逊的目的是什么?
在美国各州的遗产法中,遗嘱设立者对遗产的分配,除了很难完全排除配偶外,可以排除任何人,甚至包括自己孩子,只要计划得当。离婚的配偶与其他朋友亲戚一样,不给遗产就不给,完全没有必要在遗嘱中特地排除。麦克杰克逊遗嘱有意特别排除前妻,是为前妻寻求子女监护权的企图设置障碍。

麦克杰克逊于1996年与皮肤科护士黛比罗结婚,当时黛比罗已经怀有杰克逊的长子,随后她又为杰克逊生下女儿。1999年,杰克逊与她离婚。因为黛比罗放弃了两个孩子的监护权,获得了麦克杰克逊支付的850万美元的补偿。但她并非永久放弃监护权,放弃的只是在麦克杰克逊活着时的监护权。

现在麦克杰克逊去世了,尽管他的遗嘱指定了他未成年孩子的监护人和后备监护人,并特地排除前妻获得遗产,以表明与她两无瓜葛。但根据美国大多数州的家事法和遗产法,未成年子女的生身父母比其他人更有优先获得监护权。一个父母不能跳过另一生身父母,指定别人作为监护人,除非另一生身父母被证明放弃了孩子或不适合作父母。

根据"麦克杰克逊家族信托"的分配,获得麦克杰克逊子女的监护权,意味着获得对他40%遗产的控制权。今天的价码约是2亿到2.5亿美元,不包括今后源源不断的版权等无形资产的新收益。为此,麦克杰克逊前妻和麦克杰克逊母亲两造,已经摩拳擦掌,跃跃一战。黛比罗又是频频放话,又是公布亲子和睦照片,营造自己完全胜任监护人的形象,等待对方出价,庭外和解;麦克杰克逊母亲一方,坐拥遗嘱,打着死者愿望为重的旗号,以静止动。这场监护权之争的烈度,只有过了麦克杰克逊的葬礼,我们才能一窥究竟。

(崔培良注册金融策划师(CFP)和注册税务师(EA) 提供商务、税务、遗产规划和资产保护等服务,请电703-620-0977,或888-734-6234,电邮:barrycui@cuisfinancialgroup.com。博客:blog.sina.com.cn/plcui)

已故流行乐巨星米高积逊的遗瞩曝光后,其前妻黛比向传媒表示,希望争回一对子女的抚养权。黛比扬言愿意接受DNA测试,证明自己是一对子女的生母;她亦可接受心理测验,证明自己心理正常。根据米高的遗瞩,3名子女会是遗产受益人,由祖母监护成长。黛比她曾和米高签署合约,表明放弃母亲权利,但上诉庭于 06年颁令合约无效。米高在7年前立下的遗嘱曝光后,遗嘱执行人布兰卡、麦克莱恩的律师和米高母亲嘉芙莲的代表律师对簿公堂,揭开遗产控制权争夺序幕。另外,遗嘱更多内容曝光,米高指明如嘉芙莲无法履行责任或去世,则改由米高的好友、六十五岁的骚灵歌后Diana Ross补上,取得米高三名子女的监护权。米高把Diana当偶像崇拜,甚至希望模仿她的唱腔。

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Compare Car Insurance Quotes

Tips On Shopping For Car Insurance

  • Get quotes from at least three different Car Insurance companies.  Compare prices using a variety of different deductibles.
  • Try combining your renters or homeowners insurance together on one policy with your Car Insurance Policy.
  • Raise your deductible to reduce your premiums. Just be sure that you can afford to pay the higher deductible.
  • When a small ding or accident occurs, consider not filing a claim with your Insurance Company and paying for the cost out of your own pocket. Sometimes, filing claims can cost more in higher premiums over the long run.

 

Top Car Insurance Companies

Geico 

The Government Employees Insurance Company, usually known by the acronym GEICO, is an American auto insurance company. GEICO is a wholly owned subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway and, as of 2007, has provided coverage for more than 10 million motor cars, trucks and other motor vehicles owned by more than 9 million policy holders. GEICO writes private passenger automobile insurance in the District of Columbia and in all U.S. states. The company is notable for its television advertising, with several prominent campaigns running simultaneously in national markets. Its mascot is a gecko that originally had an American accent but for marketing reasons was changed to a Cockney accent.

StateFarm

State Farm Insurance is a group of insurance and financial services companies. State Farm has remained the largest automobile insurer in the United States continuously since 1942[1] and insures more cars and homes in the United States than any other insurer.[2]

The group's main company is State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company, a mutual insurance firm that also owns the other State Farm companies. The corporate headquarters are in Bloomington, Illinois.

State Farm is ranked 31st in the 2009 Fortune 500, which lists American companies by revenue.[6] According to the Fortune Global 500, State Farm is also the world's largest mutual "P&C" (property & casualty insurance) firm.[5] In October 2008, State Farm Insurance Companies in Canada was named one of Greater Toronto's Top Employers by Mediacorp Canada Inc., which was announced by the Toronto Star newspaper.[7]

Farmers

einsure

Progessive

Allstate

Nationwide

Liberty Mutual

Safeco

AARP

Hartford

21st Century

AIG

American Family

 

  Compare Insurance Quotes Instantly-

How to file for unemployment benefits?

Most states provide unemployment insurance information online. Read this Department of Labor fact sheet to find out if you are eligible and how to file for benefits. Then find your state in this Directory of Workforce Development Agencies. You'll find a link to the state agency that handles unemployment claims. While you might not be able to apply for benefits online, the site will describe how to complete the process in person.

 

State Unemployment Insurance Benefits

Purpose

In general, the Federal-State Unemployment Insurance Program provides unemployment benefits to eligible workers who are unemployed through no fault of their own (as determined under State law), and meet other eligibility requirements of State law.

  • Unemployment insurance payments (benefits) are intended to provide temporary financial assistance to unemployed workers who meet the requirements of State law.
  • Each State administers a separate unemployment insurance program within guidelines established by Federal law.
  • Eligibility for unemployment insurance, benefit amounts and the length of time benefits are available are determined by the State law under which unemployment insurance claims are established.
  • In the majority of States, benefit funding is based solely on a tax imposed on employers. (Three (3) States require minimal employee contributions.)
  • For additional information, click here.

Eligibility

1. You must meet the State requirements for wages earned or time worked during an established period of time referred to as a "base period". (In most States, this is usually the first four out of the last five completed calendar quarters prior to the time that your claim is filed.)
2. You must be determined to be unemployed through no fault of your own (determined under State law), and meet other eligibility requirments of State law.

Filing a Claim

  • You should contact the State Unemployment Insurance agency as soon as possible after becoming unemployed. In some States, you can now file a claim by telephone or over the Internet.
  • When you file a claim, you will be asked for certain information, such as addresses and dates of your former employment. To make sure your claim is not delayed, be sure to give complete and correct information.
  • Generally, you should file your claim with the state where you worked. If you worked in a state other than the one where you now live or if you worked in multiple states, the state UI agency where you now live can provide information about how to file your claim with other states. You may also click on the link above to find contact information for all states.
  • It generally takes two to three weeks after you file your claim to receive your first benefit check. Some States require a one-week waiting period; therefore, the second week claimed is the first week of payment, if you are otherwise eligible.

Continued Eligibility

  • You must file weekly or biweekly claims (after the week(s) has ended), and respond to questions concerning your continued eligibility. You must report any earnings from work you had during the week(s). You must also report any job offers or refusal of work during the week. These claims are usually filed by mail or telephone; the State will provide filing instructions.
  • When directed, you must report to your local Unemployment Insurance Claims Office or One-Stop/Employment Service Office on the day and at the time you are scheduled to do so. If you fail to report as scheduled for any interview, benefits may be denied.
  • You must continue to meet the eligibility requirements stated in the previous section.

Registering For Work

  • Claimants who file for unemployment benefits may be directed to register for work with the State Employment Service, so it can assist you in finding employment. If you are not required to register, you still may seek help in finding a job from the Employment Service.
  • The One-Stop/Employment Service Office has current labor market information and provides a wide array of re-employment services free of charge.
  • Employment Service staff can refer you to job openings in your area, or in other parts of the State or country if you are willing to relocate.
  • They can refer you to various training programs.
  • If job openings in your field are limited, they can offer testing and counseling to determine other jobs you might like to do and are able to do.
  • If you believe you have special needs or considerations, such as physical needs or other considerations, which may prevent you from getting a job, they can refer you to other agencies for help with those needs.

Disqualification from Eligibility

  • If your reason for separation from your last job is due to some reason other than a "lack of work" - a determination will be made about whether you are eligible for benefits.
  • Generally all determinations of whether or not a person is eligible for benefits are made by the appropriate State under its law or applicable federal laws.
  • If you are disqualified/denied benefits, you have the right to file an appeal. The State will advise you of your appeal rights. You must file your appeal within an established time frame. Your employer may also appeal a determination if he/she does not agree with the State's determination regarding your eligibility.
  • If you've received a determination denying benefits, click here.

Benefits

  • In general, benefits are based on a percentage of an individual's earnings over a recent 52-week period - up to a State maximum amount.
  • Benefits can be paid for a maximum of 26 weeks in most States.
  • Additional weeks of benefits may be available during times of high unemployment (see Extended Benefits). Some States provide additional benefits for specific purposes.
  • Benefits are subject to Federal income taxes and must be reported on your Federal income tax return. You may elect to have the tax withheld by the State Unemployment Insurance agency.

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

How to apply for Medicaid

To apply for Medicaid you need to contact your local social services department and show proof of your financial need for this assistance.

Instruction
  1. Understand that Medicaid is a state-run program that provides medical insurance for low-income people. Each state has different eligibility requirements and different application procedures.
  2. Know that if you receive SSI (Supplemental Security Income) from the Social Security Administration, you will probably qualify for Medicaid.

  3. Recognize that there have been recent limits placed on this program at the federal level, so the benefits are not as wide as they used to be.

  4. Contact your local state Department of Social Services or Human Services. Your state may have a different name for this agency. It is the agency that provides food stamps and financial assistance. Call your county building and ask for the name of it if you don't know it.

  5. Ask for a Medicaid application. You will need to complete it in the office.

  6. Take your birth certificate, driver's license, pay stubs, Social Security card, proof of address, proof of other insurance if you have it and information about any bank accounts you have.

  7. Be prepared to answer questions about your finances. Eligibility is based on your income level.

  8. Ask office personnel for assistance if you do not know how to complete the form.

  9. Request assistance at home if you would like to apply but are unable to leave home.


Tips & Warnings
  • Be honest in the facts you present. Medicaid fraud is a hot issue.
  • Contact an elder law attorney if you are doing Medicaid planning in the event you need to go to a nursing home. This is a very complicated area of law and you need quality legal assistance to ensure that you take full advantage of the law without doing anything illegal.