Ask Terry Archives
When to review/change Revocable Living Trust
My husband and I have a revocable trust established in 1997. I have been advised by an attorney that given that the trust is almost 20 years old and that the tax laws have changed, that it would be in our best interest to have it brought up-to-date. The attorney who drew the trust up…
Advice on when to take SS
Hi Terry I am nearly 66 and considering taking my SS now. I would like some advice on the wisdom of taking it now versus 70. I will work into my 70s. i also would like some basic advice about how best to invest SS if I take it now, plus paying off some other…
Credit Card — Can I cancel?
Hi Terry, My question is - is it better to have a credit card account closed due to inactivity or should I make a purchase and keep it open? I really don't need to keep it open, I won't be using it. Does this affect my credit score? Thanks!
Form for Revocable Living Trust
Evaluating a Coin collection
As I was going thru my mothers things I found and article written by you from June 1998 regarding coin collections. Can you give me an update? I have coins dating back to the 1800's. I also have lots of postage stamps (boxes!). I found a website titled, "I inherited a stamp collection, now what".…
401K at 71
I received a letter from my 401K that I have to use some of the money because of my age. I am still working and plan to work until 12/17. why would I have to cash it in and open another 401K? will I be penalized if I don't do it because of my age?
Seeking Comparable Fund to Invest In
Good afternoon Terry! My father had turned me onto your show and I have since purchased and am in the middle of reading your book. My question is this, I have a TRowe Capital Appreciation Fund which I opened in 2009 which I feel has performed very well. My fiance is looking to invest in…
IRA rollover decision
Hi Terry, have been following your dedicated help to many regarding our financial concerns. I have a traditional IRA ( 100,000. ) with an internet bank at 1.40 % interest. It will mature at the end of Jan. 2017. I am 83 y.o. & now looking for an easy way to keep this IRA ,…
Vanished Stocks
Hello Terri, I saw you on WGN morning news the other day, and am trying to find my stocks from an old job, I was receiving statements and heard you talking and thought Id look. I havent received a statement in quite some time and signed into the AST website and it states that they…
bond funds losses
Hi Terry, I am retired and just have a little bit of money in the market. Mostly bond funds and some stock funds. Need it to be liquid. Thought it was pretty safe and conservative . Since the election I'm losing money. I'm tempted to sell and keep in cash. Would love your direction. Thank…
long term care insurance
Hello. I just got a 96% increase in my and my husband's CNA long term care policy premium. I live in GA. When I called to ask, they told me the premium increase in GA would be the approved increase amount of 12%. So I called and asked why our premiums went up 8x that…
529 savings plans — who can contribute
Hi, Terry, I enjoy your columns in the Sunday Denver Post. This morning's (11/20), on 529 savings plans, referred to parents, grandparents, and "other family members" as potential contributors. Is the 529 plan available to others, e.g. godparents, who are not related to the 529 plan recipient? Thanks, John Poitevin
93yr old dad won’t make a will
Hi Terry, my dad is 93 in pretty good health, mom passed away 2yrs ago. They owned 4 properties, one we sold, one he gave to my sister, he lives in one and we're trying to sell another. He has a savings acct and some stocks. He needs to start gifting, which he should have…
election fear
I have heard some "experts" say that if Trump is elected, most of the 401k money will be gone due to the market fall. Is this possible and if so, when should I take my money out? I'm 65 so no penalties,and should i take it out now, or will there be time after the…
Credit
Small business health care
My husband and I are both independant contractors and pay for private health insurance. It is getting very costly. We do have a corporation. Can we be considered as a small business for better healthcare coverage/
Small business insurance
I am not having any luck finding the article on small business insurance. Every time I hit read more I get the pop up for joining Terri's friends. I did this and still have had no luck . Could you let me know how to get the information?
Small Business health Insurance
In regards to the information you provided on Small Business health insurance, I am wondering if we would need to contact a broker where the business is located (IL) even though the prospective insured's live in Indiana?
Small Biz Health Insurance Deal Beats Obamacare
"The concept is attractive to business owners, because they do not have to contribute to the cost of employees’ healthcare. Instead, the employee pays the premiums - on a pre-tax basis, lowering the true cost of paying for this healthcare policy. And, because the premium cost is an employee deduction, the business owner saves on…
Aggressive verses Conservative
I'm 68 years old with an IRA that I don't contribute to but is managed by a financial firm with some aggressiveness. I pay a monthly fee to manage the account around $450.00/month. I would like to protect the monies I currently have in this account especially if another downturn of the economy erodes the…