Life

Decorative pattern

Estate Planning

Insurance and the U.S. estate tax

Individuals in Canada often purchase insurance to help fund tax liabilities that arise on death. In addition, some insurance products are purchased as an investment vehicle to shelter income from tax. Generally speaking, estate planning with insurance is effective in Canada because insurance proceeds are received tax-free. However, for U.S. citizens living in Canada, great […]

By Nadja Ibrahim |July 21, 2009

4 min read

Decorative pattern

Insurance advisors shake off recession

A life insurance licence has proven its worth during this recession. Individual life insurance sales in Canada specifically held up remarkably well in what has been an extraordinarily bad recession, according to LIMRA. “Canadian life insurance sales were relatively level, actually. With only a 1% decline for annualized premiums in the first quarter of 2009,” […]

By Mark Noble |June 15, 2009

3 min read

Decorative pattern

Premium Advice: Structuring the buy-sell transaction

Since structuring buy-sell arrangements can be very flexible, and provide unique benefits and challenges to both the buyer and seller, it’s necessary to have a global scope of the needs of each party. Let’s see how our sample clients, Bradley Armbruster and Franklin Jones, structured their buy-sell. Keep in mind that I will be oversimplifying […]

By Chris Paterson |June 8, 2009

5 min read

Decorative pattern

Legally speaking: Restrictive covenants in advisor contracts

All restrictive covenants should be negotiated prior to the commencement of the contractual employment or services relationship; Parties must carefully negotiate a clearly defined geographic area as well as a reasonable and limited time for the restrictive covenant; Do not add unnecessary or overly restrictive terms to a restrictive covenant; and Specifically indicate in the […]

By Harold Geller |June 1, 2009

4 min read

Decorative pattern

Premium Advice — Buy-sell arrangements, Part 2

In last month’s column, I discussed the importance of reviewing buy-sell arrangements and the funding for those arrangements. This month, we’ll look at what the structure might look like. Although many advisors or other professionals may have their own biases, a needs-based, client-centric approach is best for all to start with. Consider the case from […]

By Chris Paterson |May 20, 2009

4 min read

Decorative pattern

By the numbers: Women in the advisor channel

The traditionally male-dominated financial industry is headed for a female revolution, with statistics suggesting by 2010, 60% of American wealth will likely be controlled by women; and these women prefer to deal with women. In conjunction with our conference for women financial advisors, "Investing in You," Tricia Benn and Elizabeth Hall, director and senior research […]

By David Carmichael |May 8, 2009

1 min read

Decorative pattern

Insurance Review

The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) announced last year that it would be reviewing leveraged insurance arrangements, commonly referred to as “10/8 programs.” This review is supposed to be part of a broader audit project relating to insurance company policyholder tax compliance. Insurance leverage programs typically comprise the following characteristics: 1. An individual or corporation acquires […]

By Kevin Wark |April 29, 2009

7 min read

Decorative pattern

Basic lessons

Last week I met with a couple that had been referred to our office by their accountant. They were looking for a comprehensive retirement plan. While they had several millions in investments and real estate, that wealth had diminished by nearly 50% as a result of recent market volatility. Now they were concerned about their […]

April 1, 2009

3 min read

Decorative pattern

Here and there

Have you taken a pass on providing support to your clients’ expatriate or inpatriate health insurance needs due to the complexity of this market? Or have you let business go to a competitor because you were unfamiliar with this area of risk? If yes, then it’s high time you gained the confidence to discuss this […]

By Jeff Simpson |April 1, 2009

4 min read

Decorative pattern

Premium Advice: Dollar-cost averaging and insurance

With recent market turmoil, many articles have espoused the virtues of dollar-cost averaging. The theory is that as the cost of a unit or security goes down, regular and disciplined investments will take advantage of reduced pricing and lower the average cost of acquiring the investment, at least on a temporary basis. But where does […]

By Chris Paterson |March 4, 2009

4 min read

← Previous 1 … 48 49 50 51 52 53 Next →