Reason Financial

In 2010 something happened for the first time ever, a majority of Americans claimed to be planning for an early retirement. According to a recent Gallop poll, that percentage has only increased. Early retirement is a right many workers have earned. However, it may not be the best option for a stress-free environment.

If your job is truly a grind, perhaps you’re counting the days until you can stay home. A job that takes a physical toll is clearly harder to maintain when early retirement is offered. Perhaps you have a new venture or some traveling planned for your free time.

The NSA has recently garnered headlines around the globe as a result of its covert data gathering program, PRISM. The existence of data gathering surprises very few people but the reality that OUR personal information is being stored is a bit jarring.

The fourth quarter of 2012 provided investors a glimpse of how quickly the financial markets can react to any news, be it good or bad.

While several facets of the domestic economy appear to be strengthening, most notably housing, we are committed to our current conservative approach. Our concerns surrounding the global economy run the gamut – potentially overvalued stock market, lack of real economic recovery, and economic uncertainties within the European Economic Union and Middle East – domestic issues, however, are the real concern.

As we prepare to welcome in the New Year, we would like to highlight some changes to the tax code that may affect your filing situation.

2011 brought with it three new Acts: “Small Business Jobs Act of 2010”; “Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act of 2010”; and the “Comprehensive 1099 Taxpayer Protection and Repayment of Exchange Subsidy Overpayments Act of 2011”.

Following is a brief summary of how most taxpayers will be affected for 2011 and the upcoming 2012 tax year.

San Diego, CA – December 10, 2011 – Rawdin-Baron Financial, Inc., headquartered in San Diego, renewed its commitment to wealth management excellence at 1st Global’s 20th annual National Conference, November 13-15, 2011, at the Grand America Hotel in Salt Lake City, Utah.

October provided equity investors with the best month in nearly 20 years. In percentage terms, the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) gained 9.54%, NASDAQ rose 11.14% and the S&P 500 closed up 10.77% from September1. While November typically is the “sweet spot” for technical minded investors (the S&P 500 has advanced in 57% of Novembers since 1928 and is continuously the second-best month of the year since 1950), the unresolved situation in Europe continues to hang over the market.

Enacted in 2010, The Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) purpose is to combat tax evasion by holding investments in offshore accounts.

It imposes a new annual reporting requirement for US Tax Payers holding foreign assets.

Last week markets fell as investors assessed the news and political efforts to stabilize the world economies.

Among the headlines, the Federal Reserve released a statement in which they committed $400 billion to buying longer-term Treasuries. This reinforces their commitment to keeping long-term interest rates low, and indicates their perception that economic growth remains slow.