Affordable Protection
September 10, 2010 | 
Subscribe to our RSS Feed
Consumers Unaware of Ways to Save on Long-Term Care Insurance Protection
We’ve all heard the statistics that one out of every two people will need some type of long term care during their lifetime. Given the odds, why do people put off purchasing protection for this risk? Many do not like talking about the subject. Others believe long term care insurance is too expensive. Often individuals are unaware of the many discounts that now exist which can reduce the cost for long-term care insurance protection.
- First, your health plays an important part in determining what you will pay for long-term care insurance. Leading insurers offer preferred health discounts. These preferred health discounts can reduce the cost by 10 – 20 percent per year and cannot be taken away once you purchase this coverage. A recent study by the American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance revealed that 54 percent of applicants between the ages of 40 and 49 qualified for this discount. Less than a third of applicants who wait until they are 60 will qualify for this savings.
- Secondly, discounts offered to married couples today generally range from 15 – 40 percent each year when more than one spouse buys coverage at the same time. A partial couples’ discount may even be offered if only one partner is covered.
- Another way to reduce the cost of long-term care insurance is to add a deductible period to the policy. Most people are familiar with the concept of deductibles on their car or homeowner’s insurance. Adding a deductible, called the elimination period, can reduce the yearly cost by 20 percent.
If you don’t have long term care insurance protection or haven’t had your policy evaluated lately, it is essential that you speak with a long term care insurance professional. Contact Christine Schmitz at Glass Jacobson Investment Advisors to discuss today. Christine.schmitz@glassjacobsonia.com
GJ Named a Top Wealth Manager
July 28, 2010 | Subscribe to our RSS Feed
Glass Jacobson Investment Advisors is pleased to announce our recognition in the 2010 Top Wealth Manager Survey by “Wealth Manager” magazine. The survey represents the largest, most well established Registered Investment Advisors in the country, and we are proud to be named among them.
Read about the survey criteria and the named firms here.
2nd Quarter 2010 Investment Update
July 14, 2010 | Subscribe to our RSS Feed
Click here to read our 2nd Quarter 2010 Update, “The Wisdom of Great Investors” from GJIA’s Jon Dinkins.
Finally- Some Optimism on the Investment Front!
June 14, 2010 | Subscribe to our RSS Feed
Jon Dinkins just recently returned from two important annual conferences – The Investment Management Consultants Association and fi360 Center for Fiduciary Studies. Both conferences addressed our obligations as fiduciary consultants and “best practices” as prudent advisor, current economic trends for the domestic and foreign markets, and threats to global economic recovery. Key note speakers included some of the most prominent minds in finance – Joseph Stiglitz, Columbia University; Marvin Zonis, University of Chicago – Booth School; Richard Marston, University of Pennsylvania – Wharton; David Kelly, JPMorgan Funds; and author Michael Lewis (Liar’s Poker and The Blind Side).
The takeaways were extremely optimistic! 40 hours of lectures provided a wealth of knowledge, insight and information. Here is his Executive Summary of the information presented.
Questions?
jon.dinkins@glassjacobsonia.com
Maryland Sales Tax Holiday!
June 11, 2010 | Subscribe to our RSS Feed
Maryland will sponsor a tax-free period for qualifying apparel and footwear on August 8-14, 2010.
From August 8th through 14th, qualifying clothing and footwear priced $100 or less will be exempt from Maryland’s six percent sales tax.
“Clothing or footwear” means an article of apparel designed to be worn on or about the human body.
What is exempt?
The sales and use tax is not due on the sale of a qualifying article of clothing or footwear if:
- The sales price of the article is $100 or less; and
- The sale takes place during a period beginning at 12:01 a.m. on Sunday, August 8, 2010 and ending at 12 midnight on Saturday, August 14, 2010.
The exemption applies to each qualifying item selling for $100 or less, regardless of how many items are sold at the same time. For example, if a customer purchases two shirts for $80 each, both items qualify for the exemption, even though the customer’s total purchase price ($160) exceeds $100.
What will not qualify (and be taxed)?
The exemption does not apply to:
- Accessory items, even if they are priced at $100 or less. “Accessory items” include but are not limited to jewelry, watches, watchbands, handbags, handkerchiefs, umbrellas, scarves, ties, headbands, and belt buckles;
- The first $100 of a more expensive single article or set (as in a suit) of clothing or footwear. For example, if a customer buys a pair of pants costing $110, sales tax is due on the entire $110;
- Any special clothing or footwear primarily designed for protective use or not intended for everyday use.
A list of exempt and taxable items is available on the Comptroller’s Web site at www.marylandtaxes.com, or by calling the Taxpayer Service Section at 410-260-7980 in Central Maryland or toll-free 1-800-MD TAXES from elsewhere.
Questions?