In The News

The Pragmatic Planner: The Bridge Between Human Goals and Concrete Results
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Wealth advisors can become the bridge between a family’s human goals and their concrete results. In the 2nd of a series of three articles for the Journal of Practical Estate Planning, Tim Belber examines the idea of being a “Pragmatic Planner” and how that approach can lead to the accomplishment of important human goals through the use of excellent technical planning strategies.

Transfer or Transition: What Is Your Inter-Generational Wealth Plan?
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Wealth planners have a unique opportunity to help client families succeed over multiple generations. In the 1st of a series of three articles for the Journal of Practical Estate Planning, Tim Belber explores the differences in thought and outcome between a transfer plan and a transition plan.

Press Release: The Madison Group, Inc. announced the addition of the Timothy J. Belber, JD, and Family Wealth Services Group.
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Excerpt: Neal C. Groff, Founder and Chairman of The Madison Group, said: “The addition of Family Wealth Services Group is a significant step for our firm. We strongly believe values-based planning is the most effective way to plan for the future, and this addition strengthens our ability to deliver perspective, clarity, and value to our clients.”

The Recent Decline of Life Insurance Stock Prices
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October 10, 2008 - Fred Jonske, President & CEO of M Financial Group discusses recent financial market events and distinguishes between stockholders and policyholders. "When you buy insurance you are not buying the stock of the insurance company, you are buying an asset that is subject to strict regulations designed to protect policyholders". Supported with research from Colin Devine, Managing Director of Citigroup Investment Research.

Section 409A for Split-Dollar Arrangements
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All Split-Dollar Arrangements that are subject to Section 409A must be amended to bring the arrangement into compliance with Section 409A by the end of 2008. Larry Brody, of Bryan Cave LLP (www.bryancave.com), details issues surrounding the 409A deadline, including the availability of alternative term rates for split-dollar arrangements and employer reporting of equity on termination of pre-final regulation arrangments.

Taxation at Maturity: Cash Value Life Insurance
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Is your client's life insurance at risk of creating additional taxation? With the advancement of health care and the resulting increase in life expectancy, it is possible some clients may outlive their coverage. These clients may face a taxable event if their policy matures during lifetime and becomes payable.

December 2007 M Financial Marketing Intelligence Report
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An Update on Recent Developments Involving Stranger Owned Life Insurance (STOLI).

Assessment of No Lapse Guarantee Products and Alternatives
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This assessment includes an overview of the characteristics of NLG products, details different NLG types, and outlines strengths and weaknesses of NLG. In addition, there is a comparison of NLG versus a viable alternative, current assumption UL, and a list of critical questions to ask when considering UL versus NLG.

ILIT Planning - Uses and Tax Consequences
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On August 13, 2007, The Madison Group, Inc. was pleased to host Donald O. Jansen, J.D., LL.M., (www.donaldjansen.com) as he presented to a group of Denver-area estate planning professionals. This paper will analyze one method of sheltering insurance from estate taxation and generation-skipping taxation - the irrevocable life insurance trust. In addition, gift, estate and GST tax problems and solutions will be reviewed.