The Texas Department of Insurance (which regulates increases in insurance premiums) has permitted Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America (”Allianz”) to raise its long-term care insurance premiums by 75% to existing policyholders according to an article on July 25 written by Dave Lieber (the...
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled on June 12, 2014 that inherited IRAs are not exempt from the claims of creditors under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. Previously, inherited IRAs were protected from the claims of creditors in many jurisdictions including Texas. After the death of the individual...
A major $140 million study (funded by the National Institute of Health, drug manufacturer Eli Lilly & Co and others) began on June 9, 2014 whereby scientists will scan the brains of healthy seniors who presently have no memory problems to learn if those with...
Although Congress has approved precise rules regarding Medicaid eligibility (including what is needed in an annuity to make it compliant with the Medicaid rules), the state of Pennsylvania has recently attacked the use of annuities in obtaining Medicaid benefits (which often help pay for care...
On June 3, 2014, The U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey has enjoined the state from counting any Veterans Administration (VA) improved pension income in determining Medicaid eligibility of an applicant for Medicaid. In this case, the Medicaid applicant was about to...
In an effort to allow more seniors and persons with disabilities to live independently at home as opposed to a nursing home or other institutional setting, the National Senior Citizens Law Center (NSCLC) has recently published a free advocate’s guide. The Medicaid laws for payment...
The Obama Administration’s Fiscal Year 2015 Revenue Proposals have been published, and there are numerous suggested proposals which increase taxes in connection with estate planning. Although the Senate passed proposals this past week retaining certain tax incentives for businesses and individuals, the revenue proposals included...
As a follow up to last month’s Dallas Morning News article by Pamela Yip entitled “Maintaining Trust”, we thought those who receive our email might be interested in the questions that she asked and a more detailed explanation as follows: Q: Do you have the right...
As a result of a generous grant by the WW Caruth, Jr. Foundation - Communities Foundation of Texas in an effort to protect the financial safety of Dallas County seniors, today there was an announcement of the formation of the Elder Financial Safety Center (the...
The U.S. Tax Court recently ruled that a taxpayer can only rollover (within 60 days) one IRA per year, per taxpayer – contrary to IRS publication 590 which allowed one 60 day rollover per year; per IRA – so, prior to the ruling if a...
