Loan split dollar is gaining attention as a strategy that bridges the gap between bonus compensation and deferred compensation, writes NAIFA board member Andrew Rinn. It involves a key executive owning a life insurance policy and assigning policy values to the employer as collateral for premium advances, which are treated as nontaxable loans.

Market volatility can significantly impact the strategy for taking required minimum distributions from retirement accounts. In a down market, clients can draw RMDs from less risky assets such as bonds or cash to avoid locking in losses, write tax experts William Byrnes and Robert Bloink. Additionally, transferring depreciated securities to a taxable account or executing a Roth conversion can be beneficial strategies.

Debt is forcing many baby boomers and members of Generation X to delay retirement, according to surveys by National Debt Relief and Debt.com. National Debt Relief says 72% of survey respondents have debt, with 45% carrying credit card balances averaging nearly $9,000. Debt.com says 37% of Americans rely on credit cards to make ends meet.

A study by YCharts and Nick Maggiulli of Ritholtz Wealth Management suggests that not rebalancing a portfolio might be the best strategy for overall performance. The study found that frequent rebalancing, whether quarterly or annually, tends to underperform due to transaction costs, taxes and moving assets into lower-performing sectors.

The Department of Health and Human Services is considering changes to its operations that could impact programs supporting older adults and caregivers. Among the proposed cuts are funding for State Health Insurance Assistance Programs, elder fall prevention initiatives, respite care for family caregivers, and the long-term care ombudsman program.

Succession planning for businesses has come into sharp focus following the Supreme Court's ruling in the Connelly v. US case. The ruling highlights the need for business owners to ensure that their succession plans are current and account for the complexities of business growth and evolving tax laws, writes Paul Saganey of Integrated Partners. Saganey urges regular reviews of these plans to prevent financial and legal pitfalls and to secure the legacy and future of a business.

Randy Fox of Two Hawks Consulting highlights the opportunity for wealth transfer during market downturns, as assets can be moved at lower values. Fox emphasizes the importance of advisors improving their estate planning knowledge to meet client expectations and build long-term relationships.