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A Brief Overview of Building an Investment Portfolio

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​Building an investment portfolio involves understanding markets, choosing suitable investments, and using available resources to make informed decisions. It also requires careful planning to…

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​Those with significant college expenses can take advantage of IRS income tax breaks. The American Opportunity Tax Credit (AOC) is a common option, restricted to the first four years of undergraduate education (whether this involves oneself, one's spouse, or one's offspring). This makes professional and graduate courses ineligible.

The AOC provides credit extending to a maximum of $2,500. This represents 100 percent of initial qualifying expenses up to $2,000, with the remaining $500 representing 25 percent of the next tranche of qualified expenses up to $2,000. Qualifying expenses include tuition, mandatory school fees, and the costs of textbooks and other learning materials. Transportation, personal living expenses, and medical outlays while attending college do not apply. AOC stipulates that the person must attend a qualifying college on at least a half-time basis. With more than one dependent potentially qualifying, the full tax deduction is limited to those with a Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) of under $80,000.

Those seeking a tax break for educational expenses outside AOC eligibility, such as when gaining job skills or pursuing a hobby, may still qualify for the Lifetime Learning Tax Credit (LLC). This covers a maximum of $2,000 in expenses and is calculated as 20 percent of that year's initial $10,000 tuition and associated costs. The same $80,000 MAGI rule applies. As AOC and LLC credits may not be claimed for the same student in the same year, one must select one or the other if the student qualifies for both.

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​Those with significant college expenses can take advantage of IRS income tax breaks. The American Opportunity Tax Credit (AOC) is a common option, restricted to the first four years of...

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​Gift tax is a component of estate planning that warrants a closer examination to ensure financial clarity and compliance. A gift tax includes any transfer of property or assets to another…

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​Estimating how much money someone needs during retirement involves predicting their future expenses. Then, they can map that prediction onto their anticipated savings.

Common retirement income sources include accrued savings, Social Security, and work pensions. The exact amount from each income stream can depend on age, Social Security eligibility, and how much individuals set aside in their savings. Moreover, the amount someone should accumulate for retirement depends on their desired standard of living.

Financial planners recommend that individuals use the four percent rule. It assumes that retirees will spend four percent of their savings annually before factoring in unanticipated expenses, like vacations or emergencies. The rule provides some flexibility, but individuals should consider that annual expenses may increase with age due to medical care. Factors like their estimated life expectancy can also impact the minimum savings they'll need and how long they can use them before running out.

Investing in stocks, bonds, or other financial instruments presents a heightened risk but can yield more money than savings alone. Individuals who begin investing young can employ riskier strategies and transition to lower-risk products as they approach retirement age. If these savings measures don't meet a retiree's expenses, they can continue working full-time past retirement age or transition into working part-time.

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​Estimating how much money someone needs during retirement involves predicting their future expenses. Then, they can map that prediction onto their anticipated savings. Common retirement income...

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Gary Begnaud - More Than Four Decades of Financial Advisor Experience

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Gary Begnaud - More Than Four Decades of Financial Advisor Experience

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A financial advisor based in Mt. Laurel, New Jersey, Gary Begnaud is an Executive Vice President of Janney Montgomery Scott, LLC. His Begnaud Wealth Management Group, is a multi-generational practice he runs with his daughter. He leverages over four decades of experience to provide comprehensive wealth management services, including financial, retirement, and divorce planning. Gary Begnaud is also versed in college saving plans, cash flow analysis, Social Security benefits, and estate planning.
Since relocating to Janney Montgomery Scott, LLC in 2020, he has earned distinction from Philadelphia Five Star Wealth Managers and has been recognized as a Janney's ELITE Advisor. Before going to Janney, he worked for 42 years with Merrill Lynch in various roles, including branch manager and Senior Vice President. He was a two-time Manager of the Year while running one of Merrill Lynch's highest-performing offices.

Complementing his extensive industry experience, Gary Begnaud is a Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor and Certified Divorce Financial Analyst. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Finance from the University of Delaware, where he was a member of the FMA Honor Society. He is also a member in the Institute for Divorce Financial Analysts.