Creative Asset Solutions

Welcome to our Web site, where you’ll find a wealth of information in the form of newsletter articles, calculators, and research reports.

We hope your visit will help you understand the opportunities and potential rewards that are available when you take a proactive approach to your personal financial situation. We have created this site to help you gain a better understanding of the financial concepts behind insurance, investing, retirement, estate and wealth preservation. Most important, we hope you see the value of working with skilled professionals to pursue your financial goals.

We’re here to help educate you about the basic concepts of financial management; to help you learn more about who we are; and to give you fast, easy access to market performance data. We hope you take advantage of this resource and visit us often. Be sure to add our site to your list of "favorites" in your internet browser. We frequently update our information, and we wouldn’t want you to miss any developments in the area of personal finance.

Kevin Bard is not a licensed attorney and therefore does not give legal advice but will work with your qualified professional. 
Calculators

Cost of Retirement

Use this calculator to estimate how much income and savings you may need in retirement.

Savings Accumulation

Estimate the future value of your current savings.

Required Minimum Distributions

Estimate the annual required distribution from your traditional IRA or former employer's retirement plan after you turn age 70.

Retirement Plan Early Distribution

Estimate how much would remain after paying income taxes and penalties if you took an early distribution from a retirement plan.

More Calculators →

Newsletters

Insurance for Two Could Benefit Your Heirs

Survivorship life insurance offers a way to help a couple's heirs pay estate taxes, probate costs, and other final expenses — and could be especially important after 2012 when the federal estate tax is scheduled to be significantly higher. Even if the estate tax doesn't apply to an estate, the insurance proceeds could benefit heirs or a favorite charity.

Fixed for Life

More than 40% of Americans ages 36 and older are at risk of running out of money in retirement, according to a retirement readiness study. In fact, almost one-third of people with upper-middle incomes and 13% with high incomes may not be able to pay for basic retirement expenses and uninsured health-care costs after two decades in retirement.

HOT TOPIC: Understanding the Three New U.S. Trade Agreements

Congress recently approved trade agreements with South Korea, Columbia, and Panama. They are the first U.S. trade agreements in four years. This article examines the pros and cons of the agreements and how they may stimulate the U.S. economy.

Giving the Gift of Knowledge

A college education is still a good investment. Consider this statistic: The overall unemployment rate reached as high as 9.9% in 2010, but for workers with a bachelor's degree or higher, it did not exceed 5.1%. But a college education can be expensive. There is a tax-advantaged way to accumulate money for a child's or grandchild's education: a Section 529 plan.

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