BC Journal

#Finterms: Compound Interest

Compound interest is the interest on a loan or deposit that is calculated based on both the initial principal and the accumulated interest from previous periods. In other words, compound interest is "interest on interest."

It differs from simple interest, where interest is calculated only on the initial amount (principal) that was deposited or borrowed.

Here's how compound interest works:

Let's say you have $1,000 in a savings account that earns an annual interest rate of 5%, compounded yearly.

After the first year, you would earn $50 in interest (5% of $1,000). This brings your total balance to $1,050.

In the second year, you earn interest not just on your initial $1,000, but also on the $50 in interest that you earned in the first year. So, your interest for the second year would be $52.50 (5% of $1,050), and your total balance would be $1,102.50.

In the third year, you would earn interest on $1,102.50, and so on. Over time, this compounding effect can significantly increase the amount of money you earn from interest, especially if the interest is compounded more frequently (for example, monthly or quarterly, instead of yearly).

It's important to understand the concept of compound interest because it's a fundamental principle in finance that impacts various aspects of personal finance, including loans, mortgages, savings, and investments.

#finance #interest #interestrate #loans #compoundinterest

#Finterms: Annual Gift Tax Exclusion

The annual gift tax exclusion is the maximum amount of money or property value that one person can give to another person in a single year without incurring a gift tax or having to report the gift to the IRS.

As of July 2023, the annual gift tax exclusion in the United States is $17,000 per recipient per year. This means that an individual can give up to $17,000 each to any number of individuals in a single year without having to pay gift tax or report the gift.

For couples, they can jointly gift up to $34,000 to any individual tax-free and without having to report it.

Keep in mind that this is the amount for the annual gift tax exclusion and the actual estate tax exemption amount is much higher (currently $12,920,000). Any gift that exceeds this annual exclusion counts towards the lifetime gift and estate tax exemption.

Also, remember that tax laws are subject to change, so it's always a good idea to check for updates or consult with a tax professional for the most current information.

#estatetax #gifttax #estateplanning #exclusion

#Finterms: Whole Life Insurance

Whole life insurance is a type of permanent life insurance that provides coverage for the entire lifetime of the insured. It has a death benefit and also a cash value component, which differentiates it from term life insurance that provides coverage for a specified term and does not accumulate cash value.

Here's a breakdown of key aspects of whole life insurance:

Lifetime Coverage: Whole life insurance, as the name suggests, is designed to provide life insurance coverage for your entire lifetime. As long as premiums are paid, a death benefit will be paid out to your beneficiaries upon your death.
Level Premiums: The premiums for a whole life insurance policy generally remain the same (level) for your entire life. These premiums tend to be higher than those for term life insurance.
Cash Value: A portion of your premium payments goes into a cash value component, which grows over time on a tax-deferred basis. This cash value can be borrowed against during your lifetime. Over time, the cash value growth can also offset some of the policy's cost.
Dividends: Some whole life policies, particularly those issued by mutual insurance companies, pay dividends. These dividends can be taken as cash, used to reduce premiums, left to accumulate at interest, or used to purchase additional insurance.
Guaranteed Death Benefit: The death benefit in a whole life insurance policy is guaranteed as long as the policy premiums are paid.

While a whole life policy can offer lifelong coverage and a cash accumulation feature, it comes at a higher cost than term life insurance. Therefore, it's important to evaluate your individual financial situation and needs when choosing the type of life insurance that's right for you.

#wholelife #lifeinsurance #insurance #permanentinsurance

Q3 Market Musings: Interest Rates, Outlooks and Opportunities

The rumors and rumblings of the US economy spiraling into a recession seem to have been somewhat exaggerated. It was no less than 6 months ago that several prominent economists’ base case was for negative GDP as we move closer to and into 2024. The future does not appear that draconian, but the confluence of a prolonged inverted yield curve, multiple interest rate hikes, inflated overall prices and tight labor markets have collectively shaped the consensus view of a slower growth economic environment is the future. Although we believe there remains risk of a recession over the next several quarters, base cases are being adjusted and the notion of a soft landing is starting to seem more realistic (controlling inflation without inducing negative growth).

Whether we face a “soft landing” or “hard landing,” the Fed and inflation remain the dominant story line. Certain core questions continue to be asked. How much further can and will the Fed raise rates if inflation proves persistent? Will the cost of money and borrowing ultimately upend the consumer? (30-year mortgage rates recently reached 7%.) Perhaps surprisingly so, the consumer has remained strong and a key contributor throughout this cycle. While careful not to prognosticate too precisely about the future or Fed policy direction, we do feel, as we survey the current landscape and data points, that we are moving closer to a Fed pause. Going a step further, we are likely within a year of the Fed cutting rates (quantitative easing). Given this backdrop, we feel certain assets classes may benefit from these changes.

Bonds, or fixed income, look attractive nearer-term. Bonds have come off their worst year (2022) since the industry has been tracking bond performance. It should come as no surprise that the Fed’s efforts to raise rates from virtually zero to over 5% lead to this underperformance. Historically speaking, bonds perform well in flat and declining interest rate environments – a backdrop that we are likely starting to approach. There is a lot less interest rate risk currently then there was just 13 - 15 months ago. Further, improved bond income can offset some of the pricing risk if the Fed decides to raise rates a little more. Thus, our outlook for bonds is more positive at this time.

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#Finterms: Compound Interest

#Finterms: Annual Gift Tax Exclusion

#Finterms: Whole Life Insurance

Q3 Market Musings: Interest Rates, Outlooks and Opportunities