January 2014

American Reliance Group

Thinking of Retiring Overseas? Considerations to Keep in Mind

Retiring in a foreign country is a dream shared by thousands of Americans. If you are thinking of enjoying your golden years in another country, be sure to understand the hurdles you may have to face. The following considerations will help you lay the groundwork for a smooth transition and avoid any unpleasant surprises that might otherwise arise after the big move. Social Security In general, the Social Security Administration allows eligible individuals living outside of the United States to collect Social Security retirement payments in their country of residence. There are exceptions to the rule, however. For example, your eligibility to collect Social Security benefits overseas may be affected by your foreign citizenship status and by whether or not you receive dependent or survivor benefits. And regardless of your citizenship, the U.S. Treasury Department forbids the Social Security Administration to make payments in certain countries, including Cuba, North Korea, Cambodia, and Vietnam. Taxes As far as the IRS is concerned, out of sight is not out of mind. You'll need to pay tax on income -- including taxable distributions from employer-sponsored pension plans and pensions -- regardless of where you live when you receive the money. The United States has signed tax treaties with approximately 50 nations around the world. In part, these treaties are designed to help taxpayers avoid double taxation (i.e., paying full taxes on the same income to two different governments). You should consider working closely with a tax advisor who specializes in international taxation to learn exactly how your benefits payments will be taxed in the country where you plan to live. Exchange Rates If your retirement assets are denominated in U.S. dollars, then you'll need to consider the implications of spending and budgeting in a foreign currency. For example, you could opt to convert U.S. dollars to cash on an as-needed basis, or choose to make purchases on a U.S. credit card that automatically "translates" the amount back into dollars on your statement. In either situation, it pays to research which financial institutions offer the best exchange rates and lowest transaction fees. Just as important, however, is the need to understand how currency fluctuations can affect your budget, particularly if you're living on a fixed income. If the value of the U.S. dollar declines, then the purchasing power of your U.S. income may drop significantly. Medicare and Other Insurance Medicare coverage usually ends when you set foot on foreign soil. If it's impractical for you to return to the United States for treatment, then you should consider purchasing additional health insurance policies. Remember, too, that moving to a country with universal health coverage does not necessarily mean you will be immediately eligible for such coverage. Again, it pays to know the rules before arriving in your new country. You should also review any U.S. insurance policies that you plan to keep in place after a move. For example, if your U.S. homeowner's policy requires the residence to be owner occupied, then relocation could jeopardize your existing coverage. Finally, don't overlook the immigration policies of the country you hope to call home. The expenses and waiting periods associated with submitting your paperwork may be significant, and ignoring them could result in an unfriendly "welcome" from the local authorities on moving day.
The information in this communication is not intended to be legal advice and should not be treated as such. Each individual's situation is different. You should contact your legal professional to discuss your personal situation. 2014 Wealth Management Systems Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part is prohibited without express permission of Wealth Management Systems Inc.

Phone: 509-323-2887 Fax: 509-323-2889 www.argplanning.com

Spokane, WA 99205 1814 N Normandie Street American Reliance Group Kelly C. Ruggles

Bacon, Egg, and Cheese Sandwiches

Ingredients: 1 (8 oz) can Pillsbury refrigerated crescent dinner rolls, 8 slices bacon (crisply cooked, crumbled), 4 eggs
(scrambled), 1/2 cup finely shredded Cheddar cheese, 1 egg beaten (optional), 1 tablespoon cracked black pepper (optional)

Creating New Years Resolutions for 2014

By: Erin Doland Brainstorm
Grab a pen and paper, find a quiet and comfortable place to sit, close your eyes, and take a deep breath. Spend a few minutes in solitude trying your best to think about nothing. If youre like most people (myself included) it will be very difficult to clear your mind, especially if this is not an activity you do regularly. Responsibilities, concerns, wishes, dreams, embarrassing situations, and maybe a few random jokes will flood your mind. As they do, write down these thoughts on your paper and then quickly return to trying to clear your mind. Eventually, youll either tire of the activity or be successful at having a clear mind, and this is when you can stop the meditation activity and review the list you created. Do you notice any themes among the items on your list? Do you see items that evoke strong feelings good or bad? Are there items on your list of things you wish to change or improve upon or achieve? While reviewing this list, think about how you want to feel in 2014. Like most people, you Kellys Current Reading: probably wish to have more energy, more happiness, and less stress. Are there any items on The Meaning of Marriage your list that will help you achieve these feelings of contentment? Work through your notes and begin to draft your resolutions for the new year. By: Tim Keller

Directions:
1. Heat oven to 350. Unroll dough on work surface; separate into triangles. 2. Top each triangle with bacon, scrambled egg, and cheese. Roll up loosely as directed on can. Place on ungreased cookie sheet; curve into crescent shape. Brush with beaten egg; sprinkle with pepper. 3. Bake 18-20 minutes or until golden brown.
Source: allrecipes.com

Six Retirement Planning Tips for Those Over Age 50

Entering your 50s and behind in your retirement planning goals? Don't fret. You've still got time to get your financial plan back on track. There are many steps that older investors can take to better prepare themselves financially for retirement. Here are six tips that may help you make the most of your final working years. 1. Catch up. If you have access to a 401(k) or other workplace-sponsored plan at work, make the $5,500 catch-up contribution that is available to participants aged 50 and older. Note that you are first required to contribute the annual employee maximum, $17,500 for 2014, before making the catch-up contribution. 2. Fund an IRA. Investors aged 50 and older can contribute $6,500 annually (the $5,500 annual contribution plus an additional catch-up contribution of $1,000). An investor in his or her 50s who contributes the maximum amounts to both a 401(k) and an IRA could accelerate retirement savings by more than $25,000 a year. 3. Consider dividends. If you do not have access to a workplace-sponsored retirement plan, or you already contribute the maximum to your qualified retirement accounts, consider stocks that offer dividend reinvestment. Reinvesting your dividends can help to grow your account balance over time. 4. Make little cuts. Consider how you can trim expenses while continuing to enjoy life. Some suggestions for quick savings: eliminate or reduce premium cable channels that you do not watch, memberships that you do not use regularly, and frequent splurges on dining out or coffee runs. An extra $100 a month saved today could make a big difference down the road. 5. Review strategies for postponing retirement. You may be able to learn new skills that could increase your marketability to potential employers. Even a part-time job could reduce your need to deplete retirement assets. 6. Don't give up. Many pre-retirees falsely believe that there is nothing they can do to build retirement assets and, as a result, do nothing. Remember that you control how much you invest and, in many areas, how much you spend. Make a plan -- and stick with it.

Be Precise
After brainstorming, Get Organized! may still be at the forefront of your resolutions. Unfortunately, it is an extremely vague resolution, and people who make vague resolutions are more likely to fail at achieving them than people who make precise resolutions. Do you want to get organized at work or at home? Is there a specific area of your life where, if you were more organized, you would have less stress? Do you have one or two projects that are out of control and a little organizing can help them succeed? The more exact you are with what you want to change, the more likely you will be to create steps to help you achieve your resolutions. Instead of Get Organized! perhaps you want to create precise resolutions like: Better organize the childrens bedtime routine; Organize and file medical records and bills; Unclutter clothes that dont fit from bedroom closet; Research, acquire, learn how to use, and maintain a new project management system at work.

Be Realistic
There are a number of things I would like to change about myself, but I am not super human. I have limitations limited time, energy, finances, etc. As a result, Ive never been successful at achieving more than 12 resolutions (one per month) in a given year. And, most years, Ive only been able to achieve four or five large resolutions. You know yourself best, so be realistic with what you can achieve. If you have a newborn at home, you may only want to have two or three resolutions for 2014. If Get the proper amount of sleep each night by going to bed by 10:00 pm is one of your resolutions, as it is one of mine, put it at the top of your list. The more energy you have, the more likely youll be to achieve the other resolutions on your list.
Source: http://unclutterer.com/2013/12/27/creating-new-years-resolutions-for-2014/.

Your Government at Work

The government once spent $27 million on Moroccan pottery classes to improve the economic competitiveness of Morocco.
Kelly C. Ruggles , Spokane, WA., does not intend to provide personalized investment advice through this publication and does not represent the strategies or services discussed are suitable for any investor. Investors should consult with their financial advisors prior to making any investment decision.2013 Kelly Ruggles News Letter.

The information in this communication is not intended to be legal advice and should not be treated as such. Each individual's situation is different. You should contact your legal professional to discuss your personal situation. 2014 Wealth Management Systems Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part is prohibited without express permission of Wealth Management Systems Inc.