Category: Blog

Mass Lawyers Weekly Readers Vote Twelve Points A Top Firm In The 2023 Reader Rankings

Twelve Points is proud to be named #1 in Wealth Management in the Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly’s 2023 Reader Rankings. This is the fifth consecutive year that Twelve Points has been recognized by this publication. Each year, Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly Readers vote on which businesses they like most in Massachusetts based on their own experiences. We […]

David Clayman and Francesca Federico Receive 2021 Five Star Award

We are proud to announce that our very own Francesca Federico has been recognized by the National Association of Plan Advisors as one of the Top Women Advisors for 2020. Her talent and efforts earned her the level of “Captain”, one of only 50 to be recognized at this highest designation.

December 2020 Market Outlook

Hello friends, welcome to the December 2020 market outlook. We hope this letter finds you well and your families enjoyed a wonderful Thanksgiving. Obviously, this year was different from a variety of ways. But with the holiday season upon us, we’re approaching the end of a dreadful year. Here’s to 2021 being a major improvement. Let’s dive in.

Francesca Federico named one of NAPA’s Top Women Advisors

We are proud to announce that our very own Francesca Federico has been recognized by the National Association of Plan Advisors as one of the Top Women Advisors for 2020. Her talent and efforts earned her the level of “Captain”, one of only 50 to be recognized at this highest designation.

Twelve Points Named #860 on Inc. 5000

When Inc. Magazine released this year’s Inc. 5000 list, our team was thrilled to see that we not only were on the list for the second year in a row, but we had risen by over 3,000 places!

Families First Coronavirus Response Act: Employee Paid Leave Rights

Paid sick leave and family leave is available to employees of small and mid-sized companies under 500 employees from 4/2/2020 to 12/31/2020.  Under this plan, the company pays its employees and is reimbursed by the government in the form of a payroll tax credit. 

Loans Permitted From Some Retirement Accounts

Early withdrawals, prior to age 59 ½, are permitted this year without the customary 10% penalty.  Loans from certain retirement accounts are available for up to $100,000 or 100% of the vested interest in an account. 

Market Outlook

First and foremost, I hope this note finds you, your families and loved ones healthy and well. These are trying times but we will get through this together. Social distancing is imperative right now, especially since it seems to be working.

Is This a Good Time For a Roth IRA Conversion?

Whether you are in the early stages of building your retirement nest egg or you are lucky enough to have already accumulated a significant amount of assets in tax-preferential accounts, this could be a good time to consider having some of the funds located in after-tax or “Roth” accounts.

Required Minimum Distributions Suspended for 2020

he Coronavirus Pandemic has impacted so many areas of our lives, but there is one bright spot. The Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) Rules for IRAs and other Qualified Plans have been modified for 2020.

Tips for Strategic Giving

The end of the year is a great time to ensure that you are using the right tools and techniques to maximizing your annual gifting program to family and philanthropy. This month, we discuss the spectrum of gifting strategies, such as traditional or outright cash gifts, dealing with more complex assets, and gifting for families with young children. We also review the impact of charitable gifting on income taxes.

Keep Your Family Safe with These Essential Legal Documents

This month, we look at the legal documents to keep you and your family safe and sound. We’ll dive into estate planning topics such as living trusts, wills, the variations on power of attorney (durable, nondurable, special, limited, springing, and medical), advanced medical directives, and protection plans for children.

Why the Stock Market Is Not the Economy

When the economy is roaring, we take it as a given that the stock market must be rallying too. Low unemployment, high GDP numbers, and robust wage growth all bode well for a soaring stock market.

Planning for College: Savings and Financial Aid Tips

We pull back the veil of higher education savings to help you prepare for your child’s education path. We discuss higher education plans like 529 plans and Coverdell ESA, as well as financial aid programs such as FAFSA, MEFA, and federal/private loans.

Why Does The “Strong Dollar” Matter?

From commodities like gold and oil, to emerging market debt and equities, you will hear the price movement of almost everything tied to the price of the U.S. dollar.

Use This Template to Easily Budget Your Life

Budgeting helps to paint the big picture view of what your financial future will look like and how you can live within your means. By accounting for how much money you make and keeping track of how much you spend, you can have the peace of mind knowing that you won’t run into trouble

Organize Your Financial Life This Summer

This month we look into how to organize your finance records and cash flows, as well recovering important documents and unclaimed accounts. We dive into essential records: What are they, how long should they be kept, and where?

The Twelve Points Team Reflects on Four Years of Business

This June marked the fourth anniversary of Twelve Points’ founding. Over the years, we’ve helped countless families and individuals better understand and plan towards their financial goals, whether they be paying for college, buying a second home, or retiring early. Along the way,

Tariffs Are One Thing, Investment Is Another

The market has been shrugging off the escalation of the trade war until June 25, 2018, when the S&P 500 ended the day down 1.37% and the Nasdaq ended down 2.09%. Over the past several months,

Gauging the Economic Impact of Elections in Italy and Spain

Equity and debt markets had a wild swing after the election of new government leaders in Italy, while there was little to no reaction over Spain’s similar vote. The reason for this discrepancy is that across most of Spain’s popular parties, there has been no sentiment to abandon the Euro

Managing Your Finances as a Young Professional

Throughout college, every student has a different level of financial independence. Whether you are supported by family, a part-time job, student loans, or any combination of the three, after graduation and becoming a young professional, the safety net tends to disappear.