23 Mar 2015

Avoiding A Government Head Fake On Retirement Savings

By Ginny Grimsley

Retirees Should Reconsider Strategies on IRA, 401K Withdrawals, Financial Advisor Says

A government rule on retirement savings may be tricking retirees into looking at their financial situations all wrong, says a financial advisor who specializes in retirement planning.

The rule says retirees can't leave money in their IRA or 401k accounts forever. At age 70½ they must begin making minimum withdrawals, even if they prefer to leave the accounts untouched.

"You are forced to take money out whether you want to or not," says Dave Lopez, a mathematics and computer science major who applies his analytical mind to solving retirement challenges.

And in reality, Lopez says, you should want to take out as much as possible. That's why he likens the rule to a head fake because it causes retirees to look at the situation from the wrong perspective.

"They get fixated on that minimum amount they must withdraw, so that's how much they end up withdrawing, leaving the bulk of their savings right there in the 401k or IRA," he says.

That's a mistake, he says, especially for people who hope to leave a healthy inheritance to heirs.

"If you keep taking out the minimum amount each year, it will just about guarantee you have a large amount in there at your death," Lopez says. "Under the current tax law, if you die and your IRA or 401k is left to your heirs, they are taxed on it at a high rate. With state taxes added in, it could be 40 to 45 percent."

The percentage could end up being even more, depending when you retire and whether tax laws change, he says.

If Congress and the president raise taxes, the government's share of your retirement savings would go up and the amount left to heirs would go down.

That's where it would be good for the middle class to take a lesson from wealthy retirees, who are less likely to fall for that head fake, Lopez says. They understand that they need to withdraw greater chunks from their IRA and 401k accounts, placing the money in tax-friendlier accounts.

"While people in the middle class take out the minimum-required amount, the rich do the exact opposite," he says.

Lopez says a few strategies exist that retirees can take advantage of to make sure taxes don't deplete their legacy to their children. "You have to put these strategies into place early, though," Lopez says. "The later you wait, the less effective they are and the less your savings will be."

• Explore tax-free options. Move the money into a tax-free vehicle, such as a Roth IRA or a specially designed life insurance plan that would allow the dollars to flow tax free to heirs. Lopez says one additional advantage with the life insurance option is that, historically, when laws are changed related to life insurance the old policies are grandfathered in and not affected. "It's a top estate planning trick for the rich," he says. "The challenge is the middle class doesn't know it exists."

• Stretch out inherited IRA withdrawals. Under tax law, when your heirs inherit an IRA they don't have to take money as a lump sum. They can have it paid out over their lifetime, which could keep them in a lower tax bracket, Lopez says. They pay taxes only on what they take out, he says. "There is gamble involved with this plan," Lopez says. "You are gambling that the law that allows heirs to do this will still be in effect when you die. Many people think this law is one of the easiest ones to change because the government could just claim this is a tax loophole and they are closing the loophole."

Ultimately, he says, it will pay off to sit down ahead of time to review options with a financial advisor who understands the intricacies of retirement planning.

"You don't want to be taken in by that head fake," Lopez says. "You want to make sure you and your family get as much benefit as possible from all those years you were saving your hard-earned money."

About Dave Lopez

Dave Lopez is the founder of ILG Financial, LLC (www.ILGFinancial.com) and has been working with individuals and businesses in the Northern Virginia area since 1986. He specializes in strategies that enable his clients to potentially build a retirement nest egg that they can rely on and can never outlive. Lopez has his Bachelors of Science degree from James Madison University with a major in mathematics and computer science. He is an investment advisor representative of AlphaStar Capital Management, LLC, a registered investment advisor.

23 Mar 2015

Local resident graduates from Pacific University (Ore.)

By Joe Lang
FOREST GROVE, Ore.(March 18, 2015  -- Heather Dumser of Bettendorf, IA has recently graduated from Pacific University (Ore.) with a doctoral degree in clinical psychology.

Founded in 1849, Pacific University (Ore.) is a diverse and sustainable community dedicated to discovery and excellence in teaching, scholarship and practice. The university consists of colleges of Arts & Sciences, Optometry, Education, Health Professions and Business, with campuses in Forest Grove, Hillsboro, Eugene and Woodburn.

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23 Mar 2015

NOMINEES FOR DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE'S TOP EMPLOYER AWARD NAMED

By Illinois National Guard

SPRINGFIELD, IL (03/18/2015)(readMedia)-- Illinois Employers Recognized by National Guard and Reserve Members

Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), a Department of Defense (DoD) office, announces more than 80 Illinois employers of Guard and Reserve employees have been nominated for the 2015 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award (commonly referred to as the "Freedom Award").

The Freedom Award is the highest recognition given by the DoD to employers for their support of National Guard and Reserve members. On behalf of the Secretary of Defense, ESGR runs the annual award program, which has presented the honor to 205 employers since 1996.

Almost half of the U.S. military is made up of National Guard and Reserve members, many of whom also hold jobs with civilian employers. The Freedom Award recognizes those employers that provide the most outstanding support for these Citizen Warriors. Up to 15 employers will be selected for this year's award and honored at the Pentagon in an official ceremony in August.

Nominations for the Freedom Award must come from a Guard or Reserve member who is employed by the organization they are nominating, or from a family member. This year's nominees represent large and small employers from almost every industry, including health, transportation, hospitality, entertainment, banking, service and security (just to name a few), as well as from state and local governments. ESGR received nominations for employers in all 50 states, Guam-CNMI, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and the District of Columbia.

Semifinalists and finalists will be announced in sequence throughout the coming months with the recipients being announced in late June. Updates, press releases and a complete list of the 2,960 nominees can be found at www.freedomaward.mil.

2015 Freedom Award Nominations from Illinois:

AbbVie

Advocate Christ Medical Center

AIT WorldWide Logistics

Alsip Police Department

American Agricultural Insurance Company, Inc.

AMSA 138 G, 88th RSC

Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago

ARAMARK Healthcare

Armorstone Prestige

Astellas Pharma US, Inc.

Atlas Screen Supply Company

Avaya, Inc.

B&D Independence, Inc.

Caterpillar

Chatham Community Fire Protection District

Chicago Police Department

City of Kewanee

City of Rolling Meadows Police Department

City of Wenona Police Department

Collinsville Community Unit School District 10

ComEd

Cook County Sheriff's Office

D Hangout Bar & Grill

Edward Hines, Jr. VA Hospital

Equity Residential

Exelon Corporation - Byron Generating Station

Experian

Federal Bureau of Investigation*

Federal Bureau of Prisons

Fellowes, Inc.

Fort's Toyota of Pekin

Golden Corridor Family YMCA

Goodworth Kitchie and Associates LLC

GreenPath Debt Solutions

Havana Police Department

Huntley Police Department

Icon Mechanical

Illinois Gaming Investors. LLC

Illinois State Police

Information Technology Partners, Inc.

Insight

Iron Workers Local 46

J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc.

JA Frate

JCPenney

Jet Support Services, Inc.

Kirby Medical Center

KPI Contracting

Kraft Foods Group, Inc.

Lake County State's Attorney's Office

Lake Zurich Police Department

Marseilles Area Ambulance Service

Max Muscle Sports Nutrition

NACCO Materials Handling Group Inc.

Nalco Company

National Railway Equipment Company

Paramedic Services of Illinois

Passavant Area Hospital

Presence St. Mary's Hospital

Proven Business Systems

Quantum Vision Centers

Republic Services

Rock Falls Township High School

Rock Island Arsenal - Joint Manufacturing & Technology Center (RIA-JMTC)

School of Nursing Saint Xavier University

Schrank's Smoke 'N Gun

Sherwin-Williams

Springfield Clinic

State Farm

SunDogIT

Superior Carriers

The Home Depot

The Plus Group, Inc.

Union Iron

United Airlines, Inc.

United States Postal Service

United States Secret Service

United States Social Security Administration

UnityPoint Health - Proctor Hospital

University of Illinois

Village of Glenview

W.W. Grainger, Inc.

Walmart Supercenter #0256

Win-Bur-Sew Fire Protection District

*Denotes employer received more than one nomination

This year's complete list of nominees (representing all 56 ESGR committees) is available at: http://www.freedomaward.mil/TemplateDetailsView.aspx?TemplateID=6406&ModuleID=7

View Online: http://readme.readmedia.com/NOMINEES-FOR-DEPARTMENT-OF-DEFENSE-S-TOP-EMPLOYER-AWARD-NAMED/10715392

 

23 Mar 2015

Quad Cities Interfaith March 2015 Newsletter

By QC Interfaith

http://us4.campaign-archive2.com/?u=3a47072ab9d67d323da333093&id=1396d7b3ef&e=74fc2b281e

23 Mar 2015

Governor Bruce Rauner Statement on Representative Aaron Schock Resigning

By Lance Trover

Governor Bruce Rauner issued the following statement:  "This is a sad day for the people of Illinois and the 18th District."

 

 

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23 Mar 2015

MRA Upcoming Programs

By Kathy Riley

MRA-The Management Association is a not-for-profit employer association that serves more than 4,000 employers throughout the Midwest, covering 800,000+ employees. As one of the largest employer associations in the nation, MRA helps its member organizations thrive by creating powerful teams and safe, successful workplaces. MRA conducts more than 2,000 learning events each year. Members of MRA also receive access to expert guidance, best practices, professionally facilitated roundtables, essential tools, and dozens of business services in the areas of human resources and training. The Iowa/Western Illinois MRA office is located at 3800 Avenue of the Cities, Suite 100 in Moline, Illinois.  

To learn more on how to become a member of MRA or for more information regarding other program schedules, go to www.mratraining.com or contact Heather Roberts, Executive Director at 309-277-4183 or heather.roberts@mranet.org.  

Some upcoming courses in APRIL include :  

Project Management: The Human and Technical View  

Don't let your projects get the best of you!  In this program, gain the know-how to lead projects to successful outcomes.  Participants will learn to implement a process for planning and completing any project, using a practical, hands-on approach.  Discuss the roles and responsibilities of a project manager, including managing the human dynamics of the team and stakeholders.  A communication-style assessment guides project managers to an understanding of the power of an adaptable style. Participants will be able to explain how to affect change and influence others as projects evolve.

On day two, participants will take part in a video case study and complete an analysis of another project manager's work.

This course provides time for the participant to work on a project using templates.  Bring your project idea(s) to class.  MRA also provides the templates in MS Word as a download.  

For more information, go to www.mratraining.com/CourseDetail.asp?id=2967  

 

Affirmative Action Plan Workshop

During this workshop, you will receive the tools you need to write a federally-sound affirmative action plan from start to finish, including the preparation of all critical statistical analyses.  In addition to writing the plan, we discuss important affirmative action concepts and implementation requirements.  Our approach is unique.  First, the seminar is conducted by MRA's AA/EEO managers.  Second, this is one of the most "hands-on" and "interactive" seminars you will ever attend.  You actually prepare many elements of your plan during the seminar.

For more information, go to www.mratraining.com/CourseDetail.asp?id=2922

 

Advanced Communication Series

Push your communication skills to higher levels. In this series, participants will learn how humans take in and process language and information and the ways language and information drive our thinking and behavior.  This series will explore current science of the mind and its impact on language, behavior, understanding, and actions.  This highly interactive series seeks to move information to knowledge and then to action.

For more information, go to www.mratraining.com/SeriesDetail.asp?id=620

 

Human Resource Professional Series

Building upon the technical skills gained in the Essentials of HR Certificate Series, this certificate series continues to grow your technical HR expertise, while focusing on key HR competencies of business acumen, collaboration, influencing, and work relationships. (HRCI Credit: 16.25 Business (Strategic))

 

For more information go to www.mratraining.com/SeriesDetail.asp?id=647

 

 

Frontline Leadership Series

This series is for those individuals who provide leadership or formal guidance to a work group without the power to hire, to fire, or conduct performance reviews. (They may be called group leaders, team leaders, coordinators, leaders of work groups, "go to" people, etc.) These employees often do the work while providing leadership to their work group. 

This series introduces the important principles of motivation, interpersonal communication, employee training, influencing others to achieve results, meeting organizational objectives, and resolving conflict. Using a combination of discussion, case study, and skill practice, participants are prepared to be more productive within their organization by developing their leadership skills. This series is also effective for individuals that are being groomed for a leadership-type role. 

For new supervisors and managers who have the responsibility to hire, fire, promote, and evaluate performance, the Principles of Leadership Excellence Series is strongly recommended.

For more information go to www.mratraining.com/SeriesDetail.asp?id=631

23 Mar 2015

Moline Public Library Events info

By Jennifer Christiansen

Jazz Vocalist Nnenna Freelon  

Saturday, April 11, 3 p.m.  

Enjoy an afternoon of jazz music at the library. Six-time GRAMMY® Award-nominee Nnenna Freelon is hailed as the "international voice of Jazz." She has shared the stage or recordings with Jessye Norman, Herbie Hancock, Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, Take 6, Al Jarreau,  and the Count Basie Orchestra.  This event is part of the Quad City Arts Visiting Artist series and is sponsored by Friends of the Moline Public Library.    

   

   

Molly Brown: More Than Unsinkable  

Monday April 13, 6:30 p.m.   

You won't want to miss this dynamic one woman show featuring Barbara Kay as  the Unsinkable Molly Brown.  Margaret "Molly" Brown was not only a 

survivor of the Titanic shipwreck disaster of 1912, but also a social reformer who fought for the rights of women, children, and workers. Registration is required for this event.  Visit the 2nd floor Reference Desk or call 309-524-2470 to register. This program is made possible by an award from the Illinois Humanities Council, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and the Illinois General Assembly.   Sponsored by Friends of the Moline  Public Library.

 

A Trip to the Ballpark

Friday, April 17, Noon

The Quad City River Bandits baseball team will be the topic of a visual presentation by its general manager Andrew Chesser.  Bring your lunch or just come, sit, and learn about a great local sports organization.  This discussion is part of our Noonday Program series. No registration is required, open to all ages.

 

Astronomy Day

Saturday, April 18, 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

An afternoon of astronomy fun for all ages.  Program features Star Lab Indoor Planetarium Shows from 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., Cosmic Kitchen Demos at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m., speaker Alan Sheidler at 3 p.m. talking about "The Coolest Things in Astronomy", displays including moon rocks and other items on loan from NASA, solar   observing (weather permitting), children's crafts, door prizes and refreshments. Presented and sponsored by the Popular Astronomy Club.

 

 

All Iowa Reads Author Robin Oliveira

Thursday, April 23, Noon

Meet 2015 All Iowa Reads author Robin Oliveira as she discusses her novel My Name is Mary Sutter on Thursday, April 23 at noon. Robin will share her inspiration to write this Civil War era novel, her research process, and the historical and fictional characters that bring her story to life. She will also share her discoveries from her eight years of research and writing, including slides and photos of rare Civil War hospital artifacts from the National Archives. To register for this event, visit the 2nd floor Reference Desk or call 309-524-2470.

 

 

Shred Day

Saturday, April 25, 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Save time while you protect your identity. You may bring up to two containers of personal papers for secure shredding by the ARC of the Quad Cities Area secure document destruction (NAID certified). Shredding will not take place at the library.

23 Mar 2015

Be Healthy QC Recognizes Local Organizations for Their Workplace Wellness Initiatives

By Be Healthy QC

The Be Healthy QC Worksite Wellness Workgroup of the Quad City Health Initiative (QCHI) is pleased to announce the launch of their Be Healthy QC Workplace Recognition Program and recognize an initial group of 8 organizations. This program was designed to highlight the work of local businesses and organizations and to bring awareness to workplace wellness. By recognizing organizations that create a healthier workplace, the Be Healthy QC Worksite Wellness Workgroup strives to create an overall culture of health within the community. Among the first organizations to receive recognition are Davenport Community Schools, Genesis Health System, MetroLINK, Royal Neighbors of America, Scott County, Scott County Family Y, Two Rivers YMCA and UnityPoint Health - Trinity.

All organizations interested in applying for recognition are invited to complete the "Be Healthy QC: Creating a Healthy Workplace Assessment". The brief assessment identifies worksites in Rock Island and Scott Counties that are choosing to implement evidenced-based best practices promoting physical activity, nutrition, tobacco cessation and/or overall employee health and well-being. The assessment is intended to be completed by human resource or administrative staff at worksites in the Quad Cities. Instructions and the assessment can be found at www.behealthyqc.org.

Be Healthy QC is a community wide effort to create a culture of health that supports healthy eating and active living. The Quad City Health Initiative is a cross-sector community partnership working to create a healthy community. A 25-member community Board oversees the organization, which was established in 1999. The Initiative seeks to be our community's recognized leader for creating collaborative action on health and abides by the core values of commitment, collaboration and creativity. Major financial support of the Quad City Health Initiative is currently provided by the generous direct and in-kind investments of Genesis Health System and UnityPoint Health-Trinity. Additional financial support over the last year has been provided by Deere & Company, Mississippi Valley Health, Davenport Eye Group, KJWW Engineering Consultants, Modern Woodmen of America, Palmer College of Chiropractic, First Midwest Bank, Russell Construction Company, Community Health Care Inc., ILLOWA Construction & Labor Management Council, United Way of the Quad Cities Area, Rock Island County Health Department, Scott County Health Department, IMC Construction Ltd., Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce and Hy-Vee Inc.

For more information, please call 563-421-2815 or visit our website atwww.qchealthinitiative.org.

23 Mar 2015

Iowa State Fair Parade Applications Available Now

By Lori Chappell

DES MOINES, IA (03/17/2015)(readMedia)-- The Iowa State Fair invites all community and youth groups, special interest clubs and businesses to join the fun and enter the State Fair Parade, Iowa's largest parade and the kick-off to the Fair. The parade is set for Wednesday, August 12. Fair Tour 2015 embarks August 13-23.

Applications are available at www.iowastatefair.org/fair-attractions/parade or by contacting Tonya Cook at 515/262-3111 ext. 215 or tcook@iowastatefair.org. There is a $25 fee for each parade entry. Entries postmarked later than July 1 must include a $15 late fee. No entries will be accepted after July 15.

Entries will be judged and winners will receive plaques in each of the following categories: best use of Fair theme, best specialty group, most creative/original, Governor's Cup (best overall marching band), marching band (by class), best performance, best horses and best drum line.

The parade will begin at 6:15 p.m. in downtown Des Moines. Spectators will be able to watch an estimated 200 floats, animals, vehicles, novelty and performing units. Staging will take place at the State Capitol Complex. Parade entrants will then travel west on Grand Avenue to 13th Street. Dispersion will take place between 13th and 18th Streets.

Highlights of the gala event will be re-broadcast on parade night throughout central Iowa on KDSM FOX 17 beginning at 10 p.m. To be considered for television coverage, the description information on the application must be completed and returned. Due to the length of the parade, it is not possible for all entries to be televised.

"Nothing Compares" to the 2015 Iowa State Fair, August 13-23. The Fairgrounds are located at East 30th and East University Avenue, just 10 minutes east of downtown Des Moines. For more information, call 800/545-FAIR or visit www.iowastatefair.org.

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23 Mar 2015

Military Cost Cutters Press Release

By EINNOC10@aol.com

Military Cost Cutters recently was afforded the opportunity to attend and participate in the Cedar Valley Pitch & Grow event in Cedar Falls, IA. At this event, participating businesses get the ability to pitch their business to a supportive group of peer CEOs, CIOs, business development experts, and investors.  Military Cost Cutters CEO and Founder, Aaron Serrano was able to come away the winner against 16 other participating businesses. "It is a great feeling knowing industry professionals with premium knowledge see your business as very valuable and sustainable in your market. I appreciate the opportunity and was able to meet great people who provided wonderful feedback. I would encourage any entrepreneur to look into participating in this event", states Mr. Serrano.

About Military Cost Cutters

Veteran-founded and led, Military Cost Cutters is patent pending Loyalty Rewards Program connecting military friendly businesses with veterans and military members. Through use of their free mobile app, veterans and military members are able to sign up and browse participating businesses who offer a discount. Participating businesses are able to get online and offline marketing while also being able to view customer analytics to provide promotional offers. For more information, visit www.militarycostcutters.com

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