26 Mar 2014

Inventor-Mom's Breakthrough Wrap-E-SootheTM Products Ease Suffering for Millions of Children with Eczema, End Parents' Frustration

By Ann McVey

AD RescueWear Garments Simplify Application of Wet Wrap Therapy for Weary Parents

DENVER?Denver-based AD RescueWear, LLC, now offers in the U.S. and worldwide a complete line of innovative Wrap-E-SootheTM wet wrap garments that soothe the skin of children with eczema and are quickly and easily applied by parents or other caregivers.

AD RescueWear is the first and only U.S. company to manufacture and sell ready-to-wear wet wrap therapy garments for the treatment of childhood eczema. Wrap-E-Soothe products are now available in the U.S. through McKesson Medical-Surgical.

Eczema is the most common chronic skin disorder in infants and children worldwide, afflicting up to 20% of children in the U.S. and as many as 6.4 million children under 7. Historically, wet wrap therapy options have entailed wrapping a child with wet gauze bandages, a cumbersome and time-consuming process now eliminated by Wrap-E-Soothe products.

AD RescueWear's founder is inventor-mom Beth Scott, who vividly remembers the anguish of watching her four-month-old son suffer from eczema. "He would scratch until he bled, and no one in the family could sleep because he was up all night," Scott said. After an allergist diagnosed Scott's son with eczema and a full-body staph infection, doctors recommended wet wrap therapy, proven a safe and effective treatment.

Scott also remembers the frustration of tackling this type of treatment. "I was told to wrap my son in wet gauze or clothing and tape wet socks on his hands and feet," says Scott. "Imagine doing that to an itchy, irritable and wriggling child. The process took an hour each time."

Scott set out to find a better way, starting with prototypes she made at her kitchen table. "The results of wet wrap therapy can be amazing, but the process is so time-consuming," says Scott. "I wanted to design a product that would simplify this therapy for my son and the millions of other children who suffer from eczema, and simplify the lives of their parents as well."

AD RescueWear's Wrap-E-Soothe products represent a breakthrough in comfort and relief for children with eczema and convenience for the millions of parents who struggle to apply wet wrap therapy. The product line includes the Wrap-E-Soothe Suit, a full-body suit for children ages six months to three years; Wrap-E-Soothe Tops and Bottoms designed for four- and five-year-olds; and Wrap-E-Soothe Sleeves for problem areas on hands, arms, legs, feet, and ankles.

"Wrap-E-Soothe products are simply moistened by the caregiver and then slipped onto the child," Scott describes. "The Wrap-E-Soothe Suit can wrap a child's body in less than two minutes. Wrap-E-Soothe Sleeves can be applied to arms, legs, hands, and feet in under 30 seconds. And built-in fold-over hand covers prevent kids from scratching."

Traditional wet wrap therapy involves covering the inflamed area with wet dressings to hydrate the skin and prevent scratching. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, benefits include a decrease in staph bacteria (staphylococcus aureus) found on the skin, and reduced redness and inflammation. Wet wrapping also rehydrates dry skin, lessens itching, and promotes restful sleep.

Pediatric allergist Paul M. Ehrlich, M.D., clinical assistant professor of pediatrics at New York University School of Medicine and past president of the New York Allergy and Asthma Society, now recommends Wrap-E-Soothe products to his patients.

"I find wet wrap therapy using Wrap-E-Soothe clothing a wonderful way of treating and managing atopic dermatitis in children," says Dr. Ehrlich. "This hydration method helps dampen the pruritus (itchiness) of the skin and lessen the use of expensive corticosteroid creams and ointments. It adds immeasurably to overall treatment."

Jenny Horman, an Iowa mom whose son suffers from eczema, agrees. "The whole process of applying creams and getting my son into his Wrap-E-Soothe Suit took less than two minutes?including putting on his pajamas," said Horman. "When I took my son out of his crib the next morning and undressed him, I was amazed at how soft his skin was. I was thrilled."

"His eczema spots were much less noticeable if at all there," says Horman. "This suit gives him the upper hand in his battle with eczema."

Symptoms of eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, include thickened, cracked, or scaly skin with intense itching. Scratching the rash can make it even itchier and cause more inflammation. Once the skin barrier is broken, skin can become infected by bacteria which live on the skin, especially staph. Itching makes falling asleep difficult and also causes night-waking, so sleep deprivation is common for children with eczema and their parents. This in turn affects family relationships and performance at school and at work.

Wrap-E-Soothe products are made with 94% TENCEL®/lyocell, a fully sustainable fiber made from eucalyptus pulp that is free of hazardous chemicals. Not only is it one of the softest fabrics available, it is smoother and more breathable than cotton, with excellent cooling and thermo-regulating properties. A small amount of spandex is added to the fabric for easy dressing and a close fit to optimize wet wrap therapy. Children love the feel of the super-soft fabric of the Wrap-E-Soothe products on their irritated skin.

Wrap-E-Soothe products can also be worn dry as anti-itch undergarments to soothe irritated skin and prevent scratching. The garments are reusable and machine-washable, which makes them more convenient and economical than gauze.

About AD RescueWear

Beth Scott, founder of AD RescueWear, is the mother of child with eczema. Beth developed Wrap-E-SootheTM wet wrap garments and launched her company after her experience with the cumbersome process of wet wrap therapy. AD RescueWear is the first and only U.S. company to manufacture and sell ready-to-wear wet wrap therapy garments for the treatment of childhood eczema/atopic dermatitis. Available for purchase online and through retailers in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Denmark, Wrap-E-Soothe products are designated as Class 1 medical devices by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Patents are pending. More information is at www.adrescuewear.com.

# # #

26 Mar 2014

Gov. Branstad takes action to increase accountability, openness and transparency in employee settlements

By Office of the Governor of the State of Iowa

Administration releases all employee settlements since January 14, 2011; Ensures openness by making all settlements public moving forward; Ends troubling use of confidentiality agreements in personnel settlements; Increases accountability by requiring additional review

 

(DES MOINES) - Gov. Terry E. Branstad today announced the signing of Executive Order 85 to increase accountability, openness and transparency of employee settlements.

Speaking from the administration's weekly press conference, Branstad said, "After a thorough review, the facts show employees were not terminated based on political affiliation. I am troubled and disappointed by the use of confidentiality agreements. This practice of keeping information from the taxpayers is unacceptable and wrong."

Branstad continued, "I've signed Executive Order 85 today to ensure the executive branch operates in a transparent manner, ending the use of these confidentiality agreements, increasing accountability, and making employee settlements readily available for taxpayer viewing online."

Executive Order 85 does the following:

  • ACCOUNTABILITY: No state agency may enter into a settlement agreement on behalf of the state unless the personnel settlement agreement is reviewed by the Attorney General's Office; and

o   For an agency not governed by the Board of Regents, the Director of the Department of Management; Director of the Department of Administrative Services and the head of the agency involved with the matter at issue each approve the settlement agreement in writing; or

o   For an institution governed by the Board of Regents, the executive director of the Board of Regents and the head of the institution involved with the matter at issue each approve the settlement agreement in writing.

  • OPENNESS: No personnel settlement agreements shall contain any confidentiality provisions.
  • TRANSPARENCY: Every final personnel settlement agreement shall be posted to the Department of Administrative Services or Board of Regents website in a location easily accessible to the public.

Executive Order 85 is not intended to supersede any law or collective bargaining agreement. The settlement agreements can be found on the Iowa Department of Administrative Services website under the "News & Information" heading titled "Settlement Agreements."

"Governor Branstad and I are steadfastly committed to transparent government," said Reynolds. "Executive Order 85 ends the misguided practice of using confidentiality agreements, and gives the Iowa taxpayers an opportunity to view settlements while being guaranteed the agreements are facing increased scrutiny and oversight."

Gov. Branstad and Lt. Gov. Reynolds asked staff to gather and review the facts after learning of the use of the confidentiality agreements. After a review of the facts of the agreements, Governor's Office chief of staff Matt Hinch, legal counsel Brenna Findley and Iowa Department of Management director David Roederer found the following:

The text of Executive Order 85 is as follows:

Executive Order Number Eighty-Five

WHEREAS, Transparency provides Iowans the necessary access to information to hold our government accountable; and

WHEREAS, Our Open Records Act is essential to ensuring openness, including settlement agreements (Iowa Code section 22.13); and

WHEREAS, Our administration has maintained a steadfast commitment to transparent government, and the use of confidentiality agreements within employee settlements is troubling and runs contrary to our priority of operating state government in an open manner.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Terry E. Branstad, Governor of the State of Iowa, declare that accountability, openness and transparency are essential to the efficient operation of state government and in the best interest of taxpayers.  I hereby order and direct that:

1.      Accountability: No state agency may enter into a personnel settlement agreement on behalf of the state unless the personnel settlement agreement is reviewed by the Attorney General, or his or her designee; and

a.       For an agency not governed by the Board of Regents: the director of the Department of Management, director of the Department of Administrative Services and the head of the agency involved with the matter at issue each approve the personnel settlement agreement in writing; or

b.      For an institution governed by the Board of Regents: the executive director of the Board of Regents and the head of the institution involved with the matter at issue each approve the personnel settlement agreement in writing.

c.       In the event that subsection 1(a) or (b) is not consistent with a collective bargaining agreement, the relevant head of agency or institution, director, executive director and attorney general designee will be provided with regular reports of personnel settlement agreements.

2.      Openness: No personnel settlement agreement shall contain any confidentiality provision that attempts to prevent disclosure of the agreement itself.

3.      Transparency: Every personnel settlement agreement shall be posted to the Department of Administrative Services or Board of Regents website in a location easily accessible to the public.

4.      For purpose of this Order, the following definitions shall apply:

a.       "Agency" means a unit of state government, which is an authority, board, commission, committee, council, department, or independent agency as defined in section 7E.4, including but not limited to each principal central department enumerated in section 7E.5 and the office of the governor.  However, "agency" does not mean any of the following:

i.      The office of an elective constitutional or statutory officer, other than the office of the governor.

ii.      The general assembly, or any office or unit under its administrative authority.

iii.      The judicial branch, as provided in section 602.1102.

iv.      A political subdivision of the state or its offices or units, including but not limited to a county, city, or community college.

b.      "Personnel Settlement Agreement" means an agreement with the State of Iowa, subject to Iowa Code section 22.13, to resolve a personnel dispute including but not limited to settlement of grievances (excluding those resolved at step one).

5.      This Order shall apply prospectively as of the date of the signing of this Order. This Order shall be interpreted in accordance with all applicable laws.  It is not intended to supersede any law or collective bargaining agreement.

6.      If any provision of this Order, or the application of such provision to any person or circumstance, is held to be invalid, the remaining provisions, as applied to any person or circumstance, shall not be affected thereby.

7.      This Order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity, by any party against the State of Iowa, its Departments, Agencies, or Political Subdivisions, or its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto subscribed my name and caused the Great Seal of Iowa to be affixed.  Done at Des Moines this 24th day of March, in the year of our Lord two thousand fourteen.

24 Mar 2014

Governor Quinn Joins Consuls General to Celebrate Benito Juárez's 208th Birthday

By Rick Martin

James R. Thompson Center Exhibit Honors "The Father of the Americas"

CHICAGO - Governor Pat Quinn was joined by several Consuls General and leaders of Illinois' Mexican-American community today to celebrate the 208th anniversary of Benito Juárez's birth. The Governor also proclaimed today as "Benito Juárez Day" across Illinois, calling him one of "humanity's giants."

"Benito Juárez transformed Mexico with his passion for freedom, his vision of democracy and his commitment to constitutional law," Governor Quinn said. "He was one of humanity's giants?as well as a strong ally of Abraham Lincoln?so today we celebrate his life."

The birthday party for the man known as "The Father of the Americas" took place at an exhibit in the James R. Thompson Center in Chicago which offers colorful insights into the Mexican leader's life. Viewed by thousands of visitors to the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum in Springfield, the exhibit examines Juárez's life from his humble youth to his trailblazing Presidency. For more information on the life of Benito Juárez, visit www.Illinois.gov/benitojuarez.

The exhibit reveals how Juárez earned the title of "Father of the Americas." In May 1865 Colombia was the first Latin American government to formally salute Juárez, citing his "perseverance in defending the freedom and independence of Mexico." Two years later, the Dominican Republic President coined the phrase "Father of the Americas," saying Juárez set an example by winning "a splendid victory by giving a death blow to the empire."

Governor Quinn was joined by Dominican Republic Consul General Giselle Castillo Veremis, Colombia Consul General Bladimiro Cuello and Mexico Consul General Carlos Martín Jiménez Macías.

"Juárez's vision, heart and skill earned the respect of freedom-loving people everywhere, from Colombia and the Dominican Republic to New Orleans and Springfield, Illinois," Governor Quinn said. "And this year we're celebrating 150 years of friendship between the People of Illinois and People of Mexico, a relationship that grew from Juárez's friendship with Abraham Lincoln."

Lincoln and Juárez are often compared. Both came from humble origins, were self-taught lawyers, served in Congress and led their countries through war. In 1861, Juárez sent a young emissary named Matías Romero to Springfield to meet President-elect Lincoln, who, as a first-term Congressman, had endeared himself to many in Mexico for opposing President James K. Polk's invasion of Mexico in 1846.

That historic meeting between Romero and Lincoln?the first official congratulations to Lincoln by a foreign leader?was reenacted on stage recently at the Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum. Governor Quinn was joined at that performance by Mexico Consul General Jiménez and State of Mexico Governor Eruviel Ávila. The three men also laid a wreath at the bronze statue of Juárez in the Plaza of the Americas on Chicago's busy Magnificent Mile and attended a concert by the Mexico City Symphony at Chicago's Benito Juárez Community Academy.

Today is the last day of the free exhibit in the James R. Thompson Center, 100 W. Randolph, Chicago.

###
21 Mar 2014

Iowa Supreme Court Opinions March 21, 2014

By Iowa Judicial Branch
Iowa Supreme Court Opinions

March 21, 2014

Notice: The opinions posted on this site are slip opinions only. Under the Rules of Appellate Procedure a party has a limited number of days to request a rehearing after the filing of an opinion. Also, all slip opinions are subject to modification or correction by the court. Therefore, opinions on this site are not to be considered the final decisions of the court. The official published opinions of the Iowa Supreme Court are those published in the North Western Reporter published by West Group.

Opinions released before April 2006 and available in the archives are posted in Word format. Opinions released after April 2006 are posted to the website in PDF (Portable Document Format).   Note: To open a PDF you must have the free Acrobat Reader installed. PDF format preserves the original appearance of a document without requiring you to possess the software that created that document. For more information about PDF read: Using the Adobe Reader.

For your convenience, the Judicial Branch offers a free e-mail notification service for Supreme Court opinions, Court of Appeals opinions, press releases and orders. To subscribe, click here.

NOTE: Copies of these opinions may be obtained from the Clerk of the Supreme Court, Judicial Branch Building, 1111 East Court Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50319, for a fee of fifty cents per page.

No. 11-1133

STATE OF IOWA vs. AKI MALIK ROSS

No. 11-1272

STATE OF IOWA vs. TOMMY GINES, JR.

No. 11-1616

STATE OF IOWA vs. RANDY MITCHELL COPENHAVER

No. 13-1213

IOWA SUPREME COURT ATTORNEY DISCIPLINARY BOARD vs. JEFFREY K. MCGINNESS
21 Mar 2014

Governor Quinn Announces Hillary Rodham Clinton Will Receive State's Highest Award

By Rick Martin

Clinton to Join Seven to Receive the Order of Lincoln on May 3 in Chicago

CHICAGO - Governor Pat Quinn today announced that Former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton will join seven distinguished Illinoisans to receive The Order of Lincoln, the State's highest honor for professional achievement and public service.

"Through her decades of service, Hillary Clinton has helped shape and improve the world more than almost any person in our nation's history," Governor Quinn said. "From working on women's and children's issues, to her time as First Lady, U.S. Senator, and Secretary of State, she personifies the best that Illinois and the United States of America can offer. We are grateful to be able to present her with the state's highest award and thank her for the service she continues to provide to this day to the people across the world."

Hillary Rodham Clinton, an Illinois native, was raised in Park Ridge, Illinois. She served as First Lady of Arkansas for more than a dozen years championing causes for women, children and families. She served as First Lady of the United States from 1993 to 2001, and advocated for health care reform and led successful bipartisan efforts to improve the adoption and foster care systems, reduce teen pregnancy, and provide health care to millions of children. She also traveled to more than 80 countries as a representative of our country, winning respect as a champion of human rights, democracy, civil society, and opportunities for women and girls around the world.

In 2000, Clinton made history as the first First Lady elected to the United States Senate. She worked across party lines to expand economic opportunity and access to quality, affordable health care, including for wounded service members, veterans and members of the National Guard and Reserves. After September 11, 2001, she secured resources to rebuild New York and provide health coverage for the needs of first responders who became sick during rescue and recovery efforts at Ground Zero.

In 2007 and 2008, Clinton made her historic campaign for President, winning 18 million votes, and more primaries and delegates than any woman had before.

In her four years as Secretary of State, Clinton played a central role in restoring America's standing in the world and strengthening its global leadership.  Her "smart power" approach to foreign policy elevated American diplomacy and development and repositioned them for the 21st century -- with new tools, technologies, and partners, including the private sector and civil society around the world.  As America's chief diplomat and the President's principal foreign policy adviser, Clinton spearheaded progress on many of our greatest national security challenges, from reasserting the United States as a Pacific power to imposing crippling sanctions on Iran and North Korea to responding to the challenges and opportunities of the Arab Awakening to negotiating a ceasefire in the Middle East.  She pushed the frontiers of human rights and demonstrated that giving women the opportunity to participate fully is vital to security, stability, and prosperity.

Clinton is a graduate of Wellesley College and Yale Law School.

Clinton will receive the award on Saturday evening, May 3, 2014, at the Field Museum in Chicago as part of the 50th Annual Convocation of the Lincoln Academy of Illinois. The Lincoln Academy is a non-partisan, independent organization which administers the award and chooses each year's honorees.

For more information about the Order of Lincoln or to view information about this year's recipients, please visit www.thelincolnacademyofillinois.org.

###
21 Mar 2014

Governor Quinn Proclaims National Service Week March 23 - 29

By Rick Martin

Encourages Residents to Volunteer in their Communities and Take Part in April 1, 2014 Day of Recognition

CHICAGO - Governor Pat Quinn today proclaimed March 23 - 29 National Service Week in Illinois and encouraged people across Illinois to find ways to give back to their communities. Governor Quinn also reminded residents to take part in recognizing national service programs in their communities during the Mayors Day of Recognition of National Service on Tuesday, April 1. Today's announcement is part of Governor Quinn's commitment to encourage volunteerism in Illinois.

"There is no better way to give back than to donate your time by volunteering," Governor Quinn said. "Volunteers contribute a great deal to Illinois both locally and throughout the state at our historic sites, state parks, care facilities and institutions. I encourage everyone to participate in National Service Week and recognize the valuable gifts that volunteers provide."

"As John Maxwell once stated, 'The bottom line in leadership isn't how far we advance ourselves, but how far we advance others,'" Serve Illinois Commission Chair Frederick Nettles said. "In the line of service, our job is to empower others."

People across Illinois can find volunteer opportunities in their communities by visiting Serve.Illinois.gov. The website is run by the Serve Illinois Commission?a 40-member, bi-partisan board appointed by the Governor to improve Illinois communities by enhancing traditional volunteer activities and supporting national service programs.

The Mayors Day of Recognition is a special initiative from the Corporation for National and Community Service to highlight the value and impact of volunteering and to encourage residents to participate. The second annual Mayors Day of Recognition will take place on April 1, 2014. Mayors across Illinois have registered to participate and those interested in signing up can visit NationalService.gov.

AmeriCorps, Senior Corps and the Social Innovation Fund are the national service programs that will be recognized in numerous Illinois communities during Mayors Day of Recognition of National Service on April 1. Mayors and city and county managers will hold public events and use traditional and social media to highlight the value and impact of national service in their communities. Mayors who would like to participate should register through Serve.Illinois.gov.

The Governor today also saluted the many service organizations that contribute daily to making Illinois a better place to live and work.

AmeriCorps includes AmeriCorps VISTA, AmeriCorps State, AmeriCorps National and AmeriCorps NCCC. Together they provide opportunities for 80,000 citizens across the nation, including approximately 3,600 in Illinois, to give back to their communities, states and nation. AmeriCorps in Illinois last year recruited 53,600 volunteers and raised more than $4.7 million in in-kind resources.

Senior Corps includes the Foster Grandparents Program, Senior Companions Program and Retired & Senior Volunteer Program. Each year the program places more than 14,000 volunteers in communities throughout Illinois. These volunteers have helped more than 7,000 Illinois children to read, assisted more than 18,000 seniors to stay in their homes, supported more than 5,800 veterans and 8,300 veteran family members, served more than 200 special needs children and supported more than 2,000 community organizations. Approximately 3.1 million Senior Corps hours contributed annually is valued at $70 million.

The Social Innovation Fund mobilizes public and private sector resources to grow promising, innovative, community-based solutions in the areas of economic opportunity, healthy futures and youth development. The program has awarded $177.6 million in grants since 2010 that have yielded another $423 million in private commitments. Eleven Illinois organizations have received $1.3 million in grants.

###
21 Mar 2014

March 29 is a Day for Developmental Disabilities Awareness with The Arc of Quad Cities Area

By Sarah Wright
Rock Island, IL - The month of March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. To celebrate this month, The Arc of the Quad Cities Area will be joining other chapters of The Arc, individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, their families and friends in getting out in public to raise awareness on March 29. The goal of this one-day event during Developmental Disabilities Month is to let the community see that individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) are really no different than everyone else. People with disabilities enjoy evenings out with their friends and families, trips to the movies, fun on the playground, and interaction in their community, and this day aims to open the eyes of people in the Quad Cities Area. Throughout the day on March 29, individuals with I/DD, will be out engaging the public, sparking conversations and just enjoying the day, while raising public awareness about the issues facing individuals with disabilities to break down social barriers.

The mission of The Arc of is to increase positive awareness of developmental and intellectual disabilities, and this event will not only do that but help educate the public. Many individuals with I/DD live and work in the community and they are valued members of the Quad Cities community.

Over the last 60 years, The Arc and its network of 700 chapters across the country have made tremendous progress in promoting and protecting the rights of people with I/DD. It is due greatly to the advocacy efforts of The Arc that President Ronald Reagan officially declared March to be Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month in 1987.

The Arc advocates for and serves people with I/DD, including Down syndrome, autism, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders, cerebral palsy and other diagnoses. The Arc has a network of 700 chapters across the country promoting and protecting the
human rights of people with I/DD and actively supporting their full inclusion and participation in the community throughout their lifetimes and without regard to diagnosis.

Editor's Note: The Arc is not an acronym; always refer to us as The Arc, not The ARC and never ARC. The Arc should be considered as a title or a phrase. Thank you.
21 Mar 2014

News Release from the Iowa Supreme Court

By Iowa Judicial Branch
Des Moines, March 18, 2014 - On Wednesday, April 9, the Iowa Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in Toledo, Iowa. The proceeding will take place in the Wieting Theatre, 101 South Church Street. The session is open to the public and will begin at 7 p.m.
21 Mar 2014

5 Questions to Ask Your CPA During Tax Season

By Ginny Grimsley
Simple Strategy Changes May Boost Your
Retirement Dollars, Says Financial Advisor

Many people talk to their accountant just once a year - right about now, says financial consultant Larry D. Roby.

"This is a good time to ask a few questions that may not have occurred to either you or your accountant simply because at tax time, you're both focused on the task at hand and not the bigger picture, " says Roby, founder and president of Senior Financial Advisors, Inc., www.sfabridge.com.

"But, if you don't have a financial advisor, asking your accountant a few questions may help you spot places where you're unnecessarily leaking retirement funds. Many of those leaks can be plugged with some simple changes."

Roby tells the story of a woman he worked with at the financial counseling ministry where he volunteers. She was a widow on Social Security who also received an annual disbursement of $35,000 from her retirement plan. She didn't need the whole $35,000, so she put a large chunk of it in CDs each year.

"She was getting hit with what I call 'the tax torpedo,' " Roby says. "That $35,000 from her fund caused the portion of her Social Security income being taxed to jump from zero to 85 percent. And she's also getting taxed on the whole $35,000! Putting the extra money into CDs earning only about 1 percent interest, meant she was actually losing money."

The fix, he says, was easy.

The woman could pay no taxes on her Social Security benefits if  the combined total of 1 - her adjusted gross income, 2 - nontaxable interest income and 3 - half the benefits, was less than $25,000. If the amount was $25,000 to $34,000, she would likely be taxed on 50 percent of her benefits.

"By lowering her retirement fund disbursement to the amount she actually needs, she saw a substantial tax savings," Roby says.

Such oversights are surprisingly common and can be corrected when you have the right information.  If you're planning for retirement or already retired, here are the questions Roby suggests you ask your accountant:

1.  Do I have to pay taxes on my Social Security benefits?

2.  Is there a way to reduce or eliminate those taxes?

3.  Why am I paying taxes on money I'm not spending?

4.  How long will my retirement funds last based on my current withdrawals?

5.  Based on my tax records, will my spouse have sufficient income after my death?

If your retirement picture is far more complicated, with a variety of taxable and non-taxable income streams, Roby says seeking the services of a financial advisor with a diversified perspective may be a worthwhile investment.

"I always recommend people to talk to an advisor who doesn't specialize in just one area, like annuities," Roby says. "If you're a hammer, everything looks like a nail. Someone equipped with lots of tools can put help you put together the best strategies for you."

About Larry D. Roby

Larry D. Roby is the founder and president of Senior Financial Advisors, Inc. (www.sfabridge.com). He's a Registered Financial Consultant, a professional designation awarded by the International Association of Registered Financial Consultants; a licensed insurance agent; a Master Certified Estate Planner; and licensed to serve as an investment advisor representative. He's currently finishing a two-year Certified Advisor for Senior Living course. Roby is a firm believe in educating clients and the public alike so that they can make the most of the money they've earned, saved and invested. He and his firm volunteer time and resources to the Branches Recovery Center, a counseling ministry.

21 Mar 2014

Iowa Finance Authority and Landlords of Davenport, Muscatine and Clinton Partner on a Rental Housing Resource for Home Hunting Season

By Nicholas Depew

DAVENPORT - On Tuesday, March 25 the Iowa Finance Authority and members of the Landlords of Davenport, Muscatine and Clinton will meet to discuss the local impact of a new resource that will assist in locating rental housing for area residents. The site, IowaHousingSearch.org is the first of its kind in Iowa and is available for the public to search thousands of rental listings.

The web site provides real-time rental unit vacancy information, call center accessibility, advanced search components and disaster recovery infrastructure not available on other sites.

TUESDAY, MARCH 25

TIME: 6:30 PM

LOCATION:
Davenport Moose Club
2333 Rockingham Road
Davenport

Pages

Subscribe & Listen to Reader Podcasts

On Stands Now

 

Tagged Content

    

Two Ways to Subscribe

1. Subscribe to free weekly e-mail content updates.

You'll get both the current official narrative challenge and What's Happenin' in the Quad Cities.
(Did you know we publish a new Real Astrology and RCR Crossword every week?) 

Subscribe!

* indicates required

2. Get 12 monthly issues mailed first class for $48

Get 12 issues mailed monthly for $48 per year.

Get the printed Reader edition mailed to you (or anyone you want) first-class for 12 months for $48.
$24 goes to postage and handling, $24 goes to keeping the doors open!

Click this link to Subscribe now.