Karen P. Shute & Associates, Inc.

Karen P. Shute, CLU, ChFC, CFP® Kristen E. Hefkin, CFP®

Welcome to our Web site, where you’ll find a wealth of information in the form of newsletter articles, calculators, and research reports.

We hope your visit will help you understand the opportunities and potential rewards that are available when you take a proactive approach to your personal financial situation. We have created this Web site to help you gain a better understanding of the financial concepts behind insurance, investing, retirement, estate planning, and wealth preservation. Most important, we hope you see the value of working with skilled professionals to pursue your financial goals.

We’re here to help educate you about the basic concepts of financial management; to help you learn more about who we are; and to give you fast, easy access to market performance data. We hope you take advantage of this resource and visit us often.  We frequently update our information, and we wouldn’t want you to miss any developments in the area of personal finance.
Calculators

College Funding

Use this calculator to estimate the cost of your child’s education, based on the variables you input.

Savings Accumulation

Estimate the future value of your current savings.

Cost of Retirement

Use this calculator to estimate how much income and savings you may need in retirement.

Long-Term Care Self Insurance

Will you be able to afford nursing home care?

More Calculators →

Newsletters

Insurance for Two Could Benefit Your Heirs

Survivorship life insurance offers a way to help a couple's heirs pay estate taxes, probate costs, and other final expenses — and could be especially important after 2012 when the federal estate tax is scheduled to be significantly higher. Even if the estate tax doesn't apply to an estate, the insurance proceeds could benefit heirs or a favorite charity.

New Opportunity Under the Federal Gift Tax

The 2010 Tax Relief Act raised the lifetime gift-tax exclusion to $5 million. This means it could be a good time to make the most of tax-free gift transfers. If so, it's important to understand the annual and lifetime gift exemption limits, as well as which gifts might not be subject to them.

HOT TOPIC: Current Economic Conditions and the Prospect for Inflation

Inflation jumped up to 3.2% in April. That’s still below the 50-year average but it may be little consolation for anyone who has been to a gas station or a grocery store recently.

Ways to Save More

About two out of three American workers are saving for retirement, but less than half are confident that they will save enough money to live comfortably during their retirement years. This article includes suggestions for readers to take small steps that could make a big difference when they are ready to retire.

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