June 2011 newsletter of Steve Stanganelli, CFP(R) Professional and principal of Clear View Wealth Advisors, a fee only financial planning firm serving individuals in Massachusetts. In this issue, Steve discusses how to manage retirement income distributions, the role of dividend paying stocks in a balanced portfolio, college planning tools for late starters and tax tips for those who are getting divorced.

1. V IEWPOINT
Creating a Paycheck for Retirement (Third in a Series)
June 2011 Investing and Managing Retirement Income Using an Endowment Strategy
By Steve Stanganelli, CFP®
Balancing Retirement Spending with Portfolio Performance
One of the biggest concerns for any retiree is running out of money. Considering that a cou-
ple reaching the age of 65 has a high likelihood of at least one spouse living into their 90s, it
is important to have a thoughtfully prepared spending plan in place.
The Lifestyle Approach:
The typical rule of thumb is to peg portfolio withdrawals at a set percentage somewhere be-
tween 4% and 5% each year. Generally, each year the retiree gives himself a “raise” by in-
creasing the amount withdrawn by the rate of inflation.
Steve Stanganelli, CFP®, CRPC® The downfall of this approach is that it does not tie spending to the actual performance level
of the investment portfolio. And in periods of high inflation, the amounts withdrawn may in-
crease too rapidly. And if there is an extended bear market coupled with significant inflation
About Clear View as occurred during the 1970s, then there is a risk of premature depletion—ending up broke
in retirement.
Clear View Wealth Advisors, LLC Endowment Spending: Pretend You’re Like Harvard or Yale
is an independent Registered In-
vestment Advisor providing finan- To help minimize the risk of outliving your money, consider a different approach used by
cial planning, tax preparation, and large organizations and endowments. They plan on being around a long time so they target
investment advisory services to
individuals and couples throughout a spending rate that allows the organization to sustain itself. This approach combines the
Massachusetts. previous year’s spending amount with a percentage of the portfolio’s performance. This
approach is designed to “tighten the belt” when market performance has been down so that
the portfolio can be sustained over the long term.
Clear View works on a FEE ON-
LY/FEE-for-SERVICE basis.
To use this approach, a retiree works with his adviser to determine what the first year
spending is expected to be. Then you can determine the initial withdrawal rate between 3%
and 4% to use. The next factor needed is the “smoothing rule” to be used which determines
www.ClearViewWealthAdvisors.com how quickly to increase or decrease annual spending based on portfolio performance.
For example, a 90/10 rule would mean that 90% of the current year spending will be based
on the total for the prior year plus 10% of the portfolio’s performance. So if the portfolio has
gone up 10%, then the amount allowed to be withdrawn will be another 1% on top of the
original spending target. If the portfolio has stayed flat or gone down, then the spending will
be held in check requiring a bit of belt tightening in the near term. Using this approach com-
pared to a simple “lifestyle” rule of thumb has shown the retiree’s portfolio can outlast by
several years and even have
extra wealth to pass on with-
out any dramatic change in “Using Convertibles to Protect & Grow Wealth”
asset allocation.
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er
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Decisions” convertible bonds.

2. Page 2 June 2011
Clear View Wealth Advisors, LLC 978-388-0020 or 617-398-7494
INVESTMENT RESEARCH CORNER 2. Historically higher total returns compared to bonds be-
Should Investors Worry? Low Stock Dividend cause of the stock appreciation potential of the dividend-
Yields & The Future of Stock Prices payers.
by Steve Stanganelli, CFP® from 3. Higher income, capital appreciation and total return
www.moneylinkpro.wordpress.com on May 25, 2011 compared to the S&P 500 Index in almost all of the pe-
riods noted above and a near 20-year annualized total
How to Use Dividends in Your Portfolio return of nearly 11% versus 8.4%.
Using dividend-paying stock is something that makes
sense in retirement portfolios. To provide tax efficiency, it Dividend-paying stocks are probably not as sexy as most
makes sense to include these in your qualified accounts aspects of the stock market. They are part of "value invest-
(like IRAs). And to boost income, it makes sense to add ing," the stuff of "conservative" portfolios built for "widows
global dividend-paying stocks which tend to have higher and orphans." They are the basic building blocks used by
yields and payouts. Warren Buffet of Berkshire-Hathaway fame.
Dividends are a critical part of any diversified portfolio and For any investor looking at ways to manage retirement in-
especially for an income-oriented investor. come, they should not be overlooked. In fact,recent re-
search reveals that those companies that pay out higher
The total return from stocks is derived from two key compo- dividends also tend to have higher stock prices because
nents: price appreciation and the cash flow from dividends. they also have higher earnings growth, another key compo-
nent in valuing stocks. This research indicates this as a
The Value of Dividends to an Investor global tendency.
Below is a chart of various recent periods of stock market
performance compiled by Thornburg Investment. Searching for Yield
Unfortunately, seeking out high dividend-paying companies
The "Dividend Aristocrats Index" refers to an index of com- in the US is not so easy. Unlike managements of Euro-
panies that consistently lead the market in paying dividends based companies where paying dividends is a sort of
and regularly increasing their dividends. badge of honor, US companies tend to be much more stin-
Annualized Total Dividend Aristocrats S&P 500 gy in paying back earnings to owners of the company (the
Return Period Index stockholders).
1990-94 12.58% 10.4%
1995-99 19.48% 28.54% A research note by Vanguard (May 2011) shows a clear
2000-04 9.79% -2.29% declining trend in dividend yields. From 1928 through
2005 – 9/2009 2.32% -0.08% 1945, the average dividend yield was around 5.6% and divi-
1990 – 9/2009 10.97% 8.41% dends represented about 67% of company earnings (aka
dividend payout ratio). From 1945 to 1982 the average
yields dropped to 4.2% and the payout ratio to 53%. In the
Dividend-paying stocks have shown these positive attrib- more recent period (1983 through 2010), the average yield
utes over this period: has dropped to 2.5% with a payout ratio of about 46%.
1. Historically higher yields than bonds
Do Lower Dividends Mean Lower Stock Prices?
The question that investors may be asking themselves now
is "will these lower dividend yields (historically and com-
Special Offers & Coupons pared to Europe) be an indicator of lower stock prices?"
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crashes, it is unlikely that lower dividend yields are an indi-
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There are other reasons that are more likely the cause of
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Wealth-Advisors_24556279 age their tax bill from investing.
Viewpoint is produced by Clear View Wealth Advisors, LLC for the benefit of its clients and allied professionals. Although the information here is gathered from reliable sources, readers should not
act upon it without professional advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Examples with hypothetical returns illustrated are not representative of a specific investment. Clear View
Wealth Advisors, LLC 12 Amidon Ave., Amesbury, MA 01913 & 25 Lowell St., Wilmington, MA 01887 Tel: 978 388-0020 Email: Steve@ClearViewWealthAdvisors.com

3. Page 3 Clear View Wealth Advisors, LLC 978-388-0020 or 617-398-7494 June 2011
Selling Your Home & Paying the Tax Man (by Steve Stanganelli,, CFP®)
Tax Tips for Handling Real Estate in Divorce
Special points of interest:
 You can exclude up to $250,000 in gain from the sale if you are singe and Case Study: First-Time Buyer Credit & Divorce
up to $500,000 if you are married filing jointly.
 Your gain or loss depends on your adjusted basis. In 2008, Chris and Jenny purchased a home that qualified
for the $7,500 first-time homebuyer credit.
 Your adjusted basis is calculated by adding the cost to buy plus any costs
for improvements so keep good records.
They were married at the time of purchase and applied for
 If you use any part of your home for a business deduction, an adjustment the credit on a joint return.
will be needed for recapturing depreciation.
 Call the Clear View Financial Planning Helpline for help in preparing your In 2009, they divorced and Jenny received the house.
income taxes at 978-388-0020 or 617-398-7494. Chris gave up ownership in 2009 and filed Form 5405 stat-
ing that he transferred the house to Jenny incident to the
divorce [Form 5405, Line 13(e)].
You may be able to exclude from income any gain up to
$250,000 for a single taxpayer and $500,000 for a joint re- In 2010, Jenny sold the house at a gain of $9,300.
turn. To exclude the gain, you must have owned and lived in
the property as your main home for two of the five years pri- Who repays the credit and how much?
or to the date of the sale. If you lose money on a sale, the
loss is not tax deductible. Since Jenny received the home in the divorce, she has to
repay the credit. In this example she must repay the entire
Your Adjusted Basis $7,500 because her gain from the sale was $9,300.
A dollar amount known as your adjusted basis determines wheth-
er you experience a gain or a loss. If you purchased or built your
home, your initial cost basis typically is the cost to you at the time The $9,300 gain was calculated by reducing the basis of
of purchase. If you inherit a home, the cost basis is the fair market the home by the $7,500 credit. If the gain had been less
value on the date of the decedent's death or a later valuation se- than the $7,500 her repayment would be limited to the
lected by a representative of the estate.
amount of the gain.
The formula for determining your gain or loss is as follows:
If she sold it for a loss then none of the credit would have
Selling price - Selling expenses = Amount realized
to be repaid.
Amount realized - Adjusted basis = Gain or loss
According to the instructions to Form 5405, Line 13(e), the
The cost basis may be adjusted over time due to the following spouse who owns the residence after the divorce is
conditions:
Additions and other improvements that have a useful life of responsible for the repayment, if any, of the entire first
more than one year and that add to the value of your -time homebuyer credit.
home. These can include a garage, decks, landscaping, a
swimming pool, storm windows and doors, heating and
air conditioning systems, plumbing, interior improve-
Jenny will file the Form 5405 in 2010 and fill out Parts III
ments and insulation. Note that repairs that keep your and IV to repay the credit.
house in good condition but do not significantly enhance
value, such as fixing gutters, repainting, or plastering, do
not affect the cost basis.
Special assessments paid for local improvements. TAX HELPLINE: 978-388-0020 or 978-416-4107
Amounts spent to restore damaged property.
Payments for granting an easement or right-or-way.
Depreciation if the home was used for business or rental pur-
poses.
Others as determined by the Internal Revenue Service (See
Publication 523 Selling Your Home).
“Divorce & Your Money”
The definition of a "main home," according to the Internal Reve-
FREE Booklet
nue Service, includes a private residence, condominium, coopera-
tive apartment, mobile home or houseboat. It is to your advantage
to maintain records of a home's purchase price, purchase expens-
es, improvements, additions, and other issues that may affect the
adjusted basis. Clear View Wealth Advisors, LLC
Amesbury * Wilmington * Woburn
###
Viewpoint is produced by Clear View Wealth Advisors, LLC for the benefit of its clients and allied professionals. Although the information here is gathered from reliable sources, readers should not
act upon it without professional advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Examples with hypothetical returns illustrated are not representative of a specific investment. Clear View
Wealth Advisors, LLC 12 Amidon Ave., Amesbury, MA 01913 & 25 Lowell St., Wilmington, MA 01887 Tel: 978 388-0020 Email: Steve@ClearViewWealthAdvisors.com

4. Page 4 June 2011
Clear View Wealth Advisors, LLC 978-388-0020 or 617-398-7494
About Clear View Wealth Advisors, LLC
Clear View is a Registered Investment Advisor providing
fee-only / fee-for-service financial planning, consulting
and investment management services.
Primary Business Address We help clients make smarter money choices.
12 Amidon Avenue
Amesbury, MA 01913 THE BOTTOM LINE
Convenient Meeting Locations From Merrimack Valley to Boston: When your life savings are at stake, you want advice you
Newburyport Woburn Wilmington Lawrence Boston can trust and someone you can count on. You need a
trusted advisor that is objective, an advisor that is not
Phone: 978-388-0020 or 617-398-7494
Fax: 866-654-4301
paid more to sell you one product over another. You
Email: steve@ClearViewWealthAdvisors.com
need a relationship with a firm and an advisor that prom-
ises to always put your interest first, a firm with proven
Visit us on the Web! experience and the right professional credentials.
More Financial Tools: www.ClearViewWealthAdvisors.com
Divorce Help: www.DivorceFinancePros.com To explore how Clear View and Steve Stanganelli, CFP®
College Funding Help: www.CollegeCashPros.com can help you, call 978-388-0020 today to schedule an
FREE Road Map Tool: www.BabyBoomerRetirementPro.com exploratory meeting (via phone or in-person). There is no
Our Blog: www.MoneyLinkPro.Wordpress.com charge or obligation.
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maps, Steve Stanganelli Plan Program
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Exclusive College Planning Service for Late Starters Available
Offered by Steve Stanganelli, CFP®
Steve Stanganelli and Clear View
Paying for college while trying to save for retirement and deal with other elder
specialize in the following services:
parents can be a demanding challenge.
 Retirement Income Planning
 IRA Rollovers Help is now available online through Clear View Wealth Advisors and its ex-
 Roth IRA Conversion Analysis clusive college planning service.
 College Funding Strategies &
529 Plans This program helps parents with students of any age with saving, investing,
 Divorce Settlement Analysis cash flow and tax strategies that may help reduce the overall cost burden.
 Qualified Plans for Businesses
 One-to-One Money Coaching This program is especially ideal for late starters with kids in high school. Our
 Periodic or One-Time Invest- strategies go beyond 529 savings plans and include tax-wise cash flow strate-
ment Advice gies that help parents save money while not neglecting retirement funding.
 On-Going Investment Manage-
ment & Monitoring Visit www.ClearViewWealthAdvisors.com or www.CollegeCashPros.com .
 Financial Education Programs
for Groups
FREE Online Planning Tool
“The Money Coach Road Map Series:”
FREE Webinars
Live on the 2nd Thursday Each Month
Get Yours at www.SmartMoneyRoadMap.com
Check the Clear View Site
Viewpoint is produced by Clear View Wealth Advisors, LLC for the benefit of its clients and allied professionals. Although the information here is gathered from reliable sources, readers should not
act upon it without professional advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Examples with hypothetical returns illustrated are not representative of a specific investment. Clear View
Wealth Advisors, LLC 12 Amidon Ave., Amesbury, MA 01913 & 25 Lowell St., Wilmington, MA 01887 Tel: 978 388-0020 Email: Steve@ClearViewWealthAdvisors.com