A preneed client recently complained about preneed shortfalls they were experiencing on trust funded contracts. We went back to our 2014 blog post (The Factors Contributing to Preneed Shortfalls: Investment Return and Operator’s Performance Costs) and began an analysis of those factors. Since the ‘culprit’ is usually poor investment returns, we started with
Trust Funded
The Medicare Tax and QFTs: Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth
By Bill Stalter on
Over the past few years, preneed trust administrators have been wondering whether a Section 685 qualified funeral trust could look to each individual trust’s income and apply the lower tax rates for long term capital gains and qualified dividends. The issue has taken on more relevance as preneed trusts look to diversify out of …
Master Trusts: Finding the Rails
By Bill Stalter on
Posted in Fiduciary, Guaranteed, IFDA, Master Trusts, Missouri - SB1, Non-guaranteed, Preneed, Trust Funded
Both the Memorial Business Journal and the Funeral Service Insider commented last week on the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel’s February 7th article regarding the former executive director of the Wisconsin Funeral Directors Association. Several issues were raised that should be included in future industry debate, and in particular, I would agree with Mr. Isard’s questions whether…
Dark Clouds and Preneed
By Bill Stalter on
Not that close, even from the 30,000-foot view.
That’s our assessment of the Morningstar analysis of preneed and its impact on the death care industry. In “Dark Clouds for the Death-Care Industry”, a stock analyst attempted to explain the preneed transaction, and then provide an assessment of the impact of preneed on the profitability of…
The Illinois Consumer Statement: Trust Expense Disclosures
By Bill Stalter on
If their preneed contract is trust funded, Illinois consumers should soon be receiving statements from the bank or trust company that administers their account. These statements are one of the new requirements imposed by SB1682. The contents of the statements are governed by Section 2.h of the Funeral or Burial Funds Act.
The Comptroller’s Office…
Preneed Contract Forms: Worth The Paper They’re Written On?
By Bill Stalter on
With the exception of a few states, each form of preneed funding has its own statutory requirements. Consequently, different contract forms are required for each method of preneed funding. So, what does this mean for the consumer worried about the safety of funds paid to the funeral home or cemetery.
Among the pecking order of…