ColumnistMark HalpernNovember December 2023

You Live Once but Die Twice: Don’t Be Forgotten

THE ACCIDENTAL PHILANTHROPIST® – MARK HALPERN   By Mark Halpern, CFP, TEP, MFA-P James Bond fans will remember that he faked his own death in the 1967 film You Only Live Twice. Of course, we all know (until further notice) that everyone lives but once. However, few people realize that …

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ColumnistMark HalpernSeptember October 2023

Strategic Philanthropy: Help Donors Drop the Baggage

By Mark Halpern, CFP, TEP, MFA-P I recently met with a successful family in the process of developing a succession plan to transition wealth to the second and third generations. Three potential scenarios were presented to them: Do an estate freeze and use cash on hand to pay tax bill …

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ColumnistMark HalpernMay June 2023

The Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT)

THE ACCIDENTAL PHILANTHROPIST® – MARK HALPERN   Bad News for Canadian Philanthropy Starting in 2024 By Mark Halpern, CFP, TEP, MFA-P Most Canadians still use cash, cheques and credit cards to make charitable donations. There are many better ways. One is to donate in-kind non-registered appreciated securities, such as stocks, …

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ColumnistMarch/April 2023 IssueMark Halpern

Strategic Philanthropy: Using Life Insurance Just Got Easier

The Accidental Philanthropist – Mark Halpern By Mark Halpern, CFP, TEP, MFA-P Strategic Philanthropy and the use of Life Insurance has been spoken about for a very long time, but it remains a narrow niche within the financial planning community. Accountants, lawyers, insurance advisors and estate planning professionals have set …

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ColumnistJanuary February 2023Mark Halpern

The Philanthropic Powers Of Life Insurance

The Accidental Philanthropist – Mark Halpern By Mark Halpern, CFP, TEP, MFA-P In my 31 years of professional practice, I’ve had the good fortune of helping many successful business owners, entrepreneurs, incorporated professionals, and affluent families. A lot of my work has involved collaborating with their allied professionals specializing in …

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ColumnistMark HalpernNovember December 2022

Philanthropic New Year’s Resolutions

The Accidental Philanthropist – Mark Halpern   By Mark Halpern, CFP, TEP, MFA-P As a new year approaches, people often rush to make charitable donations to get a donation receipt that can be applied against 2022 taxes due. However, reaching for your chequebook or credit card to make last-minute donations …

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ColumnistMark HalpernSeptember October 2022

Little Known Strategies for Charitable Giving

THE ACCIDENTAL PHILANTHROPIST By Mark Halpern, CFP, TEP, MFA-P By any measure, we live in an age of instant information. The answers to many of life’s questions are just a Google query away. You probably have a smartphone or computer within arm’s reach. Correction: I meant to say “disinformation”. Much …

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ColumnistJuly August 2022 IssueMark Halpern

Mix It Up: Blended Charitable Gifts

The Accidental Philanthropist – Mark Halpern   By Mark Halpern, CFP, TEP, MFA-P Philanthropy is very important to me, personally and professionally. The Hebrew word tzedakah is part of our DNA at WEALTHinsurance.com. Often translated as “charity,” it more accurately reflects “righteousness” and “justice.” I believe that when we’re successful, …

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ColumnistMark HalpernMay June 2022

Is Strategic Philanthropy Part of Your Major Donors’ Estate Planning?

The Accidental Philanthropist – Mark Halpern   Five ways affluent families use Life Insurance to preserve wealth and create enduring charitable legacies   By Mark Halpern, CFP, TEP, MFA-P I recently moderated a panel discussion about insurance strategies at the 3rd annual Northwind Institute High Net Worth forum at beautiful …

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ColumnistMarch April 2022Mark Halpern

Eat your cake. And donate it too!

By Mark Halpern, CFP, TEP, MFA-P There are many ways to mix and match insurance products to meet your financial planning needs. Today, I’d like to introduce you to one that lets you enjoy relatively high levels of guaranteed income for life and leave a meaningful bequest to your favourite …

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