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Do I need to rebalance my asset allocation? Depending on the performance of your investments, you may want to examine whether your mix of stocks, bonds, cash, and other assets is close to your target. If you have not reviewed your portfolio lately, you may be surprised at what you find. It's possible that your current asset allocation has changed quite a bit since the last time you checked, due to the different performance of the various investments in your portfolio.1 If that's the case, or if your outlook has changed, it may be time to readjust.
Rebalancing can be accomplished in two ways: You can sell existing assets and use the proceeds to bring your portfolio closer to your desired mix. Or you can leave your portfolio as is and allocate new investments to the areas that you want to increase. Rebalancing may involve tax consequences, especially for non-tax-deferred accounts.
Am I on track to fund my retirement? Making sure you are on track to amass the assets you will need for your later years should be one of your key concerns. If you participate in an employer-sponsored retirement plan, consider investing as much as you can afford. If you do not have access to an employer-sponsored plan, or if you do and can afford to contribute even more, consider funding an individual retirement account (IRA).
What were my yearly capital gains and losses? If your year-end planning entails selling certain assets, be aware of rules regarding capital gains and losses. Gains on investments held less than one year – known as short-term capital gains – are taxed as ordinary income, while those on investments held for one year or longer, or long-term capital gains, are taxed at a maximum rate of 20%, for federal income tax purposes. State tax rules may differ. On the federal level, capital losses offset capital gains and are netted against each other. If net capital losses still remain, up to $3,000 may be used to offset ordinary income. Capital losses not used in a given year can be carried forward to future years. Note that different rules apply for gains on the sale of collectibles, or qualified small- business stock.
You may have additional concerns unique to your situation, but this partial checklist may help you keep your investment portfolio in order. Come back next week for three more items for your checklist.
1. Asset allocation and rebalancing do not assure a profit or protect against loss in a declining market. There may be a potential tax implication with a rebalancing
strategy. Please consult your tax advisor before implementing such a strategy.
If you’d like to learn more, please contact Julia A. Peloso-Barnes , CFP®, CPM®, ADPA®, CPRC®
Article by Wealth Management Systems Inc. and provided courtesy of Morgan Stanley Financial Advisor.
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