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4A Daily News – Wednesday, January 15, 2014 Commerce business&enterprise Etzler awarded Five Star designation For the ninth consecutive year, Paladin has awarded Matthew Etzler the Registry's Five Star quality designation. The Paladin Registry is an independent firm that provides free education, search and documentation services to consumers who use the services of financial planners and advisors. The Registry awards its Five Star quality designation to Etzler professionals who meet its high minimum standards for credentials, ethics and business practices. Less than 10 percent of practicing planners and advisors meet the Registry's minimum standards. "Registry services solve three major problems for investors who rely on planners and advisors to achieve their financial goals," said Jack Waymire, Paladin founder. "First, it's not easy for investors to find high quality advisors. Second, when they find advisors they may not know the right questions to ask to determine their quality. And third, they may not know good answers from bad ones. Consequently, millions of investors hire the wrong advisors for the wrong reasons and fire them within two years." Waymire confirmed that only a small percentage of practicing plan- ners and advisors can meet the Registry's strict requirements. "We focus on the top tier of professionals who are paid to help investors achieve their financial goals," he said. "We exclude the bottom 90 percent who are frequently paid commissions to sell investment and insurance products. Anyone who isn't paid to help investors achieve their financial goals is a potential risk." Etzler is a Certified Financial Planner practitioner with more than 25 years of experience in financial, retiremen and investment planning. Etzler Financial Advisors, LLC is an independent advisory firm in at 819 Jefferson St. in Red Bluff. For more information, visit www.etzlerfinancial.com. Healthcare's impact on hiring in 2014 and beyond For almost six years, ACA "would make them healthcare has been one of less likely to hire employthe most highly debated ees." Staff Size Matters topics among politicians, The primary reason for the news media, and the general public. Even after this is that many parts of the the Patient Protection and healthcare law are tied to the number of Affordable employees a Healthcare Act company has. (ACA) was The most comsigned by Presimon breakdent Obama in downs, according 2010, the debate to the U.S. Small raged on as some Business Adminpeople trumpeted istration, are 1-24 its positives, some employees, 25highlighted its 49 employees, negatives, and and 50+ employmany felt uncerees. Of all the tain of its real aspects of healthimpact. EmployLisa care reform that ers, especially are linked to staff those with small size, small busibusinesses, generness owners need ally fell into the uncertain category as they to be especially aware of waited to see the ACA's two specific areas. Employee Health Covereffects. Now that we've entered age Employers who have 49 2014 and seen many of the act's elements implement- or fewer full-time employed, there's still a general ees are not required to offer feeling of confusion among health insurance. However, small businesses that make those who do want to offer up more than 99% of U.S. their staff health coverage employers. However, one can do so through the Small thing is clear, healthcare Business Health Options reform is impacting how Program (SHOP). Currentsmall businesses think ly, the SHOP Marketplace about and approach hiring. is only available for busiA study from the U.S. nesses with 1-49 employChamber of Commerce and ees, but in 2016 it will be Harris Interactive found that opened to companies with 71% of the small business up to 100 employees. Due to some program executives surveyed said the Hansen difficulties, the federally run SHOP exchange, which was slated to have already been opened, has been delayed a year. According to the Huffington Post, small businesses that planned to acquire their insurance through the marketplace can instead sign up through an insurance broker or health insurance company. And while small business employees were originally going to be able to choose from any plan available on the exchange, for 2014, the employer will have to select the coverage for everyone. Beginning in 2014, there are two additional changes to employer-provided health coverage that were highlighted on Healthcare.gov's small business page. Insurance companies can no longer deny your business coverage due to the health status or pre-existing conditions of any of your employees or their dependents. They also cannot raise premiums for employees with higherthan-average medical costs or those who are women. These two new rules do not apply, however, to grandfathered plans. Healthcare Tax Credit Employers who fall below the 25-employee mark, with employees making an average of $50,000 a year or less, and provide health insurance to their staff, may be eligible for a small business healthcare tax credit. Beginning this year, small businesses could be reimbursed for as much as 50% of their contributions toward employee premiums. The health coverage must be through the SHOP Marketplace, but there are salary restrictions. Because of the delay of the SHOP exchange, businesses that want to apply for the credit can submit their application when they file their taxes for 2014. As small business owners plan for the future and create a strategy to grow their businesses, employeecount is a key factor to consider. And, due to increasing connections between healthcare coverage requirements and company size, this factor will require even more scrutiny this year and in the years to come. Whether businesses will choose to slow their growth, accept more health coverage responsibilities, or utilize temporary/contract workers who aren't factored into their employee counts remain to be seen. Lisa Hansen owns Express Employment Professionals, 243 S. Main St. in Red Bluff. She can be reached at (530) 527-0727. Installation Saturday Installation Dinner – This Saturday, Jan. 18, is the Corning Chamber of Commerce Annual Installation Dinner at the Veterans Memorial Hall, 1620 Solano St. The dinner is open to all and if you would like to attend, call the Chamber at 824-5550 and we will take your reservation. The cost is $25 per person or $45 per couple. The nohost reception starts at 6 p.m. and the dinner is 7 p.m., prepared by Lin Lima with a choice of tri-tip, pork or chicken. The new officers will be installed. They are President Ronda Haywood, President Elect Christina Meeds and Treasurer Terry Barbo. • 50th Anniversary of Vietnam War - Like many slogans, "Freedom is not free" has become overused and the depth of its meaning has become diluted. Our freedom and the freedoms of many people around the world has been hard fought and won by young Americans. These young men and women readily give up the innocence of youth, if not their very lives, so that those at home can complain about the injustice and horrors of war. None know this better than our veterans who fought in the Vietnam War. Few, if any of these Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines came home to a hero's welcome but many did come home to boos and jeers, insults, and physical abuse by the very people who enjoyed the freedoms for which these veterans were willing to die. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the United States active military involvement in that war. Corning VFW Post 4218, Ladies Auxiliary and American Legion Post 45 are hosting a Veterans Appreciation dinner and dance to commemorate this occasion and honor those men and women who were willing to go in harm's way to protect and defend the ideals on which this country was based. The proceeds from this dinner will go toward the Vietnam Memorial at the California Veterans Cemetery in Igo. The dinner and dance will be 5 p.m. to midnight Jan. 25 at the Corning Veterans Memorial Hall. The cost is $15 per person. The Veterans Hall is at 1620 Solano St. in Corning. For further information contact the Veterans Hall at 8245957 or Roberta Wyman at 824-5609. GM global sales hit 9.7M last year, beats VW DETROIT (AP) — General Motors sold 9.71 million cars and trucks last year, probably not enough to beat out Toyota for the global sales crown, but about 200,000 better than Volkswagen. Toyota, the sales champion in 2012, will report its sales next week. It only needs to show a little growth to beat GM again. GM said Tuesday that sales of light vehicles worldwide grew 4 percent in 2013, led by growth in China and the United Kingdom. The company's sales in China rose 11 percent to set a record. U.S. sales were up 7 percent, slightly below the market's growth of nearly 8 percent. Volkswagen said Monday that it sold 9.5 million light vehicles last year, setting a company record for overall sales. Six costly beneficiary mistakes to avoid If you've ever spent time working through your estate plan with a professional, you know how important it is to update your beneficiaries. Failing to do so can result in costly mistakes – for you and your loved ones. Here are six big mistakes that can easily be avoided with a bit of proactive planning: Mistake #1 – Not naming a beneficiary Ensure you have listed beneficiary designations on all of your retirement accounts. If you don't name a beneficiary and your estate becomes your beneficiary rather than a relative or loved one, your relative can lose their ability to use "stretch" payouts based on their life expectancy. This means that the ability to retain tax-advantaged status for the assets is lost and the Documentary probate process cannot be on to another beneficiary. Mistake #3 – Lacking avoided. Mistake #2 – Not listing specifics in beneficiary designations contingent beneYou may list ficiaries or con"children" as templating disyour beneficiaclaimers ries, but including Your spouse or specific names partner is likely may be more your primary appropriate – beneficiary for especially if most accounts, you're part of a but if he or she blended family. passes away first Many states and no contingent won't include or beneficiaries are recognize listed, it's compaAlan stepchildren rable to having no when the word beneficiary desig"children" is listnation. If you both die at the same time, ed. Another risk of vaguefunds go into probate – a ness is that a family memprocess most families want ber you've lost contact with to avoid. Naming contin- may enter the picture and gent beneficiaries also gives try to claim a piece of your the primary beneficiary the remaining assets. Note that option to execute a qualified listing specific names disclaimer so some assets makes it even more critical can pass to "next-in-line" that beneficiary designabeneficiaries. For example, tions are updated when a primary beneficiary may major life events happen not wish to claim the assets that require names be added because of tax implications, or subtracted. Also consider and prefer instead they pass consulting with a qualified Foley RUNNINGS ROOFING Sheet Metal Roofing Residential Commercial • Composition • Shingle • Single Ply Membrane "No Job Too Steep" " No Job Too Flat" SATURDAY, JANUARY 18 , 7PM TH Tickets available at Sky River, Wink, TC Visitor Center & online at www.statetheatreredbluff.com Tickets: $10 adults • $5 17 & under Serving Tehama County No Money 530-527-5789 530-209-5367 CA. LIC#829089 Down! FREE ESTIMATES Owner is on site on every job "Serving our Community for over 19 years" Gold Exchange 19 Years of Merchandise HUGE Inventory Reduction 50%off All Jewelry Shop Early - Save legal professional, as these circumstances can become complex. Mistake #4 – Failing to Keep Designations Up To Date Beneficiary designations override your will, so it's crucial to keep them up to date. You may need to update your beneficiary designations every few years due to life changes or if beneficiaries have died or your relationship with them has changed. This is particularly applicable if you've gone through a divorce or remarried. If your exspouse inadvertently remains the designated beneficiary of an account, he or she may have the upper hand if the case winds up in court. Mistake #5 – Failing to Keep Beneficiary Designation Forms on File Keep copies of updated beneficiary designation forms on file. In this age of mergers-and-acquisitions, the records of an acquired custodial company can Saigon Bistro Lunch Buffet Wed-Sat 11 - 2:30 DINNER BUFFET Fri-Sat 5pm-8pm Biscuits & Gravy, Meatloaf, Salad Bar, Sushi, Gumbo, Cajun Shrimp, Sandwiches, Fruit Salad and more Wine & Beer - Catering available Mon. 10am-4pm • Tues.-Fri. 10am-5:30pm • Sat.10am-4pm 723 Walnut St. Red Bluff • 528-9670 Alan Foley is a Financial Advisor with Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. in Red Bluff. He specializes in fee-based financial planning and asset management strategies and has been in practice for 22 years. He is at 2150 Main St., Suite 8, Red Bluff, or you may call him at (530) 528-1328. His website is www.ameripriseadvisors.c om/alan.r.foley. Over 25 years of experience STOVE JUNCTION Lunch Express American & International Food complex family situations. Estate planning isn't the most enjoyable part of planning for your financial future, but it is crucial to helping ensure that your assets are handled the way you desire after you no longer have control. Beneficiary designations can be complex and differ depending on your situation. Consider working with a financial advisor who can help you update your beneficiaries on financial accounts and provide financial guidance through major life events. The NEW BUFFET 413 Walnut Street, Red Bluff 530 528-8000 www.redbluffgoldexchange.com www.angelsamongusall.com potentially be lost or destroyed when a new firm assumes ownership. Without a verifiable form to prove beneficiary status, the "default" provision of the plan applies, which typically may be phrased as "spouse first, if living; if not, then the estate." Mistake #6 – Not considering the financial or emotional readiness of beneficiaries The money that designated beneficiaries receive from IRAs or qualified plans is unrestricted in most cases. You can't control who gets what amount of money or when, nor limit how money is used unless restrictions are put in place in advance. One restriction is naming a trust as the beneficiary and drafting terms which stipulate when specific individuals receive their share of the accounts. Trusts are often used in cases where a beneficiary is unable to manage his or her own financial affairs, lacks financial responsibility or in The North State's premier supplier of stoves All makes and models. We perform dealer recommened 30K, 60K, 90K Members Welcome SERVICES AT LOWER PRICES Smog Check $ starting at 95 $ 29 + 8 certificate 25 (MOST CARS & PICK-UPS) 527-9841 • 195 S. Main St. Now Carrying! 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