Financial planning

AIG To Begin Expensing Stock Options: Insurance and financial services concern American International Group Inc. has joined a growing list of Fortune 500 companies that have said they will begin expensing stock options. The company said that it would begin reporting the value of its employee stock options as an expense beginning next year. The company, however, said that it would have a scant impact on earnings, pointing out that had the company expensed options in 2001, it would have reduced its EPS by just 5 cents. In recent weeks, other companies, such as General Electric, Bank One Corp., Coca-Cola Co. and Procter & Gamble Co. have said that they will begin expensing options.

by Bob Rywick

Neuberger Berman To Expense Options: Investment advisory concern Neuberger Berman Inc. said it would expense the cost of all stock options the company grants beginning January 2003.

by Bob Rywick

by Bob Rywick

by Cynthia Harrington

Griffin Becomes Chair-elect of International CFP Council: Ray Griffin, CFP (Australia), was elected as the first international chair-elect and will become the chair of the International CFP Council in 2003 - a joint task force comprised of Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. and International CFP Council.

by Bob Rywick

by Cynthia Harrington

Survey - Women More Active In Investment Decisions And Retirement Planning: Women today are more knowledgeable and confident about investing than ever, according to a recent survey conducted jointly by Money magazine and Oppenheimer Funds.

Massmutual and Rsm Mcgladrey Team for insurance alliance: Accounting, tax and business consulting firm RSM McGladrey and global financial services conglomerate MassMutual, have partnered in an alliance that would provide life insurance solutions to RSM McGladrey clients. Under the terms of the agreement, a network of independent insurance professionals will work with RSM McGladrey wealth management planning teams to provide insurance services via MassMutual’s portfolio of products.

by Cynthia Harrington CFA

By Bob Rywick

by Cynthia Harrington CFA

by Cynthia Harrington

PLANNERS FORECAST IRD AS LOOMING ISSUE: As more than $1 trillion in inheritance money is estimated to change hands over the next decade, some 94 percent of financial planners participating in a survey indicated that income with respect to decedent estate-depletion problems will become a major issue over the next 10 years.

For taxable years ending in 2001 and 2002, the Job Creation and Worker Assistance Act of 2002 extended the carryback period for net operating losses to five years.

SURVEY SAYS INVESTORS have LESS FAITH IN MARKET: Forty-three percent of active, individual investors have less confidence in the stock market in the aftermath of Enron, according to results of a survey conducted by Towers Group, a New York-based communications firm.

by Cynthia Harrington

SOFTWARE REVIEW