Clear View Wealth Advisors, LLCSteve Stanganelli, CFP®, CRPC®, AEP®Financial PlannerMeetings by Appointment100 Main Street, Suite 13Amesbury, MA 01913978-388-0020617-398-7494steve@clearviewwealthadvisors.comwww.ClearViewWealthAdvisors.com

December 2016

The Giving Season: Six Tips for Making Smart andEffective Charitable Donations This Holiday Season

What It Means to Be a Financial Caregiver for YourParents

What should I evaluate when considering a new joboffer?

I received a new job offer but the salary is low.Should I make a counteroffer?

Smart Money InsightsHelping Families Make Smarter Money Choices

Playing Catch-Up with Your 401(k) or IRA

See disclaimer on final page

A recent survey of babyboomers (ages 53 to 69)found that just 24% wereconfident they wouldhave enough money tolast throughoutretirement. Forty-fivepercent had noretirement savings at all,and of those who did

have savings, 42% had saved less than$100,000.1

Your own savings may be on more solidground, but regardless of your current balance,it's smart to keep it growing. If you're 50 orolder, you could benefit by making catch-upcontributions to tax-advantaged retirementaccounts. You might be surprised by how muchyour nest egg could grow late in your workingcareer.

Contribution limitsThe federal contribution limit in 2016 and 2017for all IRAs combined is $5,500, plus a $1,000catch-up contribution for those 50 and older, fora total of $6,500. An extra $1,000 might notseem like much, but it could make a bigdifference by the time you're ready to retire (seetable). You have until the April 18, 2017, taxfiling deadline to make IRA contributions for2016. The sooner you contribute, the more timethe funds will have to pursue potential growth.

The deferral limit in 2016 and 2017 foremployer-sponsored retirement plans such as401(k), 403(b), and most 457(b) plans is$18,000, plus a $6,000 catch-up contribution forworkers 50 and older, for a total of $24,000.However, some employer-sponsored plans mayhave maximums that are lower than the federalcontribution limit. Unlike the case with IRAs,contributions to employer-sponsored plansmust be made by the end of the calendar year,so be sure to adjust your contributions earlyenough in the year to take full advantage of thecatch-up opportunity.

The following table shows the amount that a50-year-old might accrue by age 65 or 70,based on making maximum annualcontributions (at current rates) to an IRA or a401(k) plan:

Potential Savings a50-Year-Old CouldAccumulate

WithoutCatch-Up

WithCatch-Up

IRA By Age 65 $128,018 $151,294

By Age 70 $202,321 $239,106

401(k) By Age 65 $418,697 $558,623

By Age 70 $662,141 $882,854

Example assumes a 6% average annual return.This hypothetical example of mathematicalcompounding is used for illustrative purposesonly and does not represent any specificinvestment. It assumes contributions are madeat end of the calendar year. Rates of returnvary over time, particularly for long-terminvestments. Fees and expenses are notconsidered and would reduce the performanceshown if they were included. Actual results willvary.

Special 403(b) and 457(b) plan rules403(b) and 457(b) plans can (but aren'trequired to) provide their own special catch-upopportunities. The 403(b) special rule, availableto participants with at least 15 years of service,may permit an additional $3,000 annual deferralfor up to five years (certain additional limitsapply). A participant can use this special ruleand the age 50 catch-up rule in the same year.Therefore, a participant eligible for both couldcontribute up to $27,000 to his or her 403(b)plan account (the $18,000 regular deferral limit,plus the $3,000 special catch-up, plus the$6,000 age 50 catch-up).

The 457(b) plan special rule allows participantswho have not deferred the maximum amount inprior years to contribute up to twice the normaldeferral limit (that is, up to $36,000 in 2016 and2017) in the three years prior to reaching theplan's normal retirement age. (However, theseadditional catch-up contributions can't exceedthe total of the prior years' unused deferrals.)457(b) participants who elect to use this specialcatch-up rule cannot also use the age 50catch-up rule in the same year.1 "Boomer Expectations for Retirement 2016,"Insured Retirement Institute.

Page 1 of 4

The Giving Season: Six Tips for Making Smart and EffectiveCharitable Donations This Holiday SeasonThe holidays are a popular time for charitabledonations. With so many charities to choosefrom, it's more important than ever to ensurethat your donation is well spent. Here are sixtips that can help you make smart and effectivecharitable donations.

1. Choose your charities wiselyChoosing worthy organizations that support thecauses you care about can be tricky, but itdoesn't have to be time-consuming. There areseveral well-known organizations that rate andreview charities, as well as provide useful tipsand information on how to donate and choose acharity (see sidebar). To get started, here aresome things to consider:

• How the charity plans to use your gift.Contact the charity by phone or go online tofind information about the charity's mission,accomplishments, financial status, and futuregrowth.

• How much the charity spends onadministrative costs. If a charity hashigher-than-average administrative costs, itmay be spending less on programs andservices than it should. This could also be asign that the charity is in serious financialtrouble. In addition, if a charity uses for-profittelemarketers, then it may get very little of themoney it raises, so ask how much of yourdonation the charity will actually receive.

• The legitimacy of the charity. Take the time tocheck out the charity before you donate. Askfor identification when approached by asolicitor, and never give out your SocialSecurity number, credit-card number, bankaccount number, account password, orpersonal information over the phone or inresponse to an email you didn't initiate.

• How much you can afford to give to thecharity. Stick to your giving goals and onlygive what you can afford. Legitimatefundraisers will not try to pressure you andwill be happy to send information that canhelp you make an informed decisionregarding your donation.

2. Maximize your donation through amatching giftIf your employer offers a program that matchescharitable gifts made by employees, you canmaximize your charitable donations. Somematching gift programs may have specificguidelines — for example, they may only match agift up to a certain dollar limit, and the charitymay need to provide additional information.

3. Make automatic donationsIf you're looking for an easy way to donateregularly to a favorite charity, consider makingautomatic donations from a financial account.Automatic donations can benefit charities bypotentially lowering fundraising costs and byestablishing a foundation of regular donors.You'll also benefit, since spreading yourdonations throughout the year may enable youto give more and simplify your record keeping.

4. Look for alternatives to cashdonationsAlthough cash donations are always welcome,charities also encourage other types of gifts.For example, if you meet certain requirements,you may be able to give stock, direct gifts fromyour IRA, real estate, or personal property.Keep in mind that you'll want to check with yourfinancial professional to assess potentialincome and estate tax consequences based onyour individual circumstances. Otheralternatives to cash donations includevolunteering your time and using your talents toimprove the lives of others in your community.

5. Consider estate planning strategieswhen giftingAnother option is to utilize estate planning tomake a charitable gift. For example, you mightleave a bequest in your will; give life insurance;or use a charitable gift annuity, charitableremainder annuity trust, or charitable unitrustthat may help you give away the asset now,while retaining a lifetime interest. Check withyour financial or tax professional regarding anypotential estate or tax benefits orconsequences before making this type of gift.

6. Remember the importance of recordkeepingIf you itemize when you file your taxes, you candeduct donations you've made to a tax-qualifiedcharity — however, you must provide properdocumentation of your donation to the IRS.Keep copies of cancelled checks, bankstatements, credit-card statements, or receiptsshowing the charity's name, date of yourdonation, and contribution amount. Fordonations or contributions of $250 or more,you'll need a detailed written acknowledgmentfrom the charity. For more information and a listof specific record-keeping requirements, seeIRS Publication 526, Charitable Contributions.

Many charitableorganizations allow you todonate online, by text, orthrough social networkingsites.

The following organizationsand agencies publishreports and charity ratings,and/or give useful tips andinformation to consumerson how to donate andchoose a charity:

• Better Business Bureau'sBBB Wise Giving Alliance,bbb.org

• Charity Navigator,charitynavigator.org

• CharityWatch,charitywatch.org

• Federal TradeCommission, ftc.gov

Page 2 of 4, see disclaimer on final page

What It Means to Be a Financial Caregiver for Your ParentsIf you are the adult child of aging parents, youmay find yourself in the position of somedayhaving to assist them with handling theirfinances. Whether that time is in the near futureor sometime further down the road, there aresome steps you can take now to make theprocess a bit easier.

Mom and Dad, can we talk?Your first step should be to get a handle onyour parents' finances so you fully understandtheir current financial situation. The best time todo so is when your parents are relativelyhealthy and active. Otherwise, you may findyourself making critical decisions on their behalfin the midst of a crisis.

You can start by asking them some basicquestions:

• What financial institutions hold their assets(e.g., bank, brokerage, and retirementaccounts)?

• Do they work with any financial, legal, or taxadvisors? If so, how often do they meet withthem?

• Do they need help paying monthly bills orassistance reviewing items like credit-cardstatements, medical receipts, or property taxbills?

Make sure your parents have thenecessary legal documentsIn order to help your parents manage theirfinances in the future, you'll need the legalauthority to do so. This requires a durablepower of attorney, which is a legal documentthat allows a named individual (such as anadult child) to manage all aspects of a person'sfinancial life if he or she becomes disabled orincompetent. A durable power of attorney willallow you to handle day-to-day finances foryour parents, such as signing checks, payingbills, and making financial decisions for them.

In addition to a durable power of attorney, you'llwant to make sure that your parents have anadvance health-care directive, also known as ahealth-care power of attorney or health-careproxy. An advance health-care directive willallow you to make medical decisions accordingto their wishes (e.g., life-support measures andwho will communicate with health-careprofessionals on their behalf).

You'll also want to find out if your parents havea will. If so, find out where it's located and whois named as personal representative orexecutor. If the will was drafted a long time ago,your parents may want to review it to makesure their current wishes are represented. Youshould also ask if they made any dispositions or

gifts of specific personal property (e.g., a familyheirloom to be given to a specific individual).

Prepare a personal data recordOnce you've opened the lines ofcommunication, your next step is to prepare apersonal data record that lists information youmight need in the event that your parentsbecome incapacitated or die. Here's someinformation that should be included:

• Financial information: Bank, brokerage, andretirement accounts (including accountnumbers and online user names andpasswords, if applicable); real estate holdings

• Legal information: Wills, durable powers ofattorney, advance health-care directives

• Medical information: Health-care providers,medication, medical history

• Insurance information: Policy numbers,company names

• Advisor information: Names and phonenumbers of any professional serviceproviders

• Location of other important records: SocialSecurity cards, home and vehicle records,outstanding loan documents, past tax returns

• Funeral and burial plans: Prepaymentinformation, final wishes

If your parents keep some or all of these itemsin a safe-deposit box or home safe, make sureyou can gain access. It's also a good idea tomake copies of all the documents you'vegathered and keep them in a safe place. This isespecially important if you live far away,because you'll want the information readilyavailable in the event of an emergency.

Don't be afraid to get support and askfor adviceIf you're feeling overwhelmed with the task ofhandling your parents' finances, don't be afraidto seek out support and advice. A variety oflocal and national organizations are designed toassist caregivers. If your parents' needs aresignificant enough, you may want to considerhiring a geriatric care manager who can helpyou oversee your parents' care and direct youto the right community resources. Finally,consider discussing the specifics of yoursituation with a professional, such as an estateplanning attorney, accountant, and/or financialadvisor.

A large majority ofcaregivers provide care fora relative (85%), with 49%caring for a parent orparent-in-law.

Source: Caregiving in theU.S. 2015, National Alliancefor Caregiving

Page 3 of 4, see disclaimer on final page

Clear View Wealth Advisors,LLCSteve Stanganelli, CFP®, CRPC®,AEP®Financial PlannerMeetings by Appointment100 Main Street, Suite 13Amesbury, MA 01913978-388-0020617-398-7494steve@clearviewwealthadvisors.comwww.ClearViewWealthAdvisors.com

Prepared by Broadridge Investor Communication Solutions, Inc. Copyright 2016

IMPORTANT DISCLOSURES

Fee-for-service/Fee-Only financialplanning and investment advisory servicesare offered by Clear View WealthAdvisors, LLC, a state-registeredinvestment adviser. Clear View isregistered to provide investment advisoryservices to residents of Massachusetts,New Hampshire and other states where itis either registered or legally permitted.

Broadridge Investor CommunicationSolutions, Inc. does not provideinvestment, tax, or legal advice. Theinformation presented here is not specificto any individual's personal circumstances.

To the extent that this material concernstax matters, it is not intended or written tobe used, and cannot be used, by ataxpayer for the purpose of avoidingpenalties that may be imposed by law.Each taxpayer should seek independentadvice from a tax professional based onhis or her individual circumstances.

These materials are provided for generalinformation and educational purposesbased upon publicly available informationfrom sources believed to be reliable. Wecannot assure the accuracy orcompleteness of these materials. Theinformation in these materials may changeat any time and without notice.

I received a new job offer but the salary is low. Should Imake a counteroffer?Probably. Getting paid lessthan you should when startinga new job can affect not onlyyour current paycheck but also

your long-term asset accumulation. Forexample, the less money you earn, the less youhave available to contribute to your retirementplan, and potentially the lower the amount ofmatching employer contributions you'll receive ifthey are offered.

In addition, because your current salary istypically the benchmark for future pay increasesand bonuses (which are often expressed as apercentage of your salary), the effect of a paygap is cumulative. Unless corrected, paydisparities may widen over the course of yourcareer. For example, a low starting salary at job#1 could serve as a benchmark for your salaryat job #2, which could serve as a benchmark foryour salary at job #3, and so on.

To determine whether the salary offer iscompetitive, research and compare salariesbased on industry or company standards. Youcan look at salary-related websites to get anidea of a typical salary range for someone inthe same occupation, in your geographical

location, with your education, experience, andskills.

If the salary offer is low, go back to thecompany and articulate your strengths. Whatskills and qualities will you bring to the table?State the amount of money you want. Make itclear that if the company accepts your terms,you are willing and able to accept its offerimmediately.

What happens next? There are three possiblescenarios. First, the company might acceptyour counteroffer. Second, it may reject yourcounteroffer, either because company policydoes not allow negotiation or the company isunwilling to move from its original offer. If so,you'll have to decide whether to accept theoriginal offer. Third, the company may makeyou a second offer, typically a compromisebetween its first offer and your counteroffer.Again, the ball is back in your court. If you needtime to evaluate the latest offer, ask for a day ortwo to think about it. If the company isn't able orwilling to give you more money, it might be ableto offer you job flexibility, such astelecommuting or flex scheduling, that mightmake up for the lack of a salary increase.

What should I evaluate when considering a new joboffer?Today, few people stay withone employer until retirement.Instead, it's likely that at somepoint during your career, you'll

be searching for a new job. You may be lookingfor more money, greater career opportunities,or more flexibility. Or you may be forced to lookfor new employment if your companyrestructures. Whatever the reason, at somepoint in your working life you might be facedwith a new job offer. Should you take it? Hereare some things to evaluate.

Salary: How does the salary offer stack upagainst your previous job? If the offer is lessthan you expected, find out when you canexpect performance reviews and/or payincreases (a typical company will review yoursalary at least annually). You can compare yoursalary offer to the salary range for othersworking in the same industry by looking atsalary-related websites. In addition, considerthe availability of bonuses, commissions, and/orprofit-sharing plans that can increase your totalincome, and find out whether they're dependenton your own job performance, the company'sperformance, or a combination of both.

Employee benefits: What benefits does thecompany offer, and how much of the cost willyou bear as an employee? A good employeebenefits package can add the equivalent ofthousands of dollars to your base pay. Benefitsmay include a retirement plan (hopefully withemployer matching contributions); health,dental, and vision insurance; disability, life, andlong-term care insurance; vacation time andsick leave; flexible spending accounts for healthand dependent care expenses; tuitionreimbursement; student loan assistance;child-care programs; transit programs;counseling services; pet insurance; and othermiscellaneous benefits.

Personal and professional consequences:Will you be better off financially if you take thejob? Is there schedule flexibility? Will you needto work a lot of overtime? Travel extensively?Consider any related costs of taking the job,such as transportation and day care. Also takea close look at the company's workenvironment and culture. You may be getting agood salary and great benefits, but if the workenvironment doesn't suit you, you may want tothink twice.

Page 4 of 4