Posted by Jenifer Loon

Nathan Faith: Ways to Minimize Your Mortgage with Uncle Sam

Jon Melander introduced our guest speaker, Nathan Faith, who is a financial planner at Boulay in Eden Prairie. Using a clever illustration similar to The Price is Right’s cliffhanger game, Nathan walked the club through the changes recently made in the income tax structure at the federal level, and how these changes can affect your retirement income. The rates were reduced, and the alternative minimum tax (AMT) was eliminated, effective for tax year 2018, but the old rates and structure returns in 2025.
 
 
Through careful planning, you can “vaccinate” your earnings to reduce your tax liability when drawing down retirement savings. Nathan went on to explain the types of funds that are always taxed—savings, checking and brokerage accounts; not taxed until withdrawn—401(k) and IRA’s; and never again taxed—Roth IRA and Roth 401(k). Changes made to Social Security allow your benefits to be taxed above certain income levels, and Medicare now has a means test for the annual costs paid by beneficiaries. Nathan provided an example of a retired couple, aged 60, with over $4 million in assets, and $100,000 per year living expenses. A good tax strategy that takes into account the new tax reform changes, showing you which funds to access and when, can save retired persons thousands of dollars in tax liability.
 

 

Announcements

  • Clementine and Ricky, our RYE students, each enjoyed the Homecoming festivities at EPHS. The club enjoyed photos of Ricky with Kevin Kraemer’s daughter and with a fellow exchange student from Italy.
  • Ricky is having an amazing season as the kicker for the EPHS junior varsity football team, successfully scoring on 14 of 16 kicks. Members are encouraged to attend an upcoming game to cheer Ricky and the Eagles on to victory!
  • Jeff Jiang, a visiting prospective member, turned in his paperwork to become a new member of the EP A.M. Rotary Club.
  • Debjyoti Dwivedy attended today’s meeting as a prospective member and guest of Jenifer Loon. “DD,” as he is known, works for a local information technology company, is a reservist in the U.S. Army, and is a current candidate for Eden Prairie School Board.
  • Next Women in Rotary event will be held Wednesday, October 9th from 5:30 to 7:30 at Holly Link’s home.
  • Aaron Casper reminded club members to continue their pledges for our “Be the Bridge” campaign and donate to our EP AM Rotary Foundation.
  • Roger Jorgensen is continuing to strengthen relationships with local businesses to become sponsors. He is waiting to hear back from Scheels on their level of support, but indicated there could be a possibility of engaging their employees to help with some of our community activities.
  • Bev Aho announced there would be a meeting this morning right after we adjourn to begin planning our new Wellness winter fundraising event. Please stay after and join the group if you would like to help.
  • President John announced that Mo would like to transition out of the club administrator position. If anyone is interested, please email John Crudele.
 

Happy Fines

  • Jane McGinty acknowledged Mo’s outstanding work for the club, acting as the “glue” holding us together through several presidents and a transition from meeting at Biaggi’s to Bearpath over the past few years.
  • John Goergen was happy to be able to tell the story of surviving a harrowing flight to Chicago recently in a lightening storm—an experience he hopes never to repeat.
  • Roger Jorgensen has a new title—Grandpa! Congratulations on the birth of grandson, Miles.
  • Mark Frieberg’s son had a medical scare and ended up in emergency surgery, but thankfully is doing well.
  • Also, Mark and Patty are celebrating 48 years of marriage—congratulations!
  • Brad Aho announced that he will be completing 16 years on the Eden Prairie City Council in 2020, and is ready for a new challenge. He has decided to run for the Hennepin County Commissioner position for District 6.  Current Commissioner Jan Callison is not seeking re-election.
 

Visitors

Ricky Artiero - RYE Student
Debebjyoti Dwivedy - Prospective Member
Jeff Jiang - Prospective Member
Mrinalni Iyer and Nicki Kunz - Student Interns