ARTICLES FROM ALUMNAE EXPERTS

Excerpts:

ESTATE PLANNING FOR NONTRADITIONAL FAMILIES
Barbara A. Simanek '73

Planning for the nontraditional family is more complex than for married couples, and estate tax planning for unmarried partners is even more challenging because unmarried couples do not have the benefit of the unlimited marital deduction. More...

Bill and Melinda Gates, America's most generous donors, have given away over twenty three billion dollars, more than half of their net worth. The founders of Intel, the founders of Dell Computers, Ted Turner, New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Joan Kroc and Sanford Weill are all heavy givers too. Now you may say: "Easy for them. They can give away a fortune and still have more than enough not only to do whatever they want for their rest of their lives, but to be sure their children and grandchildren and great-grandchildren are protected as well." More...

YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH YOUR FINANCIAL ADVISOR
Ellie Wotherspoon '77
Vice President, Private Client Group
First Union Securities

In the go-go years of the technology boom, many people decided it was easy to manage their own money. Just buy growth stocks, including some big tech names, and you couldn't lose—or so people thought. Discount brokers and online trading were the way to go. As we were all reminded in 2000, however, investing carries significant risks. I believe the experience of the last year in the stock market will prove to be a great lesson for us all. It has already brought us back to our senses when it comes to investing wisely for the long term. It has also made many people realize they would rather work with a financial advisor than try to go it alone. More...

PHILANTHROPY—A "WIN-WIN" OPPORTUNITY FOR PRUDENT INVESTORS
Harriet Madoff '77
Financial Advisor, Private Client Group
Merrill Lynch

Philanthropy takes many forms—from the sharing of your precious time and talents to the establishment of sophisticated charitable trusts. When supporting Smith College and other worthy non-profits financially, please consider the following:

Contributions of Cash
The most common charitable gifts are made via check...

Contributions of Appreciated Stocks or Property
Gifts of highly appreciated stocks or mutual fund shares may be a more practical way to support your favorite charities without depleting your cash reserves...

Charitable Trusts and other Life Income Gifts
To retain a stream of income from a gift, charitable gift annuities, pooled income funds and charitable trusts are a tax-advantaged manner in which to achieve mutual benefits for you and your charities... More...