"Don Brady" <dbrady[at]pobox.com> wrote in message
news:fe46t0d167f6jnjjs8f8ar442616fmfcmq[at]4ax.com...
- quote -

And the computation could be wrong. I'd pay for the expertise, but I've been
doing this for a while and I don't like being caught with my pants down
because I was a piker when it comes to paying well justified fees.

There was a time, albeit a brief one, where I was bit by the "fee" bug --
seeking to nickel and dime every fee I could. Then I saw what happens when
the low cost provider is the only thing between my client and a massive tax
due to human error. Fortunately, nobody was hurt and I re-learned a lesson I
should not have forgotten.

Today, I only recommend the better estate planning attorneys, the better
accountants, and the better actuaries, when it comes to my clients. The toll
is always higher, but the value is always greatly in excess of the extra
consideration. I let my lessor competitors deal with those who compete on
price.

TANSTAAFL

Brent D. Gardner, ChFC
Chartered Financial Consultant
http://members.cox.net/brentdgardner1378/
http://www.topgunproducers.com/
http://forum.topgunproducers.com/

Si vis pacem para bellum!

"Be ever questioning. Ignorance is not bliss. It is oblivion. You don't go
to heaven if you die dumb. Become better informed. Learn from other's
mistakes. You could not live long enough to make them all yourself." - Hyman
George Rickover (1900-86), Admiral, US Navy, advocated development of
nuclear subs & ships

The Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) and Chartered Financial Consultant
(ChFC), designations owned and exclusively offered by The American College,
signify the highest standards of academic study and professional excellence
in the financial services industry.

On Wed, 29 Dec 2004 04:06:10 CST, "Brent D. Gardner, ChFC" <bgardner20[at]cox.netwrote:
- quote -


I am sure that they can do a lot but if I use a pre-approved Fidelity plan
document, I tihnk all I really need from the Enrolled Actuary is a computation
that can be done in a few minutes.

I could be wrong......

"Don Brady" <dbrady[at]pobox.com> wrote in message
news:l5q3t05q61p6i67m61g5mnej872gnnurud[at]4ax.com...
- quote -

Do you know what an EA actually does? One can be penny wise and pound
foolish in this area.

Like the legal and accounting professions, one tends to get what one pays
for when it comes to EAs.

Brent D. Gardner, ChFC
Chartered Financial Consultant
http://members.cox.net/brentdgardner1378/
http://www.topgunproducers.com/
http://forum.topgunproducers.com/

Si vis pacem para bellum!

"Be ever questioning. Ignorance is not bliss. It is oblivion. You don't go
to heaven if you die dumb. Become better informed. Learn from other's
mistakes. You could not live long enough to make them all yourself." - Hyman
George Rickover (1900-86), Admiral, US Navy, advocated development of
nuclear subs & ships

The Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) and Chartered Financial Consultant
(ChFC), designations owned and exclusively offered by The American College,
signify the highest standards of academic study and professional excellence
in the financial services industry.

A one-person C-Corp with Feb. 28 year-end needs an additional $20,000 or
$30,000 annual deduction.

A Fidelity one-person 401(k) with maxed contribution of 25% salary deferral
plus catchup is already in place, but additional deduction is needed..

One possibility is a Defined Benefit plan. Schwab has one for $750 a year
(including actuarial fees for Schedule B of form 5500). Fidelity hasa free DB
Plan but you have to find your own enrolled actuary. Does anyone know of an
enrolled actuary whose fees would be lower than $750 a year (Schwab's fee).
Those I have found are higher than that. Where can I look? I have searched
the web and yellow pages but most fees are over $1500 a year.

Alternatively, what would be another good tax strategy to get a $20,000 or
$30,000 deduction? Oil and gas? Rental Housing tax shelter?

Thanks!