Who Makes Up American Investment Planners LLC?

American Investment Planners LLC

500 North Broadway, Suite 260, Jericho, NY 11753

(516) 932-5130 / (866) 932-5130

Led by Lee Rosenberg, CFP, American Investment Planners LLC has been providing comprehensive financial planning services to generations of families since 1984. We believe that the ultimate test of a financial plan is the legacy you can pass on to your family and favorite charities, and as such, we are deeply committed to helping individuals all over the country prepare for things like the birth of a child and retirement, as well as assisting with financial duties such as filing taxes! 

Since a business is nothing without its employees, we've taken the past year to introduce each of our professionals individually. In case you've missed out on any, below, we've brought together each of our team members so you can learn more about them and their contribution to our firm - just click on their name!

Lee Rosenberg: Lee Rosenberg is our Founder and President! His resume includes over 30 years of experience as an investment advisor and industry leader, and he's even been named one of America's top 100 independent advisors by Registered Representative magazine for the past 5 years!

Barbara Magor Deel: Barbara Magor Deel is our Vice President of Financial Planning! Joining our team over 20 years ago, Barbara has grown with both our firm and her clients and has done an incredible job - we've even had the pleasure of working with her sons as interns!

Steven Hoffman: Steven Hoffman is our Vice President of Investment Services! He joined the American Investment Planners LLC team over 15 years ago and has over 35 years of experience working in securities, annuities, insurance, retirement and estate planning.

John L'Abbate: John L'Abbate is our Director of Tax Planning! He worked for several accounting firms, a non profit organization and a tax shelter syndicator before joining our firm full time in 1983!

Brett Goldstein: Brett Goldstein is our Director of Retirement Planning! At American Investment Planners LLC, he works with individuals on retirement planning and works with businesses on employee benefits. He is even a nationally known author, speaker and media personality!

Brian Amato: Brian Amato is our Senior Investment Advisor! His financial planning career began in 1999 when he started working for Morgan Stanely, and just one year later he joined our team! A cool fun fact for you? Brian is a U.S Coast Guard certified captain!

Karen Hurlbert: Karen Hurlbert is the Client Services Assistant for Brian Amato! She has been a part of the insurance and securities industry for over 20 years, and officially joined our team in 2013 to help oversee Brian Amato's clients.

Craig Bergen: Craig Bergen is our Manager of Tax and Financial Planning! Craig first came on board with Lee Rosenberg in 1998 as a tax preparer, and since then has become a Series 7 securities representative and has completed the Certified Financial Planning program at CW Post!

Jessica Bach: Jessica Bach handles Wealth Management Services for us! She started working for Lee Rosenberg in 1999 as a Client Services Manager, and in 2011, she stepped into this new role and began working with clients on asset managed accounts!

Nicole Nugent: Nicole Nugent is our Assistant Financial Representative and Office Manager! She first began with us in 2009 to assist with managing our accounting needs, and since then, she's expanded in her role to also help with office management duties!

Christine Whiteman: Christine Whiteman is our Marketing Director and is in charge of Client Communications! In 2004 she started with us as a part time receptionist, but she quickly began to assist clients with account questions and eventually took on more responsibilities in our firm. Today, she helps with marketing campaigns, assists with client services and coordinates all client events/seminars!

Debra Hubschmitt: Debra Hubschmitt is our Front End Manager! A member of our team for over 20 years, Debbie is the first face clients see when they walk into our office. Along with welcoming our clients, she also works with our company's advisors to maintain their calendars and schedules!

Marguerite Maldari: Marguerite Maldari is our Client Services Manager! One of her main responsibilities is to oversee the relationship between our clients and Cadaret, Grant & Company, Inc. She also assists our clients to oversee their accounts, handle trades, process annuity applications and more!

Lorraine Basile: Lorraine Basile works for our firm in Client Services! She's been with us since 2012 and has proven her innate ability to be a huge team player. Her main duties include preparing financial reports for client meetings and for managing quarterly mail outs of financial reports for clients.

Danette Gramegna: Danette Gramegna is a part of our Client Services team! Her career in the financial planning industry began when she started working for Merrill Lynch as a fill in for an employee who was out on maternity leave, and later joined our firm in February of 2007!

THANK YOU to all of our amazing employees for making our business the best it can be!

To personally speak with a member of our team and learn how we can help you next, please give us a call at (516) 932-5130 today. More information is also available at www.americaninvestmentplanners.com.

All You Need To Know About Tax Extensions

American Investment Planners LLC

500 North Broadway, Suite 260, Jericho, NY 11753

(516) 932-5130 / (866) 932-5130

For those who were unable to complete their tax returns by this year's April 18th or 19th deadline, the IRS offers what is known as a tax extension to provide additional filing time. However, in order to be granted a tax extension, taxpayers must submit a request for one prior to the original deadline - once approved, this will open up an additional 6 month window for filing.

If there ever comes a time where you need to file for a tax extension, here are a few important things you should know:

1. Tax extensions grant extra time to file, not extra time to pay any taxes that are due. As you submit Form 4868 to request an extension, you'll need to also submit payment for taxes that are owed (if applicable) so that you don't wind up paying more in the future.
2. You can get a tax extension in one of three ways: 1) You can e-file Tax Form 4868, 2) You can mail the IRS a hard copy of Tax Form 4868, or 3) You can pay either all or part of what you expect you will owe using the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System. Before you proceed, just be sure to read through Tax Form 4868 in its entirety so that there are no surprises about what the extension entails.
3. Since you are still expected to pay your taxes by the deadline, you will have to estimate how much you owe at the time of filing. Should the IRS feel that you did not make an effort to do so after reviewing your request, there is a chance that they will not grant you an extension.

Life is filled with unexpected circumstances, so if you do ever have the need to file for a tax extension, there is no need to worry so long as you have a good understanding of how they can help! To learn more about tax extensions, please contact the American Investment Planners LLC tax planning team at (516) 932-5130.

What To Do When You Miss The Tax Deadline

American Investment Planners LLC

500 North Broadway, Suite 260, Jericho, NY 11753

(516) 932-5130 / (866) 932-5130

Although you might feel that with all of the reminders it would be difficult for anyone to miss the tax deadline, the truth is that many people do miss it each and every year. And yes, although filing late can result in some penalties, we're here to calm some of the stress you may be feeling to let you know that you still have options if the deadline has been missed:

1. File ASAP: The sooner you can file your tax return and pay (if you owe), the better. If you do wind up having taxes to pay, the less you delay, the less you may be charged in interest and in penalties.
2. Apply for an extension: If you require more time to prepare your tax return, consider applying for a tax extension. Although doing so will not give you any longer to pay what you owe, it may give you piece of mind knowing that you have some extra time to get your tax return ready.
3. Pay what you can: A common reason people struggle with the tax deadline is that they owe taxes, but can't afford to pay them all at once. When this is the case, make it a priority to pay as much as you can, as soon as you can. While you will likely still be responsible for penalty and interest charges, if you pay as much as you are comfortable paying right off the bat, it may make those penalty and interest charges not as high.
4. Ask for an installment agreement: The IRS offers something called an installment agreement for qualifying individuals who require more time to pay their taxes. To apply, start by checking out the IRS Online Payment Agreement Tool - you'll need your name, an email address, physical address, date of birth, filing status and your social security number.

Should you be owed a refund from the IRS, your best bet is to follow tip number one and file as soon as possible so that you get your refund without too much of a delay. Remember, if you do not file within three years, the refund you are entitled to may no longer be up for grabs.

At American Investment Planners LLC, we have a strong team of financial planners with experience in taxes and tax planning that are ready to help you if you have a concern about missing the tax deadline. To speak with one of our financial advisors, please give us a call at (516) 932-5130 or email info@americaninvestmentplanners.com today.

When Can You Expect Your Tax Refund?

American Investment Planners LLC

500 North Broadway, Suite 260, Jericho, NY 11753

(516) 932-5130 / (866) 932-5130

If you've only filed your tax return recently and were given the good news that you'll be getting a refund, we bet the next thought on your mind is, "when can I expect it?" While unfortunately we can't say you'll receive your refund immediately, the good news is that as long as everything goes smoothly, you can expect to see it soon! 

According to the IRS, most refunds are issued in less than 21 calendar days. That means at the most, you should really only have to wait about three weeks! The IRS even offers a tool called Where's My Refund? that allows you to track the status of your return and see your expected refund date. 

Is there a way to get your refund sooner than the IRS anticipates?

A frequently asked question about tax refunds is centered on calling the IRS to speed up the process. Unfortunately, calling the IRS to inquire about your refund will not help you get it any faster, so you'll need to sit tight! Unless your tax return requires further examination or processing, the "less than 21 calendar days" guideline is your safest bet to follow. However, don't forget to consider how long it takes for your bank to process direct deposits or how long it takes for you to receive your mail, as both of these can certainly impact how long it is before your refund is available for use.

Reasons why you won't see your refund in 21 days or less.

The IRS explains that the following circumstances may cause your refund to be delayed:

1. There are errors with your return.
2. Your return is incomplete.
3. Further review is required.
4. Identity theft or fraud has been noted.
5. You submitted Form 8379, Injured Spouse Allocation.

Should any of the above apply to you, the IRS will contact you via mail to discuss the need for further information.

If you have additional questions about tax refunds or have a concern about this year's tax return, please do not hesitate to contact the team here at American Investment Planners LLC at (516) 932-5130.

Meet Lee Rosenberg: President of American Investment Planners LLC

American Investment Planners LLC

500 North Broadway, Suite 260, Jericho, NY 11753

(516) 932-5130 / (866) 932-5130

 

At American Investment Planners LLC, we work as a cohesive unit to develop and deliver the most beneficial solutions to each of our clients. We pride ourselves on the fact that our firm is built on a group effort, and since it is so, we invite you to become a part of our team by getting to know each of our professionals individually. Today, we would like to feature Lee Rosenberg, CFP, President of American Investment Planners LLC!

Founder and President of our financial planning firm, Lee's resume includes over 30 years of experience as an investment advisor and industry leader. He has been named one of America's top 100 independent advisors by Registered Representative magazine for the past 5 years, and has also been recognized as one of the 200 best financial advisors in the country by Worth magazine.

Prior to founding American Investment Planners LLC, Lee helped co-found the Long Island chapter of the Institute of Financial Planners in the 80s. His reasoning for this? He realized that there was a need for a strong team of investment advisors who could help educate the public on how to preserve their assets and create wealth for themselves. Although people could turn to the banks, brokerage houses and insurance companies for help, he explains that these large institutions "mostly offered products, not strategic solutions." Today, he leads a firm that offers only the most strategic solutions for clients in areas such as retirement planning, estate planning, tax planning and investment management.

But Lee's success doesn't stop after he finalizes a plan for one of the firm's clients - he is also a nationally known author and lecturer who has been quoted in major publications such as The Wall Street Journal, Newsday and The New York Times. Furthermore, he has made appearances on The Today Show, NBC Nightly News, CNBC and Oprah. And even though he has had so much success in his career, Lee remains committed to one very important thing - a principal that makes American Investment Planners LLC different from the rest: 

"We still know all of our clients and their families, their circumstances, their goals, even how they like their coffee. That is how it has always been and will continue to be. It is our heartfelt promise."

On behalf of all of the staff here at American Investment Planners LLC, we'd like to send a big thank you to Lee for all of his hard work and dedication to our firm. Without him, we would not be where we are today, and we are so grateful to have such a tremendous leader guiding us each and every day.

For more information about Lee, please check out his employee bio on our website. Additionally, if you have questions or concerns about your financial planning needs and would like to speak with Lee personally, please send an email to lee@americaninvestmentplanners.com or give us a call at (516) 932-5130.

The Trouble With Timing The Market

American Investment Planners LLC

500 North Broadway, Suite 260, Jericho, NY 11753

(516) 932-5130 / (866) 932-5130

It's important to keep up with trends in a number of situations, but where the market is concerned, this doesn't necessarily hold true. While yes, it's natural to try to repeat history or want to adjust your portfolio because you suspect that the market will be at a high during a certain month or two, the truth is that trying to time the market can actually be extremely detrimental to your long-term goals.

An article from CNBC is quoted as saying the following:

"Trying to time the peak in any market cycle is no easier than trying to time the trough. Markets can behave in seemingly irrational ways, and these moves can last for long periods of time."

Since no one can predict external circumstances that heavily impact the market, it would be pretty difficult to pin point an exact period of time when the market will be at a high or a low. 

So what can you do? A suggestion from the Huffington Post is to use a strategy called "time in the market." Put simply, this refers to spending more time in the market and not taking yourself out of it just because it experiences a low every now and then. Of course we all have our short-term goals, but when it comes to investing, a better approach is to focus on the long-term. The Huffington Post explains:

"You don't see a slow, steady and consistent increase or decrease in the market over a specific time frame. Anyone who invests knows the market is extremely volatile and prone to drastic movements. This makes it even harder to time the market because you're dealing with a roller coaster of an investment ride."

As such, your best bet is to spend as much time in the market as you can, since you may be more likely to see the return you were hoping for by sticking it out through the highs and lows rather than making drastic changes to your approach to try and hit the market at just the right time.

Here at American Investment Planners LLC, our team has an incredible understanding of the market and knows what you need to do in order to achieve financial success. So, let us help! To learn more about our financial planning services, visit www.americaninvestmentplanners.com or call (516) 932-5130 today.

What Investors Need To Know About The Presidential Election

American Investment Planners LLC

500 North Broadway, Suite 260, Jericho, NY 11753

(516) 932-5130 / (866) 932-5130

If there's one thing that has constantly been in the news lately, it's the 2016 presidential candidates and the initiatives they're taking to become the 45th President of the United States. While we should all have some knowledge about each, a particular group of people who should be well informed are investors, as many often fear that the election will have a largely felt impact on different aspects of their financial lives. As the race for the white house continues, here are two things that we feel are important for investors to know:

1. Although investment philosophies may play a role in who you vote for, it's important to keep your investing and voting decisions separate if you can. Ultimately, as long as there are well-run companies out there creating value for investors, it won't make too much difference who gets elected in 2016.
2. Contrary to popular belief, there isn't evidence that shows that investors do better when one party is elected over the other. In fact, the markets have had both good and bad times with both Republican and Democratic presidents, and those investors that tend to succeed are those who are in it for the long run - not those that only put their investments to work when a certain party is in office.

At the end of the day, the best thing you can do for yourself as an investor is to have a strategic financial plan in place to guide you under a number of circumstances. Here at American Investment Planners LLC, we can put that together for you! We work closely with each of our clients to learn about their short and long term goals, investment philosophy, and current personal circumstances so that we can develop a portfolio that exceeds any investing expectations they set.

To learn more about the financial planning services we offer, or to get started with a member of our team, please give us a call at (516) 932-5130 today.

Three Things To Do Right Before Retirement

American Investment Planners LLC

500 North Broadway, Suite 260, Jericho, NY 11753

(516) 932-5130 / (866) 932-5130

Even for those of you who thrive on being in a work environment, let's face it - we all look forward to the day when the typical 9-5 routine comes to an end. And although you might have extensive plans for what you'll do, where you'll go, and what you hope to accomplish when you have a bit more time on your hands, there are a few things you should do right before you officially walk out of the office for the last time - here is what MarketWatch suggests:

1. List out your goals: Similar to the bucket list you may have made for yourself when you were younger, create a list of goals you'd like to achieve during retirement. They can be as far fetched as traveling the world or as simple as making it a priority to exercise for a certain amount of time each day - it's entirely up to you! Our suggestion is to keep a journal where you can document the steps you take to achieve these goals so that you can follow your progress along the way!
2. Reduce your budget: Even if you have an income that allows you to live on a larger budget before you retire, you'll want to start getting used to what things will be like after your income changes. That said, take some time to reduce your budget a bit so that you can figure out where you may need to cut costs when it becomes necessary to do so.
3. Talk about retirement: One of the most important things you can do for yourself is to talk about retirement with your friends and family! Often times we aren't prepared for the psychological adjustment that retirement requires, so don't hesitate to share your thoughts on this life change with those that are closest to you. 

One thing is for certain - the more you prepare for retirement, the better, and we believe that by doing the above, you'll definitely enter this period of your life on the right foot! Additionally, don't forget to sit down with your family financial planner to discuss your retirement strategy. 

To learn how the team here at American Investment Planners LLC can help you with retirement and retirement planning, please give us a call at (516) 932-5130.

Our Favorite Quotes About Investing

American Investment Planners LLC

500 North Broadway, Suite 260, Jericho, NY 11753

(516) 932-5130 / (866) 932-5130

Investing - a topic that we talk about, learn about, and help others with each and every day. As a team of professionals who does a ton of research and reading on the financial planning industry and investing specifically, we've come across our fair share of investing quotes that we find extremely inspiring; today, we'd like to share them with you:

"An investment in knowledge pays the best interest." - Benjamin Franklin

"In investing, what is comfortable is rarely profitable." - Robert Arnott

"Know what you own, and know why you own it." - Peter Lynch

"It's not how much money you make, but how much you keep, how hard it works for you, and how many generations you keep it for." - Robert Kiyosaki

"The individual investor should act consistently as an investor and not as a speculator." - Ben Graham

"Risk comes from not knowing what you're doing." - Warren Buffett

"Investing is the intersection of economics and psychology." - Seth Klarman

"All intelligent investing is value investing - acquiring more that you are paying for. You must value the business in order to value the stock." - Charlie Munger

"The four most dangerous words in investing are: 'this time it's different.'" - Sir John Templeton

Do you have a favorite quote about investing or financial planning? If so, be sure to share it with us!

At American Investment Planners LLC, our goal is to help our clients achieve financial security and build a legacy that they can pass on. If you have yet to work with a financial planner and have questions about investing and other financial planning topics, please give us a call at (516) 932-5130 to learn how our products and services can be of help to you.

How To Determine What You Need For A Comfortable Retirement

American Investment Planners LLC

500 North Broadway, Suite 260, Jericho, NY 11753

(516) 932-5130 / (866) 932-5130

It's one of the most common questions people ask when it comes to retirement, and certainly for good reason - "how much money will I need?" While we wish we could offer an exact number, the truth is that the amount that's necessary for you probably won't be the same as your best friend or your neighbor, as everybody's circumstances vary!

To determine how much money you'll need to live comfortably, start by thinking about the following:

• Your monthly expenses. Start by itemizing your current monthly expenses and see how much money is currently coming out of your account. Then, figure out if any of those expenses will be gone by the time you retire - for example, if you pay off your car, you'll no longer have a car payment. Estimating how much you'll need to cover your bills each month is the perfect first place to start when determining how much retirement income you'll require.
• Your living situation. Where do you hope to live when you retire? Do you plan to stay in your current home or do you have dreams of packing up and heading to a popular retirement destination? If you hope to buy or rent a new home, you'll want to do some research to learn about the typical cost of living in that area.
• Your recreational activities. Working a steady job can make it difficult for you to do all of the recreational activities you dream about, such as traveling. If you hope to use your freedom during retirement to finally do these things, you'll need to factor the cost of such into how much you're required to save.

So what's the next step after you get an idea about how much retirement will cost you? Meet with a financial planner, of course! When you sit down with a member of the American Investment Planners LLC team, you'll start to realize just how valuable having a professional by your side is! We'll learn about your long and short term financial goals as well as your investment philosophy so that we can develop a retirement savings strategy that results in you having exactly what you need.

To learn more about our retirement planning services, please call (516) 932-5130 today.

Meet Lorraine Basile: Client Services

American Investment Planners LLC

500 North Broadway, Suite 260, Jericho, NY 11753

(516) 932-5130 / (866) 932-5130

At American Investment Planners LLC, we work as a cohesive unit to develop and deliver the most beneficial solutions to each of our clients. We pride ourselves on the fact that our firm is built on a group effort, and since it is so, we invite you to become a part of our team by getting to know each of our professionals individually. Today, we would like to feature Lorraine Basile, who works for our firm in Client Services!

Lorraine first joined the American Investment Planners LLC team in May of 2012 - although she's only been with us a few years, she's already made a lasting impact and has shown us what a team player she truly is! In her role, she is primarily responsibly for preparing financial reports for client meetings and for managing quarterly mail outs of financial reports that go to each of our clients. But although these are the main tasks she has been assigned, Lorraine also always lends a helping hand to others in our firm whenever she is needed.

As a child, Lorraine says that she wanted to be a detective since she was always drawn to solving problems. Before she took some time off to raise a family, she worked for CIGNA for 16 years, where her duties included managing the Allied-Signal Claim Service Center. Once she was ready to return to work, she made her way to our firm and, although we aren't a group of detectives, she certainly helps us to find things out and provides solutions when they are needed!

When Lorraine isn't busy with work, she can be found cooking, playing games, and hanging out with her family and friends. She currently lives in Merrick, New York with her husband Dave, and she has three children - Christopher, Nicole and Samantha.

Lorraine - thank you for all of your hard work and dedication to the American Investment Planners LLC team! Your efforts do not go unnoticed and we appreciate all that you do for us! 

5 Money Mistakes You Shouldn't Joke About

American Investment Planners LLC

500 North Broadway, Suite 260, Jericho, NY 11753

(516) 932-5130 / (866) 932-5130

In a perfect world we know it would be ideal to never make a mistake, but in the world we live in, mistakes are a natural part of life! When it comes to the mistakes that are made, though, there are a select few that should be avoided at all costs, and they shouldn't be brushed off so easily either. 

If you've made or are making any of these mistakes, they definitely aren't something to laugh about:

1. Failing to save. We're sure you've heard it time and time again, but we'll repeat it now - always do what you can to save money. Whether it's through a savings account, a retirement fund, or even something as simple as a change jar that you keep on your dresser, the more you save now, the better off you'll be later.
2. Living out of your means. The amount of money you can spend is largely determined by your income - stick to this. When you get used to spending money that you don't have, you'll quickly find yourself in a hole that is hard to dig out of.
3. Leaving questions unanswered. The act of not knowing can take a negative toll on a lot of things, such as your retirement efforts. If you don't ask questions where 401(k)s and IRAs are concerned, you'll never know what you can be doing to benefit yourself in the long run - the same goes for topics such as estate and tax planning.
4. Not having a strategy. You should always have a strategy for what you do with your money, starting with a budget. If you go about spending and saving without some sort of plan, it can be easy to get off track and wind up with not enough to get you through different situations and periods of your life.
5. Using your retirement savings early. Unless it's an emergency, you should never think of your retirement fund as a source of income that you can tap into at any moment. Especially since doing so can cost you in penalties, your best bet is to leave it alone and only look at it when you speak with your financial planner, or, of course, when it's time to retire.

So how can you avoid making mistakes like these? The first place to start is by knowing them (which, since you've read this post, now you do!), then make it a priority to meet with a financial planner like ourselves so that we can create a financial strategy that can last for generations.

To learn more about the financial planning services we offer, please give us a call at (516) 932-5130 today.