Posts Tagged Global economic

When Life Insurance Becomes a Liability

OWNING life insurance is supposed to make you feel more secure. These days, it’s often a source of anxiety instead.

People who are less wealthy suddenly need a bigger policy to protect their families. People whose policy investments have been battered face unexpected premium increases. And even those who feel adequately insured at affordable prices are worried about their insurers’ ability to meet financial commitments.

In addition to investment losses, premium increases have shocked many people. “This is a real issue for clients who own variable policies,” said Loretta Nolan, president of Loretta Nolan Associates, a certified financial planner in Old Greenwich, Conn.

These policies combine insurance protection with a tax-deferred investment account that helps to pay the premiums. During the bull market, they promised investment returns high enough to limit the size and duration of premium payments. But the marketers didn’t stress the downside: if investment performance falls short, policyholders must spend more on premiums.

And that’s what has happened. Now, policyholders must pay higher premiums, for more years, to maintain their current level of insurance. The alternative is to reduce the coverage, which sometimes leads to a surrender charge.

If you’re in this situation, do a policy stress test, advised Ms. Nolan: ask the insurer to project your future premiums, assuming the policy investments earn a modest 4 percent return. If that shows you can’t afford the premiums, you need to consider alternatives.

If your priority is keeping your insurance, Ms. Nolan suggested replacing some of your variable coverage with a less-expensive term policy. For example, if you have a $500,000 variable policy, you might buy $300,000 of term insurance and trim your variable policy to $200,000, keeping your total premiums affordable. But if you see the variable policy chiefly as an investment loss — and don’t need the insurance — you might want to exchange it for an annuity, said Glenn Daily, a fee-only insurance consultant in Manhattan. The exchange is a tax-free transaction (called a 1035 exchange) that lets you use your loss to offset taxes on future gains. If you lost $30,000 in the variable policy, for example, your first $30,000 of gain in the annuity would be tax-free.

If your net worth has taken a 30 percent hit, advisers say you probably need more insurance to protect your family, at least until your stock portfolio and your home regain value.

Determining how much you need is more an art than a science, said Richard B. Freeman of Round Table Services, a Westport, Conn., wealth management firm. Instead of relying on a software program that would probably recommend more than you would ever buy, he suggested that you think in terms of two lump sums — one to pay off your mortgage and cover your children’s college education and the other to create income for your survivors.

A nonworking spouse needs insurance, too, added Mr. Freeman: “If Mom’s home with the kids, her policy has to do more than hire a nanny and a housekeeper. It should be big enough to let Dad take a job with shorter hours closer to home, so he can have more time with the kids if he’s the surviving parent.”

The cheapest way to increase your coverage is with term insurance, often available in a group plan through your employer. But that is not necessarily the cheapest way to buy it. If you’re healthy, you might get a better deal by shopping for an individual term policy, said Mark Cortazzo, senior partner at Macro Consulting Group, a Parsippany, N.J., financial adviser, especially if you’re a woman in a state with unisex rating for group insurance.

If you’re in poor health, you might want to buy as much group insurance as possible at work. You can usually convert it to an individual policy without evidence of insurability, albeit at a price, when you leave the job, Mr. Cortazzo said.

If you have serious health problems, you should avoid the standard application process for individual coverage because your application will probably be rejected after the medical exam. With each rejection it is harder to find coverage.

Instead, you should enlist a broker who specializes in the high-risk market to present your case informally to insurers. He can make sure you formally apply only to those companies that will accept you. You may soon have more options if insurers with highly publicized financial difficulties relax their underwriting standards to maintain their sales volume, said Wil Heupel, managing principal of Accredited Investors, a Minneapolis financial planning firm.

So how do you avoid buying insurance from a company whose health is worse than your own? Advisers say that if you’re buying more than $3 million in coverage it’s prudent to diversify among several highly rated companies.

“Work with a broker who sells the policies of many carriers,” Mr. Freeman said. An agent represents only one, whose problems he may minimize.

( Source NYT)

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Mexico: The damage of H1N1 flu is about 2.2 billions USD

mexicoTo cope with the pandemic, the Government will implement Mexico stimulation package worth 1.3 billion USD, mainly to support small business and tourism. This is the object most damage from the spread the H1N1 flu to top this month. According to Finance Minister Agustin Carstens, pandemic has cost targets of Mexico at least 2.2 billion USD.

Tourism is the third largest source of income from abroad in Mexico. But this sector is the loss of the capacity of hotel rooms at a reduced half compared with normal. Many airlines also canceled flights because of disease Bùng.

Temporarily, the government will free account health insurance that small businesses must be closed to workers, reduce taxes for airline and train travel.

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G-20 Leaders Promise Measures to Fight Global Recession

Leaders of the world’s largest rich and developing economies met Thursday in London. The Group of Twenty agreed to an additional trillion dollars for the International Monetary Fund and other lenders to strengthen the world economy and trade. President Obama says the G-20 summit will be a “turning point” in seeking global economic recovery.

The leaders promised to keep closer watch over banks, hedge funds, credit rating agencies and executive pay. They also agreed to act against countries that provide tax shelters for the wealthy. And they agreed to form a supervisory group to warn of problems in the world financial system.

The G-20 is nineteen countries and the European Union. Members represent about ninety percent of world economic activity and eighty percent of trade.

Finance ministers and central bankers formed the group ten years ago to give more attention to developing nations. Leaders met last November for the first time. They plan to meet again in September.

Developing economies like China, India and Brazil want greater influence over international financial policy and groups like the I.M.F. Western countries now see developing nations as important partners in the effort to get the world economy growing again.

The currency most commonly used in foreign trade is the dollar. But last week, the governor of the Chinese central bank suggested that the dollar be replaced as the world’s leading reserve currency. Zhou Xiaochuan called for a new currency disconnected from individual nations — such as using what are called Special Drawing Rights.

The International Monetary Fund created the Special Drawing Right, or S.D.R., forty years ago. The value is based on several major currencies. Today the I.M.F. and some other international organizations mainly use it as an accounting tool.

Last week a United Nations group of experts also urged a new global reserve system — an expanded version of Special Drawing Rights.

At the G-20 meeting, Russian President Dmitri Medvedev called for a study of a new reserve currency. He said it would be wise to support the creation of strong regional currencies and use them as the basis, possibly also using gold.

Few experts see a threat to the dollar, at least for now.

And that’s the VOA Special English Economics Report, written by Mario Ritter. For more on the London summit, go to voaspecialenglish.com. I’m Steve Ember. (VOA News )

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Ambassador says U.S. package solutions Obama’s

Hopefully solutions package economic Obama’s also a positive impact to the economy of Vietnam.

This message was United States Ambassador in Vietnam, Mr. Michael Michalak made at the meeting on 20 / 1, before more traditional Tet of Vietnam.

The meeting report also took place in a special time, when more then 10 hours is the time President elect Barack Obama to the oath.

Ambassador Michael Michalak said:

- 2009 will be a difficult year not only with Vietnam but the whole world. But I believe the economy will help Vietnam Vietnam to overcome difficult stages of this and prepare for economic recovery.

Vietnam has the characteristic determination in very difficult, and in Suu Ky, with characteristics of buffaloes work is diligence and determination, the Vietnam will be overcome through the period of economic degradation.

The Government of Vietnam made package solutions stimulate economic USD 1 billion to show action is appropriate, timely. However, according me, that Vietnam needs to do is to continue economic reform, reform to eliminate the bureaucracy procedures, problems of administrative growth and help restore the economy.

After the President elect Obama to the oath, he will sit with the group’s economy and will discuss plans to implement package solutions stimulate the economy.

Hopefully this solutions package will be more effective, and so, it will also have positive effects for the economy of Vietnam.

He can analyze more specific about this?

One of the priority measures in the package said the economy is how the bank to continue lending, lending each other and increase economic activities. However, the details of it are still in the process of completion.

Any increase in economic activities in the U.S. which will help increase imports into the United States. Because America is the export market under a number of Vietnam to the increasing imports into the U.S. will increase the export of Vietnam.

Moreover, the financial system in the U.S. and global performing again will have a positive impact for Vietnam, especially in the trade and investment cooperation.

In addition, when economic activities in the U.S. increased, basically will also help increase remittance of Vietnam to work in the United States sent about.

According to him, can imagine foreign policy between the U.S. and Vietnam in Obama’s like?

United States Government will continue to look forward to expansion, as well as deep relationship between America and Vietnam in all fields.

As people still remember, she is Hillary Clinton who was nominated to the foreign policy of United States Government, has visited Vietnam, and she still keeps the feeling of hot and humid this trip.

I have worked with Ms. Clinton and her advisers that many of them may be present in the government of Mr. Obama.

I confirmed I will find any way to bring members of the Mr. Obama’s visit to Vietnam as soon as possible.

In half of the rest of me, I committed to do all to the relationship between America and Vietnam became deep, the relationship the U.S. and Vietnam in the best ability possible.

Some years, according to him, achievements highlight the relationship between Vietnam and the United States do?

In 2008 as the year the relationship between Vietnam and the United States. Points to Japan as the visit of Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung to Washington, the visit has brought the relationship to the two new high.

After the visit of Prime Minister, we’ve got the group responsible for special education. The two countries have a dialogue on security, working in the Security Council United Nations on global issues.

This demonstrates that Vietnam continues to integrate more extensive on the international community and Vietnam became a partner of the U.S. in the region and the world.

Relationships exchange trading Vietnam - Vietnam is constantly increasing, even in the stage with many of the difficult economic two countries.

Many U.S. companies to Vietnam, and plans to more U.S. companies to Vietnam to search for investment opportunities and trade.

Of education - areas become concerns of the two leading parties - the stars Dear Mr.?

In 2007, Vietnam ranked 20 th in the ranking of countries students go to school most in the U.S., but in 2008 Vietnam was ranked on reaching 13 and continue to grow.

Also new this conference educational cooperation between the U.S. and Vietnam was held in Ho Chi Minh City and have great success. There are 500 delegates representing about 80 universities, educational institutions and 100 U.S. universities, educational institutes of Vietnam attended, with discussion topics, how to improve education.

Special group responsible for both education groups and has completed a report on the two leading parties, the results are making recommendations in cooperation in education between the two countries.

In the near future, the priority of all is the freedom from the degradation of the economy. But education is very important, is the key to Vietnam for economic growth. This is a long-term goals need more effort and time.

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Car manufacturer’s third largest U.S. bankruptcy

robert-nardelliCar manufacturer’s third largest in the U.S. Chrysler has officially applied for bankruptcy after efforts to re-structure it is not successful. However, Chrysler also unexpected statement has achieved merger agreement with Italy’s Fiat car.

First, Chrysler will continue to maintain active and can end the bankruptcy within a few months.

30 / 4 is the deadline that the U.S. government set out for the car manufacturer Chrysler to this negotiation with creditors to reduce debt adjustment and go to a merger agreement with Fiat. These are the conditions necessary for Chrysler to continue the U.S. government is pouring capital and avoid risk bankruptcy.

However, several days after negotiations stress, Chrysler has not achieved debt reduction agreement with the small creditors. Chrysler is currently on loan some banks and lending organizations total cost of 7 billion USD. The creditors as banks Citigroup or JPMorgan Chase has accepted debt reduction for Chrysler, but the smaller creditors do not accept this proposal, despite requests from the Government of the United States.

Even so, Chrysler announced suddenly has met kidneys merger with Fiat, the car manufacturers of Italy will initially hold 20% share in Chrysler. This agreement also allows the Fiat holding of shares up to 35% of Chrysler if this Italy car manufacturer to invest in activities in the U.S. market and technology transfer produce small size for Chrysler. In addition, once Chrysler was completed for the payment of the loan was granted to the Ministry of Finance America, Fiat finally may own 51% share in Chrysler.

Of the charge also said that, in addition to shares owned by Fiat, 55% share in Chrysler will fund the health insurance of the automobile union America (UAW), organizations will pay health insurance in the retired employee of Chrysler. Left, the government, and Canada will hold shares in turn is 8% and 2% of Chrysler.

Chrysler has 3 manufacturing in Canada and need to reach agreement with the unions and the Government of Canada in the reclassified debt. While Chrysler will not apply for bankruptcy protection in Canada, but the government in this country that will support the USD 2.42 billion for Chrysler to help companies implement bankruptcy.

According to the bankruptcy under Chapter 11 U.S. Bankruptcy Code that Chrysler submitted to the Bankruptcy Court in Manhattan in this country, the U.S. government will give Chrysler the total capital up to USD 8 billion to maintain operations during the bankruptcy and return to normal activities after bankruptcy. For Chrysler, most of the production of carrier will be stopped on 4 / 5 to employers and will return to normal activities after an agreement with Fiat was completed.

Of the accountability for a company called temporary Chrylser “new” will be established to purchase the assets of Chrysler “old”, including brand name, factory, land, equipment, contracts of employers with the unions, suppliers, distributors … The amount of USD 2 billion from the sale of assets will be used to repay the loan the creditor may accept by Chrysler. U.S. government will use Chrysler hậu thuẫn Bankruptcy Law to refuse to perform the debt obligations led to this car.

Cerberus, the corporation owns the majority share in Chrysler, will lost the number of shares after the bankruptcy led to complete. Similarly, a Daimler, a shareholder holding 19% shares in Chrysler, will lost this number of shares.

Expected, there will be about 3600 distributors in the U.S. by Chrysler is closing. Finance department led to the car is Chrysler Financial will stop all the loan to buy a new car. Instead, finance department led to General Motors (GM) will provide loans for suppliers and customers of Chrysler.

So, Chrysler has to enroll in history with the first bankruptcy of a leading car manufacturer the U.S.. Department bankruptcy is U.S. Barack Obama is a dynamics that is particularly important in order to save 30,000 jobs at Chrysler and hundreds of thousands of jobs at suppliers and distributors of this car manufacturer .

Mr. Obama for, he hopes, the bankruptcy of Chrysler will take 30-60 days to complete. The bankruptcy of Chrysler will Arthur Gonzalez of court supervision. Mr. Gonzalez is also the man who oversees the bankruptcy first in the U.S., including the Enron and WorldCom service.

Chrysler manufacturer established in 1925 by Walter P. Chrysler. Immediately after 3 years, manufacturers have achieved a significant milestone when construction building the world’s largest when it is Chrysler Building in Manhattan, New York.

In recent years, Chrysler difficulties before the big competition in industry car. The points largest carrier is dependent almost entirely on the U.S. market, poor quality cars, many car production size voluminous effective use of fuel products into the lowest compared with the product’s manufacturer other large vehicles.

The financial crisis and economic degradation is taking place as drops of water spill cup, pushing Chrysler to shore in bankruptcy, whether employers have received 4 billion loan from the U.S. Government. The application for bankruptcy of Chrysler and led to an agreement with Fiat car this is observed as the place has important implications for the automobile industry in the world, including competitor and supplier Chrysler’s.

Bankruptcy Services also found that government’s Obama ready to take measures similar to the largest car manufacturer U.S. General Motors (GM). Last 5 months this will be the deadline for GM to complete activities to reduce costs and re-structure debt with creditors and left home at the request of the Government.

While GM and Chrysler right, the Ford, one of the major car manufacturers of America, still strong first crisis. (According to Reuters, CNN)

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15,000 employees will lose the Panasonic

Corporations electronic giant Panasonic Japan has planned to reduce as 15,000 seats and close 27 factories worldwide to reduce costs more in staff. Worker above accounted for 5% of the Panasonic and will be leaving office last month from 3 / 2010. Half of these employees are working in Japan, the remaining factories in the foreign customs. Along with the plan closed 27 factories, Panasonic hopes to reduce information costs about 100 billion yen in the fiscal year ahead.

Manufacturer’s largest plasma TV world estimated losses of 380 billion yen (equivalent to USD 4.2 billion) in fiscal ended on 31 / 3, a strong yen and sales Lose reduced due to degradation of global economy. This is the first time in 6 years, Panasonic does not work with interest. Number of holes above the much larger concerns than by specialists. In 2007, net interest is Panasonic’s 281.9 billion yen.

“Revenue in all portions start lapse from Quarter 3 (ending in 12/2008) and can be further reduced in strength from you. The profit so that the falling rate of sound”, the Director-General Panasonic Makoto Uenoyama explained.

Some electronics manufacturers of Japan have both reported losses in 2008. Last week, a giant NEC said will dismiss 20,000 employees months before 3 / 2010 in the amount cut by the Hitachi 7000. Sony also declared cut 16,000 jobs and closing factories 5-6.

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International Monetary Fund (IMF) more pessimistic about global economic

International Monetary Fund IMF again lower forecasted growth since World 0.5% to negative 1.3%. Economic picture worse make the investment return to that party is safe gold market.
Those unemployed and take home pitch sunshine through rain cover on the street Las Vegas, Nevada State. International Monetary Fund forecast unemployment in the U.S. is 8.9% this year and increased to 10.1% in 2010.

This report made yesterday, before more meetings between the U.S. and some major economies into tomorrow 24 / 4. This weekend, International Monetary Fund and World Bank will also discuss to find solutions for the global accounting. At the G20 meeting in London months before, U.S. President Barack Obama and leaders of the world’s most increase financial potential for the IMF and a number of financial institutions lending on the world, with the amount support up to 1.1 thousand billion.

Islamic months 1 / 2009, the IMF can look around more, predicts the global economy is still going on even to the modest growth of 0.5%. However, the place make new IMF declared, “impact of degradation up to the alley ngách all over the world. No doubt what more, this degradation is hidden from the worst degradation of 1930″ .

IMF forecast for the U.S. dreary than forecast them. According to International Monetary Fund, the economy the most powerful global growth will reduce to 2.8% this year. This may be the worst years of the United States since 1946.

Among the national industrial development, Japan is the biggest victim with negative GDP growth of 6.2%. Russia’s GDP draw back 6%. Number of negative growth Germany, England, Mexico and Canada in turn is 5.6%, 4.1%, 3.7% and 2.5%.

The rare bright points in the global economy lies in Asia. Percent economic growth even though China may alleviate this year but still significantly higher enviable to the rest of the world is 6.5%. India will be a 4.5% growth this year.

With the forecast of IMF, unemployment of the world will rise. Unemployment in the U.S. may be at 8.9% and quickly climb 10.1% in 2010, the IMF’s report yesterday. Picture of the other countries such as Germany, England and no light.

Economic forecasting for next year by the IMF of a little more, with positive growth of 1.9%. The private U.S. economy next year will not increase, not decrease. Countries like China, India and the recovery will continue but destruction.

With 185 member countries and is headquartered in Washington, USA, International Monetary Fund IMF role object for the world. IMF’s mission is to provide the loan and financial support for Member States are affected by global degradation. The Fund also urge world have specific action up to the banking system.

In degradation, reducing the risk that may occur. Prices go down will make the situation worse. Yesterday, IMF warns that the reduction in the level of fit can be found in the U.S. and 16 countries use them for money in Europe. Meanwhile, Japan may be the biggest victims of the reduction this year.

IMF forecast made by world gold prices gradually go up in the transaction yesterday, reaching USD 892 at 11h am hourly Hanoi and landmarks to 900 USD per ouce. Storm in economic crisis, many investors see precious metals such party is safest.

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