Robert Clofine

Gifts to Qualify for Medicaid In 2026, the rules adopted by the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 still apply. Those rules are designed to restrict one’s ability to make gifts in order to qualify for nursing home Medicaid benefits. These new rules apply to any gift made on or after February 8, 2006, and within … Read more

Since inflation was still with us over the past year, Social Security benefits will jump 2.8% in 2026. Benefit recipients will see the raise beginning with the checks to be issued the first week of January 2026.  Unfortunately, this increase will be offset by a rise in the Medicare Part B premium that is automatically … Read more

 If things stayed the same, keeping up with the law would be a breeze. Unfortunately, tax and Medicaid laws seem to change daily. Over the past year, there have been several developments. In this article, I’ll offer some of the highlights. As a result of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, the federal estate tax … Read more

In a related article, I review Medicaid “resource assessment” rules that allow you to protect certain assets when your spouse enters a nursing home. These rules are designed to make sure that the spouse in the community is not rendered penniless by having to deplete all of the couple’s resources to pay for a nursing … Read more

One of the first questions asked by those who prepare to plan their estates is “How will my property be taxed at the time of my death?” Many are pleased to know that they need not worry about federal estate tax since Uncle Sam imposes this levy in the year 2026 only if the estate … Read more