Asset Protection Terms and Definitions

Tax-deferred earnings (investments)
Earnings on which taxes are not paid until a future date, usually when funds are withdrawn. The TSP and traditional IRAs are examples of vehicles that offer tax-deferred earnings.

Offshore Financial Centers OFC
A recent study found that by the end of 1997, the share of cross-border assets held in the offshore sector ($4.8 trillion) accounted for more than half of all cross-border assets held globally.

Asset allocation
Diversification of your investments, usually between U.S. and international equities, fixed income, real estate, and commodities.

Totten trust
A savings account that allows the depositor to open the account as trustee for someone else (no real trust is set up). Account owners may use the funds as they see fit during their lifetime, and then upon their death the account balance is paid to the named beneficiary.

Spendthrift Trusts
A spendthrift trust is created specifically to provide asset protection for the beneficiary. These trusts are written so that the beneficiary can receive the benefit of the trust, but have no right to demand benefits from the trust.

Testamentary trust
A trust that is established by will. Compare to living trust.

Diversification
Holding several investments that have different risks. The concept of "Don't put all your eggs in one basket." The chance that a single stock or other investment will lose money is offset by the chances of your other stocks and investments making money.

Portfolio
A collection of securities assembled for an investment goal.

Secret Bank Accounts
Infamous numbered and bearer Swiss bank accounts. Switzerland has come under much scrutiny through scandals relating to money laundering and holding assets

Revocable Trust
In a living, or revocable trust, you name yourself as the grantor, the trustee, and the current beneficiary. You then transfer some or all of your assets to the trust. The terms of the trust require that the trust is to be used for your benefit during your life. After your death, the living trust continues for the benefit of your intended beneficiaries.