Because the life insurance company we used for this analysis has the highest financial strength ratings, our comparison was made with top rated tax-free bond yields.

FORBES: Life's Tax Advantages

The yield on a closely watched index of 30-year triple-A rated, tax-exempt municipal securities climbed 0.12 percentage point higher to close at 4.48% Tuesday, according to Municipal Market Data.

WSJ: Tax-Cut Deal Results in Turmoil for Bonds

The last time Americans were asked about the fairness of various federal taxes, 53 percent rated the income tax as fair to very fair.

FORBES: Happy Birthday, Income Tax

First we have the state legislature of Missouri where Rep. Diane Franklin (R) is proposing a new 1% tax on violent video games, meaning any game rated Teen, Mature or Adults Only would be eligible.

FORBES: Video Games are Now Cigarettes with New Proposed Taxes, Labels and Restrictions

Sadly, the council has been compliant and played their role in the reduction of crucial services, imposing a council tax freeze for a fourth year instead trying to maintain the once 'excellent' rated services it provided.

BBC: Somerset County Council: Union fear over job cuts plans

For instance, while 10-year Treasuries currently yield 2%, you can find triple-A rated 10-year munis that yield 2.5%, which is a 3.85% tax equivalent yield for taxpayers in the 35% bracket and 3.47% for those in the 28% bracket.

FORBES: Behind Those Scary Municipal Bond Headlines