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9 Tips for Maximizing Social Security Benefits
It's essential to understand how the system works and explore strategies for optimizing your payments. Here are some valuable tips to help you maximize your Social Security benefits.
Read MoreEconomic Trends and Your Retirement: Strategies for Adapting to Market Changes
While you can't predict the future, you can prepare for market changes by adopting adaptable strategies that safeguard your financial well-being during retirement. Here are some essential tips to help you navigate economic trends.
Read MoreCreating a Tax-Efficient Retirement Strategy
It's important to create a tax-efficient strategy. Minimizing your tax liability in retirement can help you keep more of your hard-earned savings. Here are some key steps to create a tax-efficient retirement strategy.
Read MoreIncorporating Philanthropy into Your Financial Plan
Giving back to society not only brings positive change to the lives of others but can also have surprising benefits for your own financial well-being.
Read MoreRetiring Abroad: Exploring Your Options for an International Retirement
For many individuals, retiring abroad has become an appealing option. The prospect of living in a different country brings forth a sense of adventure, cultural enrichment, and the allure of a more affordable lifestyle.
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How Compound Interest Can Transform Your Savings
As the saying goes, "Time is money," and when it comes to building your retirement savings, nothing exemplifies this more than compound interest.
Read MoreEstimated 2024 Social Security COLA Might be Lower Than You Hoped
Because Social Security COLA is tied to the inflation rate, the payment increase in 2024 is not likely to be as large as it was this past January.
Read MoreHow to Transition Smoothly into Retirement
Some retirees are surprised at the difference between living on their former income and their new, fixed retirement income. Following these five tips can help you make a smoother transition.
Read MoreBorrowing Money, the Smart Way
Debt isn’t always bad; it’s how we access and use it that matters. So having said that, how can you borrow money the smart way?
Read MoreHow Social Security is Changing in 2023
The new, larger monthly checks were no doubt a welcome change for those struggling with the impact of inflation. But that’s not all of the changes Social Security has seen in 2023.
Read More5 Ways to Save Money in Retirement
These five tips can help you save money on routine expenses, so that you can devote more of your funds to hobbies, travel, and relaxation.
Read MoreWant to Retire in 10 Years? Here’s What You Should Be Doing Now
If you’re hoping to retire in the next ten years, here’s what you should be doing next.
Read MoreHow Do Some People Manage to Retire Early?
What about people who planned to retire early, and actually succeeded? What’s their secret?
Read MoreA ‘Silent Crisis’ is Set to Impact Retirement Savings
Larry Fink, CEO of BlackRock, recently warned investors in his annual Chairman’s Letter about a global “Silent Crisis” that is soon to impact retirees.
Read MoreShould You Pay off All Debts Before Retirement?
If you’re making a plan to pay down debts before you retire, it’s important to know that not all debts are created equal. Some are definitely more important and deserve more of your focus than others.
Read MoreWhen Should You Update Your Beneficiaries?
In order to ensure that the right people inherit your assets when you pass away, you should review your beneficiary forms every few years
Read More5 Reasons Millennials Should Plan for Retirement Now
Millennials who skip retirement planning now will likely come to regret it later. Retirement planning is now even more important than ever, due to these five factors.
Read MoreIs the Housing Market Set for a Crash?
What’s going on in the housing market, and are we set for a crash soon? No one can answer that question for sure, but three aspects of current market conditions point toward concern.
Read More5 Last Minute Tax Planning Tips
Before you file your taxes, consider these five last-minute tax planning tips. They might save you a bit of money.
Read MoreDon't Have a Power of Attorney Yet? This Is Why You Should
If you haven’t established a power of attorney yet, here’s why you should.
Read More3 Signs You Should Consider Moving in Retirement
Many retirees later discover that their old home simply does not suit them anymore and need to make changes to their retirement plans. It would be a good idea to investigate this topic now.
Read MoreHow to Boost Your Tax Savings with Last-Minute IRA Contributions
Are you looking for a smart way to lower your tax bill and boost your retirement savings? If so, it's time to learn more about IRAs!
Read More3 Signs You’re Getting Close to Retirement
Once you can say “yes” to these three goalposts, you’re probably getting close to retirement.
Read MoreYou Can Still Contribute to Your Retirement Account for 2022 Tax Season
You can still set aside money in a retirement account and receive a deduction on your 2022 tax return.
Read MoreTurning 62 This Year? 5 Things You Need to Know About Social Security
You’ve just reached the age of Social Security eligibility (assuming you would file an early claim for benefits), so here's what you need to know at this time.
Read MoreLarger Social Security Checks in 2023 Could Bring a Tax Surprise
Like many retirees and those planning an imminent retirement, you might have felt thrilled to hear of the recent cost of living adjustment to Social Security benefits. The 8.7 percent increase represented one of the largest-ever...
Read MoreThe 5 States with Lowest Taxes for Retirees
Of all the things you’re looking forward to in retirement, the freedom from an office is probably number one. Not only will you escape the pain of a daily commute; you won’t be tied to a particular location at all....
Read MoreThe New RMD Age of 73 starts in 2023
As you might already know, the SECURE Act made a number of changes to retirement account rules. Specifically, the age at which required minimum distributions (RMDs) must begin was raised from 70 ½ to 72, giving retirees a bit more...
Read MoreTake Your RMDs On Time to Avoid Possible Penalties
If you miss the deadline for taking your first RMD, you could put yourself in jeopardy regarding potential penalties. Here’s what you need to know.
Read More6 Things to Know About Year-End Charitable Gifting
Use these tips to strategize your generosity, and you can benefit yourself and others at the same time.
Read MoreReminder: Tax Season is Just Around the Corner
Take the time to address these tax planning steps before the end of the year.
Read More4 Ways to Manage Your Healthcare Costs in Retirement
Because healthcare can become a considerable expense after age 65, you should carefully consider different methods of managing those expenses.
Read More5 Forms of Non-Taxable Retirement Income
Because you will likely be living on a fixed income in retirement, you want to minimize the impact of any “surprises” at this time of life. For some retirees, income taxes can come as a major shock. Yes, income taxes are...
Read MoreRetirement Plan Contribution Limits Increase for 2023
How much should you save for retirement from each paycheck? That’s one of the most common questions in the financial planning world. We generally recommend that our clients save as much as possible, for several very important...
Read MoreYes, You Can Still Retire During an Uncertain Economy
If you’re due to retire soon, it would be understandable if you’re feeling a bit nervous about the uncertain state of the economy.
Read MoreSocial Security Beneficiaries Will Receive a Raise in 2023
If you’re concerned about the impact of a COLA on taxes or your retirement budget in general, do get in touch with us to discuss your options.
Read MoreA Simple Way to Keep Medical Costs Lower in Retirement
Once you enter retirement, your out-of-pocket spending on healthcare is likely to increase. But you do have some options to keep costs down.
Read MoreThe Two Most Common Retirement Fears
Normally, we focus on retirement goals when putting together a plan. Once we help our clients identify their objectives, we create a strategy for a retirement income that hopefully provides for their future lifestyle. But we...
Read MoreWhat Happens When You Claim Social Security at 70?
Many of us tend to view age 65 as a target retirement age. That’s when you become eligible for Medicare, but it’s early enough that you hopefully still have many healthy years ahead of you. But some of us are ready to...
Read MoreThe Retirement Risk You Haven’t Addressed
Most of us feel a bit of anxiety as we approach our target retirement date. You want to be sure that you’ve planned for everything, but as you know, some things in life cannot be planned. Instead, we can only plan how to handle...
Read MoreIt’s Almost Fall: Start Thinking About Tax Planning Now!
Because adequate advance planning can help you better strategize your tax return, you should think about it before the end of the year.
Read More6 Surprises You Might Encounter in Retirement
Life will always throw us little surprises. But if you anticipate some of the possibilities, you can at least accommodate the possibility within your plans.
Read MoreStates that Don’t Tax Social Security and/or Retirement Benefits
Because individual states do impose their own tax code, choosing a location can be critical in the retirement years. That’s why so many retirees choose to relocate after their working years have ended.
Read More5 Steps to Creating Successful Financial Goals & Why it Matters
Here are 5 components to help you create sustainable & achievable goals.
Read More3 Aspects to Creating an Effective Budget
A core element to financial health is to spend less than you make. It is simple until you put it into action. Here are 3 qualifiers to measure your budget by.
Read More9 Things You Might Not Know About Social Security
Are you wondering what’s so confusing about Social Security? Here are nine of the most commonly surprising facts that many people don’t know.
Read More4 Steps to Reduce Your Debt Before Retirement
When we talk about retirement planning, most of us tend to focus on saving money and setting up one or more reliable streams of income for the future. But there’s another important component of planning for your retirement: How...
Read MoreHow Will Inflation Impact Your Retirement Income?
With inflation rising rapidly, how will your retirement income and lifestyle be impacted?
Read MoreThe Best Way to Pay off Debts Before You Retire
You might feel tempted to utilize a somewhat controversial method of paying off debts as your target retirement date approaches… But should you?
Read MoreIf You’re Retired or Soon to Be, Take Note of This Change
Once you enter retirement, you will need to switch your strategy from saving to taking withdrawals. And while doing so, you must navigate complicated IRS rules.
Read MoreHit Age 50 Yet? Time for a Financial Check-Up
Because life tends to bring so many surprises, there are never any guarantees when it comes to retirement savings and planning. But this quick check-up can help you decide if you’re on the right track.
Read MoreHow Does Social Security Work When a Spouse Dies?
It is important to consider what happens to each of you if the other spouse passes away first. In most cases this is an unpredictable part of life.
Read MoreWhat Happens if I Start Collecting Social Security, But Then I Change My Mind?
At some point, you might feel that you’re ready to - or need to - claim your benefits. What if that decision turns out to feel like a mistake, and you regret it? Can you change your mind and delay your benefits until later?
Read MoreNew Year - Time to Review Your Beneficiaries and Make any Needed Changes
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What You Need to Know About Estate Planning Right Now
Over the past year and half, we’ve all thought about contagious diseases and healthcare much more than we normally would. Living through a state of emergency can prompt us to rethink many of our plans, including our estate plans....
Read MoreHave You Considered the Cost of Healthcare in Retirement?
Have you set a target retirement date yet? Or, are you still evaluating your options? Either way, it is likely that you will continue to reevaluate your budget even after you retire! That’s because the costs of various goods and...
Read MorePandemic Fallout Triggered an Early Retirement for Some
If there’s one thing that can change nearly every aspect of society, from broad trends down to individual lives, it’s a pandemic. As we’ve seen, the consequences of the Covid pandemic have affected us at every level....
Read MoreShould You Pay Off the House Before You Retire?
Ask ten different people about their dreams for retirement, and you might get ten different answers. But one theme will pop up regularly: Many of us envision a debt-free life. And in particular, paying off the mortgage before...
Read More4 Financial Lessons We Can All Learn from Baby Boomers
As Einstein once said, “Information is not knowledge. The only source of knowledge is experience.” Experience, whether intentional scientific experiments or simply life lessons, is the best way to gain wisdom. But we can...
Read MoreWhat is a Debt Ceiling, and How Does It Affect Us?
Washington lawmakers never fail to keep us entertained (or concerned, depending upon your perspective). But the latest news seems a bit confusing for many of you. What exactly is the debt ceiling, and why do they want to raise it...
Read MoreAvoid These 5 Money Mistakes as You Head Into Retirement
After decades of working, planning, and saving, you’re finally beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel! But now, as you head into the final stretch of your career, you must avoid a few common mistakes. Make wise...
Read MoreWhat’s the Difference Between Traditional And Roth Retirement Accounts?
Ideally, retirement planning begins early in your career and then continues for decades. You will make a number of decisions when you first open a retirement account, and then reevaluate those decisions throughout your career as you...
Read MoreSmall Businesses in California Must Provide a Retirement Plan
Many Americans worry that they are under-prepared for retirement, citing insufficient savings and a rising cost of living. Even worse, according to the Federal Reserve one quarter of working adults have no retirement savings at all. In...
Read MoreNew Retirement Statistics Might Make You Think Twice
Are you planning to retire sometime within the next decade? Many of us have been planning for this moment for many years, and now we’re in the home stretch of our careers. We hope you’re feeling confident about your plans,...
Read MoreAs Prices Rise, What Will Happen to Social Security Checks?
No, it is not your imagination. The cost of many goods and services has risen over the past year, and some of those price hikes are significant. Most household budgets have been impacted, and the measures of inflation are indeed...
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