Latest News
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Retirement Planning for a New Paradigm
11-28-2023 |Are you thinking about retirement? There’s the good part – the travel, time with family, catching up with yourself or achieving long-held dreams or goals. But then there’s worrying if you’ve saved enough and you’ll be able to afford the life you want. Retirement planning allows you to live the life you want.... Read More
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Are Consumers Finally Going to See Price Decreases?
11-17-2023 |Inflation has had a significant impact on consumers over the past 12 months, leading to rising consumer prices for goods and services. This has resulted in increased costs for everyday necessities. Making it more challenging for consumers to maintain their purchasing power and meet their financial needs.... Read More
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Social Security Strategies for Married Couples
11-10-2023 |Have you thought about what age you will claim social security benefits? As you get closer to retirement, it’s surprising how that question can be a real conversation starter. Social security may not provide the lion's share of your retirement income, but it’s a key piece of the retirement puzzle because it’s predictable income with tax advantages. ... Read More
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Bonds are Boring, But…
10-31-2023 |...Bonds yielding 5% tax-free income are now a possibility for some fixed-income investors. Interest rates have risen dramatically over the past year as the Federal Reserve has increased interest rates to slow the U.S. economy and to curb rampant inflation. An economic slowdown, increased borrowing costs for both individuals and corporations and an unaffordable housing market that has 30-year fixed rates approaching 8% are all direct consequences of these higher rates.... Read More
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Financial Wellness Is Wellness
10-27-2023 |Wellness, in all its many facets, is increasingly becoming part of daily life. It's a holistic, whole-life approach that involves optimizing our physical, mental and emotional fitness. The goal is to have a healthy, fulfilling, active life with joyful relationships and experiences. Taking time for self-care and accessing resources to help you are all popular methods to achieve wellness. What's often missing is the financial dimension. Even worse, finances may be seen as in opposition to achieving wellness, as a scarcity or saving mindset may mean making sacrifices rather than choices.... Read More
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Required Minimum Distributions – Here’s How To Avoid Penalties
10-13-2023 |As retirement age approaches, individuals need to understand the significance of RMDs and the potential penalties for not taking them. This article will define RMDs, discuss their importance, and provide valuable insights for anyone nearing retirement age. Taking a proactive approach to RMDs can help retirees avoid penalties and seize opportunities. So, to ensure a smooth retirement journey read on to learn more about the required minimum distributions.... Read More
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U.S. Treasury Yields Hit 15-Year High
10-05-2023 |Interest rates have risen dramatically over the past year as the Federal Reserve has raised borrowing rates to slow our economy in an attempt to curb inflation. An economic slowdown, an unaffordable housing market with 30-year mortgages now approaching 8%, and a weakened labor market are all consequences of these higher interest rates.... Read More
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The Roth-Only Catch-Up Contribution Rule Will Get Time to Catch Up
09-29-2023 |The catch-up contribution rules in The SECURE 2.0 Act (passed in December 2022), were changed significantly by the IRS. The catch-up contribution allows those aged 50 and above to contribute an additional $7,500 to an employer-sponsored pre-tax retirement plan. SECURE 2.0 tied that contribution to income level. This rerequires individuals earning $145,000 and up to make that contribution to a Roth account with after-tax dollars. Roth accounts are useful in retirement planning to help manage taxable income in retirement. However, losing the tax deduction of the catch-up, which had previously been made with pre-tax dollars, is a substantial change.... Read More