Planning for retirement is never a "set it and forget it" activity. There are unexpected disasters, market drops, and changing laws that invariably cause retirees to reevaluate their plans of action. Recently, market volatility and the Federal Reserve’s decision to cut interest rates may have you wondering how to respond. Here's what to consider when [...]
The events over the last few weeks remind us that no one can predict the ups and downs of the stock market. While there’s abundant information out there to reference so you can make informed decisions, there’s also a lot of conflicting advice. Some argue for “timing the market,” but there is simply no way [...]
The recent market volatility surrounding the coronavirus may have you concerned, especially if you’re approaching or already in retirement. Feelings of uncertainty, anxiety, and uneasiness are all common during any scary and volatile market. These feelings are normal and sometimes it can be beneficial to take a step back and look at the big picture. We can’t [...]
No one can fully escape taxes, but you do have some say in when you pay them. Different types of retirement income are taxed at different times. Orchestrating these sources in retirement can take some work, as the rules for each differ. Under the umbrella of tax-advantaged income sources, there are those that require taxes [...]
They say there’s no such thing as a free lunch, but what about a tax-deductible lunch? While many of your income sources can be taxed, there are strategies to minimize your overall tax burden before and in retirement. One of the advantages of going to one professional for all of your financial planning needs is [...]
In 2019, return preparer fraud was one of the 12 most common tax scams.[1] Digitization has made tax preparation easier, but has also opened up a whole new world of criminal activity. While there’s not much we can do to stop these threats entirely, there are certainly ways that we can all be smarter and [...]
One truth becomes apparent at tax time: Taxes are complicated. Even if the tax code were to never change, your bracket, filing status, or withholding might. Common life events like marriage, divorce, and your children leaving the nest can mean that you need to adjust your withholding. Knowing when to adjust your withholding is an [...]
10,000 Baby Boomers are turning 65 every day[1], and Social Security will soon start to pay out more than it takes in.[2] While it’s unlikely that the government will ever get rid of the program, there will likely be some changes in the coming years. It’s important to understand the system and to work closely [...]
Here’s proof that funding retirement has changed: In 1970, 45% of private sector employees were covered by a pension plan.[1] Now, 4% are covered.[2] Pensions have largely been replaced by 401(k), IRAs, and similar retirement plans, and retirees must find a way to make their savings last throughout retirement. The SECURE Act responds to this [...]
The Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement (SECURE) Act is a response to a changing retirement landscape: Americans are living and working longer, working part-time in retirement, and are less likely to have the option to rely solely on pensions. When personal savings must stretch further, it’s important for retirees to have a plan [...]
