How to Recover from A Bad Sequence of Returns Early in Retirement
Retirement is supposed to be a time of relaxation and enjoyment, but sometimes things don’t go as planned. One of the biggest challenges retirees face is the unpredictability of the stock market. A bad sequence of returns early in retirement can be devastating and leave retirees with no options. But it’s important to remember […]
Historic Fed Rate Hikes (Again): Where Do We Go from Here?
At its March 2nd Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC), the Federal Reserve board voted to raise short-term rates another 25 basis points—the second such increase this year. It was the ninth rate hike since March 22, 2022, in an all-out effort to tame rising inflation, which had surged to its highest levels in 40 years. […]
Why You Should Rethink Using Your Retirement Savings for Anything OTHER Than Retirement OR Should You Use Your Retirement Savings to Pay for College, Fund a Down Payment, Start a Business, or…Anything Else???
As the years go by and your paychecks keep coming in, you diligently save for retirement, even benefiting from your employer’s match. Every now and then, you check your account statement, and that growing nest egg sure looks impressive! So, when it’s time to fund your child’s college education, make a down payment on […]
How to Pay Fewer Taxes on Retirement Account Withdrawals
Where there is income, there will be tax. So, it’s no surprise that building a successful retirement income plan will have a lot to do with how much tax you will pay on your account withdrawals. In all honesty, planning for the “money-out” phase of retirement is often more complicated than the “money in” […]
Top # Medicare Planning Mistakes and How to Avoid Them: A Guide for High-Net-Worth Clients
Linda had always been the picture of health. She ate well, exercised regularly, and never had any major health issues. So when she retired at the age of 65, she didn’t think much about long-term care. After all, why would she need it? For the first few years of retirement, Linda enjoyed traveling, spending […]
How to Make a Last-Minute IRA Contribution for the 2022 Tax Year
It’s a new year, and the book has closed on 2022. But, those still looking for a way to reduce their 2022 tax bill and accelerate their retirement savings have a planning opportunity available, which is to make an individual retirement account (IRA) contribution before the tax filing deadline of April 18, 2023. Reduce […]
Didn’t Prepare for Your Taxes Very Well Last Year? Here’s What to Do Now
Taxes are no fun. In fact, they might join root canals at the top of the list of “least favorite things to do with your time,” which is why many folks tend to wait until the last minute to deal with tax-prep related responsibilities. While it feels great just to get them done and […]
Beyond the 401K: Where High Earners Should Invest to Save for Retirement
At the heart of it, saving for retirement isn’t terribly complicated. You know you need to max out your employer-sponsored 401K so you can receive your employer match and allow your investments the opportunity to grow tax-free. This is undoubtedly the best place to start. But if you’re a high earner, your 401K won’t […]
The Pros and Cons of Retiring at Different Ages
While retirement sounds like an absolute dream, getting there can often feel a little stressful. Are you saving enough? How much do you really need? Will the market be favorable when you do? And, the big one: When can you actually retire? Narrowing down the best time, or really the best age, for you […]
5 Things to Consider about Cognitive Decline and Retirement
No one wants to admit when getting older starts affecting them. It can a sore subject that hurts an individual’s sense of pride and confidence in their ability to care for themselves. Think about how many stories you’ve heard of adult children having to have a talk with their elderly parents about no longer driving […]