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Q and A on RMDs
Tax-deferred retirement savings accounts, including IRAs and employer-based plans, are an appropriate way to build assets. Your accounts can potentially grow without losing ground to income taxes each year, and depending on the...
Read MoreRetirement Plans and Estate Planning
When you die, what will happen to your retirement plan benefits? In general, your retirement plan benefits pass to the beneficiaries you designate on the plan beneficiary designation form. Your benefits will generally be subject to...
Read MoreFamily Wealth: Talking to Your Children About Inheritance
Family Wealth: Talking to Your Children About Inheritance Generational wealth involves financial planning, where parents or grandparents pass wealth to loved ones after they die. Entrusting family members with receiving an inheritance...
Read MoreBack to Basics: Diversification and Asset Allocation
When investing, particularly for long-term goals, there are two concepts you will likely hear about over and over again — diversification and asset allocation. Diversification helps limit exposure to loss in any one investment or one...
Read MoreOwnership of Life Insurance: Estate Planning
When it comes to estate planning, ownership matters. The way your life insurance is structured can impact taxes, control, and how much your beneficiaries receive. Learn how to avoid costly mistakes and protect your legacy.
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Saving for Retirement
Although most of us recognize the importance of sound retirement planning, few of us embrace the nitty-gritty work involved. With thousands of investment possibilities, complex rules governing retirement plans, and the unpredictable...
Read MoreMyths and Facts About Social Security
Social Security offers retirement, disability, and survivor benefits but should not be your sole income source, and while facing financial challenges, it is not going bankrupt.
Read MoreDebt After Death: What Happens to Debt When Someone Dies?
Losing a loved one is never easy. In addition to the emotional challenges you may face, you might also be worried about what will happen to their debts once they are gone. Generally, with limited exceptions, when a loved one dies you will
Read MoreHow Taxes Can Impact Retirement Savings Accounts
Retirement is a chapter of life that, for some, may signal leisure, freedom, and working by choice, not necessity. This article discusses investment strategies and taxation, which affect the growth and value of retirement savings accounts.
Read MoreA Tax Planning Guide For High-Net-Worth Retirees
Tax planning is an essential aspect of financial management. This guide will review topics such as Roth IRA conversions, tax efficient strategies, estate planning and trusts, and charitable giving.
Read MoreRetirement Planning Checklist
It's never too early or too late to start planning! Check out our Retirement Planning Checklist today!
Read MoreStrategic Tax Insights for High-Net-Worth Individuals
High-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) often face a complex financial landscape characterized by diverse investments and sophisticated financial concerns. They require comprehensive financial planning to preserve and manage their wealth.
Read MoreEstate Planning Checklist
With your personal needs in mind, we have created this Estate Planning Checklist to help you manage and navigate the different choices and challenges you may face as you work towards preserving your wealth.
Read MoreUnderstanding Social Security
Almost 72 million people today receive some form of Social Security benefits, including retirement, disability, survivor, and family benefits. 1 Although most people receiving Social Security are retired, you and your family members may be
Read MoreRetirement Planning Key Numbers
Certain retirement plan and IRA limits rose for 2025. These tables offer an overview of the changes. Elective deferral limits 2024 2025 401(k) plans, 403(b) plans, 457(b) plans, and SAR-SEPs 1 (includes Roth contributions) Lesser of...
Read MoreHow to Maximize Your Profits With This Annual 8-Step Checklist
This checklist will guide business owners through a thorough annual evaluation. Completing each section will reveal how your business has performed financially and operationally in the past year.
Read More5 Steps to Navigating a Volatile Market Checklist
Some years can be challenging for the markets and if there is a positive to a down market, it is that it provides an opportunity to reflect on your long-term plan from a different perspective. View our 5 Steps to Navigating a Volatile...
Read MoreKey Financial Wellness Metrics for Near-Retirement Individuals
As one approaches retirement, monitoring your financial situation by understanding your net worth and assessing the assets and resources needed to maintain a comfortable lifestyle throughout retirement is vital. This article explores...
Read More6 Money Myths That Are Limiting Your Wealth
When people think of “myths,” they often think of such stories as Pandora’s Box (the woman who took the lid off of a jar releasing all of the world’s ills upon the world, were taxes one of them?), or the Tale of Prometheus (who stole...
Read MoreElevate Your Retirement Savings: What to Do After Maxing Out Your 401(k)
The 401(k) plan is an excellent way for HENRYs, high earners not rich yet, to save for retirement. Hitting the maximum contribution limit is a goal many work toward to reap the benefits of this tax-deferred saving strategy fully. But...
Read More3 Myths About Converting an IRA to a Roth IRA After Age 60
The 401(k) plan is an excellent way for HENRYs, high earners not rich yet, to save for retirement. Hitting the maximum contribution limit is a goal many work toward to reap the benefits of this tax-deferred saving strategy fully. But...
Read MoreSocial Security Retirement Benefit Basics
Social Security benefits are a major source of retirement income for most people. Your Social Security retirement benefit is based on the number of years you've been working and the amount you've earned. When you begin taking Social...
Read MoreNavigating the 4 Phases of Retirement
Retirement seems like a long way off, but it arrives faster than you think. The big question is, are you ready? What exactly does retirement entail? Analysts suggest there are four designated phases of retirement that a person often...
Read MoreUnlocking Your Social Security Potential: A Comprehensive Guide
Nearly every American worker includes Social Security benefits as part of their comprehensive retirement plan. As a member of the workforce, you pay Social Security taxes, which earn you “credits,” that go toward your Social Security...
Read MoreInflation & the Rising Costs of Summer Vacations
A staycation can create lasting memories without the financial strain As summer approaches, many families start dreaming of sandy beaches, scenic road trips, and exciting adventures in far-off places. However, the rising costs of...
Read MoreInvestment Approaches for Sustainable Yields in Uncertain Markets
Investment Strategies for Yield in Volatile Markets In today's volatile investment landscape, where uncertainties loom large, investors are increasingly seeking strategies that not only preserve capital but also provide stable income....
Read MoreFinancial Freedom vs. Financial Independence: Key Differences and How to Work Towards Both
Working towards financial independence can often be a lifelong process. But for many, financial freedom may come far sooner—and include some fun along the way. What are the differences between financial independence and financial...
Read MoreHomeownership: What It Could Mean for Your Estate Plan
There is one thing that we will most likely all do one day: regardless of your status in society, position at work, or whether you are tall or short, you may pass down assets to loved ones. When that day arrives, an estate plan is essential
Read MoreNext-Gen Investing - NAVIGATING MODERN INVESTMENT TRENDS
In the dynamic landscape of today's investment world, Gen Z is making waves by leaning heavily into both traditional and contemporary assets. According to a recent study by Saxo, an online investment platform, a substantial 60% of Gen Z
Read More6 Telltale Signs You're Not Saving Enough for Retirement
As a young person, you imagine you have all the time in the world to save for retirement. You live in the present with the future a mere blip out on the horizon. But time has a way of flying by, and you realize that maybe you are not saving
Read MoreEmpowering Your Legacy: How to Create a Charitable Giving Plan
Giving is more than just writing a check. It represents a meaningful experience and direction that helps to create an enduring impact felt by your family and by those you are helping. Consider these four steps to take when creating a giving
Read MoreFinancial Wellness Checklist for Small Business Owners
Financial wellness is easier to work toward when a business owner understands their economic outlook and has set financial goals to take them through the next 5 to 10 years.2 Striving toward financial wellness is vital for any small...
Read MoreMemorial Day & Financial Planning for Veterans
Veterans and those on active-duty face unique financial planning challenges Memorial Day is an important holiday observed in the United States to honor and remember those who have died while serving in the country's armed forces. It is...
Read More5 Tips for Saving and Investing as a Small-Business Owner
As a business owner, putting all your profits back into the business may be tempting, especially during the lean years. However, when it comes to saving and investing as a business owner, there are other paths you could consider for...
Read MoreBracing for Impact: Are You Ready for a Soft or Hard Landing?
Since 1954, the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) has gradually increased rates to curb inflation thirteen times before considering reversing the hikes and bringing the interest rates back down. It is just something that happens,...
Read MoreUnderstanding Tax Filing Options: Which One is Right for You?
Nowadays, when it comes to filing your taxes, there are numerous options. You can file with a tax professional like a CPA, or a tax preparation agency, for example, H&R Block or Jackson Hewitt; in some towns, there are volunteer tax...
Read MoreSimple Saving Ideas During Recessionary Times
Resolve to make savings automatic whether we’re in a recession or not After the Great Recession hit, far too many Americans found themselves without any savings to get through higher prices caused by inflation and the hardships of...
Read MoreAn Estate Planning Guide for Beginners
Estate planning is a comprehensive process that involves organizing your assets and making informed decisions concerning how your wealth will be handled before and after death. It is a critical phase of wealth management, essential for...
Read More3 Investing Lessons For Beginners You Won't Learn In School
Twenty-one U.S. states, including Kentucky, Texas, and Virginia, require public schools to provide high school students with financial literacy courses.1 But even among the school systems that provide general financial education to...
Read MoreIt’s Time to Spring-Clean Your Financial Plan
Tips to work towards a brighter future so you can enjoy the fruits of your labor Spring is a time of renewal and rejuvenation, as the world awakens from its winter slumber and new life begins to bloom. As the saying goes, "April...
Read MoreInvesting in an Election Year
The world's events always affect the markets, and making smart investment choices requires you to look at what's happening around the world. But what about during an election year? How should you invest while the country is...
Read MoreCaring For Your Family Members While Preparing For Retirement
The newest generation of upcoming retirees is facing a more unique and prominent dilemma than past generations have experienced: caring for family members at the same time they’re preparing for retirement. There are plenty of...
Read MoreWhy You Should Factor Long-Term Care Into Your Estate Plan
A solid estate plan should not only provide for your assets after you pass, but also plan for your long-term care while you're alive. With the median cost of a long-term care facility approaching $8,000 per month, paying for long-term...
Read MoreDeflation, Disinflation, and Why Investors Need a Plan for Both
When the market moves, whether up, down, or in circles, there are terms to describe these dubious economic fluctuations. Here, we will discuss two of them, deflation and disinflation, and why investors should plan for both. ...
Read MoreRetirement Income Investing As Rates Stay High
Present economic conditions are ripe with opportunities to enhance income Retirement is a time to enjoy the fruits of many years of labor; a season to reap the benefits of smart saving and investing. However, with the changing tides of...
Read MoreA Taxpayer’s Guide to Exemptions, Deductions, and Credits
When filing your income taxes, each taxpayer is different. Some prefer reducing the taxes they owe and getting the most significant possible refund, while others work to keep the taxes they pay as low as legally required. The IRS...
Read MoreRetirement Plan Limits for 2024
Many IRA and retirement plan limits are indexed for inflation each year. Several of these key numbers have increased once again for 2024. How much can you save in an IRA? The maximum amount you can contribute to a traditional IRA or a...
Read More5 Emergency Savings Tips for Building a Financial Safety Net
From unemployment to a sudden health crisis to a crippling accident, being financially prepared for life's many challenges may smooth the road ahead. Whether you are just starting out or have been working toward financial health for...
Read MoreWhen Changing Jobs, Rollovers May Offer Benefits
Consolidating retirement accounts can help your retirement immensely For many individuals, changing jobs can be an exciting opportunity to advance their career or pursue new interests. However, it can also present a challenge...
Read MoreFinancial Basics for Millennials
With age comes responsibility, so if you're a young adult in your 20s or 30s, chances are you've been introduced to the realities of adulthood. While you're excited by all the opportunities life has to offer, you're also aware of your...
Read MoreWhat to Know Before You Open Your Next Investment Account
Understanding the difference between taxable, tax-deferred, and tax-exempt accounts can improve portfolio diversification and make a difference in how much you earn over time. But investors may not fully understand how a strategy...
Read More5 Ways a Financial Professional Can Be Your Financial Planning Superhero
If you find yourself wavering back and forth on whether it's worth involving a financial professional for tax, retirement, or investment advice, consider this: A financial professional may be able to help defend you against crime and...
Read MoreA 12 Days of Christmas Financial Planning Checklist
The Christmas season is an excellent time of the year to review your financial planning strategy. Our finances are top of mind as most of us are monitoring our spending as the holiday and new year approaches. We can look back over the...
Read MoreSimplifying Dollar Cost Averaging
Investing has long been a strategy for wealth accumulation, yet knowing when and how to invest may discourage potential investors. One investment strategy aimed at making investing more consistent and manageable is Dollar Cost...
Read MoreThe Stock Market Roller Coaster: Will You Succumb to Fear or Ride it Out?
The stock market is like a roller coaster that goes unpredictably up and down. It can be fun and exciting one minute and terrifying the next. When people think of the stock market, they think of wealth accumulation. However, the stock...
Read MoreTAX PLANNING FOR BUSINESS OWNERS
What is business tax planning? When starting a business, you must consider a number of tax-related issues. Although business tax planning is a complicated area, it is essential to understand three major topics: tax consequences when...
Read MoreCHARITABLE GIVING: MAKING A POSITIVE DIFFERENCE
There are countless benefits of charitable giving. Through generous donations, you can make a difference in your community and society. You may also feel happier and even save on your taxes. Here are some key things to need to know...
Read MoreFed’s Core Inflation Focus vs. Retirees’ Real World
Do not dismiss energy or food prices when assessing the impact of inflation On September 13, 2023, it was announced that August saw inflation record its biggest monthly increase for all of 2023 as energy prices rose significantly....
Read MoreRetirement Security Starts With Visualizing Your Future
Planning for your financial future and retirement looks much different now than in previous years. Some people must supplement their Social Security to have enough to maintain their desired lifestyle. This means financial planning is...
Read More5 Tax Benefits of Long-Term Care Insurance
Kitty O’Neill Collings, an American politician and pioneer in the area of international diplomacy, civil liberties, and social justice, once quipped, “Aging seems to be the only available way to live a long life.”...
Read MoreHelpful Tax Tips before Year End
Tax planning can be more advantageous when done during the year and well in advance of year’s end. Opportunities may exist for you to minimize tax liability, which could leave more income for you and/or your family. ...
Read MoreNew Job and Four Tips for Your New 401(k)
Saving for retirement is important for all ages, the key is to start early Land a great new job? Awesome. Now is the perfect time to think about your 401(k) and retirement plan, whether you had one before or not. Saving for...
Read MoreInvestor Psychology When Bull Markets Take Hold
Why most investors are not at all positive during a bull run – and miss out In the world of investing, there are few phrases as exhilarating as "bull market". These words conjure images of an economy burgeoning with opportunity,...
Read MoreDisconnect Between the Markets & the Economy
Trying to reconcile recent market advances with not-so-good economic data U.S. stock markets continue to trend up as optimism returns to Wall Street while Main Street USA continues to struggle. For sure there is plenty of social unrest...
Read More5 Emergency Savings Tips for Building a Financial Safety Net
From unemployment to a sudden health crisis to a crippling accident, being financially prepared for life's many challenges may smooth the road ahead. Whether you are just starting out or have been working toward financial health for...
Read MoreHigh-Net-Worth Retirement Planning: 6 Ideas to Help You Get Your Finances in Order
HNWIs typically have at least $1 million in cash or assets that can be converted to cash easily, which could make planning for retirement more complex.
Read MoreFour Retirement Plan Trends to Watch in 2023
Tips so employers can help employees plan a confident and stable retirement Amidst a backdrop of a volatile market and potential inflationary pressures, these shifts can shape the future of employee retirement planning significantly.
Read MoreHow Compound Interest Makes You Money
Interest is one of the simplest and most appealing ways to gain profits from an investment. Like clockwork, you receive an interest payment on your principal, or the amount of money you deposit when you open an account.
Read MoreIt's Never Too Late to Improve Your Financial Awareness
Financial education is constantly evolving. As investments, financial priorities, and the economy change, so do financial strategies and plans
Read MoreInsuring Life’s Milestones
Having the proper insurance is one of the best ways to support your financial future and can bring peace of mind to you and your family. Let’s explore the key milestones that might warrant a closer look at your insurance policies.
Read MoreWhat to Know Before You Open Your Next Investment Account
Understanding the difference between taxable, tax-deferred, and tax-exempt accounts can improve portfolio diversification and make a difference in how much you earn over time.
Read MoreHow to Score a Retirement Planning Home Run
There are two things Americans have always looked forward to: going to the ballpark for the big game and retiring after a fulfilling career. Interestingly, baseball and retirement p
Read More10 Tips to Work Toward Financial Freedom
Financial freedom is a state of being in control of one's finances, covering expenses easily, and saving for future goals.
Read MoreAmerica’s Changing Vision of Retirement in 2022
Retirement planning is a primary reason for long-term saving, and when people think about retirement, finances are often the focus.
Read MoreGetting Started: Establishing a Financial Safety Net
Having a financial safety net in place can ensure that you're protected when a financial emergency arises.
Read More10 Tips to Work Toward Financial Freedom
Financial freedom is a state of being in control of one's finances, covering expenses easily, and saving for future goals. Financial freedom enables you to choose how you spend or interact with your money and have the choice to decide.
Read More3 Questions to Ask Yourself Before You Claim Social Security
Planning for retirement is exciting, but it may come with a bit of stress. If you worked hard all your life, now might be the time to relax and enjoy the fruits of your labor.
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