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Sunday, March 19, 2023

Lately, I've been writing about the "sandwich generation"- those who care simultaneously for their growing families and aging parents. I'm also a sandwich generation member, so I know the difficulties associated with providing for your...

Thursday, February 23, 2023

As a client-focused retirement and income designer, I've long experienced frustration and disappointment with how the financial services industry sometimes treats the people who need them the most. Instead of approaching clients and...

Saturday, February 4, 2023

With older parents starting to require additional assistance and two college-age kids they support financially, Donna and Ed (not their real names) are examples of what I call the "sandwich generation." Members of the sandwich...

Wednesday, January 18, 2023

To avoid running out of money in retirement, you must protect your wealth against market volatility and "sequencing risk."One of the most significant risks to retirees' nest eggs is that timing withdrawals from your retirement account...

Thursday, November 24, 2022

The growth of exchange-traded funds (ETFs) has been explosive. In 2005, there were less than 500; by the latter half of 2021, there were over 8,000 investing in a wide range of stocks, bonds, and other securities and instruments.1At...

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Thursday, November 24, 2022

Whether through inertia or trepidation, investors who put off important investment decisions might consider the admonition offered by motivational speaker Brian Tracy, "Almost any decision is better than no decision at all."This...

Thursday, November 24, 2022

Taking withdrawals from a traditional portfolio exposes fixed-income investors to “sequence of returns” danger. In other words, experiencing negative returns early in retirement can deplete your portfolio more quickly than...

Saturday, November 19, 2022

Asset protection specialist and published author Jerry Yu has now released his latest book, Fortify Your Financial Kingdom: Build Flexibility and Control into Your Wealth for Generations...

Saturday, November 5, 2022

Interest in making an impact with one’s investments has grown in recent years, which means many investors may have an increased interest in environmentally or socially focused investments as well. In fact, impact investments...

Sunday, October 30, 2022

In my latest book, Fortify Your Financial Kingdom, I go into great detail about why I think correctly designed life insurance is the most powerful tool available for strengthening and protecting your accumulated wealth. However, life...

Saturday, October 22, 2022

Everyone loves a winner. If an investment is successful, most people naturally want to stick with it. But is that the best approach? It may sound counterintuitive, but it may be possible to have too much of a good thing. Over time,...

Thursday, October 20, 2022

If you were one of those fortunate enough to learn at least a smattering of economics in high school, you might recall hearing about the disturbing things known as "asset bubbles." First, we should define the word "asset, which isn't...

Saturday, October 15, 2022

continued schemes related to coronavirus Economic Impact Payments and unemployment fraud. All tax scams put taxpayers at risk. This year, criminals continue to exploit the pandemic and related relief programs, including the rise in...

Wednesday, October 12, 2022

"New laws passed in several states will require employers to collect a payroll tax from employees who don't have private long-term care insurance." - Jerry Yu. A dramatic demographic shift is happening in the United States....

Saturday, October 8, 2022

One landmark study found that credit-based insurance scores are used by about 95 percent of all auto and home insurers in calculating the cost of insurance to individuals.¹While the vast majority of insurance companies use...

Monday, October 3, 2022

Many of us hope to leave something behind for our loved ones when we pass away. But the probate process is complex. To understand how to better manage potential probate fees, let’s explore what probate is and how the process...

Sunday, September 18, 2022

Anyone who has gone through the process of mapping out their retirement knows there can be a lot to keep in mind. Saving, investing, anticipating medical costs, and making sure you have enough tucked away for years to come is just the...

Thursday, September 15, 2022

You may have to make estimated tax payments if you earn income that is not subject to withholding, such as income from self-employment, interest, dividends, alimony, rent, realized investment gains, prizes, and awards.You also may have...

Sunday, September 11, 2022

The initial assessment by the Congressional Budget Office suggests the Act will have a negligible effect on inflation in 2022, and in 2023 could increase or decrease the current inflation rate by 0.1 percentage point.1The Inflation...

Saturday, September 10, 2022

U.S. MarketsRenewed fears of higher rates and economic weakening, coupled with a tough talk by Fed Chair Jerome Powell and other Fed officials, sent stocks lower in August.The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 4.06 percent whereas...

Tuesday, September 6, 2022

Generally, the different parts of Medicare help cover specific services. Most beneficiaries choose to receive their Parts A and B benefits through Original Medicare, the traditional fee-for-service program offered directly through the...

Saturday, August 27, 2022

If you are like most homeowners, you love selecting the fixtures, fabrics, and paint colors of your home improvement project. But there is one very important item that you may overlook—making certain you are properly insured.Why...

Tuesday, August 23, 2022

If you're part of the "sandwich" generation, you may feel you've lost control of your financial kingdom."Many of us in the sandwich generation toss and turn at night wondering if we'll manage to stay in control of our financial...

Saturday, August 20, 2022

What exactly is the “sequence of returns”? The phrase describes the yearly variation in an investment portfolio’s rate of return. But what kind of impact do these deviations from the average return have on a...

Thursday, August 18, 2022

The latest research suggests that divorce rates in the U.S. have been falling in recent decades. Still, many people face the difficult crossroads that comes when their marriage ends.1Getting a divorce is a painful, emotional process....

Tuesday, August 16, 2022

Whether it’s sports, music, or politics, life holds any number of “great debates”– debates that never seem to reach a conclusion. In investments, that great debate asks the question, “Active or Passive...

Monday, August 15, 2022

Benjamin Franklin once said, “a penny saved is a penny earned.” One way to find the money to meet your spending or saving needs is to examine your current spending habits and consider eliminating money wasters.Top Money...

Sunday, August 14, 2022

Much is written about the classic financial mistakes that plague start-ups, family businesses, corporations, and charities. Some classic financial missteps have been known to plague retirees, too.Calling them “missteps” may...

Saturday, August 13, 2022

Most Americans know the fundamentals of good health: exercise, proper diet, sufficient sleep, regular check-ups, and no smoking or excessive alcohol. Yet, despite this knowledge, changing existing behaviors can be difficult. Look no...

Tuesday, August 9, 2022

The U.S. personal saving rate stood at 7.3 percent in October 2021, a significant drop from the 26.6 rate in March earlier in the year.1The personal saving rate is the federal government’s estimate of what percent of their...

Friday, August 5, 2022

Thanks to healthier lifestyles and advances in modern medicine, the worldwide population over age 65 is growing. In the past decade, the population of Americans aged 65 and older has grown 36% and is expected to reach 94.7 million in...

Monday, August 1, 2022

College costs have risen steadily over the past several years, which is why some should consider starting to save early. Whether you plan on paying all the costs or just a fraction, this calculator can help you better assess the...

Wednesday, July 27, 2022

It makes sense -- and can bring real peace of mind -- for a woman to manage her own retirement plan.Women do so much for others during their lives.If you’ve spent your years taking care of other people, you may expect that...

Friday, July 15, 2022

The Social Security program has run a deficit every year since 2010, and new projections expect that it will be unable to meet its obligations to American retirees by as early as 20331Many experts believe that Social Security is in...

Wednesday, July 13, 2022

Every year, as the April tax deadline approaches, there’s an increase in the number of tax-related scams that are reported according to Transaction Network Services. Thousands of taxpayers are duped every year and retirees are...

Sunday, July 10, 2022

Over a little more than a decade, guaranteed lifetime income riders have become all the rage as an attached benefit to deferred annuity policies.A deferred annuity is a special contract that delays income or payments until an investor...

Tuesday, July 5, 2022

Being alert to economic slowdowns -- and shifting gears if needed -- can keep you on the path to meeting your retirement goals.When the pace of economic growth appears to slow, even if other indicators are not signaling trouble ahead,...

Friday, July 1, 2022

Actions you can take this year to improve your financial security. What financial, business, and life priorities do you plan to address in the coming year? Now is a good time to think about strategies to accomplish your specific objectives

Wednesday, June 29, 2022

While it is possible for you to take a lump sum payment, invest it wisely, and benefit from the situation in various ways, it’s important to remember that you are fully responsible for making that lump sum last throughout your...

Sunday, June 26, 2022

One of the most common concerns expressed by retirees in financial planning sessions is the fear of running out of money in retirement. As you near the time when you are no longer in the workforce, you might worry about whether your...

Thursday, June 23, 2022

“If you have 401k, your investment choices are limited. Depending on your situation, an IRA could be a better choice.” Many people at or near retirement age have money in 401k plans, and the number of people...

Monday, June 20, 2022

Lifetime income riders offer guaranteed minimum lifetime income, but these two rates significantly affect the payout you receive.An income rider is an optional annuity add-on guaranteeing that, once the annuity starts paying out, it...

Saturday, June 18, 2022

Identity theft is a problem that impacts millions of people annually. Retirees and older Americans have recently been targeted at higher rates than other segments of the population.Adults aged 65 and older lose about $3 billion every...

Thursday, June 16, 2022

As health care costs continue to rise at a faster annual rate than Social Security payments, and lifespans continue to lengthen, the need for retirees to establish an additional source of guaranteed lifetime income outside Social Security h

Thursday, June 9, 2022

The SECURE Act presents both challenges and opportunities for retirees if they act now

Thursday, June 9, 2022

By focusing on low and middle-income earners, Joe Biden hopes to stimulate a pandemic-ravaged economy. The impact could be significant for higher net worth individuals and corporations.

Monday, May 2, 2022

A look at some surprise expenses in retirement that may come your way -- and how you can prepare for them.

Friday, April 29, 2022

Retirement may not affect your credit scores directly, but how you manage your finances during retirement can impact your credit and borrowing power.

Wednesday, April 27, 2022

Relying on a will to pass along your wealth after you die may not be enough to prevent confusion and confrontations between your heirs. Instead, a well-considered estate plan can employ several additional strategies to clarify your intentio

Saturday, April 23, 2022

The Social Security program has had a deficit every year since 2010 and by 2033, the program is projected to become insolvent.

Friday, April 22, 2022

Get a guaranteed interest rate with this tax-deferred investment strategy. Multi-year Guaranteed Annuities (MYGAs) are fixed annuities that promise a set rate of return for a period of years. When the time is up, you can either cash in the

Thursday, April 21, 2022

“By focusing on low and middle-income earners, Joe Biden hopes to stimulate a pandemic-ravaged economy. The impact could be significant for higher net worth individuals and corporations.”

Tuesday, April 19, 2022

Indexed annuities, sometimes called fixed indexed annuities or equity-indexed annuities, aren’t direct investments in the market; they are insurance contracts that guarantee a minimum return on your principal for a certain period of time,

Monday, April 18, 2022

Annuities offer tax sheltered growth which can result in significant long-term returns for you if you contribute to the annuity for a long period and wait to withdraw funds until retirement.

Friday, April 15, 2022

Life insurance can be a key part of a well-structured estate plan, an important business strategy, and a wealth-building tool. When was the last time you reviewed your life insurance coverage?

Wednesday, April 13, 2022

A desire to preserve cash savings and turn that money into lifetime income is a primary reason some people decide to purchase annuity products. “Laddering” can help these products work even more efficiently.

Monday, April 11, 2022

Seek the guidance of a fiduciary. You can lessen your anxiety about money by partnering with a financial fiduciary. A fiduciary is someone who is obligated to seek out and recommend only those solutions which best fit your needs and goals.

Saturday, April 9, 2022

“However attractive floating bond funds appear, investors must be diligent to weigh the risks, research the holdings inside the fund, and consult their financial advisory team to ensure alignment with their overall financial goals.”

Saturday, April 9, 2022

Tax increases are bound to occur over the next few years as federal, state, and local governments scramble to make up shortfalls created during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Tuesday, April 5, 2022

Don’t let hype and misinformation keep you from discovering the many positive aspects of having annuities in your retirement portfolio. An annuity gives you certain tax advantages, can help you create lifetime income, protect your principle

Monday, April 4, 2022

It’s great if you want (or need) to retire before age 59½, just be aware of the potential tax consequences.

Sunday, April 3, 2022

Choosing the right financial advisor should never be undertaken lightly. Finding an advisor committed to only doing what’s best for you is a challenging task that is crucial to retirement success. FeeOnly or FeeBased financial professional

Saturday, April 2, 2022

Verifying your personal and earnings information with the Social Security Administration will help ensure that your future Social Security income is calculated correctly.

Friday, April 1, 2022

“When the time comes to spend down your retirement assets, there’s no “magic formula.” However, common sense and flexibility, along with diligence, will go a long way toward helping you achieve your goals.” Jerry Yu

Thursday, March 24, 2022

It’s crucial for anyone concerned about running out of money in retirement to sit down with a qualified retirement income specialist and do the math to see if adding an annuity makes sense in their situation.

Thursday, March 17, 2022

“People who want to live longer may not have counted the costs of doing so. There’s a lot to consider if you want to live long and be well.” 

Wednesday, June 5, 2019

Ancient Chinese merchants are said to have developed a unique way to manage their risk. They would divide their shipments among several different vessels. That way, if one ship were to sink or be attacked by pirates, the rest stood a...