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Navigating Retirement Pitfalls
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...
Read MoreChanging Unhealthy Behaviors
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...
Read MoreU.S. Personal Savings Rate
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...
Read MoreCaring for Aging Parents
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...
Read MoreSaving for College
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...
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How a Woman Can Fund Her Own Retirement
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...
Read MoreWhat is the Social Security 2100 Act?
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...
Read MoreAvoiding Tax Scams in Retirement
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...
Read MoreGuaranteed Lifetime Income Rider and Living Benefits Basics
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...
Read MorePlanning for Retirement in a Slowing Economy
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,...
Read MoreAnnual Financial To-Do List
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
Read MoreUnderstanding Lump Sum Pension Buyouts
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...
Read MoreMost Seniors Will Need Additional Income Streams In Retirement
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...
Read MoreIs Now The Time To Consider Rolling Your 401k Over Into An IRA?
“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...
Read MoreAnnuity Lifetime Income Riders: How Rollup Rate and Payout Rate Affect Income
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...
Read MoreIdentity Theft and Retirement: How to Protect Yourself
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...
Read MoreThe Impact of Health Care Costs on Social Security
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
Read MoreHow the SECURE Act could impact your retirement planning
The SECURE Act presents both challenges and opportunities for retirees if they act now
Read MoreSome Key Points Of President Biden’s Tax Plan
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.
Read MoreStealth Retirement Expenses
A look at some surprise expenses in retirement that may come your way -- and how you can prepare for them.
Read MoreYour Credit Score in Retirement
Retirement may not affect your credit scores directly, but how you manage your finances during retirement can impact your credit and borrowing power.
Read MoreReduce Family Conflicts Over Your Estate
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
Read MoreThe Uncertain Future of Social Security
The Social Security program has had a deficit every year since 2010 and by 2033, the program is projected to become insolvent.
Read MoreWhat Is a Multi-Year Guaranteed Annuity (MYGA)?
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
Read MoreSome Key Points Of President Biden’s Tax Plan
“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.”
Read MoreIndexed Annuities Offer Security with a Limited Amount of Risk
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,
Read MoreUnderstanding the Difference Between Fixed And Variable Annuities
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.
Read MoreUsing Life Insurance To Meet Your Financial Goals
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?
Read MoreWhat Is An “Annuity Laddering” And How Can It Work For You
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.
Read MoreHow Should You Prepare Your Finances For Life After The Presidential Election
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.
Read MoreWhat are “floating rate” bond funds and are they better than fixed annuities?
“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.”
Read MoreWill President Biden’s Capital Gains Tax Increase Mean You Should Head For The Exit?
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.
Read MoreWhat’s Really Behind Those “7% Guaranteed Rates” On Fixed Annuities?
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
Read MoreCould “Substantially Equal Periodic Payments,” Help You If You Need To Retire Early?
It’s great if you want (or need) to retire before age 59½, just be aware of the potential tax consequences.
Read MoreWhy Your Financial Advisor Should Be A Fiduciary
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
Read MoreVerifying Social Security Records to Maximize Your Benefits
Verifying your personal and earnings information with the Social Security Administration will help ensure that your future Social Security income is calculated correctly.
Read MoreDecumulation: It’s Like Investing, Only Harder
“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
Read MoreWill Adding A Fixed-Indexed Annuity To Your Portfolio Help Offset Inflation Risk?
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.
Read MoreAre You Prepared For Living Longer?
“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.”
Read MoreA Look at Diversification
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...
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