Blog

Grow Your Financial Garden

Cultivating a realistic budget can help you harvest a better financial future Spring is here and it’s time to think about growth potential—for both your garden and your journey toward financial wellness! The following steps...

A Date with Destiny

Seven age milestones that will impact your retirement planning As you travel the savings road toward retirement and beyond, certain key dates will pop up. Some of these dates are critically important to your retirement planning efforts...

When to Begin Collecting Social Security

Deciding when to begin collecting Social Security depends on a number of factors, including how long you anticipate needing it. Deciding when to retire and begin collecting Social Security is an important life decision. For some,...

Year-End Tax Planning Tips

You may be able to reduce your tax liability if you consider adopting these tax strategies before year’s end. Few words can dampen the cheer and optimism of a New Year like taxes. Let’s face it, the time for holidays, time...

Optimizing Required Minimum Distribution

Required minimum distributions take on added urgency as you approach (and reach) age 72, with specific rules and tax implications. Seventy-two is an important age milestone for those in or near retirement, as it marks the time when...

One for the Ages

Consider the trade-offs before deciding what age to begin taking Social Security benefits As you get close to retirement, one of your biggest questions will likely be when to begin taking Social Security benefits. If you file at an age...

Beyond Retirement: Consider Your Other Goals

Retirement savings isn’t the only financial goal you might want to consider in a lifetime. There are other considerable milestones that you want to take into account as well. When it comes to financial stability, people tend to...

Tough Competition

Careful planning can help you manage competing financial priorities Does this sound familiar? You keep meaning to increase your retirement plan contribution, but there seem to be too many other financial priorities that get in the way....

What makes 2020 a unique year for retirement?

Q: What makes 2020 a unique year for retirement?A: Big changes to retirement account rules. You can attribute those changes to two major pieces of legislation: the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement (SECURE) Act, and...

LPL Financial - Midyear Outlook 2020

LPL MIDYEAR OUTLOOK 2020

Key Provisions of the CARES Act

Distributions can be waived in 2020 for Inherited Accounts, 401(k)s, and IRAs. Recently, the $2 trillion “Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security” (“CARES”) Act was signed into law. The CARES Act is...

Bear Markets Come and Go

If you are losing sleep over volatility driven by a cascade of disheartening news, it may help to remember that the stock market is historically cyclical. The longest bull market in history lasted almost 11 years before coronavirus...

Burt White: How do you survive an attack from an anaconda? (Bear Market)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sNIe1xR6MBw&feature=youtu.be

Does Your Portfolio Reflect Your Risk Tolerance?

When it comes to investing, many people associate risk with losing money. But investing entails different types of risk. Understanding each type -- and the potential return associated with your retirement portfolio -- can help you...

Managing Cash Flow in Retirement

Detailed budgeting, frequent monitoring of income and expenses, and prompt action to address potential cash flow problems are essential elements of financial planning for retirees. Despite careful planning and reasonable assumptions...

Reducing the Risk of Outliving Your Money

What steps might help you sustain and grow your retirement savings? “What is your greatest retirement fear?” If you ask any group of retirees and pre-retirees this question, “outliving my money” will likely be...

Medicare Open Enrollment Begins October 15

What is the Medicare Open Enrollment Period? The Medicare Open Enrollment Period is the time during which Medicare beneficiaries can make new choices and pick plans that work best for them. Each year, Medicare plan costs and coverage...

The A, B, C, & D of Medicare

Breaking down the basics & what each part covers. Whether your 65th birthday is on the horizon or decades away, you should understand the parts of Medicare – what they cover and where they come from. Parts A & B: Original...

Brush Up on Your IRA Facts

If you are opening an individual retirement account (IRA) for the first time or need a refresher course on the specifics of IRA ownership, here are some facts for your consideration. IRAs in AmericaIRAs continue to play an increasingly...

Market Update

Good Window of Opportunity for Roth IRA Conversions

The Roth IRA is a powerful tax-favored retirement option since it can offer a hedge against future tax-rate increases. But beyond tax planning considerations, Roth IRAs have several important advantages over traditional IRAs:1. Unlike...

Retirement in Motion Tips and resources that everyone can use

Healthcare takes a bigger share of Social Security benefits as you age Many people expect that they will be able to live on less income in retirement. Some expenses clearly will fall for some (such as mortgage payments and commuting...

National Social Security Month

One thing “to do” during National Social Security Month By Vonda VanTil Grand Rapids, Michigan It’s National Social Security Month. If there’s only one thing that you do this month related to Social Security, do...

Investing for Your Later Years? Think Asset Preservation but Don't Forget Growth

After years of investing for retirement and other goals, you may have accumulated a substantial portfolio. If you're approaching or already enjoying retirement, there are important steps that you can take to help ensure that your...

Are You Financially Fit?

Steps to reaching financial wellness include having a budget, an emergency fund, a good credit score, and retirement savings. If you don't have a financial plan, that question may be hard to answer. To achieve financial wellness, you...