Important Birthdays Over 50

Most children stop being “and-a-half” somewhere around age 12. Kids add “and-a-half“ to make sure everyone knows they’re closer to the next age than the last.When you are older, “and-a-half”...
Read MoreMost children stop being “and-a-half” somewhere around age 12. Kids add “and-a-half“ to make sure everyone knows they’re closer to the next age than the last.When you are older, “and-a-half”...
Read MoreSocial Security can be complicated, and as a result many individuals don’t have a full understanding of the choices they may have. Here are five facts about Social Security that are important to keep in mind.1. Social Security Is...
Read MoreDespite not being as well known as some other retirement tools, annuities account for 6% of all assets earmarked for retirement. With about $2.6 trillion in assets, annuities hold more funds than Roth IRAs.1An annuity is a contract...
Read MorePreparing for retirement can look a little different for women than it does for men. Although stereotypes are changing, women are still more likely to serve as caretakers than men are, meaning they may accumulate less income and...
Read MoreFour ways interest Rate Hikes Can Affect Your FinancesUnless you live on another planet, you are fully aware of this thing called inflation — whether you’re at the grocery store, a gas station, buying clothes online, hiring...
Read MorePursuing your retirement dreams is challenging enough without making some common, and very avoidable, mistakes. Here are eight big mistakes to steer clear of, if possible.No Strategy: Yes, the biggest mistake is having no strategy at...
Read MoreIt’s natural to think “defense” during a bearish market season. But why not mix in some “offense” with your defense? Here are three moves we can discuss together that may be helpful during the current...
Read MoreMost portfolios are constructed based on an individual's investment objective, risk tolerance, and time horizon.Using these inputs and sophisticated portfolio-optimization calculations, most investors can feel confident that they own a...
Read MoreWith its four distinct parts, Medicare can be an alphabet soup of complexity. We provide an overview of the various components and how they impact your healthcare costs. Medicare is available to virtually all U.S. citizens and legal...
Read MoreKnowing the different types of investment risk can help you cope with market volatility. When was the last time you checked your retirement plan balance? If your balance was less than it was the last time you checked, you probably felt...
Read MoreThere are a number of different life insurance products and features to consider when evaluating plans. Discussing the importance of owning life insurance can be a sensitive topic — after all, few people like to talk about death....
Read MorePerform this five-point inspection to help keep your retirement plan’s motor running smoothly Just like with a car, it’s a good idea to perform some annual maintenance on your retirement plan. Here’s a five-point...
Read MoreYour financial professional is an objective financial professional who will help you work toward your financial goals. Here’s how to optimize that critical relationship. The financial world is a complex one to navigate. New...
Read MoreRetirees face a critical task in managing their income and expenses to ensure that they can support their lifestyle and any healthcare costs. Unless you have accumulated substantial wealth where money is not a concern, you face a...
Read MoreCultivating 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...
Read MoreSeven 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...
Read MoreDeciding 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,...
Read MoreYou 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...
Read MoreRequired 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...
Read MoreConsider 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...
Read MoreRetirement 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...
Read MoreCareful 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....
Read MoreQ: 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...
Read MoreDistributions 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...
Read MoreIf 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...
Read Morehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sNIe1xR6MBw&feature=youtu.be
Read MoreWhen 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...
Read MoreDetailed 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...
Read MoreWhat 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...
Read MoreWhat 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...
Read MoreBreaking 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...
Read MoreIf 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...
Read MoreThe 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...
Read MoreHealthcare 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...
Read MoreOne 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...
Read MoreAfter 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...
Read MoreSteps 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...
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