July 2019

Put Your Money to Work

Written on July 28, 2019.

You’ve worked for your money, and retirement is the time to have your money work for you. But what does this mean? Basically, your goal in retirement should be to turn what you’ve saved into retirement income. Many Americans are worried about running out of money since pensions are rare and there are reasons why you can’t rely solely on Social Security in retirement. But if you’ve saved a substantial nest egg of 1 million dollars, you can use these strategies to help make your savings last and put your money to work.

A Plan for a Better IRS Experience

Written on July 26, 2019.

“I love dealing with the IRS,” said no one, ever. But, President Trump has signed a bill that will reform the IRS in an effort to make it more taxpayer-friendly. You’ll still have to pay your taxes, and rule breakers will still be punished, but hopefully, the average person will have a better experience with the agency when it comes to customer service, identity theft protection, and payment. The Taxpayer First Act is aimed at creating a plan for a better IRS experience.

Avoid Ageism in Retirement

Written on July 22, 2019.

Despite the fact that America has an aging population, there is much evidence of ageism around us. The way we perceive older adults can limit their roles in society and a pervasive negative view of aging can have a psychological impact on us. Sometimes ageism can be seen in a seemingly benign birthday card depicting age as something to laugh at or feel bad about, but other times it takes the form of workplace discrimination. And, it’s not just younger people who can be ageist, it can be people 50 and over as well. That’s why it’s important to be mindful of how you can avoid ageism in retirement.

Don’t forget about Your Old 401(k)s

Written on July 19, 2019.

Do you have multiple 401(k)s? If you left your money in a former employer’s 401(k), you may want to reconsider as you near retirement. According to the Bureau of Labor Statics, Baby Boomers have held an average of 12 jobs by the time they turn 50. When you leave a job, the money you contribute to your 401(k) is still yours, and you may also be able to keep your employer’s contributions depending on your vesting schedule. There are a few options for your old 401(k)s: You can cash out of the plan, leave the money in the plan, rollover the money into your current employer’s plan, or roll it over to an IRA. All of these options have different advantages, so don’t forget about your old 401(k)s as you approach retirement.

Small Steps and Giant Leaps Toward Retirement

Written on July 15, 2019.

July 20^th marks the 50^th anniversary of the moon landing. In the middle of summer vacation, Baby Boomers gathered around their TVs to watch Neil Armstrong take one small step for man and one giant leap for mankind. This milestone in human history marked many Americans’ upbringings and identities in a significant way. It was a testament to the power of human ingenuity and perseverance, and the ability of America to reach its loftiest goals. Putting a man on the moon probably seemed impossible to many when President Kennedy promised we would in 1961, but it happened. Right now, your retirement goals might seem out of reach, but with perseverance and a good plan, they can be attained.

Financial Lessons from a Founding Father

Written on July 12, 2019.

July 12^th marks the 215^th anniversary of Alexander Hamilton’s death. As the first secretary of the treasury for America, he created the first national bank, consolidated the new country’s war debts, and established credit the country could count on. You could say he was America’s, Chief Financial Officer. He was also a self-taught immigrant who started off with no wealth and ended up on the $10 bill. Thanks to his killer, Aaron Burr, Hamilton never reached retirement. But we can learn important financial lessons from the Founding Father who built our country’s financial system.

Beware of Sequence of Returns Risk

Written on July 8, 2019.

Times of market volatility are never pleasant, but they pose a particular threat to you as you near and enter retirement. The state of the market just before you retire can impact your returns throughout your entire retirement. This is because once someone takes withdrawals from a fund’s underlying investments, they expose themselves to sequence of returns risk.

3 Things to Do if the Stretch IRA Dies

Written on July 5, 2019.

The House of Representatives voted in favor of the Secure Act 417-3, and the bill is now on a fast track to vote in the Senate. The bill would do away with the tax-planning strategy for inherited IRA commonly referred to as the “stretch IRA.” “Stretching” an IRA allows beneficiaries to take required minimum distributions (RMDs) from an inherited IRA based on their own, longer life expectancies. The Secure Act proposes that beneficiaries must deplete inherited IRAs within 10 years of the original owner’s death. This could cause a bigger tax burden on beneficiaries and cause them to lose the advantage of continued tax-deferred growth. However, there will be exceptions to the proposed new rules, and alternatives to a stretch IRA.

Plan to Maintain Your Independence This 4th of July

Written on July 1, 2019.

Many Baby Boomers are watching their parents age to the point where they should move out of their home – and refuse. Maybe it’s that they are stubborn when it comes to their independence, or maybe they refuse to be a burden on their children. While these sentiments are admirable, older children can be faced with daily anxiety about their elderly parents’ wellbeing alone in their homes. At the same time, they can probably sympathize with the desire to remain in one’s own home, a comfortable and familiar environment where one is independent. If an elderly relative’s experience with aging in place has you thinking about how you will stay in your home, consider these home renovations. Even after the fireworks are over this 4^th of July, you’ll be thinking about how to maintain your independence throughout retirement.

Month: July 2019