Blog Archives

Retirement Planning in a Volatile Market

Written on August 12, 2019.

The recent market volatility may have you concerned, especially if you’re approaching or already in retirement. Feelings of uncertainty, anxiety, and uneasiness are all common during any scary and volatile market. These feelings are normal and sometimes it can be beneficial to take a step back and look at the big picture. We can’t predict the markets, so acting with haste and making emotional decisions can potentially negatively impact your retirement outlook. Make sure to remind yourself of the reasons you’re planning and investing in the first place. Focusing on your priorities and unique goals can help you put your market exposure and risk tolerance into perspective. Now that you’ve done this, you can focus your time and efforts on what’s really important.

Lifestyle Tips to Consider for Retirement

Written on August 9, 2019.

You’ve worked the majority of your life, and deserve to have many blissful years ahead. With a proper plan and execution strategy in place, you should be on track to accomplish all of your retirement goals and dreams. If it’s been a little while since your last retirement review, then CLICK to request your complimentary, no-obligation meeting.

Here are 3, quick and easy lifestyle tips to consider for your life in retirement.

Make the Most of Your 401(k)

Written on August 5, 2019.

We all know that a 401(k) is one of the most important retirement planning tools we have: The potential tax benefits and power of compound interest can make it a great savings and investment tool for anyone who practices financial discipline and contributes regularly. But your contributions aren’t the only things to consider when figuring out how to make the most of your 401(k).

4 Phases in Retirement

Written on August 2, 2019.

Everyone talks a lot about how to prepare for retirement financially, but there is less focus on how to adjust your mindset in retirement and manage expectations. You might not be happy every single day in retirement, but that doesn’t mean your retirement won’t be happy. Transitioning into retirement is no small task, and research shows that the way people feel about their retirements follows a u-shaped curve; first people are quite positive, then not as much, and then are positive again. It seems that there are 4 phases in retirement.

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.