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Trust
Sometimes as we are in the midst of our retirement years, we need to have a serious heart-to-heart with our adult children. That conversation can often begin by explaining that not every decision you make will look the way they would personally choose to handle things, but that does not mean it is uninformed or
Dependable, and Not Just For Retirement
A fixed index annuity can provide a dependable stream of income, which becomes especially valuable after a divorce when household finances are often disrupted. It offers protection of principal while still allowing for some growth, helping preserve assets during a period of financial transition. Guaranteed lifetime income options can create a sense of financial independence
The Last Thing
The last thing you need to worry about when you retire is losing your sense of purpose. Staying mentally and socially engaged matters more than most people expect. Health tends to outweigh wealth, so maintaining routines that support physical and cognitive well-being becomes critical. Many retirees underestimate how important structure is even when they no
Staggered Retirement
Staggered retirements are more common than you might think, especially when couples are different ages. A two-phase retirement can affect both you when it comes to your savings and spending needs. It’s important to think ahead about how you’ll both plan for and handle these impacts. There are differing and varied options that may fit
The Trifecta
If you are mulling over in your mind your list of tangible assets, savings accounts, and creating your will, you may be trying to determine that trifecta question of how to be able to keep what you have in your name, have access to income, but still leave something as a legacy to your heirs.
Taxes On Social Security
Our Clients have come to us asking why they are paying taxes on their Social Security income when they thought it would be tax-free. It isn’t just those that have built significant wealth that will be paying taxes on some of their Social Security; when your provisional income (your modified adjusted gross income plus 50%
Bonus Senior Tax Deduction
Because it’s tax time, our clients have been asking questions about how taxpayers ages 65 and older can make the most of the temporary $6,000 senior tax deduction that is in effect for tax years 2025 through 2028. This is an unusual situation, because a deduction is available to both those who itemize and those
Comparison
It is not surprising that people tend to compare their financial situation during retirement to others, because money is highly visible in life: through homes, cars, travel, and lifestyle. So it becomes an easy benchmark for perceived success. However, not only do these comparisons rarely reveal the full picture of someone’s debts, obligations, goals, or
Timing
When you withdraw your first RMD may impact your taxes. You may wonder how that can happen, and with tax season approaching, we thought it best to draw your attention to a nuance you may not be aware of. Typically, you have until December 31 to take your full distribution—or if you’re taking your first
Joint and Why Not?
We’ve received some questions lately regarding joint ownership of an annuity, and why it can’t be done in qualified accounts. Joint ownership of an annuity allows two individuals, usually spouses, to co-own a contract, ensuring income continues for the survivor. This offers security in that it provides income for two people while either is alive.
Not Surprising
It is not surprising that the thought of retiring is overwhelming to many due to major life shifts. This could include financial uncertainty, loss of identity, and lack of structure. Studies show that high anxiety regarding outliving savings and maintaining one’s lifestyle is one of the more common reactions to anticipating retirement. We can help
It’s That Time of Year
Since January is a popular month for email scams, here are some tips to help avoid them and keep the good times going all year long. Call us if you’d like more tips on how to avoid getting caught in a scam; we’re always here to help.
Preparing for the Future
Some clients have asked us what the difference is between having a life insurance policy that benefits their family, and having an annuity policy that has beneficiaries connected to it, in addition to the annuity having a specific death benefit feature. And that’s a good question, because it addresses the differences between each situation, even
Choice and Chance
There is no one “ideal retirement.” But there are many ways to have a happy retirement if you have reflected on the choices you have, and what you are willing to leave to chance. The way you answer the following questions may help you decide what may need more thought before you begin your retirement:
Longevity
We frequently write about longevity and how important it is to have savings we don’t outlive. And while we’ve always striven to give our clients options for products where the income stream continues no matter how long you live, we are still often asked for a ‘number’ so that can be ascribed to someone’s projected
Evolution of Life Insurance
Years ago, it seemed as if the only reason to purchase life insurance was simply to make sure loved ones who depend on your income had what they needed financially after you passed away. Products have evolved along with the passage of time. While life insurance may still seem like something you buy primarily for