A few things you may want to think about before filing for benefits. Determining when to take Social Security benefits is a complicated financial decision. Here are a few things to think about and discuss with your financial professional. How long do you think you will live? If you have a … [Read more...]

It depends on your goals, time horizon, and risk tolerance. "Will I outlive my retirement money?" That's one of the top fears for people who are starting to prepare for their retirement years. So I have to chuckle a bit when I see headlines that say, "Here's how much money Americans think they … [Read more...]

How do these investment approaches differ? Ever heard the term “strategic investing”? How about “tactical investing”? At a glance, you might assume that both these phrases describe a similar investment approach.  While each approach involves the periodic adjustment of a portfolio and … [Read more...]

Investors and homebuyers take note. Lately, it can feel like each day brings a new headline about fluctuating market behavior. But amid the ups and downs of 2020, there may be some potential good news on the horizon. On July 16, 2020, the interest rate for a 30-year home loan had fallen to 2.98%. … [Read more...]

Examining a long-held retirement planning assumption. A classic retirement planning rule states that you should retire on 80% of the income you earned in your last year of work. Is this old axiom still true, or does it need reconsidering? Some new research suggests that retirees may not need … [Read more...]

Whether you want to leave work at 62, 67, or 72, claiming the retirement benefits you are entitled to by federal law is no casual decision. You will want to consider a few key factors first. How long do you think you will live? If you have a feeling you will live into your nineties, for … [Read more...]

You Could Retire, But Should You? Some people retire at first opportunity, only to wish they had waited longer. Your financial strategy likely considers normal financial ups and downs. That said, a big “what if” on your mind might be “what if I retire in a down time that doesn’t swing back upward … [Read more...]

Should you withdraw and reinvest your retirement plan money while you are still on the job? Did you know you might be able to take some or all of the money in your 401(k), 403(b), or 457 plan and roll it over into another type of retirement account? Were you aware that you could do this while you … [Read more...]

The I.R.S. is giving you three additional months to file and pay. The Internal Revenue Service knows that many taxpayers have had a stressful spring. So,it has reset the federal tax deadline. You now have until July 15 to file your 1040 form. July 15 is also the deadline to pay any federal taxes … [Read more...]

What they are. How they help. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, almost every state in America is under some sort of stay-at-home order. This unprecedented time has also led many businesses, large and small, to downsize or close up shop entirely. In response to the drastic impact that COVID-19 … [Read more...]