Posts Archive
Financial Planning
In-Service 401(k) Rollovers
Written by Mary Ann Ferreira, CFP®, CDFA™, AIF® Does it make sense for you to do an “In-Service” (while still working) rollover of your 401(k) assets? Some 401(k) plans have high fees and expenses. In addition, the investment choices available in these retirement plans are sometimes limited. As a result of TIPRA (Tax Increase Prevention Reconciliation…
Read More
Marriage: Entering a New Investment Life
There are a lot of issues that couples need to think about when tying the knot — wedding preparations, family, and, of course, finances. Addressing personal finance and investment issues before the big day may help improve your odds of being together years later. Here are some financial issues that you should consider when embarking…
Read More
Don’t Plan for Retirement — Plan for an Encore Life
Written by Mark Jaeger, ChFC®, CFP® – CCO/COO Original article posted on Market Watch here.
Read More
Five Strategies for Tax-Efficient Investing
You may be able to use losses within your investment portfolio to help offset realized gains. If your losses exceed your gains, you can offset up to $3,000 per year of the difference against ordinary income. After factoring in federal income and capital gains taxes, the alternative minimum tax, and potential state and local taxes,…
Read More
A Strategy to Pursue Your Retirement Goals and Beat Inflation
Your retirement plan is designed to help you meet two important objectives — beating inflation and pursuing your retirement savings goals. The challenge is finding the right mix to strive for both. Why Be Concerned With Inflation? Technically defined, inflation is the rising cost of goods and services over time. Like termites invisibly gnawing at…
Read More
Questions to Ask When Drafting an Estate Plan
Because you’ve worked hard to create a secure and comfortable lifestyle for your family, you’ll want to ensure that you have a sound financial plan that includes trust and estate planning. With some forethought, you may be able to minimize gift and estate taxes and preserve more of your assets for those you care about.…
Read More
Have You Checked Your Retirement Plan Lately?
It’s generally a good idea to review your employer-sponsored retirement savings plan at least once each year and when major life changes occur. If you haven’t given your plan a thorough review within the last 12 months, now may be a good time to do so. Have you experienced any life changes? Since your last…
Read More
Do Your Parents Need Long-Term Care Insurance?
We live in an age of medical miracles. People live longer than ever before, and life expectancies are increasing at a steady rate. This means that many of us will be fortunate enough to still have our parents with us as we ourselves reach retirement age. As our parents age, however, their health may decline,…
Read More
The Qualified Personal Residence Trust (QPRT)
Written by Doug Custer, CFP® How do you keep that vacation home in the family? How do you keep any home in the family for that matter? We frequently explore such questions with clients. One often overlooked solution is a vehicle called the Qualified Personal Residence Trust (QPRT). A QPRT can be an especially attractive…
Read More
Considering an Offer to Retire Early: Should You Take It?
What is it? In today’s corporate environment, where cost cutting, restructuring, and downsizing are the norm, many employers are offering their employees early retirement packages. As you near retirement age, you may find yourself confronted with an offer from your employer for early retirement. Your employer may refer to the offer as a golden handshake…
Read More