Market Update – A November to Remember
Dec 6, 2024
Solid gains for stocks gave investors a November to remember. In fact, the S&P 500’s more than 5% advance marked its best month of 2024. Several factors played into the stock market’s continued move higher. The U.S. economy continued its steady run of solid growth. The Federal Reserve (Fed) cut interest rates as expected, providing some reassurance about the outlook for inflation. Third quarter earnings season was solid, revealing that corporate America still has double-digit earnings power in its bag of tricks. The combination of election clarity and prospects for deregulation and lower taxes from the incoming administration also played a role. Market leadership was also encouraging, as small caps and economically sensitive consumer discretionary and financial sectors led, which may bode well for further gains. (more…)
Tags: Current Events
How Market Cycles Can Impact Retirements
Dec 4, 2024
A thoughtful retirement strategy may help you pursue your many retirement goals. That strategy must consider many factors, and here are just a few: your income needs, the order of your withdrawals from taxable and tax-advantaged retirement accounts, the income tax implications of those withdrawals, and sequence of return risk. (more…)
Tags: financial advisor charlotte nc, Tax Advantages
Choosing an Income Tax Filing Status
Dec 2, 2024
Selecting a filing status is one of the first decisions you’ll make when you fill out your federal income tax return, so it’s important to know the rules. And because you may have more than one option, you need to know the advantages and disadvantages of each. Making the right decision about your filing status can save money and prevent problems with the IRS down the road. Oftentimes going into a new year already having made this decision will help you when you ultimately file.
Tags: Personal Finance, Retirement Tax Savings, Tax Advantages, Tax Deductions, tax guide, Tax Planning, tax season guide, taxes
Social Security Survivor Benefits
Nov 29, 2024
When you think of Social Security, you probably think of retirement. However, Social Security can also provide much-needed income to your family members when you die, making their financial lives easier.Your family members may be eligible to receive survivor benefits if you worked, paid Social Security taxes, and earned enough work credits. The number of credits you need depends on your age when you die. The younger you are when you die, the fewer credits you’ll need for survivor benefits. However, no one needs more than 40 credits (10 years of work) to be “fully insured” for benefits. And under a special rule, if you’re only “currently insured” at the time of your death (i.e., you have 6 credits in the 13 quarters prior to your death), your children and your spouse who is caring for them can still receive benefits.
Talking to Your Heirs About Estate Planning
Nov 25, 2024
Talking about “the end” is not the easiest thing to do, and this is one reason why some people never adequately plan for the transfer of their wealth. Those who do create estate plans with help from financial and legal professionals sometimes leave their heirs out of the conversation. (more…)
Tags: Certified Financial Planner Charlotte NC, charlotte NC, Current Events, Estate Planning, financial advisor, Retirement Planning
Why Regular Rebalancing Makes Sense
Nov 22, 2024
Everyone loves a winner. If an investment is successful, most people naturally want to stick with it. But is that the best approach? Here’s why rebalancing is key. (more…)
Tags: Certified Financial Advisor Charlotte NC, financial advisor, Investment Planning, Personal Finance, retirement, Retirement Planning
Why Don’t All Affluent People Become Wealthy?
Nov 20, 2024
Why do some people let their potential for lifetime wealth slip away? Some people are better off economically at 30 or 40 than they are at 50 or 60. In some cases, fate deals them a bad hand. In other cases, bad decisions and inaction are to blame. (more…)
Should We Reconsider What “Retirement” Means?
Nov 18, 2024
An executive transitions into a consulting role at age 62 and stops working altogether at 65; then, he becomes a buyer for a church network at 69. A corporate IT professional concludes her career at age 58; she serves as a city council member in her sixties, then opens an art studio at 70. (more…)
Tags: Certified Financial Planner Charlotte NC, charlotte NC, Personal Finance, retirement, Retirement Planning
Pay It Forward
Nov 15, 2024
You started early and have saved hard in your 401(k). You’ve also paid close attention to your investing strategy over the years. And you definitely understand the benefits of tax-deferred compounding over the long term and the potential for growth. Heck, you’ve even remembered to change your account password every 90 days. Maybe now it’s time to pay it forward and pass along some of your retirement savings wisdom and teach a younger generation! (more…)
Planning Ahead for Life Insurance Proceeds
Nov 13, 2024
Why did you purchase life insurance? If you’re like most people who buy life insurance, you’re looking to provide a source of income for someone (e.g., a spouse, parent, or child) after you die. Buying the policy was the first step. Now you’ll need to do a little more work to ensure that the money you leave behind lasts.Tags: Certified Financial Planner Charlotte NC, charlotte NC, Financial Planning, Insurance
More Insights
Jan 17, 2025
Outsized returns, record highs on nearly a weekly cadence, and low volatility were three major themes of price action in 2024. The S&P 500 posted a total of 57 record highs, marking the fifth-highest number of new highs in a calendar year since 1950. Furthermore, the CBOE Volatility Index (VIX) averaged only 15.5 on a … Continue reading “Market Update – The Correlation Comparison: Years That Resemble 2024”
Jan 15, 2025
Investment inaction is played out in many ways, often silently, invisibly, and with potential consequence to an individual’s future financial security, especially when it comes to retirement planning. Let’s review some of the forms this takes.
Jan 13, 2025
Will you pay higher taxes in retirement? Do you have a 401(k) or a traditional IRA? If so, you will receive income from both after age 73. However, if you have saved and invested much of your life, you may also end up retiring at a higher marginal tax rate than your current one. Tax … Continue reading “Tax Efficiency in Retirement”
Jan 10, 2025
Stocks had another very strong year in 2024. In fact, 2024 marked the first time the S&P 500 has enjoyed a +20% gain in back-to-back years since 1997–98. Last year didn’t start out so optimistically though. The list of worries among stock-market bears included high valuations, narrow leadership by the largest technology stocks, rising long-term … Continue reading “Market Update – Another Strong Year for Stocks”
Jan 8, 2025
Saving for retirement is not easy, but using your retirement savings wisely can be just as challenging. How much of your savings can you withdraw each year? Withdraw too much and you run the risk of running out of money. Withdraw too little and you may miss out on a more comfortable retirement lifestyle.
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