Tag: Income Planning

Retirement Is a Beginning

Aug 17, 2022

Start line on Train Tracks
See if you are prepared to begin your retirement by answering four key questions.

How do you know you if you are psychologically ready for retirement?

As a start, ask yourself four questions. (more…)

Tags: , , , ,



3 Shrewd Maneuvers in a Down Market

Jun 29, 2022

Top Gun ManeuversIt’s natural to think “defense” during a bearish market season. But why not mix in some “offense” with your defense? Here are three moves we can discuss together that may be helpful during the current market downturn. (more…)

Tags: , , , , ,



Bad Money Habits to Break

Feb 2, 2022

Hammer Breaking Glass
Breaking Bad Habits

Do bad money habits constrain your financial progress? Many people fall into the same financial behavior patterns, year after year. If you sometimes succumb to these financial tendencies, now is as good a time as any to alter your behavior. (more…)

Tags: , , , ,



Step-Up CD

Jan 10, 2022

clipart walking up stairs gray white background CD
They allow you to take advantage of rising interest rates.

When interest rates start to climb, will these be the CD to own?

Step-up certificates of deposit (also called  rising-rate CDs) are fixed-income investments with a bit of wiggle room. When you have CDs with a step-up provision, you have a chance to exchange the initial yield for a better one as interest rates rise. Given currently underwhelming long-term CD yields, what CD owner wouldn’t want that option in the future? (more…)

Tags: , , ,



Retire Single

Dec 6, 2021

Retired Person Sitting on Bench in Desert
If you are retiring single, income replacement and staying socially engaged should be considerations.

About 6% of Americans 65 and older have never married. That statistic comes from a 2019 Census Bureau report, which also found that 22% of Americans aged 65-74 live and retire alone. (more…)

Tags: , , , ,



Mixed Signals on Inflation

Aug 25, 2021

Inflation Stock market signals
What to know as markets look forward

Are you having a tough time keeping track of mixed inflation signals? You’re not alone.

Consumer prices in July climbed at their fastest rate since August 2008. Worse, producer prices, which can be an indicator of future price changes at the consumer level, rose at the highest rate since tracking began.1 (more…)

Tags: , , ,



Inflation Can Be a Scary Word

May 21, 2021

Inflation can be a scary word for people who are retired. It’s code for “prices are going up, but my income may stay the same.” (more…)

Tags: , , , , ,



Retirement Blind Spots

Dec 9, 2020

We all have our “blue sky” visions of the way retirement should be, yet our futures may unfold in ways we do not predict. So, as you think about your “second act,” you may want to consider some life and financial factors that can suddenly arise. Nobody likes having retirement blind spots

You may end up retiring earlier than you expect. If you leave the workforce at “full” retirement age (FRA), which is 67 for those born in 1960 and later, you may be eligible to claim “full” Social Security benefits. Working until 67 may be worthwhile because it will reduce your monthly Social Security benefits if you claim them between age 62 and your FRA.1 (more…)

Tags: , , , ,



A Windfall Inheritance Comes Your Way

Nov 16, 2020

Here’s a windfall scenario for you: You pick up what appears to be a lottery ticket. You check the numbers for a laugh and discover a winning combination, offering you millions of dollars in prize money. What are the chances of that? (more…)

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , ,



Social Security Questions to ask Before Claiming

Aug 17, 2020

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. (more…)

Tags: , , , , ,



More Insights

Apr 26, 2024

It seems like we just can’t stop talking about the Federal Reserve (Fed). After an aggressive rate hiking campaign that we think ended last year, markets were expecting the Fed to start cutting interest rates as early as next month. But withan economy that continues to surprise to the upside, along with inflationary pressures that … Continue reading “Market Update – The Patient Pause”

Apr 24, 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.

Apr 22, 2024

Losing a spouse is a stressful transition. And the added pressure of having to settle the estate and organize finances can be overwhelming. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to make dealing with these matters less difficult.

Apr 19, 2024

Ever hear of critical illness insurance? This isn’t standard-issue disability insurance, but a cousin of sorts. With people living longer, it is a risk management option entering more people’s lives.

Apr 17, 2024

Following Iran’s missile and drone strikes on Israel over the weekend and the apparent escalation likely in any Israeli response, stocks fell sharply during Monday’s trading session. We examine the latest developments in the Middle East conflict, how stocks have reacted historically to geopolitical events, and the possible impact on markets moving forward.

Insights + Resources >