2021 Opens With a Bang
Jan 11, 2021
The first week of 2021 has already had many ups and downs. Just because it’s a new year doesn’t mean that the 2020 issues go away, and so far, 2021 has been no exception to this rule.
The markets opened on January 4 and traded lower out of the gate, with the S&P 500 dropping 1.5%. The last time the market opened lower was in 2016, when the S&P 500, the Dow Jones, and the Nasdaq Composite all dropped on the first trading day of the new year.1,2 (more…)
Tags: Certified Financial Planner Charlotte NC, Current Events, financial advisor charlotte nc, Personal Finance, Retirement Planning
IRA Contribution Deadlines are Approaching
Jan 4, 2021
Financially, many of us associate April with taxes – but we should also associate April with important IRA deadlines. From current and previous IRA contribution deadlines, to RMD deadlines, keep an eye on the calendar.
April 15, 2021 is the deadline to take your Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) from certain individual retirement accounts.
Keep in mind that withdrawals from traditional, SIMPLE, and SEP-IRAs are taxed as ordinary income, and if taken before age 59½, may be subject to a 10% federal income tax penalty. (more…)
Tags: financial advisor charlotte nc, Financial Planning, Investing, Investment Portfolio, Personal Finance, retirement, Retirement Planning, Retirement Tax Savings
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: Certified Financial Planner Charlotte NC, Income Planning, Long-Term Care Planning, Retirement Planning, Retirement Tax Savings
Cash Balance Plans
Dec 4, 2020
In corporate America, pension plans may be fading away. Only 14% of Fortune 500 companies offered them to full-time employees in 2019. In contrast, legal, medical, accounting, and engineering firms are keeping the spirit of the traditional pension plan alive by adopting cash balance plans.1 (more…)
Tags: Employee Benefit Planning, Financial Planning, retirement, Retirement Planning, Retirement Tax Savings, tax guide, Wealth Building
Do Main Street Self-Employed Individuals Need a Wall Street Strategy?
Dec 2, 2020
As Wall Street pushes higher, a pandemic-weary Main Street is relearning how to manage cash flow with the hope of keeping its retirement dreams alive – and for those self-employed, this is paramount.
Self-employed Americans, and the people working for them, account for roughly 30 percent of the nation’s workforce.1
In the best of times, putting aside money for retirement was a challenge for this group. (more…)
Tags: Certified Financial Planner Charlotte NC, financial advisor charlotte nc, Financial Planning, Investing, Personal Finance, retirement, Retirement Planning, Retirement Tax Savings, Tax Advantages, Tax Planning
Speed Bumps and Vaccine Headlines
Nov 18, 2020
As an investor, it can be tempting to get caught up in daily news headlines. From election news to vaccine updates, these headlines can lead to additional volatility in the markets. Consider how news about the election and COVID-19 vaccines have moved the markets over the past several weeks. But having a financial strategy can help you ignore short-term volatility and focus on your long-term vision. (more…)
Tags: Certified Financial Planner Charlotte NC, charlotte NC, Family Wealth, financial advisor, financial advisor charlotte nc, Financial Planning, Investment Planning, Personal Finance, Retirement Planning
2021 IRA Limits, 401(k)s and More
Nov 2, 2020
On October 26, the Treasury Department released the 2021 adjusted figures for retirement account savings (IRA, Roth IRA, and 401(k)s). Although these adjustments won’t bring any major changes, there are some minor elements to note. (more…)
Tags: Certified Financial Planner Charlotte NC, financial advisor charlotte nc, Financial Planner Charlotte NC, Personal Finance, retirement, Retirement Planning, Tax Planning
The Social Security Administration Announces 2021 COLA
Oct 30, 2020
On October 13, 2020, the Social Security Administration (SSA) officially announced that Social Security recipients will receive a 1.3 percent cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for 2021. This adjustment will begin with benefits payable to more than 64 million Social Security beneficiaries in January 2021. Additionally, increased payments to more than 8 million Supplemental Security Income (SSI) beneficiaries will begin on December 31, 2020. (more…)
Tags: Certified Financial Planner Charlotte NC, Family Wealth, Personal Finance, Retirement Planning, Retirement Tax Savings, social security, Tax Advantages, Tax Planning
Budgeting for Beginners
Oct 9, 2020
Budgeting towards needs and goals. One of the objectives of creating a household budget is that, as time moves on and the various household members advance in their careers, they are likely to make more money. Knowing where that money goes can help direct that money to not only meet your day-to-day needs but also to potentially realize your financial goals. Rent payments may eventually become mortgage payments. Socking away a few bucks into your savings each payday is an effective financial strategy involving various investment tools. (more…)
Tags: Financial Help, Financial Planning, Personal Finance, Retirement Planning
Women Facing and Conquering Retirement Challenges
Sep 23, 2020
When it comes to retirement, some women face obstacles that can make saving for retirement a challenge. Women typically earn less than their male counterparts and often take time out of the workforce to care for children or other family members. Added to the fact that women typically live longer than men, retirement money for women may need to stretch even further.1 (more…)
Tags: Personal Finance, retirement, Retirement Planning
More Insights
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.
Apr 15, 2024
Did you buy U.S. Savings Bonds decades ago? Or did your parents or grandparents purchase them for you? If they’re collecting dust in a drawer, you may want to take a look at them to see if any of your bonds have matured. If your bonds have matured, that means they are no longer earning … Continue reading “How US Savings Bonds Work”
Apr 12, 2024
In baseball, three strikes and you’re out. With inflation, a third straight month of hotter-than-expected consumer inflation data nearly ruled out probabilities for a June rate cut yesterday (now less than a 25% chance, according to fed funds futures). The core Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 0.4% in March, or 3.8% when compared on a … Continue reading “Market Update – Assessing the Prospect for a Pullback”
Apr 10, 2024
You know how important it is to plan for your retirement, but where do you begin? One of your first steps should be to estimate how much income you’ll need to fund your retirement. That’s not as easy as it sounds, because retirement planning is not an exact science. Your specific needs depend on your … Continue reading “Estimating Your Retirement Income Needs”
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