How the Federal Reserve Works
Have you ever taken a close look at paper money? Each U.S. bill has the words “Federal Reserve Note” imprinted across the top. But many individuals may not know why the bill is issued by the Federal Reserve and what role the Federal Reserve plays in the economy. Here’s an inside look. The Federal Reserve, […]
Immediate vs. Deferred Annuities
Despite not being as well known as some other retirement tools, annuities account for 6% of all assets earmarked for retirement. With about $2.6 trillion in assets, annuities hold more funds than Roth IRAs.1 An annuity is a contract with an insurance company. In exchange for a premium or a series of premiums, the insurance […]
Conquering Retirement Challenges for Women
When it comes to retirement, women may face unique obstacles that can make saving for retirement more challenging. Given that women typically live longer than men, retirement money for women may need to stretch even further.1 Despite these challenges, a wise strategy can give women reasons to be hopeful. Get clear on your vision. Do […]
How Will Working Affect Social Security Benefits?
In a recent survey, 73% of current workers stated they plan to work for pay after retiring.1And that possibility raises an interesting question: how will working affect Social Security benefits? The answer to that question requires an understanding of three key concepts: full retirement age, the earnings test, and taxable benefits. Full Retirement Age Most […]
Types of Stock Market Analysis
There is no shortage of analysis for anyone interested in investing. A search for the term “stock market analysis” turned up over one billion results on Google and well over two billion on Yahoo.1 The majority of stock market analysis can be lumped into three broad groups: fundamental, technical, and sentimental. Here’s a close look […]
What’s New for Social Security?
Whether you’re applying for Social Security in the future or currently receiving benefits, there are some important changes to earnings limits, Medicare premiums, and other differences to keep in mind. Ready to learn more? Read on. Ready for a Cost-of-Living (COLA) increase? That’s right! Due to an increase in the Consumer Price Index (CPI-W), the […]
Eight Mistakes That Can Upend Your Retirement
Pursuing your retirement dreams is challenging enough without making some common, and very avoidable, mistakes. Here are eight big mistakes to steer clear of, if possible. No Strategy: Yes, the biggest mistake is having no strategy at all. Without a strategy, you may have no goals, leaving you no way of knowing how you’ll get […]
Tax Efficiency in Retirement
Will you pay higher taxes in retirement? It’s possible. But that will largely depend on how you generate income. Will it be from working? Will it be from retirement plans? And if it does come from retirement plans, it’s important to understand which types of plans will be financing your retirement. Another factor to consider […]
Three Key Questions to Answer Before Taking Social Security
Social Security is a critical component of the retirement financial strategy for many Americans, so before you begin taking it, you should consider three important questions. The answers may affect whether you make the most of this retirement income source. When to Start? You have the choice of 1) starting benefits at age 62, 2) […]
Retirement Plan Choices for Small Businesses
As a small-business owner, figuring out retirement choices can be a little intimidating. How do you pick the most appropriate retirement plan for your business as well as your employees? There are a number of choices when creating retirement plan strategies for you and your employees. Here, we will review three of the most popular […]