Planning
Social Security: The Elephant in the Room
Our featured article of the month, Social Security: The Elephant in the Room, outlines the history and some of the challenges facing the Social Security system. From its beginning, the system was designed to help those who had very little and who ultimately lived much shorter lives in retirement. Now, the system has expanded its...
Insurance Needs Assessment: For Empty Nesters and Retirees
Our featured article of the month, Insurance Needs Assessment: For Empty Nesters and Retirees, outlines the primary insurance coverages one should review as the kids leave the nest and retirement is within view. While the purpose of some coverages may change, some usefulness for them can still be found. For instance, Homeowner's Insurance certainly provides...
Three Key Questions to Answer Before Taking Social Security
Our featured article of the month, Three Key Questions to Answer Before Taking Social Security, touches on some of the important considerations regarding your benefits. The timing of receiving benefits certainly depends upon your personal financial situation and, of course, your educated guess on your longevity. That is an unknown factor that isn't up to any...
Managing Money as a Couple
Our featured article of the month, Managing Money As A Couple, discusses the importance of making financial decisions as a couple in the household. When I meet with clients I emphasize the importance of meeting with the couple together. I fully understand that typically one person is more interested or atuned to their financial situation...
Retirement Plan Contribution Limits for 2025
Our featured article of the month, Retirement Plan Contribution Limits for 2025, details changes in retirement additions based on your age as adjusted through the SECURE Act 2.0. If you are between the ages of 60 and 63 then the "super catch-up" of up to $11,250 may be a consideration if you are looking to...
Caring for Aging Parents
Our featured article of the month, Caring for Aging Parents, helps you start the difficult conversation many of us have had to engage in. The" sandwhich generation", those with aging parents and young children, are increasingly finding themselves in this challenging predicament. Ultimately, having to parent both our children and our parents is a major...
How to Build an Emergency Fund
Our featured article of the month, How To Build an Emergency Fund, helps outline the steps needed to setup an emergency fund. Determining the amount you should set aside is one based on your monthly expenditures. An easy rule of thumb is, what do you need to pay to ensure you don't get yourself into...
How Retirement Spending Changes With Time
Our featured article of the month, How Retirement Spending Changes With Time, is a primer for pre- or new retirees to help set expectations and dampen fears. While retirement will be a new and exciting adventure to embark on, with many retirees certainly "living it up" in the first few years, patterns of behavior will...
Immediate vs. Deferred Annuities
Our featured article of the month, Immediate vs. Deferred Annuities explains some of the basic differences between these long used retirement vehicles. In the past few decades, pensions have become few and far between, especially within the private sector. Having similar traits, annuities have secured a consistent presence in the retirement planning industry. The reason?...
Helpful Retirement Strategies for Women
Our featured article of the month, Helpful Retirement Strategies for Women, provides some initial steps for developing good savings habits, normalizing conversations and becoming more engaged in planning your future. Considering the longevity difference between women and men, women should be even more engaged in retirement goal planning. As mentioned in DRS Retirement Report from...