Social Security is a crucial piece of any retirement income planning for most retirees. On average, 40 percent of a retiree’s income is from Social Security Benefits. But there’s more to it than simply signing up. The monthly amount you receive can vary substantially based upon a number of factors such as age, marital status, and job status. Married couples have, on average, ten to twelve different options to choose from that can potentially maximize their benefits.
When saving for retirement, investors generally are not as concerned about fluctuations in their portfolio because it is a “future” event and there is time for corrections and additional savings. Investing after retirement is a very different circumstance. Considering the volatility in the stock and bond markets over the past 15 years, the uncertainty of our economy, and political gridlock in Washington, it is no wonder that many people feel apprehensive about their money and retirement!
It’s an age-old question: where can you invest your hard-earned money that brings both safety as well as competitive returns? Considering today’s volatility in the stock and bond markets, the uncertainty of our economy, gridlock in Washington, and the fact that interest rates from banks are near all-time lows, you may be wondering if there is still any such place.
It’s an age-old question: where can you invest your hard-earned money that brings safety as well as competitive returns? Considering today’s volatility in the stock and bond markets, the uncertainty of our economy, gridlock in Washington, and the fact that interest rates from banks are near all-time lows, you may be wondering if there is still any such place.
Fixed income securities, including individual bonds and bond funds, have historically been the primary tool used to generate income for retired investors. However, the task of generating income has become very difficult. Interest rates are at near record lows and monetary policy uncertainty evidently has resulted in increased bond market volatility. In spite of the low interest environment, investors have poured over $1 trillion into fixed income bond funds and ETFs over the last five years.
Each client presents a unique set of circumstances, so our first priority is to establish a professional relationship based on mutual respect and trust. We listen carefully to gain an understanding of the client’s concerns, preferences, and objectives so we can provide advice and guidance that is tailored to their individual situation. Together, we explore the goals, risk tolerance, objectives, and current financial position of the client. We then co
“Philanthropy” is defined as the act of making gifts of personal resources to charities. These resources can include donations of one’s time, energy, money and property. Millions of Americans perform simple acts of philanthropy, such as donating clothing to homeless shelters. This article focuses on how individuals can plan philanthropic activities so that they can help their favorite charities, while maximizing the advantages of their philanthropy – from an estate- and tax-planning perspective – for themselves.
If you are a mutual fund investor, it’s hard to resist peeking at those performance reviews published every year — the ones that list the top-performing funds. Perhaps you’re hoping that your fund will be among them, or you may be seeking new investment ideas. In either case, mutual fund performance statistics can be useful.
We’ve all heard the warnings about “putting all your eggs in one basket.” When it comes to diversifying your investments, that adage is not only relevant: It could mean the difference between financial success and failure.
The affluent have always had access to strategies designed to help them pass money to their heirs with minimal tax obligations. One of the most common estate tax planning strategies is an Irrevocable Life Insurance Trust (ILIT). An ILIT is easy to understand, relatively easy to implement, and in many situations, avoids the need to incorporate other wealth transfer or estate tax reduction techniques.
“Philanthropy” is defined as the act of making gifts of personal resources to charities. These resources can include donations of one’s time, energy, money and property. Millions of Americans perform simple acts of philanthropy, such as donating clothing to homeless shelters. This article focuses on how individuals can plan philanthropic activities so that they can help their favorite charities, while maximizing the advantages of their philanthropy – from an estate- and tax-planning perspective – for themselves.
Saving for retirement: It used to be something you could count on your employer to do for you. But not anymore. Thanks to the increasing use of 401(k) and other types of contributory retirement plans over the past 30 years, the percentage of private-sector workers who qualify for the guaranteed retirement income provided by an employer-sponsored pension plan has dropped dramatically.
College costs continue to skyrocket – at a pace that far exceeds the rate of inflation. But there is a bright side to planning for college expenses, and it’s getting a little brighter all the time – thanks to federal tax breaks that can make paying for college more affordable. The key point to remember is that you can create a college funding plan brick by brick, by combining a variety of investment accounts, tax benefits and financial aid sources. Here is a quick guide to get you going:
Each client presents a unique set of circumstances, so our first priority is to establish a professional relationship based on mutual respect and trust. We listen carefully to gain an understanding of the client’s concerns, preferences, and objectives so we can provide advice and guidance that is tailored to their individual situation. Together, we explore the goals, risk tolerance, objectives, and current financial position of the client. We then co
