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RMD

Recycling RMDs

One potential way to save money consistently is to arrange automatic transfers from your checking to your savings account on paydays. This idea can be also applied to RMDs as we get older. While we may be forced to take required minimum distributions out of qualified accounts, there are no

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emergency fund

Follow the Steps

Sometimes it’s best to start with the basic steps when planning for retirement. Are you contributing enough to your 401(k) to get your company’s full employee match? Have you paid off any high-interest-rate debt you may be carrying? Eliminating a monthly credit card or auto loan with a high-interest payment

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Five years

A Dangerous Decade 

The five years before you retire and the next five after retirement are among the most important and vulnerable for a retiree’s savings. The reasoning is that, as you approach retirement, there are far fewer years left to correct or recover from a mistake. The consequence of a misstep during

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Fair meaning equal

“Fair” Meaning “Equal”

We frequently receive inquiries regarding who the beneficiaries should be for the financial products we recommend. And, if the division among multiple beneficiaries should be equal. This brings up an interesting point.  When making this decision, people sometimes place descriptions on their offspring that relate to their current needs or

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gap

Do You Have a Gap?

There may be a gap between how much you spend and how much you think you spend. This gap should be factored in when trying to determine how much you’ll need in retirement: Probably more than you think. It’s natural to not want to think about this: It can be

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Expenses

Assumptions About Expenses

Have you ever reflected on the fact that frequently, the final years of your full-time career often coincide with your peak income? However, as your earnings increase, so can your expenses. And if you’re not saving at the same rate, it could be difficult to sustain your lifestyle in retirement. 

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What won’t work

Will Your Strategy Work?

Heading into retirement, It is essential to understand your options, and what will work best for you. It is similarly important, however, to understand what won’t work. Are you aware of every factor you need to take into consideration going into retirement? If not, your current strategy may not be

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Priorities

Priorities 

The importance of saving up enough for retirement cannot be emphasized enough. Seniors who retire mostly or solely on social security often end up strapped for cash. So, it’s essential to have additional income sources to tap into that can provide additional income. While we know retirement savings should be

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Increases

We’ve written about several of the increases that are happening in 2023 and thereafter, and it is important to keep them all in mind as you plan for your retirement. Since hitting a 40-year high of 9.1% in June, inflation has cooled somewhat. If that trend continues, the Cost of

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income

The Appeal of Safety

We thought to share with you our thoughts about the growing number of people who are looking to purchase a financial product that incorporates a guarantee on some or all of their retirement income. In the current climate, against a backdrop of rising inflation and a cost-of-living crisis, the benefits

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RMDs

Common Confusion

There still seems to be confusion among retirees about the changes in the law affecting required minimum distributions, or RMDs.  Beginning a few weeks ago, on January 1, 2023, the starting age for RMDs rose from 72 to 73. The new version of the Secure Act will eventually increase the

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Keep saving

Remember to Keep Saving

This article reminds you to stick to your goals and keep saving. “If you are already saving, whether for retirement or another goal, keep going! You know that saving is a rewarding habit.  If you’re not saving, it’s time to get started. Start small if you have to and try

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rules

2023

The year 2023 brought with it a number of changes to the rules governing retirement deposits and withdrawals. This includes changes, in both this and future years, for RMDs from tax-advantaged retirement accounts. New legislation also provides a tax credit for small businesses, relating to retirement plans. It’s important you

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fraudsters

Con Artists and Fraudsters

The National Council on Aging reports that financial scams targeting older adults are on the rise. According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation in 2021, there was a 74% increase in losses to older victims of fraud compared to 2020. Why is this? Con artists and fraudsters tend to go

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