Retirement
How to Buy Series I Savings Bonds
Series I Savings Bonds help protect your assets from inflation. With an I Bond, you earn both a fixed rate of interest and a rate that changes with inflation. Two times per year, they set the inflation rate for the next six months. They can be purchased for yourself, your child, or as a gift…
Read MoreRetirement Strategy: How Much Should I Save?
“Will I outlive my retirement money?” This is one of the top fears for people who are starting to prepare for their retirement years. Determining how much money you need in retirement is a process. It shouldn’t be a number that you pull out of thin air. The process should include looking at your current…
Read MoreWhat’s In Your Estate Plan?
The older we get, the more critical it is to ensure our affairs are in order and have an estate plan. But what exactly is an estate plan, and what should be included? Estate Plan Basics An estate plan is the management and organization of your assets should you pass away. It also includes documentation…
Read More5 Empowering Investment Strategies for Women
On International Women’s Day this year, we had the honor of speaking to a group of professional women about financial planning strategies they can implement today. We wanted to share with everyone an overview of what we covered as so many could benefit from taking these simple strategies. Think about your life as it is…
Read MoreHow Your Money Mentality Changes in Retirement
Reaching retirement can feel like crossing the finish line at the end of a 30-, 40- or even 50-year-long marathon. What does retirement look like for you? Everyone reading this right now, probably just had a different answer to that question. Because everyone’s vision for retirement is different. Some people look forward to the endless vacation…
Read MoreRMD Roundup: A Few Key Updates About Required Minimum Distributions
As we approach the end of 2021, now might be a good time to take a closer look at a few developments surrounding required minimum distributions (RMDs). What Are RMDs? Once you reach age 72, you are required to take minimum distributions from your traditional IRAs and most employer-sponsored retirement plans. (RMDs are not required…
Read MoreThe Social Security Administration Announces 2022 Cost-of-Living Adjustment
On October 13, 2021, the Social Security Administration (SSA) officially announced that Social Security recipients will receive a 5.9 percent cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for 2022, the largest increase in four decades. This adjustment will begin with benefits payable to more than 64 million Social Security beneficiaries in January 2022. Additionally, increased payments to more than…
Read MoreMedicare Open Enrollment Begins Oct. 15th. What Does That Mean For Me?
Medicare’s open enrollment period happens once a year between October 15 and December 7. During this time, current Medicare beneficiaries have the option to adjust their coverage for the coming year. This can be a useful option for those who may have recently changed medication, underutilized their current coverage or found they could use additional…
Read MoreMid-Year Is a Good Time for a Financial Checkup
The first half of 2021 is behind us. As life emerges from the pandemic to a “new normal,” a mid-year financial checkup may be more important than ever this year. Here are some ways to make sure that your financial situation is continuing on the right path. Reassess your financial goals At the beginning of…
Read MoreIRA and Retirement Plan Limits for 2021
Many IRA and retirement plan limits are indexed for inflation each year. While some of the limits remain unchanged for 2021, other key numbers have increased. IRA contribution limits The maximum amount you can contribute to a traditional IRA or a Roth IRA in 2021 is $6,000 (or 100% of your earned income, if less),…
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