How Women Can Prepare For Retirement

How Women Can Prepare For Retirement

When our parents retired, living to 75 amounted to a nice long life, and Social Security was often supplemented by a pension. The Social Security Administration (SSA) estimates that today’s average 65-year-old woman will live to age 86½. Given these projections, it appears that a retirement of 20 years or longer might be in your […]

Managing an Inheritance

Managing an Inheritance

Inheriting wealth can be a burden and a blessing. Even if you have an inclination that a family member may remember you in their last will and testament, there are many facets to the process of inheritance that you may not have considered. Here are some things you may want to keep in mind if it […]

What Happens When There Are No Beneficiaries

What Happens When There Are No Beneficiaries

Some accounts have no designated beneficiary. Rarely, the same thing occurs with insurance policies. This is usually an oversight. In exceptional circumstances, it is a choice. What happens to these accounts and policies when the original owner dies? 

The investment or insurance firm gets the first chance to determine what happens. On many retirement plans, for example, a spouse is often the default beneficiary, even if not named on a beneficiary form. If the deceased has no spouse, then the plan assets may just become part of that person’s estate. Brokerage accounts without any designated beneficiaries are also poised to become part of the estate of the decedent. The next stop for these assets could be probate.1

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Annual Tax Guide – A Guide to 2022 Tax Law Changes (Part 3)

Annual Tax Guide – A Guide to 2022 Tax Law Changes (Part 3)

In this 3-part tax guide, we will explore where your tax dollars go, some of the ways tax filing may look different in 2022, and what you can do to prepare. Keep in mind, this guide is for informational purposes only and is not a replacement for real-life advice, so make sure to consult your tax, legal, and accounting professionals before modifying your strategy.

If you missed part 1 (here) or part 2 (here) of this series, check those out first. Part 3 is below.

Preparing (Well-In-Advance) for the Tax Season

Planning well in advance of the tax season may help better prepare you for the unexpected. Here are several reasons to begin planning early:

  • Your home, job, or relationships changed in 2021
  • You need to start saving money if you may owe taxes
  • You want to ensure you qualify for tax deductions

You can make changes throughout the year to ensure that your tax preparations go smoothly.

In particular, you can make periodic assessments of your paycheck withholdings so that you will get a refund or can reduce or eliminate your tax burden.

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September is National Life Insurance Awareness Month

September is National Life Insurance Awareness Month

It’s time for your life insurance checkup. 

September is National Life Insurance Awareness Month, so it’s a great time to review your coverage.1

If you don’t have any life insurance, you’re not alone. Life insurance is one of those “someday” things for many people – but the cheapest time to buy it is probably today.

There are two kinds of life insurance: term and permanent. Additionally, there are three kinds of permanent life insurance: whole, universal, and variable.

How do these forms of life insurance differ, and how do you find out which type of coverage is right for you?

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Getting Your Financial House In Order

Getting Your Financial House In Order

When you read about money matters, you will sometimes see the phrase, “getting your financial house in order.” What exactly does that mean?

When your financial “house is in order,” it means it is built on a solid foundation. It means that you have six fundamental “pillars” in place that are either crucial for sustaining your financial well-being or creating wealth.  Read more about Getting Your Financial House In Order

Your Year-End Financial Checklist

Your Year-End Financial Checklist

The end of the year can help remind us of last-minute things we need to address and the goals we want to accomplish. To that end, here are some aspects of your financial life to think about as this year leads into the next. Keep in mind, this article is for informational purposes only and […]

What Makes 2020 A Unique Year For Retirement?

What Makes 2020 A Unique Year For Retirement?

Q: What makes 2020 a unique year for retirement?

A: Big changes to retirement account rules.

You can attribute those changes to two major pieces of legislation: the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement (SECURE) Act, and the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.

You may not have to withdraw money from your retirement plan this year. In most circumstances, you must make annual withdrawals from traditional IRAs and workplace retirement plans once you turn 72. The CARES Act suspends this requirement for 2020. Read more about What Makes 2020 A Unique Year For Retirement?

Life Insurance at an Early Age

Life Insurance at an Early Age

Perhaps you’ve heard the maxim, “Preparation is the key to success.” But when it comes to life insurance, knowing when to prepare is almost more important than the preparation, itself.

Sure, it can be difficult to think about life insurance as early as your 20s, but life moves pretty fast sometimes. Before you know it, you’ll be in your 30s and possibly supporting a family. Even if you have a different life plan, taking care of those who matter most is always a wise move. Read more about Life Insurance at an Early Age