Retirement

Because it’s tax time, our clients have been asking questions about how taxpayers ages 65 and older can make the most of the temporary $6,000 senior tax deduction that is in effect for tax years 2025 through 2028. This is an unusual situation, because a deduction is available to both those who itemize and those […]

It is not surprising that people tend to compare their financial situation during retirement to others, because money is highly visible in life: through homes, cars, travel, and lifestyle. So it becomes an easy benchmark for perceived success. However, not only do these comparisons rarely reveal the full picture of someone’s debts, obligations, goals, or

It is not surprising that the thought of retiring is overwhelming to many due to major life shifts. This could include financial uncertainty, loss of identity, and lack of structure. Studies show that high anxiety regarding outliving savings and maintaining one’s lifestyle is one of the more common reactions to anticipating retirement. We can help

Some clients have asked us what the difference is between having a life insurance policy that benefits their family, and having an annuity policy that has beneficiaries connected to it, in addition to the annuity having a specific death benefit feature. And that’s a good question, because it addresses the differences between each situation, even

There is no one “ideal retirement.” But there are many ways to have a happy retirement if you have reflected on the choices you have, and what you are willing to leave to chance. The way you answer the following questions may help you decide what may need more thought before you begin your retirement:

We frequently write about longevity and how important it is to have savings we don’t outlive. And while we’ve always striven to give our clients options for products where the income stream continues no matter how long you live, we are still often asked for a ‘number’ so that can be ascribed to someone’s projected

Years ago, it seemed as if the only reason to purchase life insurance was simply to make sure loved ones who depend on your income had what they needed financially after you passed away. Products have evolved along with the passage of time. While life insurance may still seem like something you buy primarily for

Working after retirement brings with it the need to understand certain tax and contribution rules governing the way you can use and/or continue to contribute to the money in your qualified retirement savings accounts. Looking first at continued contributions, in most cases, you should be able to, regardless of your age. There are no income

There is nothing generally inherent in any given year that says it’s a bad or good time to retire. The question that needs to be answered is whether you’re ready financially and emotionally. So, how do you determine if you are ready? Begin by asking yourself if you have estimated your stream of lifetime retirement

We often think that emotions only impact inter-personal decisions, however making consequential financial decisions in a heightened emotional state also generally isn’t a good idea.  Behavioral psychologists have identified a few common biases that can undermine our decision-making skills. While some are rooted in emotion, others are what we think of as mental shortcuts our