Financial Planning

4 Key Birthday Milestones in Retirement—and What They Mean for Your Financial Strategy

Birthdays in retirement aren’t just a reason to celebrate—they’re also checkpoints that can unlock new financial opportunities (or trigger important deadlines). From Social Security eligibility to Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs), several key ages mark turning points in your retirement journey. Here are four birthday milestones every retiree should know—and what they mean for your financial [...]

Protecting Your Legacy: How to Navigate Wealth Transfer Taxes Amid Uncertainty

Careful planning is essential to help ensure your wealth passes efficiently to your loved ones. With significant changes potentially on the horizon, estate and tax planning remains crucial. The federal estate tax exemption stands at $13.99 million per individual and $27.98 million for married couples in 2025. However, there’s growing uncertainty about whether these historically [...]

By |2025-06-09T11:46:41-04:00June 9th, 2025|Blog, Estate Planning, Financial Planning, Tax Planning|

Post-Tax Season Tips for Pre-Retirees

Tax season is behind us, but for pre-retirees—those within 10-15 years of retirement—this is the perfect time to reassess financial strategies. The decisions you make now can significantly impact your retirement lifestyle, taxes, and financial security. Here are five key post-tax season moves to keep you on track. Tax-Advantaged Retirement Contributions If you’re still working, [...]

By |2025-05-19T10:56:54-04:00May 19th, 2025|Blog, Financial Planning, Tax Planning, Taxes|

Is It Time to Refresh Your Annuity? Here’s Why You Might Consider It

Annuities have long been a cornerstone for those seeking a steady income stream in retirement. However, the financial landscape is ever-evolving, and what worked a few years ago might not be the best fit today. With rising interest rates, inflation concerns, and innovative annuity products entering the market, now might be a great time to [...]

By |2025-04-21T13:23:34-04:00April 21st, 2025|Blog, Financial Planning, Investing, Retirement Planning|

6 Tips for Building a Retirement Budget

Building a retirement budget is critical to working toward an independent and relaxing life after leaving the workforce. Creating this budget can positively impact one's lifestyle, provide confidence and control over one's money, and safeguard against potential financial pitfalls. Here are the foundational steps to establishing a retirement budget. Step #1 Identify retirement income sources. [...]

By |2025-04-06T22:02:44-04:00April 6th, 2025|Blog, Financial Planning, Retirement Income Planning|

How to Give Back Without Sacrificing Retirement Savings

Charitable contributions and acts of kindness provide many people with personal satisfaction and a life purpose. However, it is essential to remember that giving back should not jeopardize one's financial stability. This article outlines practical strategies for making a meaningful impact without sacrificing retirement savings. Volunteer—Some believe donating money is the only way to give [...]

By |2025-01-17T15:46:06-05:00January 17th, 2025|Blog, Charitable Giving, Financial Planning|

Recent Tax Changes Boost 529 Plan Benefits

529 plans, the popular tax-advantaged savings accounts for education expenses, have become even more attractive in recent years thanks to a series of federal tax law changes. These modifications have expanded the versatility of 529 plans, making them a more powerful tool for families planning for educational expenses. What is the 529 Plan? A 529 [...]

By |2024-12-09T10:45:04-05:00December 9th, 2024|Blog, Financial Planning, Investing|

How Spending and Budgets in Retirement Change Over Time

Retirement is often viewed as a static phase of life, but the reality is far more dynamic. As retirees progress through their golden years, their spending habits and budgetary needs evolve significantly. Understanding these changes is crucial for effective retirement planning and ensuring financial stability throughout this important life stage. The Early Years The initial [...]

7 Ways to Celebrate Financial Planning Month

October is recognized as Financial Planning Month, an annual event dedicated to planning for an independent financial future. Whether you're a novice or knowledgeable in finance, assessing your finances and goals is always beneficial. This yearly event provides the perfect opportunity to reflect on spending habits, saving, investment strategies, and overall financial health. It allows [...]

By |2024-10-28T16:22:14-04:00October 28th, 2024|Blog, Financial Planning|

10 Actions That Help You Pursue Financial Wellness

Establishing financial wellness is a personal, ever-changing state of being that enables one to exercise choice while feeling in control of finances. The individual determines financial wellness, which often includes working toward financial goals by completing specific actions. Some actions are time-sensitive, but others can occur anytime throughout the year. Here are ten actions that [...]

By |2024-09-03T11:41:32-04:00September 3rd, 2024|Blog, Financial Planning|
Go to Top