Getting Your Financial Ducks In A Row Rotating Header Image

March, 2018:

Early Withdrawal from Retirement Plans

If you’re considering an early withdrawal from your retirement plan, there are tax consequences that you need to be aware of.

What Makes Up the Family Maximum Benefit?

Knowing the items that are counted toward the FMB is important, especially if you have several auxiliary benefits being paid on your SS record.

The Family Maximum Benefit (Retirement)

The family maximum benefit amount is a limiting factor that you need to understand if you have beneficiaries receiving benefits from your SS record.

Volatility is a Two-Way Street

In many cases, whenever we think of volatility we think negatively. Try it yourself. Think of the word volatility and say it out loud. What thoughts, words, or images pop into your head? Bad news? Market losses? Losing money? The color red? The point is that we tend to give volatility a bad rap – and rightfully so. Generally, the word is thrown at us during periods of when the market, and our investments, lose value. Volatility, however, works both ways. It’s also present when the market and our investments are doing well. We just don’t call it volatility. We call it returns, gains, appreciation, a bull market, etc. The point is to expect volatility – good or bad. It’s part of investing in capital markets. We need to understand that just because our portfolios are doing well – doesn’t mean volatility is absent. Volatility is what helps produce long-term […]

Social Security Full Retirement Age – Explained

What is your Full Retirement Age? Why is it important, and why is it different for different people? What’s all this about my birthday isn’t my birthday?

Reasons #12 & #35 That You Might Need A Financial Advisor

What are the reasons that you might need a financial advisor? They vary by individual, but there are common needs that many folks have.

Will TCJA Encourage QCD?

A byproduct of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act may be a new appreciation for and much greater use of the QCD for charitable contributions from your IRA.

Transitioning to a Financial Planning Career

Every once I a while I will be asked to give my opinion on some logical steps to take when pursuing a financial planning career. This post may be beneficial for individuals who are entering the financial planning profession right out of college or are looking to change careers. Some are steps to take and others are questions to ask yourself and others along the way. What is it about financial planning do/would you enjoy? It could be client-facing meetings, technology, back-office work, or a combination. And you may not know until you try your hand at several things. Ask some current planners or even your own. The point is to find an area that you enjoy and work to get better at it. Find the right firm. Will you work for an RIA or broker-dealer? What type of firm do you want to align with? This could mean starting […]