By Marc Shaffer The journey of leadership is one of continuous growth and learning, and I'm excited to share my enriching experience from this year's LEADERs Institute through Catalyst Development. This comprehensive leadership development program has not only...
Social Security beneficiaries will see a 2.5% increase in their benefit payments in 2025, according to the Social Security Administration. The annual cost of living (COLA) adjustment will affect more than 72.5 million Social Security and Supplemental Security Income...
Are you leaving money on the table? It’s a question that everyone can stress about – figuring out where to allocate your hard-earned dollars. We’ve seen how easy it is to inefficiently use cash by overspending, or even leaving too much money just sitting in the bank....
According to the Social Security Administration, a 20-year-old has more than a 25% chance of becoming disabled before reaching retirement age. Not only would a disability happening early in life be devastating, think about it happening during your career. According...
It’s that time again. Every four years, investors have to grapple with the volatility and uncertainty that comes with a presidential election. As financial professionals, we field a lot of questions from our clients and friends about how politics and elections affect...
By Marc C. Shaffer In today's higher interest rate environment, it's crucial to review the yield on your bank savings and money market accounts. For example, as of May 2024, the national average rate for regular savings accounts was 0.45%, while many high-yield...
By Marc C. Shaffer As we plan for our financial future, it's crucial to consider the care required of ourselves and our aging loved ones, which means having a plan for housing beyond a personal home, if the need arises. The decision to move into a senior care...
By Marc C. Shaffer As a financial planner, I've always believed in the power of personal connection. Years ago, inspired by Brian Buffini's real estate coaching, I embraced the practice of sending handwritten notes. The impact was immediate and profound - clients,...
As financial planners, one tool we discuss with parents is opening a custodial Roth IRA for their minor children. This strategy could provide significant long-term benefits and teach valuable lessons about saving and investing. Let's explore why this might be a smart...
If you own employer-issued stock in a 401(k) plan, you may benefit from favorable tax treatment under the NUA rules. But, to qualify for an NUA distribution, you must satisfy several very important rules, some of which are often misunderstood. To help make this...
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