As the end of the year approaches, we want to help you spot time-sensitive planning opportunities. Perhaps you… Are considering making year-end gifts to charitable organizations or family members and need to determine your optimal funding strategy; Are looking to...
By Marc C. Shaffer As financial advisors, one of the most common concerns we hear from clients is about the future of Social Security. Many ask how confident we are that their benefits will be available when it's their turn to file a claim. Some are so worried about...
What is the purpose of estate management? Estate management is about preserving the assets you’ve spent a lifetime building. It’s about protecting your spouse, children, or other heirs and ensuring that your assets are distributed how and when you want them to be....
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...
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...
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...
Estate planning is a topic that is commonly ignored. After all, who likes to plan for what happens after they die? Maybe you may have no estate plan in place and don’t know where to start. With this checklist, you will have a better idea of what questions to ask when...
Ever considered writing your own Will? While you can draft a Will on your own, there are plenty of reasons why you may not want to go that route. Most people do it to save money, but they may overlook or forget to take care of some important details – details that...
When was the last time you reviewed your Will or estate strategy? August is National "Make a Will" Month, an excellent annual reminder to update or create your Will. A Will can outline your wishes and help guide the settlement of your estate. Has there been a birth,...
By Marc C. Shaffer In the wake of Mint.com's discontinuation, many users have found a new home for their financial tracking needs with Monarch Money. This powerful tool offers a range of features that make it a worthy successor to Mint and an invaluable asset for...