Retirement Planning Library
Basics of Required Minimum Distributions
The IRS lets investors hold off taxes on certain retirement accounts – but not forever. Congress encourages Americans to save for retirement by investing in tax-deferred accounts where the earnings and certain contributions can grow free from the dilution of taxes....
When to take Social Security
On August 14, 1935, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Social Security Act into law to help combat unemployment and guarantee income for retirees. Roosevelt acknowledged the limitations of the act, stating, “We can never insure one hundred percent of the...
The Risk of Living Too Long in Retirement
Think accumulating assets to fund your retirement is difficult? Just wait until the time comes to begin distributing those assets. Most of us view risk and risk management as protecting ourselves and our families against a loss such as property, income, or...
Three BIG Retirement Dangers to Avoid NOW
Retirement planning is a tricky process, one that requires careful planning and patience. But even if you have a retirement plan with a clear set of financial and lifestyle goals, it’s important to be aware of several common missteps that many fall victim to. Here...
The First Step Before YOU Withdrawing Retirement Savings
Five essential questions to ask yourself before you tap into retirement savings. A culmination of a lifetime of hard work, careful planning, and diligent saving, retirement is expressed and experienced in countless ways, but the financial journey starts with...
Sit. Stay. Rollover.
With just some basic preparation, you and your financial planner could have your retirement fund trained to overcome obstacles with the grace of a champion pedigree. Is it possible to train your retirement plan? We think so. Maybe you’re about to change jobs,...
IRA Basics
Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) are a crucial component of many retirement plans. As the first wave of the baby boomer generation begins to enter retirement, the focus on a comprehensive retirement plan has never been more prevalent. Most financial...
Banks, Annuities and the Stock Market
As you research retirement income planning options you will encounter several common strategies. It’s important that you understand the pros and cons of each one before you choose. Here is an overview of what you are likely to see: Put it in the Bank: Putting all...
Impact of Health Care on Retirement
Will health issues force you to retire earlier or spend your nest egg quicker than you planned? Nearly half of Americans retire sooner than they expected, most of them because of health issues or disability, according to the Employee Benefits Research Institute’s...
Calculating Your Post-Retirement Income, Post-Haste
Do you know how much money is enough for retirement? We'll show you how to find out. "Time waits for no man." −Ancient Proverb That ancient quote is a great reminder of how important it is to start planning for your retirement. Whether we acknowledge it or not,...
401(k) Distribution for Retirement
How you will take your 401(k) distributions when you retire can be an important consideration in executing your post-retirement plan.We all look forward to the day when we can finally kick back, relax and collect our carefully-planned and hard-earned retirement...
Saving for Retirement Expenses
Heather and I recently attended a retirement planning conference in Boston, and one of the speakers explained an eye-opening formula that I thought was thought-provoking. He put these numbers up on the screen and asked if anyone in the audience could tell him what...