The sky is falling! ......Okay maybe not, but the Coronavirus is looking like the sort of unexpected, black swan event that scrambles all existing...

If consumer studies give any indication, America needs a financial wake-up call. A lack of consumer financial...

In the last decade, we had two major market crashes. Understandably, many working professionals worry about the long-term safety of...

We get...

Some specifics about the "second act." Does your vision of retirement...

Over the years, you and your spouse have probably had many wonderful conversations about your retirement dreams. Maybe you talked about traveling to...

We've all seen them.......Those TV shows and commercials where the wealth manager of an...

Like other working-age investors, you may have a 401(k) account — or another employer retirement plan. In anticipation of the future, you probably are socking...

There are many types of IRAs. But two of the most common are the traditional IRA and the Roth IRA. The type of account you select can have a significant impact on your long-term household savings. The biggest difference between...

Imagine you are driving to work one day and daydreaming about all the things you will do when you retire. But when you walk into...

Do you have a current annuity or insurance policy that doesn’t fit your needs well? If you are on the lookout for a new policy, a 1035 exchange may be...

As Benjamin Franklin is credited with saying, “An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.” But actually investing in gaining more financial knowledge is an activity that many...

Protecting your business is essential to secure the means of your earning by limiting the risk factor to a minimum. At times, it could be all the difference...

Many retirees get an unpleasant surprise after turning 65 and signing up Medicare. It doesn't provide complete coverage of health care costs. In fact, there are...

More than 9 out of 10 current retirees rely at least...

As a small business owner or an entrepreneur, you are used to taking the lead. But there is one frontier you may still need to master… the future of your retirement. That...

While many private-sector workers build their nest eggs through 401(k) plans, federal employees and members of the uniformed services have their own retirement savings and investment plan. This is called the...

It is often perceived that financial planning is only for the rich people. However, this idea is fast getting outdated. Financial planning is for anyone who wants to maximize their profit in order to have...

Mortgage Protection; Disability and Risk.  For many Americans, their home represents both security and peace...

Over the long run, the stock market has been a historically reliable generator of wealth for generations of investors.

Over...

All of us wish to gain financially stability, but only a few of us manage to achieve that. Fortunately, there is a way through which you can save up money and become financially stable....

A major trend in 21st Century American life is the number of young adults living at home with parents or other family. The numbers jumped over 10% since 2000 and...

Being healthy not only makes you feel good, it may also help you financially. We constantly hear how important it is to maintain a healthy lifestyle. That is not always easy, especially...

Insurance is intended to protect your assets and to help cover certain risks. Policies may have standardized language, but each insurance policy should be tailored...

When buying life insurance, your health matters. One of the most common impairments we run into with underwriting is heart disease. It comes in many shapes and...

Financing a new business can be extremely challenging.You must secure enough capital to purchase everything you need to begin offering your product or service—from a physical location to a website,...

Is your company's 401(k) plan as good as it could be? Two recent court rulings may make you want to double-check. How often do retirement plan sponsors check up on 401(k)s? ​Not as often...

Have a home-based business? Have a teen driver? Consider umbrella insurance. In 2017, the U.S. had a record 11.5 million millionaires, up from 10.8 million in the previous year. An increase in personal wealth may bring greater financial...

Comparing annuities to stocks and mutual funds, is like comparing apples to oranges. They are just not the same.

The path to saving for...

Unmarrieds need to approach retirement planning pragmatically. In an ideal world, it would be simple to prepare for a solo retirement. You would just save half as much as a couple...

It’s always important to diversify and spread your risk among many investments. Diversification can help protect you from fluctuations among different assets and asset classes.1 But, what about diversifying your tax rate exposure? By diversifying among different...

As a small business owner, you may want a better retirement plan – one that will let you and your key employees save much more for retirement. If the annual contribution limits on standard...

If you are within five years of retirement (before or after), you're especially vulnerable to a downturn. A recent RetireOne study showed what happens to someone who retires with...

What are your options for insuring yourself prior to age 65? If you retire before age 65, you must be prepared to address two insurance issues. One, finding health coverage in the period before you can...

Start your "second act" with inadequate assets, and your vision of the future may be revised. How much have you saved for retirement? Are you on pace to amass...

It may seem like a tall order, but it can be accomplished. Plan to put yourself steps ahead of your peers. If you have a young, growing family, no doubt...

Recessions are never good for anyone. A sputtering economy means miserable financial, emotional, and physical-health consequences for everyone from infants to retirees. But the next one—if it happens, when it starts happening—stands to...

This retirement plan allows teachers & employees of non-profits to invest for their futures. Does your spouse contribute to a 401(k)? You are probably eligible for a retirement plan that can help you save and...

FInancial STability is nothing more than good risk management. The main areas of financial risk that often impact families can be summarized by the four L’s:

1. Longevity (Living Too Long)
2. Life (Dying Too Young)
3. Liquidity (Losing Your Job)
4. Loans (Borrowing Too Much)

Without...

Chronic Illness Is a Major Problem for Senior Adults.1 Are you protected?2

Boomers are living longer. And, a healthy retirement plan should account for the possibility of needing care later in...

Odds are only about 50-50 that your small business will survive five years or more, according to data from the U.S. Labor Department, Business Employment Dynamics (BED). This proves that the road...

Key lessons for retirement savers. You learn lessons as you invest in pursuit of long-run goals. Some of these lessons are conveyed and reinforced when you begin saving for retirement, and others you glean along the way....

Building wealth requires protection from the forces of wealth destruction. When you are planning for your future, what do you think about? You may think about your retirement, enjoying having the time and money to take...

Is your investment strategy as socially and environmentally conscious as you are? It's not uncommon – Many a well-educated, socially conscious, environmentally friendly investor winds up buying shares of companies whose beliefs and business practices are far removed from their own. Why?...

Small businesses embody the American dream. They symbolize financial and social success through hard work, determination and good old know-how. They help entrepreneurs accomplish their dreams in a way that benefits not only them...

How much might health care cost you someday? "Financially speaking, what would be the worst thing that could happen to you?" ​If you ask a hundred people in their forties that question, you may get...

That truth must always be recognized. When financial markets have a bad day, week, or month, discomforting headlines and data can swiftly communicate a message to retirees and retirement savers alike: equity investments are risky things,...

The SECURE Act brings the most sweeping changes to the U.S. retirement system in a decade. Because of that, there is bound to be some confusion about what the act actually does and how it...

If you have money in a savings account, and you are paying off credit cards or borrowing money for any reason, learn how you can convert your debts into a lifetime of tax...

Over 50% of Canadians¹ and nearly 60% of Americans² report that they don’t have savings to turn to in the event of an emergency.If something unexpected were to happen, do you have enough savings to get you and your family through it and back...

Do you dread grabbing the mail every day?Bills, bills, mortgage payment, another bill, maybe some coupons for things you never buy, and of course, more bills. 

There seems to be an endless stream of envelopes from companies all demanding payment for their products and services....

Find out how some families are lowering their taxable income...with life insurance.

When your student applies for federal student aid (with the dreaded FAFSA form), his or her eligibility depends on your taxable income.

The problem is...many...

Have you ever wondered how someone could actually retire? The main difference between a strictly unemployed person and a retiree: A retiree has replaced their income somehow. This can be done in a variety of ways including (but not limited to):

• Saving up a lump sum of...

A teacher walked into her classroom with a clear jar, a bag of rocks, a bucket of sand, and a glass of water. She placed all the large rocks carefully into the jar.

“Who thinks this jar is full?” she asked. Almost half of...

It’s paradoxical how owning a home might make you feel more secure. But it may also be a constant source of worry, particularly if you still have a hefty mortgage payment each month. For some, having a mortgage is simply a part of life. But for others, it...

Buying life insurance on the open market when you have had health problems can be a challenge, and it can be expensive, too. But it is not impossible. When buying life insurance, you may have to complete a written and/or verbal medical questionnaire and complete a health...

A successful family business is a cornerstone of many families' wealth. But passing the business along to the next generation takes substantial planning and preparation. A recent Pricewaterhouse Coopers report found that while just over half of the family-owned business executives wanted to pass...

In August 2016, more than 40,000 homes were damaged by devastating floods in Louisiana, and a majority of the homeowners didn’t have flood insurance. According to FEMA, which oversees the National Flood Insurance program, only 42% of homes in Louisiana’s high-risk...

​​Is your business experiencing growth? While this is good news for the entrepreneur, it also comes with challenges. As your business grows, it undergoes changes and encounters new needs. As you adjust your revenue projections, expand your market, and invest for continued growth,...

Most people plan out their financial lives assuming a retirement around age 65, and maybe 70 in some professions. And given good health, that's a reasonable assumption. But it's also often a bad one. According to a new survey from Prudential Life Insurance,...

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Coming off your year-end scramble to make sure your RMDs were done in time?

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If so, start the new year off right - shield up to 25% of your qualified money from RMDs until age...

The abundance of investment options that are available to us as we plan for a financially secure retirement can be daunting. Some retirees take too much risk. Others do not. ​ Here we look at the biggest mistakes retirees make, and how you can...

Life will often seem to present signals about financial moves to make. Starting your first job babysitting or mowing lawns? Probably a good idea to begin saving some of those earnings. Need to pay for college? You’ll want to apply...

At least one life insurance company is beginning to offer customers financial incentives for working to stay healthy, and others may follow suit. Under this program, customers can reduce their annual life insurance premiums by as much as 15% if they...

One of the chief criticisms of annuities is their relative lack of liquidity. This is true in some respects. Annuity owners give up complete liquidity in exchange for other benefits, including insurer guarantees for lifetime income, guaranteed growth, or protection from downside risk.

...

Building your business? You might need outside funding to reach your goals. There’s no doubt that applying for a loan comes with a lengthy to-do list.

If you’re applying for a Small Business Administration (SBA) loan and plan to stay involved in...

Many of us understand the need for protection against the financial consequences of unexpected illness and death. But what about the financial impacts of living a long life? Americans are living longer into retirement than ever before. That means retirement savings need to last...

How You Can Use Indexed Universal life For Your Child and Retirement. Life insurance with living benefits is what the industry refers to as the “new type of life insurance”. New life insurance offers living benefits and old life insurance doesn’t. Simply stated,...

A volatile stock market is fine for the 20 - and 30 - somethings. It's a different matter for people approaching retirement. Your retirement nest egg should be a source of security and comfort to you. It shouldn't be something that makes your blood...

As another year passes by, more people join the ranks of retirees. Since 2011, roughly 10,000 baby boomers have turned 65 years old each day, according to Pew Research. It predicts that trend to go on until 2029.

From second-act careers to volunteering...

A way for businesses – especially niche businesses – to address a major risk. Who are the people most crucial to your business? Have you taken steps to insure them? At every company, there are certain people whose absence would cause day-to-day...

Annuities are valuable tools, when used correctly. No other Financial product on the market can provide the kinds of guarantees on income that an annuity does. But it's vital to understand the tax treatment of annuities as well. Here are some of the most...

The new year is best known for resolutions. The trouble is that many new year’s resolutions don’t survive past the first month or so. Why is that? You might suspect it’s because we set unrealistic goals or lack the proper motivation. If you’ve...

It's happened. After a nearly unanimous passage in the U.S. House of Representatives, the SECURE Act (Setting Up Every Community for Retirement Enhancement Act) has become law. The legislation was “attached” to a bipartisan spending bill with the goal of avoiding another government...

Get the Life Insurance Protection You Need

There are two basic types of life insurance:

Term life insurance provides affordable, basic insurance protection for a specified period of time. It does not build cash value over time.

Permanent life insurance...

Annuities Offer Guaranteed Retirement Income

Concerned about making your savings last for your retirement?

Traditional retirement benefits such as pensions are vanishing, and 46% of Americans have less than $10,000 saved for retirement.*

Annuities can help make retirement more predictable. In exchange for...

The Advantages of a Buy-Sell Agreement

If you pass away suddenly, a buy-sell agreement makes sure the business stays afloat.

4 Ways Buy-Sell Protects Your Business:

• Life insurance creates a lump sum of cash to fund the buy-sell agreement at death.
• Life insurance proceeds are usually paid...

It’s no secret that we can’t depend on Social Security or pensions alone to provide the income necessary to live out our golden years of retirement. Today’s retirees are more active and enjoying longer lives than ever before.

Are you certain your current retirement plan will...

Private mortgage insurance (PMI) is a type of insurance you may be required to pay for when you take out a conventional home loan. If you’re buying a home, lenders require PMI as part of a conventional loan to protect them in case you end up in...

The two most primary concerns in retirement planning today for most individuals are stock market volatility and taxation—and IUL can help assist you in overcoming both.

Stock market downturns in recent years have sparked real concern about the negative impact future volatility could have on retirement assets....

Having life insurance is an important decision, especially for those with dependents relying on their income. However, you may wonder what type of life insurance is right for you. Whole life insurance is just one of many insurance options to consider....

Term life insurance gives coverage for temporary needs. It is considered to be the most straightforward form of life insurance. In a term policy, an insurance carrier promises to give coverage in exchange for a fixed rate of payments...

On October 10, the Social Security Administration officially released the amount of their cost-of-living adjustment for 2020. Almost 70 million Americans will see their Social Security benefits rise by 1.6% next year.

While this raise is less than the 2.8% cost-of-living-adjustment for 2019,...

Are you thinking about getting a life insurance policy? There are many options available. If you’re wondering which path is the right one, here are life insurance basics which can help you get started.

In simple terms, a life...

One big concern when designing an estate plan is taxes. After all, it’s the means by which you transfer wealth to inheritors. The act of giving away your property may be subject to taxes on the state or federal level, or even both.

In...

Nobel prize winner William Sharpe calls it the “nastiest, hardest problem in finance.” What is that? Decumulation, or the process of building a dependable lifelong income stream from your retirement savings.

It’s no wonder millions of Americans are asking if they will have...

The term versus permanent life insurance debate has lingered for years. It is a long-standing question, but it need not be “either-or.” Neither type of coverage is universally superior to the other. Both options have appropriate uses, depending on the needs...

Small business owners are usually a jack-of-all-trades when starting out. Without a budget for staffing or outside help, busy entrepreneurs often work day and night to establish and grow their business. Here are some areas where business owners should consider concentrating their...

The “D” word – debt! It strikes fear into the heart of most consumers and business owners. However, there are valid reasons taking on debt can help your small business grow.

The Wall Street Journal recently posted an article about the benefits...

Today, Americans bear more financial responsibility for their retirement than ever.

The days of receiving monthly pension checks are gradually fading. According to Willis Towers Watson, only 16% of Fortune 500 companies were offering pensions to new hires in 2017, down from 59%...

When a football team gets the ball inside the opposing team’s 20-yard line, they are considered to be in the “red zone." There it's more likely that they will score.

If you are within ten years of retirement (either before or after),...

It's here. The IRS has posted the new income and contribution limits for all types of retirement plans and accounts for 2020. The IRS also covered income and contribution limits for different medical savings accounts.

Many of the income thresholds and...

Several factors come into play when you plan for your retirement. Your age, longevity, and the returns that you will earn from your retirement portfolio are just a few. In some form or fashion, all of those can play into your target retirement...

Ah, the holidays… an annual time of food, fellowship, and fun with family, friends, and loved ones. Everyone returns home and catches up on all of the family happenings over the past year.

But the holidays can also be stressful and fast-paced,...

As the end of the year approaches, now is an excellent time for you to schedule a meeting with your financial advisor. An annual review of your financial situation is an ideal reason to come together.

Not only can you review the...

Retirement planning is, in many ways, a guessing game. You can’t be sure of exactly how long you will live. How much income you will need might not be clear. And you don’t know if you will need long-term care support.

Even so,...

Uncle Sam can be one of your key partners in your retirement saving. If you have money in a traditional IRA or an employer-sponsored retirement plan, then that money automatically receives tax-deferred status in the eyes of the IRS. Other accounts like SIMPLE...

People are living longer than before, leading many to ask: “How long could my retirement really last?” In generations past, retirement represented a relatively short period of time in most peoples' lives. They would work until they were 60 or 65 and then...

Fortunately, there are several ways that you can reduce your tax bill after you stop working through the proper use of annuities and IRAs.

The order in which you withdraw your assets can also substantially impact the amount of tax...

Calculating how much income you will need for retirement isn’t necessarily an easy task. Your health expenses will probably increase, but your mortgage payments may decrease or stop. Meanwhile, other expenses might continue to change over time.

Of course, you likely won’t...

When you determine how much income you'll need in retirement, you may base your projection on the type of lifestyle you plan to have and when you want to retire. However, as you grow closer to retirement, you may discover that your...

When it comes to planning for your retirement income, it's easy to overlook some of the common factors that can affect how much you'll have available to spend. If you don't consider how your retirement income can be impacted by investment...

As you gear up for retirement, you may have heard of “safe money solutions.” Are they right for you? It’s an important question, especially since retirement planning is more difficult than it's ever been in history.

Past generations could count on company...

Insurance is an important part of being a homeowner. Not only does it protect you from damages caused by things like fire and vandalism, but it can also protect your personal property or additional structures like garages, and provide liability coverage.

But when is it time to review your coverages?...