Retirement

4 Social Security Myths That Could Impact Your Benefit

2023-08-24T15:06:36-04:00August 24th, 2023|Blog, Financial Planning, Retirement|

Social Security is one of the most widely-used and misunderstood retirement programs in the country. Many misunderstandings arise from the fact that Social Security is a complex system with diverse rules around how benefits are calculated, received, and taxed. However, it's important to have all of the correct information when planning your Social Security [...]

Elm3’s Guide to Investing in a 401(k)

2023-07-17T19:06:10-04:00July 17th, 2023|401k, Blog, Financial Planning, Investments, Retirement|

While earlier generations may have relied on pension plans to fund their retirement, most workplaces have moved towards defined contribution rather than defined benefit plans. Many pension plans were defined benefit plans, which promised a certain benefit at retirement. These plans required employers to assume the risk that the invested funds would underperform the [...]

Elm3’s Guide to Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs)

2023-07-17T19:05:26-04:00December 9th, 2022|Blog, Investments, Retirement|

Many of us contribute to IRAs, 401(k)s, or other tax-deferred retirement accounts. These accounts allow investors to contribute tax deductible dollars that will then grow tax-free, until withdrawals are taxed in retirement. To ensure that taxes are eventually paid on these funds, the IRS requires holders of tax-deferred accounts to take Required Minimum Distributions [...]

Should I Pay Off My Mortgage Before Retirement?

2023-05-11T14:57:05-04:00November 18th, 2022|Blog, Financial Planning, Retirement|

Should I Pay Off My Mortgage Before Retirement? By: Stacey Nickens As you prepare for your retirement, you may be considering whether or not you should hold a mortgage in retirement. You may be considering increasing your mortgage payments in order to pay off your mortgage earlier. If you are considering moving or downsizing [...]

5 Proposed Changes to Retirement Savings Laws Under SECURE 2.0

2023-05-11T15:08:14-04:00April 4th, 2022|Blog, Financial Planning, Retirement|

5 Proposed Changes to Retirement Savings Laws Under SECURE 2.0 By: Stacey Nickens You may have experienced changes to your retirement savings plan when the SECURE Act passed in 2019. Since then, lawmakers have continued to develop additional legislation with the hopes of making it easier to contribute to and withdraw from retirement savings [...]

Choosing the “Best Fit” Pension Plan for You

2023-05-11T15:17:00-04:00December 13th, 2021|Blog, Financial Planning, Retirement|

Choosing the "Best Fit" Pension Plan for You By: Stacey Nickens American Express was the first company to offer pensions to their long-term employees. Beginning in 1875, employees who served the company for more than 20 years had access to half of their annual salary upon retirement. While pensions expanded in popularity during the [...]

Retiring This Year? 3 Money Moves To Make Right Now

2023-05-11T15:22:13-04:00October 15th, 2021|Blog, Financial Planning, Retirement|

Retiring This Year? 3 Money Moves To Make Right Now By: Stacey Nickens Congratulations! You have worked hard your entire life, and you are ready to rest and enjoy the fruits of your labor. As a financial advisor, I have loved assisting so many clients in moving into and through retirement. As you get [...]

3 Ways to Minimize Your Tax Bill in Retirement

2023-05-11T15:25:10-04:00September 10th, 2021|Blog, Retirement, Taxes|

3 Ways to Minimize Your Tax Bill in Retirement By: Stacey Nickens You've worked hard your whole life to build up your retirement nest egg. You save for healthcare expenses, housing renovation needs, and even a travel budget. However, as you are settling into a slower retirement lifestyle, you realize that you're paying a [...]

Social Security Revamps Their Statement Design

2023-05-11T15:25:48-04:00August 23rd, 2021|Blog, Financial Planning, Retirement|

Social Security Revamps Their Statement Design By: Stacey Nickens Have you recently logged into your Social Security account and noticed some changes in your statement format? Certain Social Security account users who have yet to claim their benefits started receiving redesigned Social Security statements in early May. The new statements are only two, rather [...]

3 Common Mistakes People Make When Claiming Social Security

2023-05-11T15:27:45-04:00July 16th, 2021|Blog, Estate Planning, Financial Planning, Retirement|

3 Common Mistakes People Make When Claiming Social Security By: Margaret Nickens Social Security helps many Americans fund their retirement, but sorting through all of the different claiming strategies and rules can be challenging. Retirees may end up claiming their Social Security benefits too early or claiming in a manner that doesn't best meet [...]