Archive for September 2017
Is The Recession Really Over?
Although economists say the country has recovered from the 2008 recession, many people nearing retirement age would disagree. In fact, according to a recent study by the Bankers Life Center for a Secure Retirement, only 2 percent of middle-income baby boomers believe the economy has fully recovered. More than half of those surveyed reported that…
Read MoreStrategic vs. Tactical Asset Allocation
In recent years, the markets, the economy and the global political scene have evolved considerably. We’ve witnessed both remarkable volatility and remarkable resilience in these areas. The reality is that less predictability in today’s economic landscape requires more vigilant risk diversification, coupled with the ability to adapt to a fast-changing environment. We work with our…
Read MoreIs Feeling Younger the Secret to a Longer Life?
While some people accept getting older as a natural part of life, many others are on a mission to fight the aging process and maintain a youthful attitude and appearance. Although we are often reminded to “age gracefully” – to accept our older selves just as they are – research shows those who stay young…
Read More3 Common Questions About Social Security
While Social Security shouldn’t be relied upon to be the sole source of income during retirement, it can play an important role in your overall financial strategy for retirement. But making sense of the basic ins and outs of Social Security can be overwhelming. Here are three questions people commonly ask as they approach retirement…
Read MoreTax-Deferred or Tax-Exempt? Potential Benefits to Having Both
Over the years, you may have heard it’s good to have different “kinds” of money as you head into retirement. A financial advisor may recommend a combination of tax-deferred and tax-exempt financial products, diversifying your money to help take advantage of the tax benefits both types of products provide. What many people don’t understand, however,…
Read MorePreventing Elderly Financial Abuse
A recent study by the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College concluded that many retirees who do not suffer from any cognitive impairment can still manage their money through their 70s and 80s. The study reports that financial capacity relies on accumulated knowledge and that knowledge stays mostly intact as we age. However, the study…
Read MoreEquifax Cybersecurity Incident
You have likely heard that on July 29, 2017, Equifax discovered a breach of some of the sensitive information that they maintain in their data bases. Equifax estimates that as many of 143 million Americans were impacted by this hack. This data security incident may have exposed some of your personal information, including your Social…
Read MoreTeaching Investment Lessons
If you’re planning to leave assets to your children, you’re not alone. According to a recent report, baby boomers will pass on $30 trillion in assets in the next 30 to 40 years. And yet, according to a survey from RBC Wealth Management, 30 percent of U.S. households say they have no plan in place to…
Read MoreWays to Relate to Your Teenage Grandchildren
During the different stages of being a grandparent, you may go from getting great big hugs to a casual nod, scant eye contact and a request for the Wi-Fi code. Welcome to grandparenting a teenager. You might complain about your grand-teen’s constant connection to headphones, apparent inability to hold an intelligent conversation and utter lack…
Read MoreFinancial Bucket Checklist
While milking a cow or going on safari might add excitement to your retirement dreams, adding the following items to your financial bucket checklist can help you work toward retirement confidence: Will and estate plan Up-to-date beneficiary designations for investment, bank and insurance accounts Long-term care strategy Health care proxy Durable power of attorney Guaranteed…
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