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Joe Lucey

Time to Sell the Pinto

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Think of retirement planning as akin to replacing an old trusty vehicle, only in this case, you’ve been driving the current one for 30 years.

Your financial plan has served you well and helped you save for retirement. From the days of your education, through early jobs, throughout the span of your eventual career you’ve been careful with your money.

When you were working, you were invested in an “accumulation phase”. You were able to work hard and afford the expenses of raising a family, building equity in your home, while setting aside savings in your 401(k) , IRA’, annuities and more. In the back of your mind, Social Security was always a future reliable source of income.

Retirement can sneak up on you. Changes from accumulation to the distribution phase of life, could be wearing thin on your current financial vehicle. Retirement plans often need a tune-up, an overhaul or replacement to establish traction for the next 30 years.

With important, recent changes to Social Security, now more than ever is a good time to assess your overall financial plan.

To learn more about how the new Social Security rules will impact your retirement, or for a complimentary 3- Step Review on retirement planning call us at 952-460-3260.

Click here to hear this week’s show

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Investing in our community, one meal at a time

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During this hectic time of year, it’s important to take a step back and reflect on what’s truly important. To us, the greatest investment we can make is to invest in our community. This holiday season, Secured Retirement Financial had the privilege of partnering with Second Harvest Heartland to provide 15,000 meals across St. Louis Park and surrounding communities. Thanks to a matching donation during GiveMN’s Give to the Max Day, we were able to direct $5,000 to Second Harvest Heartland to help provide meals to those in need this Thanksgiving.

Our involvement was motivated by the 100 Million Meals Challenge, led by best-selling author, entrepreneur and life coach Tony Robbins, and a partnership with Advisors Excel. Tony is donating all the proceeds from his latest book, “MONEY: MASTER THE GAME — 7 Steps to Financial Freedom,” to Feeding America®, a nationwide network of food banks of which Second Harvest Heartland is a member. Tony made a minimum pledge of 50 million meals to the organization and has challenged others to come together to match his donation in order to provide a total of 100 million meals across the country.


Did you know: One in six people in the United States are food insecure, meaning they don’t know where their next meal is coming from? Hunger especially affects children, with more than 15 million food-insecure children in the United States. By partnering with Second Harvest Heartland, you can help lead the fight against hunger in the United States.

We want you to get involved! Here’s our challenge to you: Make a difference in your community. Be a part of the 100 Million Meals Challenge. Visit www.feedingamerica.org/100millionmeals and make your donation today.

From all of us at Secured Retirement Financial, we would like to wish you and your family a happy and safe Thanksgiving holiday.

The Office, Giving and Gratitude

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The holidays are coming, and I am reminded of the popular television series “The Office. In one episode, Michael Scott dropped an IPod into the Secret Santa pool, landing amongst packs of gum and pocket combs. Next, Creed tossed in an old shirt. The extremes wreaked havoc over the holiday spirit, and I recall that liquid kinds of spirits were used to save the mood (and the show).

In another holiday moment on the show, Creed swooped down to withdraw, rather than deposit a gift in the office Toys for Tots bin. These shows made us chuckle and illustrated that the holidays can be pressure packed because of expenses and expectations.

On Saturday’s Secured Retirement Radio show, Joe Lucey and Derek Fautsch framed a few ideas for charitable giving this season through resources that have accumulated and that can share with others.

It can be said that there is no such thing as a bad gift, and providing one is its’ reward. Charity can also be a way for any of us to say thanks for favors past and present, and a way to pay it forward.  Here’s to putting the thanks back in Thanksgiving!  To listen to the Podcast click here.

For a complimentary 3 Step Review on retirement resources and effective gift giving call us at Secured Retirement Advisors. 952-460-3260.

 

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Wild Cards

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When playing poker, one can have a great hand the whole game, and assume they are in great shape. Suddenly, with one wild card, the player finds him or herself on the short end of the money. Sound familiar? It should because it’s similar to the recent changes to Social Security legislation.

With changes in benefit options, new limitations and the narrowing of time to adjust, the federal government has set changes to Social Security in motion that “changed the wild card” for many, and requires retirees’ immediate attention.

If you are age 62 through 66 (or older than 66 and haven’t claimed Social Security benefits) it’s important to take a fresh look at current and future retirement strategies.

The good news is the changes made to Social Security telegraphed with six months to react. Now is the time to be informed about and consider new strategies. Learn more. Listen to our Podcast by clicking here.

Informed decisions on income, tax planning, and Social Security benefits are your best defense against the changes to Social Security. Don’t let the wild card fool you. For a complimentary 3 Step Review call Secured Retirement Advisors at 952-460-3260.

Stay tuned to Secured Retirement Radio for breaking news and analysis. Secured Retirement Radio, he can be heard on Twin Cities News Talk AM1130 at seven a.m. every Saturday. Thanks for listening.

Stay Ahead of the Curve

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It’s World Series time and from my playing days, the best way to hit curve balls was to be in front of the pitch. That’s true in baseball and true when it comes to changes to Social Security. This week’s Secured Retirement Radio show covered the October 30th, 2015 legislative changes to Social Security from top to bottom; the bottom line that is. Host Joe Lucey and Derek Fautsch with national Social Security expert Joe Elsasser described the changes that bring benefits closer to a fixed meal plan vs. a la carte. Staying informed at this point is critical for retirees and those approaching retirement age. Details of the changes are still forthcoming.  Rest assured, Joe and his staff of financial planners, at Secured Retirement Advisors,  have their finger on the pulse to inform their clients of any changes to present and future benefits. 

Stay tuned to Secured Retirement Radio for breaking news and analysis. You can listen to the October 31st Podcast by clicking here.

Now is the time to be informed of the changes to Social Security. It is also the perfect time to examine your other building blocks for retirement, income, and tax planning along with Social Security.  A 3 Step Review incorporates each component into a cohesive plan, and you can call Secured Retirement Advisors today to ask for your free analysis. Make your retirement years all they can be. For a complementary 3 Step Review contact us at 952-460-3260.

 

Secured Retirement Radio: The Golden Decade

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Blog post written by Dale Decker

If you are 59 ½ up to 70 ½, you are in the Golden Decade when everything you do relative to your retirement matters.

There is a long list of do’s and don’ts during this period. On Saturday’s Secured Retirement Radio Show, CFPs Joe Lucey and Derek Fautsch outlined a few.

For example:

Do: Map out income.

When 60 and retiring, one needs to plan the next 30 years without a paycheck. Everyone’s situation is different, but in each case, there’s a way to manage income, Social Security, taxes, and possibly employment to enhance your chances for a successful retirement. Make mail box income work for you during this period.

Don’t: Take Social Security too lightly. There are a lot of variables for most individuals and couples. What can seem like a simple process is actually very intricate and the devil is in the details. The 10 percent that you don’t know about Social Security can make an income difference in the thousands and influence the success of your retirement years.

For more do’s and don’ts, to find out about our upcoming retirement classes, or to register for one of our free consultations, call us at 952-460-3260.

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Danielle Christensen

Paraplanner

Danielle is dedicated to serving clients to achieve their retirement goals. As a Paraplanner, Danielle helps the advisors with the administrative side of preparing and documenting meetings. She is a graduate of the College of St. Benedict, with a degree in Business Administration and began working with Secured Retirement in May of 2023.

Danielle is a lifelong Minnesotan and currently resides in Farmington with her boyfriend and their senior rescue pittie/American Bulldog mix, Tukka.  In her free time, Danielle enjoys attending concerts and traveling. She is also an avid fan of the Minnesota Wild and loves to be at as many games as possible during the season!