Planning for Social Security

11/12/2019

Social Security Retirement Benefits

Social Security was originally intended to provide older Americans with continuing income after retirement. Today, though the scope of Social Security has been widened to include survivor, disability, and other benefits, retirement benefits are still the cornerstone of the program.

The Benefits of Tax-Advantaged Savings Vehicles

10/8/2019

Taxes can take a big bite out of your total investment returns, so it's helpful to look for tax-advantaged strategies when building a portfolio. But keep in mind that investment decisions shouldn't be driven solely by tax considerations; other factors to consider include the potential risk, the expected rate of return, and the quality of the investment.

Tax-deferred and tax-free investments
Tax deferral is the process of delaying (but not necessarily eliminating) until a future year the payment of income taxes on income you earn in the current year. For example, the money you put into your traditional 401(k) retirement account isn't taxed until you withdraw it, which might be 30 or 40 years down the road!

Tax deferral can be beneficial because:

The money you would have spent on taxes remains invested
You may be in a lower tax bracket when you make withdrawals from your accounts (for example, when you're retired)
You can accumulate more dollars in your accounts due to compounding.

Compounding means that your earnings become part of your underlying investment, and they in turn earn interest. In the early years of an investment, the benefit of compounding may not be that significant. But as the years go by, the long-term boost to your total return can be dramatic.

Taxes make a big difference
Let's assume two people have $5,000 to invest every year for a period of 30 years. One person invests in a tax-free account like a Roth 401(k) that earns 6% per year, and the other person invests in a taxable account that also earns 6% each year. Assuming a tax rate of 24%, in 30 years the tax-free account will be worth $395,291, while the taxable account will be
worth $308,155. That's a difference of $87,136.

Flexible work schedules

9/10/2019

Can a flexible work schedule help you stay in the workforce after having children?

Financial Basics for Millennials

8/6/2019

Millennials face financial challenges that are unique to their generation. One of the first steps in overcoming them is to understand some basic financial concepts.

With age comes responsibility, so if you're a young adult in your 20s or 30s, chances are you've been introduced to the realities of adulthood. While you're excited by all the opportunities life has to offer, you're also aware of your emerging financial responsibility.

Maintaining Your Financial Records: The Importance of Being Organized

7/9/2019

An important part of managing your personal finances is keeping your financial records organized. Whether it's a utility bill to show proof of residency or a Social Security card for wage reporting purposes, there may be times when you need to locate a financial record or document--and you'll need to locate it relatively quickly. By taking the time to clear out and organize your financial records, you'll be able to find what you need exactly when you need it.

Four Tips for Planning a Career Change

6/11/2019

Changing careers can be rewarding for many reasons, but career transitions don't always go smoothly. Your career shift may take longer than expected, or you may find yourself temporarily out of work if you need to go back to school or can't immediately find a job. Consider these four tips to help make the financial impact of the transition easier.

Plan for the Life You Want in Retirement

5/7/2019

When you think about your first day of retirement, what do you see? Are you relaxed and energized, thinking about all the wonderful new possibilities ahead?

LET’S EXPLORE THE POSSIBILITIES !

Establishing a Financial Safety Net

3/19/2019

In times of crisis, you don't want to be shaking pennies out of a piggy bank. Having a financial safety net in place can ensure that you're protected when a financial emergency arises. One way to accomplish this is by setting up a cash reserve, a pool of readily available funds that can help you meet emergency or highly urgent short-term needs.

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