When you withdraw your first RMD may impact your taxes. You may wonder how that can happen, and with tax season approaching, we thought it best to draw your attention to a nuance you may not be aware of. Typically, you have until December 31 to take your full distribution—or if you’re taking your first […]
We’ve received some questions lately regarding joint ownership of an annuity, and why it can’t be done in qualified accounts. Joint ownership of an annuity allows two individuals, usually spouses, to co-own a contract, ensuring income continues for the survivor. This offers security in that it provides income for two people while either is alive.
Joint and Why Not? Read More »
It is not surprising that the thought of retiring is overwhelming to many due to major life shifts. This could include financial uncertainty, loss of identity, and lack of structure. Studies show that high anxiety regarding outliving savings and maintaining one’s lifestyle is one of the more common reactions to anticipating retirement. We can help
Some clients have asked us what the difference is between having a life insurance policy that benefits their family, and having an annuity policy that has beneficiaries connected to it, in addition to the annuity having a specific death benefit feature. And that’s a good question, because it addresses the differences between each situation, even
Preparing for the Future Read More »
We frequently write about longevity and how important it is to have savings we don’t outlive. And while we’ve always striven to give our clients options for products where the income stream continues no matter how long you live, we are still often asked for a ‘number’ so that can be ascribed to someone’s projected
Years ago, it seemed as if the only reason to purchase life insurance was simply to make sure loved ones who depend on your income had what they needed financially after you passed away. Products have evolved along with the passage of time. While life insurance may still seem like something you buy primarily for
Evolution of Life Insurance Read More »
Working after retirement brings with it the need to understand certain tax and contribution rules governing the way you can use and/or continue to contribute to the money in your qualified retirement savings accounts. Looking first at continued contributions, in most cases, you should be able to, regardless of your age. There are no income
Working After Retirement Read More »
There is nothing generally inherent in any given year that says it’s a bad or good time to retire. The question that needs to be answered is whether you’re ready financially and emotionally. So, how do you determine if you are ready? Begin by asking yourself if you have estimated your stream of lifetime retirement
Is This Year a Good Year To Retire? Read More »
We often think that emotions only impact inter-personal decisions, however making consequential financial decisions in a heightened emotional state also generally isn’t a good idea. Behavioral psychologists have identified a few common biases that can undermine our decision-making skills. While some are rooted in emotion, others are what we think of as mental shortcuts our
Behavioral Decision Making Read More »
Late in life job loss can be devastating on many fronts. One area we haven’t discussed before is a different use of an annuity you purchased, originally intending to turn on the income stream upon retirement or leave the funds to beneficiaries. Because different annuities offer different benefits, some provide the ability for growth of
