May 22, 2025
Test Your Financial Literacy: Take the Ultimate Financial Knowledge Quiz
TLDR Are you ready to test your financial knowledge? Whether you are a seasoned investor or just starting your financial journey, understanding the fundamentals of financial planning is crucial. This financial acumen quiz is designed to test your knowledge of key financial concepts, from the importance of a diversified investment portfolio to the principles of budgeting and investment strategies. Take...
May 12, 2025
Why Pre-Tax Contributions Outmaneuver Roth in Peak Earning Years: Even with Rising Tax Rates
The Math Behind the Advantage For high earners in the 35-37% tax brackets, pre-tax contributions act as powerful accelerators of wealth accumulation. When you contribute $23,000 to a pre-tax 401(k), you immediately save $8,050 in taxes. This immediate tax relief isn’t just about saving money today-it’s about having more capital working for you over decades. Research from Bernstein highlights that...
April 15, 2025
April 2025 Economic Forecast: Navigating Turbulence Amid Policy Shifts
The global and U.S. economies are facing significant challenges in April 2025, driven by aggressive tariff policies, inflationary pressures, and labor market dynamics. While the labor market remains resilient, mounting uncertainties are reshaping economic growth trajectories and consumer behavior. Here’s an analysis of the current economic landscape, its causes, and implications for the months ahead. Economic Growth: Slowing Momentum Global...
January 11, 2025
Advanced Portfolio Stress Testing: What Is It & How to Implement It
Portfolio stress testing is a crucial risk management tool that helps investors and financial institutions assess how their investments might perform under various adverse scenarios. What is Advanced Portfolio Stress Testing? Advanced portfolio stress testing is a sophisticated simulation technique that evaluates how a portfolio of assets would react to extreme market conditions or economic events. It goes beyond basic...
December 19, 2024
Red Flags in Your Investment Strategy and How to Avoid Them
Are you thinking about switching financial advisors or reevaluating your investment strategy? It’s a significant decision, and ensuring your financial future depends on recognizing potential pitfalls in your current plan. Spotting red flags early can help you make informed choices and stay on track toward achieving your financial goals. Here are some common warning signs to watch out for, along...
October 21, 2024
Boost Your Social Security: The Hidden Payback Option Explained
While retirement might seem like a distant horizon for many of us, understanding Social Security now can set us up for a more secure future. One lesser-known aspect of Social Security is the “payback option” – a strategy that could potentially boost your benefits down the line. What is the Social Security Payback Option? The payback option, sometimes called the...
October 7, 2024
10 Tips to Protect Your Retirement Savings from Inflation
Inflation is often called the “silent thief” of retirement savings. It can erode the purchasing power of your money over time, potentially derailing even the most carefully laid retirement plans. But do not worry – there are strategies you can employ to help safeguard your nest egg from the effects of inflation. How Does Inflation Impact My Retirement? Before diving...
September 30, 2024
Fiduciary Financial Advisors: Help Secure Your Financial Future with Trustworthy Expertise
When it comes to managing your finances and planning for the future, finding the right guidance is crucial. You may have heard the term “fiduciary financial advisor” and wondered what it means, why it matters, and how to find a fiduciary financial advisor near you. Not all financial advisors are the same. Some provide higher levels of service, expertise, and...
September 17, 2024
401(k) to IRA Rollover Guide: Maximize Your Retirement Savings
401K Rollover to IRA Rules There are two types of rollovers: direct rollovers and indirect rollovers. In a direct rollover, the funds from your 401(k) are transmitted directly to the new retirement plan. There are no withdrawal fees or distributions to the participant, making this the most hands-off rollover method. An indirect rollover is where the funds from your 401(k)...
September 10, 2024
401(k) Rollover Guide: Best Options for Your Old Retirement
What Are My 401(K) Rollover Options? When an employee leaves their job, they have to decide what to do with their old 401(k) retirement account. There are five common options you can consider that include: When Would I Want to Leave My Old 401(k) with My Former Employer? Leaving your old 401(K) account with your former employer is the easiest...
August 20, 2024
What Happens to a 401(K) When You Quit?
When an employee separates service from an employer with a 401(k), they must determine what to do with the retirement account. With the stress of change, sometimes determining what to do with your group retirement plan falls to the wayside. Adding on top having to figure out the options, it can be easier to try and ignore your account, than...
May 7, 2024
How Much Money Do I Need to Retire?
Understanding how much money you need to retire is one of the biggest questions we get from our clients, and it is one question we find they do not think about soon enough, or often enough. It is a question that lacks a one-size-fits-all answer, as the ideal retirement savings can vary greatly depending on individual circumstances, lifestyle choices, and...
April 26, 2024
Is $1 Million Enough to Retire?
TLDR Planning for retirement is a significant financial milestone for many individuals. Among the many questions that arise during this planning phase, perhaps one of the most common is, “How far can $1 million take me in retirement?” While $1 million might sound like a substantial sum, its purchasing power in retirement can vary widely depending on factors such as:...
January 29, 2024
Maximize Your Savings: Understanding 2024’s New Higher IRA and 401(k) Contribution Limits
TLDR; In the ever-evolving financial landscape of retirement savings and tax provisions, 2024 brings promising news for individuals planning for their future. The annual adjustments due to the cost of living have ushered in increased contribution limits for IRAs and 401(k) plans, offering enhanced opportunities for individuals to bolster their retirement funds. What are the 2024 IRA Contribution Limits? Last...
April 2, 2021
What is the Difference between Traditional and Roth Tax Deferring Accounts?
Retirement vehicles come primarily in two forms Traditional and Roth. These are most commonly found in IRAs (Individual Retirement Accounts) or 401(K)s. They are both tax-advantaged vehicles designed for long-term savings and investments, to help people plan for their long-term goals, such as retirement. Each type of account has its own advantages and disadvantages. The right account for you will...