And then there are those headlines, warning us that the Social Security trust fund is set to run dry around 2034. Does this mean you should grab what you can, as soon as you’re able? Let’s explain why we agree with Social Security specialist Mary Beth Franklin, who suggests the following: “While there may be [...]
Note: Implementation for each SECURE 2.0 provision varies from being effective immediately, to ramping up in future years. A few even apply retroactively. Many of its newest programs won’t effectively roll out until 2024 or later, giving us time to plan. Consult with a tax advisor or estate attorney before implementing any of the below. [...]
After a 5.9% cost of living adjustment to 2022, the social security administration announced the cost of living adjustment for 2023 of 8.7%. This is welcome news coming off of the September 2022 CPI reading of 8.2% year over year. This is the largest increase to social security benefits since 1981.
What are your investments really costing you? If you’re not sure, you’re not alone. It’s not like you’re handed a menu of charges to choose from when it’s time to place your order. Even when you know where to look for investment costs, the information can be difficult to digest. Let’s fill in some of [...]
Whether you’re saving, investing, spending, bequeathing, or receiving wealth, there’s scarcely a move you can make without considering how taxes might influence the outcome. But how do we plan when we cannot know? The particulars may evolve, but it seems there are always an array of tax breaks to encourage us to save toward our [...]
In selecting or retaining a financial advisor, how do you know if you’re making a wise choice? This is a challenging subject, indeed. First, the stakes are high. The quality of your selection, or lack thereof, can literally make or break your family’s fortune. Also, the choices can be bewildering. It can be difficult to [...]
You may have missed the news – buried in a much bigger spending bill, and passed in the thick of the holiday season. But after months of nearly bringing it to the finish line, it’s now official: On Friday, December 20, 2019, the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement (SECURE) Act was signed into [...]
Asset allocation. It’s so ingrained in how we manage our clients’ investment portfolios, we talk about it all the time. But what is it? What are assets, and what happens when you allocate them? Asset Allocation: A Classy Subject Big picture, an asset is anything beneficial you have or have coming to you. For our [...]
The yield curve is flattening (or growing steeper)! … Yield curve spreads are widening (or narrowing)! … The yield curve has inverted (or normalized)! Headline-grabbing yield curve commentary somehow sounds important, doesn’t it? But what is a yield curve to begin with, and what does it have to do with you and your investments? A [...]
Do lower taxes cause faster GDP growth? Your answer will hinge on what economic theory you subscribe to. The fundamental idea of supply-side economics is that tax cuts cause economic growth. This theory is grounded in the idea of expanding the tax base which in turn will produce more tax revenue for the government. The [...]