Getting Ready to Retire? How to Be Fully Prepared
During your working years, retirement can feel like a distant, far-off time in your life that you hope to get to someday. And though you may think of it simply as the point when you stop working, it’s a major life transition that shifts how you spend your time, how you define your purpose, …
Can I Afford to Retire Early?
Wondering if the time is right to clock out once and for all? While the idea can seem tempting, we believe you don’t want to be hasty. Take our quick quiz to help you determine whether you’re adequately prepared to retire early—or if you may need to keep working a bit longer. …
What to Do with Your Money 1, 5, and 10 Years Before Retirement
Regardless of whether you plan to retire in 10 years or are shooting for early retirement, there’s one main goal your planning should be working toward: saving enough so that you don’t outlive your money. But there’s no exact science for figuring out exactly how much money you’ll need to ac …
How to Leverage Tax-Advantaged Accounts
While each of us has our own set of financial goals and objectives, one smart strategy can be beneficial in any number of situations: tax-advantaged accounts. These are accounts such as IRAs, 401(k)s and HSAs—accounts specifically designed to help reduce your tax burden, whether that’s a be …
Are Retirement Plan Contributions Tax-Deductible?
Retirement plans like 401(k)s and IRAs can be an easy and effective way to save for retirement. Many investors favor these accounts for their significant tax advantages, which can include pre-tax or tax-deductible contributions. Contributions to a 401(k), traditional IRA, and other retirem …
Tax Law Changes that Could Affect Your Return This Tax Season
It’s that time of year again! W-2s, 1099s, and mortgage statements have begun to hit your mailbox: a daily reminder that it is, once again, Tax Season. Overall, it was a relatively quiet year on the tax front, with one big (beautiful) exception: The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), whic …
The Progression of Financial Planning Through Every Decade of Your Life
Your career and lifestyle look completely different when you’re in your 20s compared to when you’re in your 60s – your financial focus and planning in each decade should follow suit. I’ve highlighted three financial tactics to focus on in each decade of your life starting with your 20s.
How Much Will Healthcare Cost in Retirement?
When saving for retirement, we often dream about all the things we’ll be able to do with that money—traveling, going out to eat, maybe trying new hobbies. But the reality is that there are also everyday household expenses that you should account for in your post-retirement budget. Less fun …
More than Just Health Insurance: Understanding and Leveraging Your Employee Benefits
When most people consider a job offer, they tend to focus on one thing: salary. But while your paycheck is important, it’s only one piece of the puzzle. Your full compensation package also includes your employee benefits—retirement accounts, insurance, personal time off, and much more.
8 Items That Can Be Crucial For Your Retirement Planning Checklist
Imagine yourself on your last ride home from work on the day you retire. The cardboard box is in the backseat, your gold watch is on your wrist and you realize you don’t have to wake up to an alarm clock tomorrow. Are you ready? Is your plan in place? Is that fear or excitement fluttering i …
5 Common Retirement Fears and How to Overcome Them
By Erin Wood, CFP®, Senior Vice President, Financial Planning and Advanced Solutions If we’re to believe everything we see in magazine and TV ads, retirement is a time of leisurely bike rides with your spouse, lunching with friends and exploring hobbies like painting or ceramics, all done i …