My Comments: My professional efforts these days are focused on helping people make good decisions about their retirement. My grey hair lends itself to this demographic. So my posts tend to favor ideas and thoughts that are relevant to many people either starting to navigate these transitional waters to retirement, or are already there. Nov …
Category: Financial Planning
3 Secrets to a Comfortable Retirement
My Comments: These lists are usually somewhat pathetic. Why just 3 secrets; why not 5? And these are not really secrets. But I needed something to try and catch your attention today so here are 3 Secrets! I think it’s very possible that the next 30 years are going to be far less ‘profitable’ than …
5 Totally Free Ways to Get Ready for Retirement Using the Social Security Website
My Comments: There is a lot of talk these days about the Trump administration wreaking havoc with something that has become synonymous with retirement for many millions of Americans. But I have my doubts since those same millions also vote and are unlikely to sit by idly if their benefits are threatened. Yes, you have …
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How to Get Financial Advice That Is in Your Best Interest
My Comments: Remember the phrase ‘the birds do it, the bees do it…”? Well, attorneys do it, CPAs do it, architects do it, doctors do it, and so should financial advisors. BTW, politician's don't do it. I’m talking about acting in the best interest of the client and/or patient. The Obama administration worked several years …
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What To Do If Social Security Is Your Primary Source of Retirement Income
My Comments: There is talk in Washington that future Social Security benefits will be cut. How real this is I have no idea. But the fact it’s even talked about suggests the threat today is higher than before. I’m not talking about what might happen in 2035, but in 2017. If you are not yet …
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‘Believe Me, We’re In A Bubble Right Now – A Big, Fat, Ugly Bubble’ – DJT
My Comments: Part of me wants to believe the Laws of Physics (and economics) have been reversed, that gravity no longer means ‘what goes up must come down’. The other half says gravity is still here. Wednesday afternoon, right after the election, I got a raucous tweet from someone making fun of my having said …
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6 Major Pros and Cons of Medicare
My Comments: This comes from, of all places, the National Latino Council on Alcohol and Tobacco Prevention (nlcatp.org). It was written by their chief editor whose name I cannot find. As someone who professes to know the basics about retirement planning, having a good understanding about paying for medical care as your life plays out …
Calculating Required Minimum Distributions From a Tax-Qualified Retirement Account
My Comments: OK, I’m not a CPA and I’m talking about a tax matter. Please don’t call the FBI on me. If you have money in an account and it it got there before income taxes were applied to the money you earned, it’s known as a “qualified account”. Simply put, it “qualified” for special …
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A Reverse Mortgage Can Save Your Retirement!
My Comments: Many of you may react negatively when you hear the term ‘reverse mortgage’. At one time that reaction was a reasonable response, but not any longer. Reverse mortgages are now a legitimate financial planning tool that advisors like me employ when the circumstances are appropriate. As you will read below, they can be …
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Options for Funding Long-Term Care Expenses
My Comments: When you reach retirement age, the elephant in the room becomes Long Term Care. This is when someone in the household becomes unable to perform two of what are called Actitivies of Daily Living, or ADLs. A healthy spouse will simply take on more and more to help the affected person manage and …
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Helping Define Your Financial Future 