Whitford Financial Planning

10/06/2026

Have you considered starting a business in your retirement? You might wonder how AI can help you accomplish that goal. The short answer is: more than you might imagine!

Many tech leaders are cheering on the latest phase of AI. A few AI tools can help an individual create an idea, including researching their customer base, locating suppliers, and creating branding and packaging.

AI tools can be very easy to use but require careful supervision. They can also be too effective in some ways, and an entrepreneur may find themselves starting to copy an already-popular model for a similar business. While emulating a popular business model may be ideal in some circumstances, some entrepreneurs may prefer to stand out. One way to avoid that sort of market saturation is to use the AI to enhance the talents you bring to the table; as a retiree, you have a career’s worth of experience and knowledge behind you that cannot be as easily copied.

Source:
The Economist, August 11, 2025

09/29/2026

Can’t wait to retire? Do you have enough in your ‘piggy bank’ to live on and a plan to get there?

Whitford Financial Planning can help!

09/24/2026

If you’ve realized a profit on an investment in a taxable account, then you’ve earned a capital gain. What tax rate you pay depends on your total income and how long you’ve held the asset.

Tax Planning in Action: Tax planning involves looking for opportunities to improve your tax situation BEFORE the end of the year. Don’t miss out this year! By anticipating your current and future tax brackets, the aim is to pay taxes when the rate is the lowest!

09/21/2026

Time is a powerful asset. Waiting can have a huge impact on the amount of money you have down the road. Taking little, consistent steps early on will beat waiting the majority of the time.

Time is a powerful asset. Waiting can have a huge impact on the amount of money you have down the road. Taking little, consistent steps early on will beat waiting the majority of the time. You don’t need to be approaching retirement or have a certain amount saved to begin.

09/15/2026

Big news! 🎉 We’re excited to share that our business has moved to a new location as we continue to grow and expand! Our new home will allow us to better serve our clients and accommodate our continued growth.

📍 New Location: 211 Welsh Pool Road, Suite 106, Exton, PA 19341

📅 Open Date: Today!

Thank you for your continued support. We look forward to seeing you at our new location! 😀

09/08/2026

Early estimates for the 2027 Social Security cost-of-living adjustment have moved lower as inflation moderates.

New projections suggest the 2027 COLA may fall between 3.4% and 3.6%.

The official adjustment has not been announced yet. The final number will depend on inflation data for July, August, and September.

Social Security COLAs are calculated using the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers, known as CPI-W.

July data showed CPI-W rose 3.4% over the past 12 months. The broader consumer price index also rose 3.4% year over year.

One estimate from AARP suggests a 3.5% COLA would raise the average retired worker’s benefit by about $73 per month.

For retirees and near-retirees, the COLA is an important reminder that inflation can affect income, purchasing power, household expenses, and long-term financial decisions.


Source:

New estimates show just how much Social Security benefits may increase in 2027, based on new government inflation data.

09/03/2026

Is $1 Million Enough to Retire in Pennsylvania?

Like most financial questions, it depends! One way to think of $1 million is - how much could you safely withdrawal from it each month without running out over time. Many studies suggest that 4% could be a sustainable withdrawal rate.

Like most financial questions, it depends! One way to think of \$1 million is - how much could you safely withdrawal from it each month without running out over time. Many studies suggest that 4% could be a sustainable withdrawal rate.

09/01/2026

Trump Accounts opened on July 4. A few questions are worth considering:

➡️ Our baby is 18 months old. Do we qualify for the $1,000?

Yes. Every U.S. citizen baby born since January 1, 2025, qualifies for a one-time $1,000 federal contribution.

➡️ Is there an income maximum?

No. Eligibility is based on the child's citizenship and birth date, not family income.

➡️ Our child is 7. Did we miss it?

Not entirely. Any U.S. citizen under 18 can have an account opened. The federal $1,000 payment applies only to children born in 2025 through 2028, but everything else still applies.

➡️ Can grandparents contribute?

Yes. Up to $5,000 per year combined across parents, grandparents, family, and the child themselves.

➡️ What is the catch?

State tax conformity varies; California, for example, does not currently conform.

Whether to contribute, how much, and how to coordinate it with what you already have are all worth talking through. Our team is here for that.

08/25/2026

Is $1 million enough to retire in PA?

Let us run the numbers for you!

08/18/2026

📝 August is National Make-A-Will Month, a timely reminder that estate documentation deserves your attention.

A whopping 76% of Americans don't have a will. This can lead to unintended consequences for those with asset distribution and care for children.

A comprehensive estate strategy can help preserve your legacy while helping manage the probate process. Consider reviewing your documentation periodically, particularly after significant life events such as marriage, divorce, or the birth of children and grandchildren.

Our team and your legal counsel can help you facilitate a comprehensive estate planning strategy.



Source:
Caring.com, February 18, 2025.