08/18/2025
One of the biggest questions we hear: “Will my money last?”
The answer? It depends on a lot more than just your portfolio size.
All of these can impact whether your money “will last”:
✅ Withdrawal strategy
✅ Timing Social Security
✅ Tax efficiency of your withdrawals
✅ Sequence of returns risk
✅ Adjusting for inflation
It’s not just what you’ve saved—it’s how you draw from it. A properly structured income strategy might add years of sustainability to your financial management.
While we can provide insight on the tax efficiency of your withdrawals, your tax, legal, or accounting professional can provide more specific details.
🎯 The good news? Before you make your first withdrawal, there are ways to stress-test your income strategy under various scenarios to help you better understand potential outcomes.
What are you excited to do more of in retirement?
08/18/2025
Stocks rose last week despite mixed signals on inflation as investors kept one eye on the Fed’s September meeting. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index advanced 0.94 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index added 0.81 percent. The Dow...
Weekly Market Insights | Investors React to Mixed Signals
08/16/2025
Does your business have a retirement strategy that fits your short, long-term needs?
Choosing a Retirement Plan that Fits Your Business
To choose a plan, it’s important to ask yourself four key questions.
08/15/2025
Plan on leaving an IRA to your kids? Read this first.
Starting this year, the IRS will begin enforcing new required minimum distribution (RMD) rules for inherited IRAs. Missing a withdrawal could result in a tax penalty.
Here’s what you need to know:
📌 The “stretch IRA” is mostly gone. Most non-spouse beneficiaries must now fully deplete the account within 10 years.
📌 Annual RMDs may be required, depending on when the original owner died.
➡️ If they died before RMDs were required: No annual RMDs, just empty the account by year 10
➡️ If they died after RMDs began: Annual withdrawals are required in years 1–9
📌 Who’s exempt from the 10-year rule?
✔ Spouses
✔ Minors (Children)
✔ Beneficiaries with disabilities or chronic illnesses
✔ Heirs
08/14/2025
Tax deferral can have a dramatic affect on the growth of an investment. Know what's at stake.
Annuity Comparison
This calculator compares a hypothetical fixed annuity with an account where the interest is taxed each year.
08/13/2025
Are you making this mistake with your portfolio?
Most investors think they’re diversified—until volatility hits. 🌀 Remember, diversification is an approach to help manage, but it does not eliminate investment risk in the event that security prices decline.
True diversification means spreading investments within asset classes to help manage risk.
💼 Case in point: In 2022, many portfolios that were “diversified” still dropped sharply.
👉 One smart strategy? Look beyond traditional approaches and consider how your portfolio behaves in different types of market stress, not just bull markets.
🤔 Curious how your current portfolio might hold up in another challenging year?
What’s one asset or strategy you’re considering now that you weren’t two years ago?
08/12/2025
Learn the language of life insurance.
Term vs. Permanent Life Insurance
When considering life insurance, it's important to understand your options.
08/11/2025
Retirement today isn’t all or nothing.
Instead of wondering when you can retire, ask how to reshape work so it brings more freedom and fulfillment.
Think part-time consulting, board roles, or seasonal projects. For many, it’s not about leaving work behind—it’s about reclaiming time, energy, and purpose.
The right financial strategy can give you the freedom to scale back without cutting back on lifestyle or goals.
If you had one extra day off every week, how would you spend it?
08/11/2025
Stocks rebounded last week as investor optimism for a September rate adjustment and strong Q2 corporate results overcame the rollout of fresh tariffs. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index rose 2.43 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index...
Weekly Market Insights | Stocks Rise on Earnings, Despite Tariffs
08/09/2025
A homewarranty may make sense, but you need to set proper expectations.
Making Sense Of A Home Warranty
Understanding the value of a home warranty.
08/07/2025
Do you know the difference between a global mutual fund and an international mutual fund?
Global and International Funds
Investors seeking world investments can choose between global and international funds. What's the difference?
08/07/2025
July delivered big wins for U.S. markets as trade agreements and stellar Q2 earnings pushed the Nasdaq above 21,000 for the first time. While the Fed held rates steady, consumer spending powered the economy to 3% growth. Back-to-school season is here - families are expected to spend nearly \$39 billion getting kids ready for the new academic year.
Monthly Market Insights | August 2025
Stocks rode the wave of trade developments and Q2 corporate results to advance last month, pushing market averages to multiple record highs.