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Planning for the Expected

Perhaps Bette Davis said it best when she observed, “Old age is no place for sissies.”¹ The challenges seniors have met throughout their lives have made them wiser and stronger, preparing them for the unique challenges...

Diversification, Patience, and Consistency

Regardless of how the markets may perform, consider making the following part of your investment philosophy: Diversification. The saying “don’t put all your eggs in one basket” has some application to investing. Over...

Gifting vs. Inheritance: Which Is Better For My Beneficiaries?

If you know that you want to leave behind money for your family members, is it better to leave the money as a gift while you are still living or as an inheritance after death? Each of these options have different tax consequences to be...

Four Really Good Reasons to Invest

Forty-eight percent of Americans do not own any stocks or stock-related investments, according to the most recent data available from Pew Research Center.1 Individuals may cite different reasons for not investing, but with important...

How Will You Transition Out of Your Company?

A transition plan can help with this change. If the time has come for you to sell the business you’ve spent countless hours growing into a successful operation, create a transition plan to ensure the legacy of your hard work....

A LIVING TRUST PRIMER

A living trust is a popular consideration in many estate strategy conversations, but its appropriateness will depend upon your individual needs and objectives. What is a living trust? A living trust is created while you are alive and...

AND THE EXECUTOR IS

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Warren Burger is famous for more than just his time on the bench. When he died in 1995, he left a 176-word will that gave no specific power to his executors.1 As a result, he reportedly cost his estate tens...

Capital Gains & Your Taxes: A Brief (But Important!) Guide

Classic investments, like stocks, are not the only investments taxed by capital gains. Capital gains taxes can apply to any other property that acquires value over time. These taxes are calculated by subtracting the cost of the...

Hindsight Is 2020: 7 Ways We Should All Vow to Treat Our Money Differently in 2021

2020 is a year most of us would prefer to forget. When the year started, nobody expected natural disasters of historic proportion, the COVID-19 pandemic or the residual economic hardships that followed. But with the first year of the...

A BRIEF HISTORY OF ESTATE TAXES

Federal estate taxes have been a source of funding for the federal government almost since the U.S. was founded. In 1797, Congress instituted a system of federal stamps that were required on all wills offered for probate when property...

MEDICARE ADVANTAGE 101

Medicare Advantage, sometimes known as “Part C,” is something of a catch-all choice for those who are ready to sign up for Medicare. Rather than being one plan (featuring solely government programs), Medicare Advantage...

WHEN SHOULD YOU TAKE SOCIAL SECURITY

The Social Security program allows you to start receiving benefits as soon as you reach age 62. The question is, should you? Monthly payments differ substantially depending on when you start receiving benefits. The longer you wait (up...

3 TAX-SMART WAYS TO HELP FAMILY MEMBERS IN NEED PAY FOR COLLEGE

As colleges and universities grapple with reopening during the COVID-19 pandemic, a growing number of college students and their parents find themselves struggling to pay tuition costs. In fact, a recent study found that nearly half...

SUCCEEDING AT BUSINESS SUCCESSION

According to the Conway Center for Family Business, family businesses account for 64% of the U.S. Gross Domestic Product (GDP), yet 57% of family businesses have no formal succession plan.1 While the number may shock you, it is not...

HEALTHY BODY, HEALTHY POCKETBOOK

Many people have a clear vision of what their ideal retirement looks like. Some desire vacation homes in tropical destinations, while others plan to spend quality time with their grandchildren and family. We know that many of these...

UNDERSTANDING LONG-TERM CARE

Addressing the potential threat of long-term care expenses may be one of the biggest financial challenges for individuals who are developing a retirement strategy. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services estimates that 70% of...

MORTGAGES IN RETIREMENT

Anyone who has gone through the process of mapping out their retirement knows there can be a lot to keep in mind. Saving, investing, anticipating medical costs, and making sure you have enough tucked away for years to come is just the...

Navigating a Financial Crisis

During a crisis, you need answers, and your financial advisor knows this. It is a scramble to find the right information, and sometimes you do not even know whom to call. So, what do you do? Well, luckily for you, we have spent some...

The Importance of Proper Planning for a Physically Ill Spouse or Loved One

Proper financial planning should always be a focus, but for those who are dealing with a physically ill spouse or loved one, it is crucial. There are several financial considerations that you will need to ponder, and naturally, these...

PLANNING YOUR ESTATE

Accepting one’s own mortality is a tough pill to swallow. As such, estate planning can be a morbid topic that lingers in the background of our lives ominously. Nobody wants to plan for their own death! However, the repercussions...

5 WAYS TO START THE NEW DECADE OFF ON SOUND FINANCIAL FOOTING

The beginning of a new decade presents a unique opportunity for reflection and planning. Here are a few ways in which you can partner with your financial professional to help pursue a financially healthy new year and begin the new...

STORING CRITICAL DOCUMENTS

If you were to pass away or become incapacitated, your loved ones may be responsible for making challenging decisions about your health or estate. During a time of emotional distress or grieving, it’s difficult to think about...

WHY AMERICANS SAVE LESS IN GOOD TIMES

One of the key indicators of economic growth, the gross domestic product (GDP), grew 4.1% in the second quarter – its best pace since 2014. Yet, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, consumers are saving less of...

FOUR MYTHS DEBUNKED: HEALTHCARE COSTS IN RETIREMENT

Over the course of retirement, healthcare expenses are anticipated to cost $280,000, on average, for a couple turning age 65 today.1 Yet, many retirees significantly underestimate their out-of-pocket healthcare costs, assuming that...

A BUCKET PLAN TO GO WITH YOUR BUCKET LIST

John and Mary are nearing retirement and they have a lot of items on their bucket list. Longer life expectancies mean John and Mary may need to prepare for two or even three decades of retirement. How should they position their money?1...

CIM MARKET COMMENTARY | BACK TO THE 90S: 10 WAYS TODAY IS LIKE THE 1990S AND WHY IT’S NOT

Feeling a little déjà vu? You’re not alone. Cetera Investment Management's latest commentary takes a neon-colored look at 10 ways today’s markets resemble the 1990s, including long-running bull markets, a...

FIXED OR VARIABLE MORTGAGE, WHICH SHOULD YOU PICK?

Buying a home is the single-largest financial commitment most people ever make. And sorting through mortgages involves a lot of critical choices. One of these is choosing between a fixed- or variable-interest-rate mortgage. True to...

Reviewing Your Beneficiary Forms Annually Can Save More Than A Few Headaches

Reviewing the beneficiary designations on your property and assets on an annual basis, or as circumstances in your life change, is one of the smartest financial moves you can make to protect your interests, your legacy and your loved...

Why Social Media Users Are More Likely To Become Victims of Fraud

Keeping up with friends and family and sharing pictures of the grandkids and your most recent travel destination online may seem pretty tame. But according to several recent studies, social media use may leave you more vulnerable to...

9 Facts About Social Security

Tip: How Much? Check your Social Security earnings and see an estimate of your benefits on the website, www.ssa.gov. Social Security’s been a fact of retirement life ever since it was established in 1935. We all think we know how...