In times of sudden market downturns, and in this new COVID-19 economy, I am reminded of Rudyard Kipling’s advice to “keep your head when all about you are losing theirs.” I do this by focusing on each client’s individual investment strategy, not the noise. For instance, I may counsel a 40-year-old client with a 25-year […]
This is a Time for Fundamentals; Not Fear
Financial Planning, Retirement PlanningEmotions can aid our basic survival. They can motivate us to take action, encourage us to avoid danger and provide us with the empathy necessary to create relationships. Regarding financial markets though, emotions most certainly do not help and yet the markets move with the mass’ emotional responses. Driven by two primary emotions: fear and greed; […]
New IRA Rules and What They Mean to You
Investment Management, Retirement PlanningThe end of 2019 brought a big change to retirement accounts. Late December, Congress passed the SECURE (Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement) Act, which aims to assist in helping people save more money for retirement and have a longer time to do so. The act went into effect this past January, so it […]
5 Important Retirement Planning Age Milestones
Investment Management, Retirement PlanningRemember the excitement of turning 16 so you can get your driver’s license? And 21 to be a legal adult? Important birth dates don’t end there. As you head toward retirement, consider the following dates as they may be critical in ensuring your financial plan’s success: Age 55: Possible Penalty Free Withdrawals from Your 401(k) If […]
Leaving a Legacy of Income
Estate Planning, Retirement PlanningReShelle Barrett, CFP® Are you over age 70 ½ and being forced to take income from your IRA? Wouldn’t it be nice if you could spread that income over future generations? Fortunately, you can. Let’s start with determining when you need to start taking Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs). The IRS allows retirement accounts to grow […]
How Hard is Your 401(k) Working?
Retirement PlanningReShelle Barrett, CFP® Are you one of those employees who enrolled in your company’s retirement plan and haven’t looked at the investments since? Or worse yet, haven’t even enrolled in the plan? At least once a year, many will be asked to make decisions regarding your 401(k) plan i.e. would you like to enroll in […]
Tips to Consider When Rolling Over Your 401(k)
Investment Management, Retirement Planningby ReShelle Barrett, CFP® Senior Vice President Most people have changed jobs or left the work force at some point. This likely means leaving 401(k) accounts with old employers. Although some plans require in-active participants to distribute their account if the balance is under minimum, most will give you several options. Discussing these options with […]
