Important Things to Know About Social Security Benefit Increases

If you are approaching retirement, you're getting ready to make some very important financial decisions. One of the most critical will be when you decide to claim Social Security. Before discussing how potential increases to your Social Security benefits work, let’s understand the best way to determine the monthly benefit you’re entitled to given your earnings record. The simplest way to do this is by logging into your account at ssa.gov and downloading a recent annual statement from the Social Security Administration. 

2021 Mid-year Financial Planning Guide

During last month’s blog, The Ultimate Mid-year Tax Planning Guide for 2021, we detailed the considerations you should be proactively monitoring to set yourself up for a successful 2022 tax season. The purpose of this blog is to expand the mid-year considerations beyond taxes and into the other areas of your financial life. 

The Ultimate Mid-year Tax Planning Guide for 2021

With the halfway point of the year quickly approaching, now is a great time to start focusing on mid-year tax considerations. While it probably feels like you just filed your 2020 return, setting aside some dedicated time for mid-year tax planning can help you save on your 2021 tax bill and eliminate surprises when it comes time to file next year. 

Get to know Social Security Retirement Benefits: A Complete Guide

In the realm of retirement planning, there is a lot of information out there that can cause uncertainty or confusion in the years leading up to that big day of retirement. Regardless of what you know or what you have read, we believe you deserve to walk into that last day of work with confidence for your future.

Understanding the Tax Treatment for Various Types of Investment Accounts

Developing the right savings strategy for retirement can be a confusing process. After working with clients for several decades, we've found there is still a tremendous amount of mystery around where people should be saving. More importantly, understanding the general tax treatment for the savings vehicles they rely on to help them reach their retirement goals. 

The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021

It’s hard to believe a year has passed, but we are now looking through a more hopeful lens as vaccines are being distributed. Even so, many Americans are still facing real struggles from the pandemic. In response, the $1.9T American Rescue Plan was passed to offer fiscal relief and economic stimulus.

How Should My Investment Approach Change When I Retire?

A very common question those approaching retirement ask is “what changes should I make to my investment portfolio, and when”?

Qualifying for Health Insurance Tax Subsidies in Retirement

One of the challenges of an early retirement includes the need to budget for increased health insurance expenses prior to the onset of Medicare at age 65.

Medicare 101 (Part 4): Understanding Part D and Medigap Policies

In the final installment of our Medicare blog series we will discuss the remaining core aspects of Medicare, Part D (drug coverage) and Medigap Policies (supplemental insurance). We will save a discussion on Medicare Advantage plans (an alternative to all of the above) for a future post.

Medicare 101 (Part 3): Understanding Medicare Part B

Medicare 101 (Part 2): Understanding Medicare Part A

This post will focus specifically on Part A of Medicare to help you begin to understand costs and coverage available. Better understanding the specifics of Part A will help you fine-tune your plan for health care expenses in retirement.

What We Are Doing in Our SSR US Equity Strategy

What are you guys doing?

Don’t Sell Based on Today’s Headlines

Warren Buffett was on CNBC last week just as the market rout due to coronavirus concerns was escalating. Asked about the situation, his advice for investors was timely:“Don’t buy or sell your business based on today’s headlines.”

How the Coronavirus Selloff Compares to Recent Selloffs

Stocks sell-off. It is an inevitable, even healthy feature of stock markets. Currently, markets are moving lower due to fears that the Coronavirus will slow down the global economy.

Growth Had a Good Run…Is It Time for a Value Comeback?

It can be surprising to learn that Value companies outperform Growth companies over the long-run. Typically, the types of stocks that first come to mind when we think about strong performers are stocks like Amazon, Netflix and Facebook.