Retirement Planning Blog

Changing jobs or retiring is a big life transition. You have boxes to pack and new names to learn. In all that excitement, it is easy to forget about the retirement savings you built up at your old company. That account is

Lately, most of the market conversation has been dominated by artificial intelligence. New tools, new breakthroughs, new winners. But beneath the headlines, something quieter and more structural has been developing inside the stock market itself.The market’s recent gains have been driven by a very small group of very large companies. Today, the ten largest stocks

Most people don’t panic when the market wobbles a little. But when the swings get bigger, the headlines get louder, and your account balance looks like it’s experimenting with skydiving, that’s when the questions start: “Should I be doing something different?”

As the year winds down, the calendar starts tapping its foot. Deadlines approach, holiday plans pile up, and everything that felt far away suddenly feels very close. The good news

October has a certain mystique on Wall Street. Maybe it’s the cooler air, maybe it’s the long shadow of 1987 and 2008 - or maybe it’s just that the market loves a good scare this time of year.

Markets don’t like surprises, but they’re surprisingly good at ignoring Washington now nearly two weeks into the government shutdown, investors are asking the usual questions: How long will it last? Will it hurt the economy? And does it actually matter for the market?

When it comes to planning what happens with your retirement accounts after you’re gone, the details matter. One decision many people overlook is whether to name a trust as the beneficiary of their IRA. On paper, it sounds simple, but like most things in estate planning, the answer comes with both benefits and trade-offs.

When you sit down with a financial advisor, you want someone you can trust - someone who’s knowledgeable, but also firmly on your side. The challenge? Not every advisor’s paycheck is aligned with your best interests. In fact, the way an advisor gets paid can shape the guidance you receive. For retirees, that can mean the difference between peace of mind and second-guessing every recommendation.

"I heard Roth money is tax-free — so I can just take it out whenever I want, right?" Not quite. This is one of the most common misconceptions I hear, especially from clients juggling Roth 401(k)s, Roth IRAs, and after-tax rollovers (sometimes called the “Mega Backdoor Roth”). The truth is: not all Roth dollars are created equal - and access depends on both IRS rules and your employer’s retirement plan. Let’s walk through what you can really do - and when.

You’ve just handed in the office key card, the coffee mug with your name on it is boxed up, and you're ready to greet retirement at 62. Freedom feels fantastic, until you remember...that Medicare doesn’t start until age 65. Those three little years can create one big...

June isn’t just the season for weddings, Father’s Day golf, and wondering why your tomato plants aren’t producing yet. It’s also prime time for a mid-year retirement checkup. Before the second half of the year rolls in with tax deadlines, RMD headaches, and year-end planning pressure, now’s...

Retirement planning isn’t just about saving enough - it’s about how you take money out once you stop working. Making withdrawals without a tax-smart strategy can mean paying more than your fair share to Uncle Sam and possibly triggering higher Medicare premiums. Here’s what every retiree and pre-retiree should know...

Retiring with a mortgage isn’t as scary as it sounds. But here’s what to weigh before pulling the plug on that monthly payment. You’ve spent decades building toward retirement—saving, investing, and maybe even dreaming of the day you send in that final mortgage payment. But should you?

You survived another tax season. Congratulations! The shoeboxes are emptied, the e-filing is done, and your CPA finally stopped giving you that “Where’s your 1099?” look. Time to toss the tax folder in a drawer and forget about it until next April, right?

The first quarter of 2025 did not lack excitement. Stocks roared out of the gate in January—and started to run into the shrubs. After strong gains in January and early February, the quarter reversed course...

In the world of stock market analysis, few indicators carry as ominous a name as the Hindenburg Omen. Named after the infamous German airship disaster, this technical indicator is used to help predict potential market crashes or significant downturns.

As we approach the end of the year, it's time to review tax strategies that could benefit your financial situation. While not an exhaustive list, here are a few ideas you may be able to use

If you are leaving your job, don’t forget to take your retirement plan with you. These plans can be rolled over (without taxes and penalties) to another employer plan or to an IRA - if done properly. This includes a 401(k), 403(b), or governmental 457(b) plan.