For Mark Roberts' Use: Frequently, con artists target retirees. They know that dealing with large government agencies, like Medicare or Social Security, can be confusing. They also understand that retirees sometimes feel anxiety over living on a fixed income or losing benefits (which almost never happens anyway). Unfortunately, fear and anxiety, along with unfamiliarity with how [...]
For Mark Roberts' Use: At some point, most of us dream about an early retirement. And on the surface, it certainly sounds wonderful. Who wouldn’t love to avoid their daily commute, never see the inside of an office again, and spend their days in leisure (or exciting activities, for that matter)? For some, an early [...]
For Mark Roberts' Use: As financial advisors, we frequently advise those planning for retirement to save all that you can. And now, we have some good news: Contribution limits for qualified retirement plans were increased for 2019, allowing you to set aside a bit more money for retirement. If you participate in a 401(k), 403(b), Thrift [...]
For Mark Roberts' Use: In 2014, in response to economic conditions and employee feedback, the federal government launched a Phased Retirement option for their workers. Due to the success and popularity of the program, some private sector companies are following suit. A 2017 study found that about half of large employers are aware of employee interest [...]
For Mark Roberts' Use: In recent years, many Americans have expressed concerns over their eventual retirements. They worry that they started saving too late, that their retirement accounts aren’t performing as hoped, or that the rising cost of living will prevent them from retiring at all. These are valid concerns, but luckily we are seeing [...]
For Mark Roberts' Use: When we discuss estate planning, most people know that creating a Last Will and Testament is generally the cornerstone of these plans. And yet, you might be surprised at how many people have procrastinated on this important legal step! According to at least one survey*, 40 percent of those aged 53 [...]
For Mark Roberts' Use: Although most of us don’t like to think about it, estate planning is an important part of retirement preparations. You’ve planned for an income that hopefully lasts the rest of your life, and you’ve accumulated assets both in the bank and otherwise. But what happens if you don’t live as long [...]
For Mark Roberts' Use: Most people know that when they turn 65, they will become eligible for Medicare. For most retirees, the program is the backbone of their healthcare planning. However, many are surprised to learn, after retirement, that Medicare does not cover all of their medical expenses. In fact, it will only cover about [...]
For Mark Roberts' Use: Retirement planning is a complicated topic, and over the years financial planners have attempted to simplify the process by offering some basic guidelines. So, you might have heard that you should plan to replace 70 percent of your current income to provide for your needs in retirement, or that a good withdrawal [...]
For Mark Roberts' Use: Any day now, we will receive the news of next year’s cost of living adjustment (COLA) for Social Security beneficiaries. These numbers are typically released mid-October, with the increase (if any) taking effect in January of the following year. While we wait for the official announcement, let’s take a look at predictions, [...]