For Mark Roberts' Use: When you decided to make certain tax-deferred retirement investments, you were likely informed of the penalties you could face by withdrawing the funds before age 59 ½. Generally, taking this action will result in a 10 percent federal income tax penalty. However, in certain situations you may be allowed to make [...]
For Mark Roberts' Use: If you're not sure whether you'll really have enough income to retire, you aren't alone: 38 percent of Americans* share your concern. What's truly surprising is that this figure represents individuals not just in lower income brackets, but in upper brackets as well. These worries likely stem from a variety of [...]
For Mark Roberts' Use: Have you ever considered what might happen if you were no longer able to work due to a sudden disability, such as an extended illness or serious injury? If your retirement planning revolves around the assumption that you'll be able to work until a certain age, you should probably create a [...]
For Mark Roberts' Use: As adult children find jobs, move out of the family home, and begin building their own lives, parents often find themselves facing new opportunities. There are also numerous monthly budget items which can be re-examined after adult children leave the home. Empty nest couples may find themselves saving significant amounts by [...]
For Mark Roberts' Use: With years of careful planning, many workers can be ready to retire by a pre-determined time. However, there are a few questions you should ask yourself along the way, which may prompt you to slow down and reassess your retirement plans. Retiring before you're really ready could lead to serious problems [...]
For Mark Roberts' Use: In 2011, the Federal Trade Commission (www.tfc.gov) received nearly one million complaints of fraud from consumers. As the FTC scrambles to educate consumers about potential fraudulent schemes, con artists simply switch their tactics and come up with new, increasingly creative ways to swindle people out of their hard-earned money. Unfortunately, many [...]
For Mark Roberts' Use: It may not be the most pleasant thought, but the possibility of needing long-term care should factor into retirement planning. With an estimated seven out of ten people over age 65 needing long-term care* at some point, odds are fairly high that most retirees or their spouses will face this situation. [...]
Are you worried that your tax deductions will disappear when you retire? Learn more by watching the brief video below. Remember, give us a call to set up an appointment if you'd like to discuss your tax planning for retirement. We help keep the IRS out of your back pocket!
For Mark Roberts' Use: A basic investment principle is that assets which have the potential for greater growth usually carry greater risk. Investors who are two or three decades away from retirement have more time to recover from losses, so they may decide to accept the risk of more aggressive investing. However, those nearer to [...]
For Mark Roberts' Use: For the past three years, interest rates have remained at exceptionally low levels, and are expected to continue this way until at least the end of 2014. On the other hand, market volatility has been high, creating a challenge for risk-averse investors who hope to improve their returns. For those approaching [...]