Retirement Savings and How to Make Time Work for You
Younger generations are lagging behind on target goals for retirement savings. Here, we will look at some simple strategies for catching up.
Ask the Adviser: Should I opt for an annuity inside my 401(k) plan?
An annuity creates an income stream while also incurring costs within the plan. We’ll evaluate the pros and cons.
Recapping Market Highlights and Most-Read Articles from 2023
This past year, we covered topics ranging from inflation and legislative changes to RMDs and asset allocation. Here is an overview.
How Retirement Savings are Changing in 2024
We reviewed the tax code updates for 2024. Here’s what to know about contributing to a variety of retirement accounts.
The Pros and Cons of Self-Directing Your Employer-Sponsored Retirement Account
While more investment choices may be appealing, there are some issues to be aware of before taking this direction.
Whether You Are Retiring Now or in 10 Years, the Consolidated Appropriations Act Could Help You Save
Some changes take effect this year, and others are delayed until 2024, 2025, 2026, or even 2033.
Ask the Adviser: How can I best maintain my financial plan?
Much like caring for a vehicle, financial planning is an ongoing process—not a once-and-done event.
Are Roth Conversions Right for People Over 73?
Roth IRAs are not subject to RMD rules.
Learn These IRA Rules to Avoid Costly Penalties
Full of tricky timing concerns, the rules for IRA withdrawals are commonly misunderstood. Here, we explain five of them.
Ask the Adviser: How do I shop for the best rates on my cash?
Looking for ways to make your cash work for you without committing to a long-term investment? There are plenty of options available.
Don’t Overlook These Inflation-Related Opportunities
Discover several ways to offset inflation through tax-efficient saving in 2023.
The Pros and Cons of Paying off Your Mortgage Early
Wondering whether to close out your home loan ahead of schedule? We’ll look at the benefits of doing this—and when it might be better to invest in bonds instead.
Ask the Adviser: What are the pros and cons of Series I savings bonds?
Series I savings bonds combine relatively high returns with minimal risks—as long as inflation remains elevated.
Save Early, Save Often, and Save Tax Efficiently
Opportunistic tax planning can help extend the life of your retirement savings. Here’s how.
Follow This Formula When Converting an IRA to a Roth
Here, we break down the IRS pro-rata rule—a calculation that helps distinguish pre-tax and after-tax funds.
Hardship Withdrawals – What are the Real Costs?
Withdrawing money early from a retirement account is meant to be a last resort—and can come with consequences. Make sure you know these penalties and exemptions first.
Taking Inventory with Financial Tracking Apps
If managing your financial accounts feels clunky or time-consuming, a money management app can help you track spending, savings, and performance. Here are three to consider.
It Takes Planning to Reduce Your Medicare Premiums
With appropriate income withdrawal strategies, a retiree can lessen their exposure to IRMAA surcharges.
Six Retirement Tips That Should Go Away Forever
These misperceptions can end up costing you a lot of money, and more importantly, years of your life working for someone else rather than pursuing your passions.
Other Ways to Utilize Savings in a 529 Plan Without a Penalty
The good news is that there are plenty of legitimate options to avoid the penalties and taxes.
Becoming Financially Independent Part 3: Build Your New Three-Legged Stool™ and Help It Grow
It’s just as important to diversify how funds are saved as it is to diversify how they are invested.
Becoming Financially Independent Part 2: Do Not Disturb Accumulation, Do Not Overlook Consolidation
Do not spend money that has been accumulated for financial independence. Invading long-term savings extends the time it will take to achieve a goal.
Becoming Financially Independent, Part 1: Where to Start
Time is the most important word in our investment vocabulary. If financial independence is the goal, starting today beats waiting until tomorrow.
Evaluating Where to Retire: Pennsylvania Vs. Surrounding States
Affordability, access to healthcare, climate, and culture are just some of the important factors to consider before moving to another state.
Five Small Steps for You, One Giant Leap for Your Retirement
Take small steps, make prudent choices year after year, and watch your savings and investments grow.
Cost of Healthcare for Retirees: Saving Tax Efficiently Can Have a Big Impact
Retirees will need to pay close attention to means-testing levels to help contain healthcare costs. This requires careful planning before retirement.
The Potential Dangers of Rolling Your Company Stock into an IRA
If you own large quantities of company stock held within a retirement plan, rolling it into a tax-deferred IRA may not be the best strategy. Learn when a Net Unrealized Appreciation (NUA) transaction is the right choice to maximize your tax efficiency.
Contributing Too Much to Your IRA Can Cost You
Learn about contribution limits for traditional and Roth IRAs and get advice on how to minimize penalties if you’ve contributed too much in a given year.
As You Approach Retirement, How You Save is Extremely Important
In planning for retirement, how you save is just as important as how much you save. Learn how you can save tax-efficiently by diversifying your assets across accounts that are taxed differently.
Are Your Heirs Ready? 3 Lessons to Teach Children About Wealth Now
Steps you can take to help ensure that your wealth helps future generations.
6 Ways to Help You Reach Your Retirement Goals
It’s never too early to start planning for retirement. By setting a strategy— and sticking to it—you can help achieve your goal of financial independence sooner.
Is Your Vacation Home a Residence or a Rental Property?
Understand how the IRS differentiates between these investments when planning how to use the property personally.
What We Can Learn from the Habits of Wealthy People
Not wanting to be poor when I grew up, I decided the best course of action was to study people who had money. This fascination set me on a lifelong course of studying wealthy and successful people.
Why Optimism Can be Good for Investing
You only need to look at historic returns for equities to see that this has been true. Yet it appears that despite this evidence, whenever the equity market is falling, many investors start selling.
Are You Due to Reevaluate and Switch Your Car Insurance?
Many advisers recommend shopping your automobile policy every two to three years. There are many factors that could have changed since you began insuring through your current carrier.
5 Keys to Financial Success, Revisited
Johnny Depp was the fifth highest-paid actor in 2016 earning $48 million. Unfortunately, almost all of Depp’s entire $8.7 billion fortune is now gone.
Thinking of Helping Out Your Adult Child(ren) Financially? You Might Not be Helping.
A recent study1 conducted for Northwestern Mutual found one in three Baby Boomers (33%), the generation closest to retirement age, have less than $25,000 in retirement savings.
How the Death of a Spouse Affects Taxes and Retirement Income
Many people mistakenly believe their expenses will be half as much as a widow(er) than as a couple. This is true of some expenses, like food and clothing. However, larger expenses related…
How Do You Measure a Life Well-Lived – And How Will Your Children?
Is a life well-lived measured by how much wealth we acquire or is it measured instead by the condition in which we leave our relationships? Leona Helmsley ran a real estate empire…
Roth IRAs
Roth IRAs are a great way to save for retirement. But what if you have more money to contribute than is allowed in a Roth IRA? We’ll provide important retirement savings tips…
How to Deal with the Death of a Spouse From a Financial Perspective
It will come as no surprise that the death of a spouse is consistently listed as one of the most stressful life events a person will face. Death is part of life…
Employee or Employer: Who Really Wins With Lump-Sum Pension Payouts?
This summer, several large Lancaster-area employers have offered terminated employees, who had a vested benefit in their defined benefit plan, a lump sum payout or even an early immediate annuity for their…
Teach Your Children Well – Or They Are Likely to Waste Their Inheritance
Studies estimate the baby boom generation is set to inherit $11.6 trillion over the next 20 years from their parents. The baby boomers are expected to pass on as much…
Do You Hold Title Correctly for Your Real Estate?
Property title questions during financial planning interviews often draw blank stares. Yet, understanding the differences among tenants-in-common, joint tenancy and community property is important for creditor protection issues, estate planning,…
