Blog

In this Q3 recap: Stocks closed lower in the third quarter as an early summer rally ended after the Fed pledged to continue its fight against inflation.

In this Q2 recap: Stocks and bonds were rattled by rising interest rates as the Fed took aggressive monetary tightening steps to combat accelerating inflation. Higher rates and continuing supply chain bottlenecks sparked recession fears.

What do The Dukes of Hazzard, M*A*S*H, and The Love Boat all have in common? They were top-rated television programs in 1982; the last time inflation was hovering in the 7% range. When inflation is running hot, you can feel its...

Little things to keep in mind for life after work. Decades ago, there was a book entitled What They Don’t Teach You at Harvard Business School. Perhaps someday, another book will appear to discuss certain aspects of the...

In this Q1 recap: Global financial markets rattled by the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Inflation pressures rise as oil prices surge and supply chains become further stressed. The Federal Reserve is taking its first steps toward...

Contact all three credit bureaus individually to get a freeze, which is the best protection for your credit files. A credit freeze keeps the sensitive data in your credit files from being accessed without your specific consent...

Wish You Were Allowed to Save More In Your 401(k)?

Glenn W. Nelson*, CLU, ChFC

Monday, January 31, 2022

In the past, most people relied on two principal sources for their retirement income: Social Security and employer sponsored retirement plans...

Estate Plan Life Insurance May Die Before You Do

Bob Pencil*, CFP, CRPC

Thursday, January 13, 2022

When people think about estate planning, they tend to start thinking about Attorneys and Trusts.  Although trusts can be a very important part of an estate plan, they may not always be necessary...

In this Q4 recap: U.S. economy confronts a new COVID-19 variant amid continuing inflation and supply chain bottlenecks. Europe institutes new social restrictions in response to a surge in Delta and Omicron variant infections...

How much monthly income is in your nest egg?

Bob Pencil*, CFP, CRPC

Wednesday, December 15, 2021

According to the 2020 Employee Benefits Research Institute Retirement Confidence Survey (RCS), only 27% of Americans are very confident they have saved enough to retire comfortably.  This has gone up only slightly over the past...

In this Q3 recap: U.S. economic growth slows in the face of Delta variant headwind. Europe’s economic outlook remains positive. Stocks retreat from record highs; confront a bevy of challenges.

Early & Mid-Career Financial Advice

Bob Pencil*, CFP, CRPC

Tuesday, September 28, 2021

At every point in someone’s career they can use some financial guidance from starting their first job to preparing to leave the workforce for good. As we get closer to reaching our financial goal the more important the planning...

In this Q2 recap: U.S. economic growth strong as reopening widens. Europe’s recovery picks up steam; Stocks reach new record highs, face new interest rate and inflation landscape.

Investment firms have a new client service requirement. They must now ask you if you would like to provide the name and information of a trusted contact.1 You do not have to supply this information, but it is encouraged. The request is...

New inherited I.R.A. rules took effect on January 1, 2020. The Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement (SECURE) Act became law on that day, altering the regulations on inherited Individual Retirement Account (I.R.A.)...

America is enduring a data breach problem. As many workers traded in the office for remote work, data security has been a focus for the public and private sectors.

In this Q1 recap: U.S. economic growth gains traction as vaccination rollout picks up speed; Stocks higher, but questions about where they go from here linger.

Think Early Retirement is Unattainable Because of Health Insurance Costs? Think Again!

Bob Pencil*, CFP, CRPC

Monday, March 8, 2021

When I talk to people who tell me they would like to retire early, I ask, what does “early” mean to them? Any age they tell me before 65 instantly leads to my next question. What are their plans for health insurance?

Financially, many of us associate April with taxes – but we should also associate April with important IRA deadlines. April 15, 2021 is the deadline to take your Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) ...

After a bit of political posturing in December, the $900 billion Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 (2021 CAA) was signed into law ...

In this Q4 recap: the appearance of two COVID-19 vaccines gives businesses and consumers hope and lifts stocks; U.S. lawmakers approve a second financial stimulus; European negotiators sign off on a post-Brexit trade deal.

As part of the CARES Act, taxpayers will be able to claim up to $300 in contributions made to a nonprofit charity this year as a deduction from their gross income if they take the standard deduction.

In this Q3 recap: stocks post further 2020 gains as the economy bounces back and the Federal Reserve announces a shift in its approach to inflation.

Each year, Plan Sponsor magazine recognizes plan sponsors who have "shown a commitment to their 401(k) participants' financial health and retirement success." The highly competitive Plan Sponsor of the Year awards are given out...

Heading into 2020, there was little doubt that the U.S. presidential election would be the biggest story of the year. The coronavirus pandemic drastically changed that narrative...

We are honored and pleased to announce that Michael Scott has been recognized by broker-dealer and registered investment advisor, Hornor, Townsend & Kent, LLC (HTK), as a Summit Advisor, ranking in the Top 5 Advisors...

As states cautiously begin the process of relaxing their COVID-19 restrictions, some are wondering, “Why is the stock market doing so well when the economy is doing so poorly?”

In this Q2 recap: the economy measures the impact of the coronavirus threat; the stock market rises with help from a dovish Federal Reserve and a rebound in some economic indicators; oil prices and mortgage rates touch historic lows.

For those tax payers who have reached the age where they are forced to take Required Minimum Distributions (at least age 70½ as of Dec. 31, 2019, or those who reach age 72 after this date), and who are also taking the standard deduction...

The Internal Revenue Service knows that many taxpayers have had a stressful spring. So, it has reset the federal tax deadline. You now have until July 15 to file your 1040 form. July 15 is also the deadline to pay any federal taxes...

Undeniably, spring 2020 has tried the patience of investors. An 11-year bull market ended. Key economic indicators went haywire. Household confidence was shaken.

Are you eligible for a stimulus check from the Treasury Department? As of Friday, April 24, the Internal Revenue Service said it had issued 88 million payments to individuals across the country.

Announcing our new website

Michael L. Scott*, CFP, CLU, ChFC

Monday, May 11, 2020

We are pleased to announce that we redesigned our website.

Saving for retirement is challenging, no doubt. But if you want to know what's really tricky, consider spending that money in retirement.

Fewer stocks, more annuities. That, in essence, is the advice gleaned from two just-published reports for the benefit of those living in or approaching retirement.

In this Q1 recap: COVID-19 hits the United States, followed by heavy economic volatility, government stimulus, and an as-yet untold human cost.

Key Provisions of the CARES Act: Distributions can be waived in 2020 for Inherited Accounts, 401(k)s, and IRAs.