Is Your Retirement Plan Ready for Year-End? A Q4 Checklist for Retirees
December 31st is fast approaching, and with it comes a flurry of year-end financial deadlines that could cost you thousands if missed. While younger workers might focus on maximizing 401(k) contributions, retirees face a different set of critical tasks that can make or break their tax situation. Missing required minimum distributions, overlooking tax withholding adjustments, or failing to complete strategic moves like Roth conversions can trigger penalties that dwarf any investment...
One Big Beautiful Bill Overview
Your tax bill just got smaller. Your paycheck just got bigger. And if you're over 65, your Social Security benefits might stay in your pocket instead of going to the IRS. Welcome to the new reality under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed into law by President Trump on July 4, 2025. This sweeping legislation combines the largest tax cuts in American history with major changes to spending, border security,...
Is Your Retirement Cash Flow Sustainable? How to Stress-Test Your Plan
Your retirement calculator says everything looks perfect. Steady returns, predictable expenses, and enough money to last until age 95. But what happens when the market crashes in your first year of retirement? Or when inflation spikes and stays there? That cheerful projection might not look so rosy anymore. Most retirement plans fail not because people didn't save enough, but because they used overly optimistic assumptions that crumble when reality hits. A...
Time in the Market vs. Timing the Market: What Really Builds Wealth
Your neighbor won't stop talking about the stock that doubled after he bought it. Meanwhile, your investment portfolio grows steadily without fanfare. Who's really winning here? Everyone loves a good story about perfect timing. The investor who sold everything before the 2008 crash. The genius who bought tech stocks at rock bottom during the pandemic. These tales capture our imagination because they promise a shortcut to wealth. But here's what these...