3 Common Retirement Planning Mistakes
Your golden years are a significant aspect of your life that require diligent saving and considerable contemplation. However, the journey towards this phase can be lengthy and complex, filled with numerous decisions and potential missteps. So, what are some frequent errors you could sidestep? Missing Opportunities for Passive Income A significant number of individuals […]
How Debt Can Affect Your Retirement
Many Americans are approaching their golden years with some level of debt. In 2016, nearly 61% of US citizens were transitioning into retirement while still bearing debt.[1] While one might assume that expenses would naturally decrease after retiring, that isn’t always the case.[1] Sometimes, your costs will remain constant, decrease, or they may rise. It […]
What Are COLAs and How Do They Affect Retirement
If you are currently receiving Social Security or you are considering how Social Security might factor into your retirement plan, it’s important for you to understand what COLA stands for. You may have seen the acronym in various information about Social Security, and you may have wondered what it meant. Well, let’s answer your questions […]
What is Risk Tolerance, and What Does it Mean for You?
The term “risk tolerance” gets thrown around a lot when it comes to investing. So, what does it mean, and how does it relate to retirement? In simple terms, risk tolerance is how comfortable you are with potentially losing money on an investment.[1] If you don’t want to lose any money at all from your […]
A Crash Course in Treasury Securities
Ever wondered what treasury securities are? What about the difference between a treasury note, a treasury bond, and a treasury bill? Let’s uncover what these securities are so that you can have a sense of how they function and how they work for an investor. What Are Treasury Securities Used For? Treasury securities are basically […]
3 Quick Suggestions for Planning Your Estate
Estate planning is a significant undertaking. It gives us a way to transfer what we’ve accumulated throughout our lives to those we hold dear. Passing down properties and personal items can convey familial bonds and affection and even offer financial assistance to our loved ones. Have an actual plan What’s the initial and crucial step […]
What’s the True Value of Financial Guidance?
If you’ve done any searching on the internet, you’ve probably seen the advice to minimize your financial planning and retirement fees as much as possible. Many outlets for financial explanations and information recommend paying as little as possible to maintain your accounts. In general, many sources recommend a passive, uninvolved investment strategy that minimizes all […]
What is a Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT)?
At the most basic level, a real estate investment trust is a company that owns, operates, or finances income-generating real estate.[1] They allow people to invest in a trust that then purchases a direct ownership stake in real estate properties. The investor then has exposure to the potential profits and income generated from the real […]
Where Did Pensions Go?
Before 1978, most retirement plans were set up as pensions. Although the term “pension” can colloquially refer to any kind of retirement account, usually what is meant by “pension” is a defined-benefit plan.[1] “Defined-benefit plan” is a technical term for a retirement plan where an employer guarantees payment of a certain amount when you retire […]
What is a Taxable Event?
Put plainly: a taxable event is a transaction that causes someone to owe money to the government in the form of taxes.[1] Seems simple enough, right? When it comes to retirement and savings, there are a few important taxable events that you might want to keep an eye on. Earned Income Receiving earned income from […]