Are You On Track to Retirement? Retirement might feel far away when you’re busy with kids, growing your career, or paying off a home, but creating a retirement savings strategy early can make all the difference. The sooner you begin, the more time your money has to grow—and the less stressful planning may be down […]
Thanks to the SECURE 2.0 Act signed in 2022, employers are now able to offer their workers an emergency savings account linked to their retirement savings plans [such as 401(k), 403(b), and 457(b) plans]. Officially named pension-linked emergency savings accounts (PLESAs), the new savings options are sometimes called sidecar accounts. Additionally, if an employer matches […]
During your working years, you’ve probably set aside funds in retirement accounts such as IRAs, 401(k)s, or other workplace savings plans, as well as in taxable accounts. Your challenge during retirement is to convert those savings into an ongoing income stream that will provide adequate income throughout your retirement years. Setting a withdrawal rate The […]
In the 1990s, political strategist James Carville offered one of the most colorful of all economic witticisms when he said: “I used to think that if there was reincarnation, I wanted to come back as the president or the pope or as a .400 baseball hitter. But now I would like to come back as […]
Are you feeling overwhelmed by your finances as the new year begins? Whether you’re looking to finally build that emergency fund, navigate a career change, or plan for retirement, finding the right financial advisor could be the step that transforms your financial future in 2025. But with so many options, how do you find someone […]
Financial independence isn’t about hitting a magic number. It’s about developing sustainable money management skills. Being able to budget smartly, avoid unnecessary debt, and consistently save for the future can establish healthy long-term habits that help keep you on track with your goals. However, the hard work doesn’t stop once you feel you have reached […]
Social Security benefits are a major source of retirement income for most people. Your Social Security retirement benefit is based on the number of years you’ve been working and the amount you’ve earned. When you begin taking Social Security benefits also greatly affects the size of your benefit. How do you qualify for retirement benefits? […]
There’s no denying the benefits of a college education: the ability to compete in today’s job market, increased earning power, and expanded horizons. But these advantages come at a price. And yet, year after year, thousands of students graduate from college. So how do they do it? Many families finance a college education with help […]
At least on the surface, the fourth quarter of 2024 seemed to echo many of the same capital market trends that had dominated the first three quarters of the year. However, a look under the surface reveals a less homogeneous story, particularly over the last few weeks of the quarter and year. The quarter witnessed […]
In most cases, taking money out of a 401(k) or similar retirement savings plan prior to age 59½ while you’re still working will result in income taxes and a 10% early-distribution penalty. However, you may be able to access your plan money in an emergency — in some cases, without paying the penalty — through […]
