RETIREMENT EDUCATION BLOG

Will You Hit a Retirement Milestone This Year?

Getting an education, starting a family, advancing in your career… There are plenty of significant moments along the way as you lead your life. And as retirement approaches—or if you’re already enjoying it—there are more important ages and milestones that can affect your financial plans. 50: Catch-Up Contributions 59 ½: Penalty-Free Withdrawals 62: Early Social… View Article

Get Your Budget Set Up for a New Year

The start of a new year is more than a calendar milestone—it’s an opportunity to take control of your financial future. For retirees and those nearing retirement, creating a detailed budget isn’t just a good habit; it’s an important step towards long-term confidence in your finances. 1. Adjust for Changing ExpensesInflation and rising healthcare costs… View Article

How Will New Laws and Regulations Affect Your Plans in 2026?

Your retirement goals may not have changed from one year to the next, but each time the calendar resets to January, it’s likely that some financial rules and regulations will see changes. 2026 is no exception as there are some notable differences to retirement-related items that could be worth your consideration. It’s hard to keep… View Article

When to SELL – Making Important Investment Decisions

Knowing when to sell your investments is just as important as knowing when to buy them. Selling at the right time can help you lock in gains and minimize losses, but it can be challenging to make the right investment decisions. One of the many reasons why we implement Market Guard® is because confident investment… View Article

Planning for Income in the New Year

While there are many possible ways to provide streams of income for yourself in retirement, one of the most common is the receiving of a monthly Social Security check. The Social Security Administration has announced a 2.8% Cost of Living Adjustment increase for 20261. This follows a 2.5% increase last year and is comparable to… View Article

Know Your Tax Strategy in the New Year

As the year draws to a close, it’s the perfect time to review your financial plan and implement strategies that can help reduce your tax burden and strengthen your long-term goals. One of the most effective moves is maxing out retirement contributions. If you haven’t reached the annual limit for your 401(k) or IRA, consider… View Article

Make Sure You’ve Met RMD Amounts

Once you reach age 73, the IRS requires you to begin taking Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) from tax-deferred retirement accounts such as traditional IRAs, 401(k)s, and 403(b)s. These withdrawals are not optional—they’re mandated by law and taxed as ordinary income. Missing the deadline can result in steep penalties, currently up to 25% of the amount… View Article

Close Out the Year with a Financial Review

Believe it or not, we’re already in the final days of 2025. Soon, the calendar will turn over and things will carry on. So will your current plans, and it’s important to make sure that your plan is still properly aligned with your goals after everything that may have impacted it over the last year…. View Article