In today’s fast-paced world, ensuring financial stability for future generations can be a daunting task. However, it is a common goal for retirees to create and maintain generational wealth in retirement. What better way to leave a legacy than to provide financial security? That’s why this article will provide valuable tips and insights to help retirees build a legacy for their families and future generations. The Foundations of Financial Planning Proper financial planning is widely considered the first step to building generational wealth.[1] Retirees should work to evaluate their current ..read more

In recent months there have been 3 major bank shake-ups: Silicon Valley Bank (SVB), Signature Bank, and First Republic Bank.[1] This has generally led to fears that there is a larger recession on the horizon. The financial crisis of 2008 was also precipitated by bank collapses, so this has many experts watching the market carefully. The main concern is that confidence in banks will decrease, and this will lead to more bank failures, which is what happened in 2008. However, it’s important to note that there are many more regulations and protections in place now than there were then.[2] There h ..read more

As you plan for retirement, it’s important to consider tax optimization strategies to minimize your tax liabilities. Here are three key ways to optimize taxes in retirement, based on information from sources published between 2022 and 2023. Consider the Tax Structure of Your State and Locality Consider living in a tax-friendly state.[1] Many states offer tax breaks for retirement income or have no income tax, which can help you reduce your tax liabilities in retirement. Some states also offer tax exemptions for Social Security benefits and other retirement income sources. Assessing the tax ..read more

A recent study by Investopedia found that Generation X’s biggest worry is retirement. The survey found that although many members of Gen X feel like they understand their finances, they are still concerned about setting themselves up to transition into retirement. Nearly one in four Gen Xers are not sure when, or even if, they will be able to retire.[1] These numbers are very significant. They mean that even if Gen X feels like they know what they need to do, they aren’t sure how they will get there. You may be feeling the same way yourself, so don’t worry; you’re not alone! Most members of G ..read more

Healthcare insurance is a crucial aspect of managing one’s health and finances. Understanding its basics can help individuals make informed decisions to help them stay healthy without running into unexpected costs. Here are some important points to keep in mind:   Types of health insurance: There are different types of health insurance plans, including health maintenance organizations (HMOs), preferred provider organizations (PPOs), point of service (POS) plans, and high-deductible health plans (HDHPs).[1] Each type of plan has different benefits and costs, and it’s important to choose ..read more

A target-date fund is an investing tool, often in the form of an ETF or mutual fund, that adjusts its investment strategy based on how much time there is until the target date. The investments are strategized for long-term growth when you are further away from the target date and strategized for wealth preservation the closer you get to it. Another name for these kinds of funds is age-based funds and life-cycle funds, and they are structured around the financial needs of someone aiming to save for retirement.[1] The major benefit of target-date funds is that they can be very hands-off. They a ..read more

In most cases, you can’t actually keep your money in your retirement accounts forever. Even if you don’t need the money from your retirement accounts, many of them will require you to begin withdrawing from them when you are 73 years old.[1] This is called a required minimum distribution (often shortened to RMD). More specifically, you must start taking RMDs by April 1st following the year you turn 73.[2] The amount you are required to withdraw is calculated by dividing the value of the account on December 31st of the previous year by a factor based on your life expectancy.[3] The IRS website ..read more

You may know plenty about the differences between traditional IRAs and Roth IRAs, as well as the risks to your IRAs in this market, but what happens to an IRA (or other retirement account) that still has money in it when its owner passes away? You may think that the beneficiary just gets all the money in the account, but unfortunately, it’s not that simple. Retirement account funds will be transferred to a beneficiary, but their relationship to the owner is what determines how they can access the money and what they can do with it. Rules for Spouses If you inherit your spouse’s retirement acc ..read more

Even as tax season winds down, it’s still important that you consider tax strategy as part of your financial picture. Many couples file jointly, and while it can sometimes help save on your taxes, it isn’t always the best option in each case! Here are some important factors to consider if you are filing taxes as a married couple. Determine if you can file jointly. If you have been recently married and you’d like to file jointly, you have to have been married by December 31st, 2022 to do so. If you were married on January 1st, 2023 or later, you will not be able to file jointly for 2022 (even ..read more