Ask an Advisor: My husband passed away, and I am 63. I still work full-time and earn more than $21,300. For Social Security, do your earnings count minus your pretax health plan and your 401(k), or does it go by your actual earnings? – Maria Per the Social Security Administration (SSA), as a widow, you […]
Too often, when people think about retirement they focus too much, if not solely, on the financial side of retirement. I had a 35-year career in Financial Services, I understand the importance of being financially prepared. Equally important is the non-financial side of retirement. The “how am I going to live” and “how will I […]
Is a 401(k) plan worth it? This is a question on the minds of many people trying to decide if this retirement account offered through their employer is better than other savings options like an Individual Retirement Account (IRA). Having invested through 401(k) plans and their 403(b) cousins for a quarter century, I can speak […]
Can you guess the median net worth (excluding home equity) for seniors ages 65-69? Just under $65,500, according to DQYDJ (from Fed data). And more than 3 in 4 American seniors in that age cohort don’t have enough saved up to achieve even the median living standard without continuing to work for money. Need I […]
Looking for a top beach town in Texas where you can live, vacation, or retire? Giddy up! Discover the best coastal destinations to visit this year. Today, we’re going to reveal 9 of the best beach towns in Texas. Whether you visit during the summer, winter, or any other season, these incredible destinations in the […]
Ask an Advisor: Should I sell my home? I recently became a widow, and I’m not sure if I should sell my home and buy another home or rent. My home is filled with many memories, but it’s also a lot to take care of now. – Anonymous What an extremely challenging and emotional time. […]
Can I Retire Early? I will start by saying that I consider myself very fortunate to be where I am at today in life and I think I have prepared pretty well but would like your advice on possible earlier retirement. I had planned to retire at 62 in June of 2024, but I would […]
Ask an Advisor: My wife passed away at 55 with 38 quarters of Social Security earnings. Can I collect survivor’s benefits when I retire? – Randy I’m sorry for your loss. The good news is that you may be eligible to receive survivor’s benefits from your late wife’s Social Security record. In order to qualify […]
How you pay, and how much you pay, for financial advice is changing. If you thought you couldn’t afford to work with a financial advisor, it’s time to think again. Most financial advisors charge fees based upon the value of your investment portfolio they manage on your behalf. For example, if the investment account managed […]