When retirement is around the corner, some of the biggest decisions aren’t about when to retire; they’re about how income continues if one spouse is gone. Pension options can look straightforward on paper, but the tradeoffs behind them are anything but. Today, we’re walking through a listener question that highlights a common decision couples face.
We're doing something a little different today. Three listeners wrote in with variations of the same question- am I ready to retire in 2026? Same question, three very different situations, three very different answers.
We heard from a listener who has managed their own money for years and done well. So why would they need an advisor now that retirement is around the corner?
As the year winds down, we’re taking a moment to answer some of the listener questions we’ve received over the past few months. One listener asks about taking on a mortgage heading into retirement, another wonders whether rolling multiple 401(k)s into one IRA hurts diversification, and a third is concerned about minimizing taxes when leaving money to their kids. Mike and Philip break down these timely questions and share thoughtful planning insights to help listeners finish the year strong.
As the year winds down, we’re taking a moment to answer some of the listener questions we’ve received over the past few months. One listener asks how they can give meaningful monetary gifts to their kids or grandkids while staying within gift tax rules. Another listener wonders whether keeping a large sum of cash in the bank- like $150,000- is really necessary, or if that money could be working harder for them elsewhere.
You’ve heard the saying, “There’s no such thing as a bad question.” But in retirement planning… some questions are definitely better than others. The way you frame your question often determines the quality of your answer and, in some cases, the quality of your retirement. In this second installment, we pick up the conversation and dig even deeper into how asking smarter questions can shape your financial future.
Some people believe having two financial advisors means double the wisdom. But does it really equal double the problems? Today, we’ll tackle a person’s question about this very dilemma.
Every fall it feels like Congress flirts with a government shutdown. But what if you’re a federal employee planning to retire right as the headlines are screaming? Does the political drama in Washington threaten your retirement date?
This Mother's Day, flowers and cards are great, but there’s another gift you can give — helping make sure the important women in your life are financially strong for years to come.
We got a thoughtful question from Amanda last week, who said: ‘I’ve been saving for retirement, but I’ve never actually made a plan.’ And she’s not alone. There are plenty of people who’ve built solid savings but haven’t connected the dots to what retirement will actually look like. So today, we’re talking about the first steps to turn good saving into a great retirement plan.
