- Ask an Advisor: Our Retirement Fund is Losing Money. Should We Use It to Pay Off Our Mortgage and Make $20k in Home Improvements?
Should we take out money from our retirement investment fund to pay off our home loan and make improvements? Retirement fund is losing money and home values are going up. The fund is around $85,000-$90000. The balance on our home is $34,000 and we want to make $20,000 in improvements. We are both retired and… read more…
- Ask an Advisor: I Have $800k in a 401(k) and $5,270 in Monthly Income From Social Security and My Pension. How Much Will I Pay in Taxes in Retirement?
My monthly Social Security is $3,178, my pension will be $2,090 per month and my 401(k) has $800,000. If I use the 4% rule, where do I stand tax-wise? – Reggie This is a great question. I hope it goes without saying, but without having all of your information and completing a full tax return… read more…
- Ask an Advisor: I’m 62 and My Husband Is 68. Can I Collect Spousal Benefits for 5 Years and Switch to My Own at Full Retirement Age?
My husband began drawing his Social Security at age 62. He is 68 now (born in 1955), while I am 62 (born 1961). If I begin to draw my Social Security now it will be reduced, of course. Can I collect spousal benefits from him now and then switch to my benefit at my full… read more…
- Number of Ultra High Net Worth Individuals in the World
In order for someone to be considered an “ultra-high-net-worth individual,” they typically need to have at least $30 million worth of net investable assets to their name. However, this isn’t really a legal definition. As the name suggests, ultra-high-net-worth individuals are the wealthiest people on the planet, including the world’s billionaires. These individuals sit significantly… read more…
- Ask an Advisor: My Dad Left Me $200k in an IRA, but I’m in the 35% Tax Bracket. How Should I Structure My Withdrawals?
I was left $200,000 in an IRA Beneficiary Distribution Account (BDA) when my father passed. I have 10 years to withdraw this money. I’m at the 35% federal tax rate currently and plan to make a similar annual income over the next 10 years. Taking the money out in one lump sum would not change… read more…
- I’m 70 With $1 Million in an IRA. How Do I Make Sure This Money Lasts the Rest of My Life?
Compared to many retirees, you are in an enviable position with $1 million socked away in your IRA at 70. Still, living a secure, comfortable retirement that can last two decades or more takes planning. Making sure your nest egg lasts requires assessing your personal situation, balancing risk, securing reliable income streams and understanding how… read more…
- Ask an Advisor: I Lost My Wife to COVID in 2021. Can I Collect Her Social Security Benefits? I’m 70 and Raising Our Grandson
I lost my wife to COVID-19 on Feb. 3, 2021. She worked several years at the same company that I’m still employed at now. I tried to talk to my local Social Security office right after her death, but they were no help. Can I apply for any of the Social Security benefits that she’s… read more…
- Ask an Advisor: How Do We Reduce Our Tax Bill When We Sell Our Second Home? We Bought It 6 Years Ago for $295k and Now It’s Worth $500k
We have a second home – a condo in the mountains – that was bought with cash for $295,000 approximately six years ago. It’s now worth at least $500,000. We are considering selling as our use is declining and maintenance costs and special assessments of the three-building complex are increasing. What are the options to… read more…
- Ask an Advisor: I’m 74 With $120k in My 401(k). Should I Get a Financial Planner to Help With RMDs?
I have a 401(k) with $120,000 in it. I’m 74 and getting the required minimum distribution at the end of each year. Do I need a retirement planner to help handle the withdrawal? – Susan While technically you don’t need a financial advisor to handle your retirement account withdrawals, it can be useful to talk… read more…
- Ask an Advisor: If I Apply for Spousal Benefits From My Ex-Husband, Do I Forfeit Max Social Security at Age 70?
I was born in 1957 and so was my ex-husband. He remarried, but I didn’t. Our full retirement age (FRA) is 66.5, but he started collecting Social Security at 65.5, one year early. For my own Social Security, I plan to wait until age 70 to maximize my benefits. If I apply for spousal benefits… read more…
- I Have $2 Million Invested With My Financial Advisor and Pay a 1% Fee. Am I Paying Too Much?
Paying a 1% annual fee to a financial advisor for managing a $2 million investment portfolio is pretty typical, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the right amount for every investor. Even small-sounding financial advisor fees can seriously erode long-term returns when compounded over years or decades. A 1% annual fee on a $2 million… read more…
- Ask an Advisor: We’re 56 With $1.2 Million in Investments and Savings. Can We Afford to Withdraw $60k-$80k Per Year in Retirement?
My wife and I are both 56. We have around $1.2 million saved – approximately $450,000 in company 401(k)s, $650,000 in a managed account, and approximately $70,000 in personal stocks. We also have approximately $22,000 in savings. Our home is worth $700,000 or more and we owe $197,000 with a 3.875% interest rate. Our advisor… read more…
- Ask an Advisor: My Advisor Sold My Nvidia Stock When I Hired Him, Costing Me $50k in Potential Profits. How Do I Deal With It?
I’ve had a financial advisor, who is a certified financial planner (CFP), since December of last year. I really find his advice super valuable, but I can’t seem to get over the fact that he sold all of my Nvidia stock when he took over as my CFP. I had bought $20,000 worth of Nvidia… read more…
- Ask an Advisor: I’m 60 and ‘Feeling Hopeless’ With Just $15k Saved. What Can I Do Now to Increase My Retirement Savings?
I am feeling hopeless. I am 60 years old and have only $15,000 saved. I will get a 80% pension from the state of Massachusetts and be able to retire in three years. What can I possibly do to increase my savings now? – Joy There’s no question that $15,000 is a small amount of… read more…
- What Is the Truth in Lending Act?
In the world of finance and lending, transparency is key. The Truth in Lending Act stands as a vital piece of legislation designed to ensure just that. Its provisions ensure that borrowers have access to clear and accurate information about the loan or credit they’re seeking by requiring lenders to make specific disclosures. If you… read more…
- Ask an Advisor: I Have $1 Million and Want It to Work for Me. How Do I Maximize Passive Income and Minimize Taxes?
I have a million dollars and I want to put it to work for me. Where can I put it to make the most amount of passive income from it? Also, how can I minimize taxes on that to be able to keep more of that money? – Andrea While today’s high-interest rate environment has… read more…
- Ask an Advisor: We’re in Our 60s and Have $2.4 Million in an IRA. ‘Do We Really Need a Financial Advisor?’
My wife (62) and I (60) have $2.4 million in our Edward Jones IRA account and have no mortgage payment and our children are out of the house. Do we really need a financial advisor (at 1%) or could we go with a less expensive option like Vanguard? We don’t see any adjustment with our… read more…
- What to Include in a Financial Advisor Cover Letter
A cover letter isn’t just an add-on to your job application. It effectively highlights and sells your skills and experiences as a financial advisor. Your cover letter is your first opportunity to demonstrate how you can be a good fit for a job. Here are the key components and and tips that could help your… read more…
- What Licenses Are Required to Sell Variable Annuities and Why?
Understanding which licenses and processes are required to sell variable annuities is an essential step for financial professionals–including financial advisors, brokers or insurance agents–who are looking to grow their services with product offerings. Here’s an overview of the steps you’ll need to take to secure these licenses, why they’re necessary and how selling variable annuities… read more…
- Ask an Advisor: I’m 67 With $218k in an IRA. Should I Start My Withdrawals Now to Reduce Future RMD Taxes?
I’m turning 68 shortly and plan to wait to claim my Social Security at age 70 to maximize the monthly benefit. I also plan to retire at the end of the year, if not sooner (so in three months or less). Does withdrawing from my traditional IRAs (current balance is $215,000) to reduce the income… read more…
- Ask an Advisor: What’s the Benefit of Having a Trust vs. Will? We Own 2 Homes, Have IRAs and Another $600k in Assets
What is the benefit of having a trust versus a will? We own our home, have a rental property and we have no debt. My husband and I are retired and both have IRAs, over $500,000 in the stock market and approximately $100,000 in CDs. We have three grown children – one is a stepchild.… read more…
- What Is the Average Net Worth of a 50-Year-Old?
The average net worth of an American household headed by a 50-year-old is $897,663, according to Federal Reserve data. This mid-career milestone highlights the importance of diligently building wealth over time. Understanding net worth benchmarks by age provides a measuring stick to gauge your own financial progress. With strategic planning and discipline, you can take… read more…
- Common Net Worth Statistics You Need to Know
Measuring your own wealth can be a tricky thing but seeing how you compare with other households can be a useful way to assess your finances. The real financial benchmarks to measure, however, are your own. Are you achieving your goals? Are you on track to keep doing so in the future? Here are a… read more…
- Ask an Advisor: I Have $680K in a 401(k), a Monthly Pension of $1,600 and Another $150K in Cash. Can I Retire at 62?
I currently have $680,000 in a 401(k), $150,000 in savings and a pension of $1,600 per month. Can I retire at age 62? – Hieu This is a good question and the answer depends primarily on what your expenses are and how much you will collect from Social Security. What we can do here is… read more…
- Why It’s Important to Set Financial Goals for the Future
Financial goals can help you visualize necessary steps to make smart money decisions. When looking at the big picture, these goals can prepare you to pay off debt, save for a comfortable retirement and reach other financial milestones. Here’s what you need to know when setting a financial goal. A financial advisor can help you… read more…