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We believe financial education is indispensable. Having the right information can empower you to act with clarity and confidence, and to ultimately live a more intentional and meaningful life.
The Rising Cost of Healthcare and What You Can Do About It
Healthcare expenses are one of the most significant—and often unpredictable—costs in retirement. From prescription drugs and routine care to long-term care needs, the rising cost of healthcare in retirement has become a central planning issue. While many retirees expect Medicare to cover the majority of their expenses, the reality is that out-of-pocket costs often increase over time. Without proper planning, these rising costs can strain retirement income, especially when combined with other risks like tax increases or market volatility. This is where a Power of Zero approach can offer a different way forward. By shifting resources to more tax-efficient […]
Setting Financial Goals for the Year Ahead: A Retiree’s Guide
Retirement may represent the culmination of a lifelong savings journey, but that doesn’t mean planning stops. In fact, setting financial goals for retirees is a key part of staying intentional with your spending, adjusting to life changes, and aligning your resources with what matters most. Whether you’re entering your first year of retirement or have been retired for a decade, each year presents an opportunity to reevaluate and realign. Setting goals allows you to stay connected to your financial plan and gives your retirement lifestyle a clear direction.
Long-Term Care: A Financial Blind Spot for Many Retirees
Long-term care is one of the most underestimated and underplanned aspects of retirement. Many retirees hope they won’t need it—or assume Medicare will take care of it. Unfortunately, the reality is far different. Ignoring long-term care needs can have serious financial consequences. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, roughly 70% of people turning 65 today will need some form of long-term care. These services, ranging from in-home care to assisted living or nursing facilities, can cost thousands of dollars per month and are not typically covered by Medicare. That’s why long-term care financial planning for […]
How to Make Better Long-Term Financial Decisions
Financial decisions shape your future, but many people focus on short-term outcomes rather than building a sustainable long-term strategy. Whether you are planning for retirement, managing investments, or structuring your tax strategy, making better long-term financial decisions requires a mix of discipline, knowledge, and strategic planning. By avoiding common mistakes and following a structured approach, you can create a financial plan that supports your goals and helps mitigate risks along the way.
Why a Financial Check-Up Matters—Even in Retirement
Just because you’ve retired doesn’t mean your financial planning is complete. In fact, retirement often brings about new variables that require ongoing attention. A regular financial check-up in retirement can help you stay aligned with your goals, adjust to changing market conditions, and evaluate your current income, spending, and tax strategies. Unlike the accumulation phase, retirement is a time of distribution and preservation. That shift demands thoughtful monitoring—not just to track investment performance, but also to help ensure that income sources remain sustainable and tax-efficient.
How Behavioral Biases Influence Your Financial Choices
When making financial decisions, logic and rational analysis should ideally guide the way. However, human psychology often plays an unexpected role in how people manage their investments, savings, and retirement plans. Behavioral biases in financial decision-making can lead to choices that may not align with long-term goals. Understanding these biases can help you take a more strategic approach to your financial future.
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How to Avoid the Biggest Investment Mistakes Retirees Make
Retirement investing requires a different approach than wealth accumulation. The transition from growing assets to withdrawing income introduces new risks and potential pitfalls. Many retirees make mistakes that can impact their financial stability, often without realizing it until it’s too late. By understanding how to avoid the biggest investment mistakes retirees make, you can develop a retirement strategy that balances income, risk, and longevity.
The Role of Insurance in a Comprehensive Retirement Plan
A well-structured retirement plan isn’t just about savings and investments—it also includes insurance to help manage risks that could disrupt your financial security. While many focus on growing their retirement accounts, fewer consider how insurance can protect their assets and provide financial stability in unexpected situations. Understanding the role of insurance in a comprehensive retirement plan can help you build a strategy that not only grows your wealth but also safeguards it against potential risks.
Why Investing for Retirement is Different from Accumulation Investing
During your working years, your investment strategy focuses on accumulating assets. You contribute to retirement accounts, invest in growth-oriented assets, and rely on time to build wealth. However, once you transition into retirement, your approach must change. Instead of accumulating wealth, the focus shifts to preserving assets and generating income that can last throughout your lifetime. Understanding why investing for retirement is different from accumulation investing can help you make informed financial decisions as you approach this critical transition.
Balancing Growth and Stability in Your Retirement Portfolio
Retirement planning is about more than just accumulating assets—it’s about managing those assets in a way that provides both growth and stability. While investing in higher-growth assets can help sustain long-term financial needs, excessive risk could lead to losses that are difficult to recover from later in life. Balancing growth and stability in your retirement portfolio requires a strategic approach that adapts to market conditions, inflation, and evolving financial goals. The right mix of investments can help you build a resilient retirement plan that provides income, mitigates risks, and maintains purchasing power over time.
Retirement Risks No One Warned You About
Many people focus on saving enough money for retirement, but few consider the risks that could derail their financial plans. While market downturns and inflation are well-known concerns, other risks—like tax increases, healthcare costs, and longevity—can have an equally significant impact. Understanding retirement risks can help you create a more resilient financial strategy, ensuring that your assets last throughout your lifetime.
Shielding Your Savings: Strategies to Protect Against Future Tax Increases
Many retirees assume that their tax burden will decrease in retirement, but that isn’t always the case. In the context of growing government debt and potential changes in tax policies, some financial analysts suggest that there could be a possibility of tax rate adjustments in the future. If most of your retirement savings are in tax-deferred accounts, those increases could significantly reduce the amount of income available for your expenses. A well-structured tax plan is essential to protecting retirement savings from tax increases. By taking proactive steps, you can create a more tax-efficient retirement strategy that helps preserve your […]
Why Traditional Retirement Income Plans May Not Be Enough
For decades, retirement planning has followed a conventional approach: save in tax-deferred accounts, rely on Social Security, and withdraw a fixed percentage annually. However, this strategy may not be enough for today’s retirees. Factors such as increasing longevity, rising healthcare costs, market volatility, and potential tax changes require a more adaptable plan. Relying solely on traditional retirement income plans can leave gaps in financial security and flexibility. A diversified strategy that incorporates tax efficiency, risk management, and alternative income sources may provide more stability.
The Power of Zero: Aiming for the 0% Tax Bracket in Retirement
Many retirees assume their tax burden will be lower in retirement, but that isn’t always the case. Tax rates fluctuate based on government policy, and if the national debt continues to rise, higher tax rates in the future could impact your retirement income. Aiming for the 0% tax bracket in retirement means structuring your finances so that your taxable income is low enough to avoid federal income taxes altogether. This strategy can help retirees manage tax risk, maintain control over their income, and extend the life of their savings.
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