Education

You probably wouldn't expect to know how to effectively use all the features of a specialty saw in a craftsman’s workshop without some instructions. Likewise, you shouldn't expect to understand all the ins and outs of Social Security without a little help. Just like that specialty saw, Social Security is a tool you should try to thoroughly understand before you begin using it. If you don’t, yo…Read More

You may think of retirement simply as the time of life when your career ends, but it's really so much more than that. Essentially, it’s the stage at which you have finally reached financial independence and can afford to leave your career and live comfortably without relying on an employer’s pay. Thinking of it this way can really help you shift your focus to one that helps you create financia…Read More

When you look at the big picture, retirement, estate, and legacy planning are completely overwhelming. For most of us, the idea of saving enough money to support ourselves during retirement, handle our burial and estate, and leave a meaningful legacy to our loved ones seems completely impossible without living throughout retirement on a shoestring budget. Before you lose hope, a better idea would …Read More

Retirement planning is, by far, the biggest planning challenge most of us will face in our lives. Because it's not just about saving money, it's about preserving a lifestyle. And it's multi-faceted-with insurance and legacy planning as a big part of the process. Because we understand how overwhelming the prospect of retirement planning can be, we've created the following eight-step Getting Started…Read More

One of the things that makes doing your taxes so frustrating is the fact that every year, without fail, there seems to be a mountain of changes to the tax code. Some of these changes may help, such as when new deductions are introduced, others can work against you, and still others are just plain confusing. A qualified tax preparer is your best defense against unexpected and difficult to understan…Read More

When was the last time you met someone who actually looked forward to tax season? If the answer is, “Never,” don’t worry—you’re not alone. Tax time is both stressful and confusing for everyone. To make it a little bit easier this year, here are a few things you should know. • Your Traditional IRA contributions may not be entirely tax deductible. If you and/or your spouse are covered by…Read More

Valentine’s Day is right around the corner and that means shopping for gifts that show your love to all the important people in your life. This year, instead of buying your spouse, significant other or kids some chocolates and a card, consider securing a life insurance policy that will help them maintain their current lifestyle after you’re gone. Why You Should Buy Life Insurance for Valentine…Read More

No one wants to think about how they’d handle a personal finance crisis after retirement, yet that was a reality for the 20 percent of seniors who outspent their retirement income in 2009, sometimes by as much as 175 percent. You don’t have to be a statistic. There are things you can do to stretch your savings while still maintaining a comfortable lifestyle. 1. Move to a cheaper city, town or …Read More

Social Security might not feel like a benefit when the tax is coming out of your paycheck, but the income it provides can make a real difference once you’re finally retired. This predictable, unending income stream often helps retirees make their savings last while providing priceless peace of mind. That doesn’t mean, however, that you should take your Social Security income for granted. There…Read More

Most people know that annuities can be great tools for stretching retirement savings and generating returns, but a lot of people don’t realize that there are major supplementary benefits hidden in the form of annuity riders. Annuity riders are added features that can be built into your annuity contract to provide benefits ranging from income guarantees to cost-of-living increases. Each individua…Read More