Year-End Estate Strategies What you need to know to get ready for the end of the year. With one year ending and a new one on the cusp of starting, many people will consider their resolutions—not their estate strategy. But the end of the year is a great time to sit down and review your preparations, especially when you're spending more time with your loved ones; even more important if you have a complicated estate that may need to get [...]
Budgeting for Beginners Getting started with you household budget. Budgeting towards needs and goals. One of the objectives of creating a household budget is that, as time moves on and the various household members advance in their careers, they are likely to make more money. Knowing where that money goes can help direct that money to not only meet your day-to-day needs but also to potentially realize your financial goals. Rent payments may become mortgage payments, and socking away [...]
Facts About Medicare Open Enrollment How much do you know about the different coverage options? Medicare’s open enrollment period runs from October 15 to December 7. If you are enrolling in Medicare for the first time, give yourself plenty of time. You may discover that it is much more complex than an employer-sponsored group health plan.1 When you enroll in Medicare, you pay multiple premiums for multiple types of coverage (Parts A and B, as well as the Part D [...]
Who Is Your Trusted Contact? This vital investment account question should be answered sooner rather than later. Investment firms have a new client service requirement. They must now ask you if you would like to provide the name and information of a trusted contact.1 You do not have to supply this information, but it is encouraged. The request is made with your best interest in mind – and to lower the risk of someone crooked attempting to make investment decisions [...]
The Pros and Cons of Early Retirement Plan Rollovers Should you withdraw and reinvest your retirement plan money while you are still on the job? Did you know you might be able to take some or all of the money in your 401(k), 403(b), or 457 plan and roll it over into another type of retirement account? Were you aware that you could do this while you are still working for your current employer – without any withholding or early [...]
