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Continue readingClosing a Retirement Income Gap
When you determine how much income you’ll need in retirement, you may base your projection on the type of lifestyle you plan to have and when you want to retire. However, as you grow closer to retirement, you may discover that your income won’t be enough to meet your needs. If you find yourself in this situation, you’ll need to adopt a plan to bridge this projected income gap. Delay retirement: 65 is just a number One way of dealing with a projected income shortfall is to stay in the workforce longer than you had planned. This will allow you to continue supporting yourself with a salary rather than dipping into your retirement savings. Depending on your income, this could also increase your Social Security retirement benefit. You’ll also be able to delay taking your Social Security benefit or distributions from retirement accounts. At normal retirement age (which varies,...
Continue readingWealth Due to Inheritance
What is it? Introduction If you’re the beneficiary of a large inheritance, you may find yourself suddenly wealthy. Even if you expected the inheritance, you may be surprised by the size of the bequest or the diverse assets you’ve inherited. You’ll need to evaluate your new financial position, learn to manage your sizable assets, and consider the tax consequences of your inheritance, among other issues. Issues that arise in connection with an inheritance If you’ve recently received a bequest, consider the possibility that the will may be contested if your inheritance was large in comparison with that received by other beneficiaries. Or, you may decide to contest the will if you feel slighted. If you’re the spouse of the decedent, you may elect to take against the will. Taking against the will means that you’re exercising your right under probate law (governed by the statutes of your state) to take...
Continue readingMembers of the Military: Personal Financial Planning
Service branches offer campaigns and educational programs to service members and their families. The Air Force, Navy, and Army each require that respective members receive financial education, training, and counseling. Also, the Department of Defense established MilitarySaves.org to help service members and their families plan for their financial futures. Special Savings Program If you’re deployed in a designated combat zone or in support of a contingency operation, you have a unique chance to earn a high interest rate by participating in the Defense Department’s Savings Deposit Program (SDP). The SDP pays 10% annual interest on account balances up to $10,000. Contact your local military office for more details. Other survivor benefits Death Gratuity pays a one-time lump sum to eligible beneficiaries of a service member who dies within 120 days of retirement, or as a result of non-hostile action, or as a result of hostile action in a designated combat zone...
Continue readingYear-End Charitable Giving
As the holiday season approaches, with the end of one year and the start of another, we pause to give thanks for our blessings and the people in our lives. It is also a time when charitable giving often comes to mind. Charitable giving can be enhanced using income tax deductions, and so it can be much more effective when it is included as part of year-end tax planning. Assume you are considering making a charitable gift equal to the sum of $1,000 plus the income taxes you save with the charitable deduction. With a 28% tax rate, you might be able to give $1,389 to charity ($1,389 x 28% = $389 taxes saved). On the other hand, with a 35% tax rate, you might be able to give $1,538 to charity ($1,538 x 35% = $538 taxes saved). A word of caution Be sure to deal with recognized charities,...
Continue readingWomen and Money: Taking Control of Your Finances
Even if you have a partner who traditionally manages household finances, it’s important to be involved in the budgeting and investing decisions that have an effect on your overall financial picture. Some credit traps to avoid: When using revolving credit, avoid spending more than you can pay off at the end of each billing cycle Be aware of hidden interest and fees When transferring balances to take advantage of low interest rates, be sure to pay off outstanding balances before the teaser rate expires Be sure to make payments on time; otherwise it could negatively affect your credit report Women and Money: Taking Control of Your Finances As a woman, you have financial needs that are unique to your situation in life. Perhaps you would like to buy your first home. Maybe you need to start saving for your child’s college education. Or you might be concerned about planning for...
Continue readingPay Down Debt or Save for Retirement?
The most important decision you can make is to take action and get started now. The sooner you decide on a plan, the sooner you can begin to make progress. If you decide to prioritize paying down debt, make sure you put in place a mechanism that automatically directs money toward the debt so you won’t be tempted to skip or reduce payments. Pay Down Debt or Save for Retirement? You can use a variety of strategies to pay off debt, many of which can cut not only the amount of time it will take to pay off the debt but also the total interest paid. But like many people, you may be torn between paying off debt and the need to save for retirement. Both are important; both can help give you a more secure future. If you’re not sure you can afford to tackle both at the same...
Continue readingMy Perfect Sunday
I have a lot of interests and a few passions. One of my favorite past times after the early morning service at church is watching the bears game with my son, JC. While we are watching the game I almost always have ribs, a pork butt or chicken smoking on the Weber to finish off a great day. Yum! Cliff Cadle President & Financial Coach ...
Continue readingMerging Your Money When You Marry
Merging Your Money When You Marry Getting married is exciting, but it brings many challenges. One such challenge that you and your spouse will have to face is how to merge your finances. Planning carefully and communicating clearly are important, because the financial decisions that you make now can have a lasting impact on your future. Discuss your financial goals The first step in mapping out your financial future together is to discuss your financial goals. Start by making a list of your short-term goals (e.g., paying off wedding debt, new car, vacation) and long-term goals (e.g., having children, your children’s college education, retirement). Then, determine which goals are most important to you. Once you’ve identified the goals that are a priority, you can focus your energy on achieving them. Prepare a budget Next, you should prepare a budget that lists all of your income and expenses over a certain...
Continue readingRetirement Income Investing: Beyond Annuities
Retirement Income Investing: Beyond Annuities One of the challenges of investing during retirement is providing for annual income while balancing that need with other considerations, such as liquidity, how long you need your funds to last, your risk tolerance, and anticipated rates of return for various types of investments. Annuities may be seen as a full or partial solution, since they can offer stable income or guaranteed lifetime payments (subject to the claims-paying ability of the issuer). However, they’re not right for everyone. A well-thought-out asset allocation in retirement is essential. While income investments alone are unlikely to meet all your needs, it’s important to understand some of the most common non-annuity investments that can provide income as part of your overall investment strategy. Bonds: retirement’s traditional backbone A bond portfolio can help you address investment goals in multiple ways. Buying individual bonds (which are essentially IOUs) at their...
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