In these crazy times, we have lots to think about. With the Great Pandemic raging and unemployment soaring, some of us find ourselves thinking about mortality and about the fragility of good health. Experts tell us that more families are doing estate planning, buying life insurance, and pre-paying for funerals. As regular readers of this …
Estate Planning
14 retirement mistakes to avoid
As a professional retirement planner, I go through the process of retiring approximately 12 times a year with my clients. I see firsthand the process and hazards that families deal with as they shift from working for a living to living off their retirement. Here is a list of things to avoid as you consider …
Recessions aren’t all bad. Here’s why.
On April 29, the Bureau of Economic Analysis released an advance estimate of U.S. economic growth in the first quarter of 2020. The estimate showed a decline of 4.8 percent for the quarter. Remember that this analysis is based on incomplete data and will be revised over time as more information is confirmed. And remember …
What happens if my financial advisor dies?
I was talking with a client recently and was reminded of how important a business succession plan can be. My client called to talk to her trusted personal banker at the local bank. She was told that he had retired. She was directed to a replacement banker and she left a voice mail. A week …
Three ways to protect yourself against a recession
We’ve been hearing conflicting reports about whether a recession is looming. A recent survey of 500 Americans shows many are worried about a recession and plan to adjust. If you’re in that category—or even if you’re not—now is a good time to take action to protect yourself in case of a recession. Almost four in …
What Do I Need to Know About the SECURE Act?
The Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement Act of 2019 was passed by Congress and signed into law at the end of 2019. The SECURE Act, as it’s known, represents the most sweeping set of changes to retirement legislation in more than a decade. It has several benefits for American retirees—and some drawbacks as …
