Blog posts

Claiming Social Security While You Are Working 

A question we are often asked is whether or not you can claim Social Security while working. The answer to this question is yes you can. However, it’s not that simple. The question to ask is should you claim Social Security while working? In answering this question it's important to understand the rules regarding earned […]

How Much Life Insurance is Enough? 

This is a question we are asked frequently by clients. How much life insurance is enough will vary greatly depending upon your situation. We will discuss some of the factors that you should consider in making this decision.  What Financial Obligations Do You Need to Cover?  The first thing to keep in mind is that […]

Pre-Retirement 12-Month Checklist 

The period leading up to your retirement is a critical time to ensure that you have your financial plan in place as you enter retirement. Financial planning doesn’t stop once you retire, things change and your need to stay on top of things and adjust as needed. This is the focus of much of our […]

Financial Advisor vs Broker - What is the Difference?

The terms financial advisor and broker may seem interchangeable to some investors. Both financial advisors and brokers are financial professionals. The main differences lie in the types of services offered and in the way they are compensated by their clients.  What is a Broker?  A broker is an individual or firm that acts as an […]

Charitable Giving and How to Maximize Tax Benefits 

Charitable giving is a great thing to do regardless of whether or not you are able to realize a tax benefit. However, if you can help others and realize a tax benefit this is a good thing and might even allow you to give a little bit more. Here are some things to know in […]

Understanding the Basics of Medicare 

Medicare is the core component of healthcare coverage for most retirees. Medicare is also misunderstood by many people as they approach age 65. As Medicare open enrollment approaches, here is a brief overview of the basics of Medicare to help increase your understanding of this important program.  What is Medicare?  Medicare is a federal health […]

The Importance of a Fee-Only Fiduciary Financial Advisor

The financial services industry has a bad habit of using terms that can seem vague and confusing to clients. There is probably no place where this confusion is greater than how an advisor is compensated. Additionally, the term fiduciary is tossed around by the media quite a bit. However many investors don’t fully understand what […]

Managing Healthcare Costs in Retirement

Saving for retirement is a top financial priority for most people over the course of their working life. In terms of retirement spending, we generally think about the cost of housing, travel, and other activities we’d like to pursue.  However, one of the biggest costs in retirement is the cost of healthcare. Fidelity Investments does […]

Estate Planning Basics

Estate planning is the process of ensuring that your assets are properly distributed to your heirs upon your death and designating who will handle your affairs should you become incapacitated. Estate planning is important for all of us, not just the ultra-wealthy. Here are some estate planning basics to consider.  Take inventory of your assets  […]

Retiring and the Transition From Accumulation to Conservation

Retirement is a transition in many ways. Your daily routine no longer centers around work. Retirement also represents a time of financial transition as well.  During your working years your focus is generally on accumulating money for retirement. This means contributing to your 401(k), IRAs, taxable investment accounts and others. Your investment strategy may also […]