Transferring Wealth During Retirement The Retirement Planning Surprise of Giving While Living Many well-off retirees don’t see themselves as wealthy — just disciplined savers with a solid 401(k) and a desire for security. Transferring wealth during retirement isn’t the starting point. But when long-term projections show surplus rather than shortfall, the conversation changes. Instead of…
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Tax Planners in Bloomington Normal
Tax Planners in Bloomington Normal Reducing Tax Burdens at Every Stage of Life Have you ever heard anyone in Bloomington Normal complain about taxes? It’s no surprise—we all have to deal with them. But did you know they can become more complicated—and costly—as life progresses? While most of us focus on annual returns during our…
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A Q&A on Social Security Strategies for a 7-Figure 401(K)
Social Security Filing Strategies for Large Retirement Account Holders A Q&A on Social Security Strategies for Those With Seven-Figure 401(K) Retirement Accounts Navigating the complexities of retirement planning is crucial for those with substantial 401(k) savings. While Social Security may not be the cornerstone of their retirement income, understanding how to integrate it strategically can…
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The Million Dollar 401(K) Dilemma
The Million Dollar 401(k) Dilemma The High Stakes of Timing a Roth Conversion Imagine your retirement account balance surpasses the million-dollar mark. It’s a milestone that should spell financial freedom and security for the future. However, lurking within this achievement is a silent partner waiting to claim their share: the Internal Revenue Service. While your…
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Life Storms: Protecting Your Retirement From Multiple Threats
Life Storms: Protecting Your Retirement From Multiple Threats Gas prices and inflation are spiraling out of control. Investment accounts are suffering. Health costs keep rising. Tax increases are expected. It’s like a storm battering your retirement’s stability from every direction. How can you protect your retirement from so many threats? Midwestern storms often rock our…
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Fintech for Financial Planning
Fintech for Financial Planning 3 Reasons My Clients Love FinTech (Even If They Don’t Know What That Is) Like many kids I learned to play the piano; I was taught by my mother and grandmother. Let’s just say I did not have the talent of my maternal figures, who both played in church. My grandmother…
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Tax Free Retirement
Is There Such Thing as a Tax Free Retirement? Alas, the actual process of setting up a solid retirement strategy can seem like an overwhelming challenge. After all, tomorrow isn’t promised, let alone an idyllic future that may be years away. Someday, most of us will make it to the finish line we call retirement. …
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ETF Investments
Why Are Savvy Investors Flocking to ETFs? Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) originated in 1993 as an easy and low-cost way for individuals and investment firms to have easy access to indexes that meet specific investment objectives. For years, the advantages of these investment vehicles were largely unknown by those outside of the professional investing world. …
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Save Taxes In Retirement
Does a Market Recovery Signal a Missed Opportunity to Save Taxes in Retirement? Market Drops can be a Huge Opportunity for a Tax-Free Retirement When markets are down, most people open quarterly investment statements with dread. I’m betting many people just choose to ignore their damage report and stick their heads in the sand. But…
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Secure Act Changes to Retirement Plans
Who is Feeling SECURE with the New Tax Change for Retirement Accounts? The nine most terrifying words in the English language are “I’m from the government, and I’m here to help.” Ronald Reagan famously stated this. So, it’s understandable that some may be apprehensive when the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement (SECURE) Act…
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