“Health insurance in retirement continues to be one of the primary questions and concerns we hear about in retirement planning, especially when retiring before 65 and Cobra becomes available. We have worked hard to understand the system and are ready…
Presented by Gabe Lapito and Ryan Gomendi As you’ve likely read in the headlines, many companies have been victims of data breaches in recent years. For many of us, this situation can feel overwhelming. If businesses can’t protect…
What is the greatest impact we can make in our lives? Is it what we do in our work, or maybe with our generosity? What about life changing help for a stranger? All of those are noble pursuits, but most…
Are you ready for tax time? While it isn’t really an exciting time, it’s something we all have to deal with, and this year there will be big changes. You probably remember all the big tax law changes…
Saving for retirement can be done in a variety of ways. Some people have a 401k or pension setup with an employer, but the most popular way for an individual to save for retirement is with an “IRA”. Today we…
Presented by Gabe Lapito and Ryan Gomendi If you’re like many investors, you’re starting to worry. After all, the stock market has declined for the third month in a row, with the S&P 500 in correction…
The railroad industry has a long and storied history in America. It is responsible for spreading the industrial revolution across the country and making it possible for transports to go from the Atlantic to the Pacific. It is no wonder…
There is no disputing the last few weeks in the markets have been challenging. Everyone is trying to predict how deep the declines will go and memories of 2008 and “corrections” are forefront on the minds of investors. The news…
One of the most important things we assist clients with at Strategic Retirement Plans is identifying and mitigating risk. Risk management comes in many different forms: managing the risk in your investment portfolio or managing the risk of having enough…
Have you ever wondered what goes into the strategy for investing our clients’ funds? What does that process look like and how is it different for each client? We’d like to give you a peek behind the curtain at…
It’s the time of year when many people are taking care of their tax obligations. This will be the last year for doing your taxes before the new rules of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act passed in late…
At Strategic Retirement Plans we are always trying to help our clients create a complete financial plan that includes estate, tax, retirement, investment, and insurance planning. In addition to these five areas, we often receive a lot of questions about…
The holiday season is a busy time for everyone—especially cyber thieves. While shopping online for the best deals, it’s critical to be aware of common scams and risky online behavior that could ruin the holidays. Keep these tips…
At Strategic Retirement Plans we work with each client to make sure all 5 areas of their financial plan are complete. However, many times when we begin working with new clients we find gaps in what they believe to…
Today we are proud to unveil our new logo to our clients! The goal with our new logo is to portray where we are going while holding true to the values that have been our foundation. With the colors, font…
The concept of Medicare can be murky for soon-to-be retirees. If you learn basic enrollment guidelines and some of the nuances of various Medicare plans, you’ll be empowered with the knowledge you need to make better decisions…
Few terms in personal finance are as important, or used as frequently, as “risk.” Nevertheless, few terms are as imprecisely defined. Generally, when financial advisors or the media talk about investment risk, their focus is on the historical price volatility…
When it comes to planning your estate, you might be wondering whether you should use a will or a trust (or both). Understanding the similarities and the differences between these two important documents may help you decide which strategy is…
Facing heavy college debt burdens and an unpredictable job market, many young adults today are returning home to live with their parents. In fact, according to a recent study by the Pew Research Center, more than 32 percent of young…
The Pension Protection Act of 2006 first allowed taxpayers age 70½ and older to make tax-free charitable donations directly from their IRAs. By making a qualified charitable distribution (QCD) from an IRA directly to a qualified charitable organization, older…
The New Year is symbolic in many respects. It gives you a chance to start fresh and set some goals that can improve your life in ways large and small. But if you’re like many people, familiar resolutions like…
Losing a loved one is arguably one of the most difficult experiences in life. In addition to coping with the grief and loss of a loved one, there are also a variety of challenging tasks and important financial decisions to…
Keeping your cool can be hard to do when the market goes on one of its periodic roller-coaster rides. It’s useful to have strategies in place that prepare you both financially and psychologically to handle market volatility. Here…
At any age, health care is a priority. When you retire, however, you will probably focus more on health care than ever before. Staying healthy is your goal, and this can mean more visits to the doctor for preventive tests…
There are five estate planning documents you may need, regardless of your age, health, or wealth: Durable power of attorney Advanced medical directives Will Letter of instruction Living trust The last document, a living trust, isn’t always necessary, but…
A large portion of the millennial generation has come of age during complex and challenging economic conditions. The older end of the generation entered the workforce just in time for the biggest market downturn and scariest job market in decades…
If you’re not thinking about your taxes yet, you should be—identity thieves certainly are. During tax season, there’s a significant increase in the sharing of sensitive information, both online and via postal mail. Not surprisingly, it’s…
Yesterday’s big news was that the Federal Reserve (Fed) has finally increased interest rates, by 25 basis points or one-quarter of 1 percent. On the face of it, this increase doesn’t seem like it should be considered…
When handling financial matters with a college student, parents often struggle to find the right balance between hovering over the child’s every decision and granting too much financial freedom, too soon. Here, we’ll explore some common expenses that…
Retirees tend to be more confident about having a financially secure retirement than current workers, according to the Employee Benefit Research Institute. Retirement confidence is highest among workers who say they or their spouse have a retirement plan, such as…
You’ve probably heard how important it is to establish and maintain an emergency fund. Unfortunately, most people don’t fully realize this until a money emergency is upon them. Are you financially prepared for a leaky roof? How about…
At any age, health care is a priority. When you retire, however, you will probably focus more on health care than ever before. Staying healthy is your goal, and this can mean more visits to the doctor for preventive tests…