Planning for lasting retirement income requires a thoughtful strategy, especially with factors like longevity, market volatility and evolving lifestyle needs in play. As retirement approaches, one of the most common questions people face is: “How much can I safely withdraw from my savings each year?” For decades, the 4% rule has served as a widely accepted guideline. The premise is straightforward: withdraw 4% of your total savings in the first year of retirement, then adjust that amount annually for inflation. While the 4% rule offers a straightforward framework, it doesn’t account for the...

If you’re between the ages of 35 and 60, you may be feeling a financial pinch from both your growing — or grown — children and your aging parents or in-laws.1 You may also find yourself juggling your work commitments and the expectations of family members for your time and support. As a member of what’s known as the sandwich generation, you’re not alone. Unlike previous generations where children left their homes earlier and more permanently, today children tend to live at home longer — or move out and return over time, sometimes with their own children in tow. And parents tend to live longer,...

The start of the holiday season often brings increased demands on both time and financial resources. From buying decorations and gifts to attending celebrations with family and friends, the responsibilities can accumulate quickly. To help you navigate the 2025 season with greater ease and enjoyment, consider these planning tips designed to reduce stress and enhance your holiday experience. Create a holiday spending plan and track your expenses. The final months of the year offer many opportunities to splurge. Prevent unfettered spending by setting a “do-not-exceed” dollar amount for holiday-related...

The year is already rapidly coming to a close, making it peak season for assessing (and, in many cases, reassessing) contribution options related to retirement savings accounts. A major factor worth considering heading into the new year are changes to the SECURE 2.0 Act’s catch-up contribution rule. The changes begin on January 1, 2026, and could have a significant impact on individuals 50 years of age and older who earned more than $145,000* in 2025. If you are part of this group of investors, read on to learn about what catch-up contributions are and what the new rules mean for your retirement...

As an investor, it can be difficult to navigate the ups and downs of the market and understand what the movements mean for your portfolio – particularly when you’re seeing constant headlines on the topic. As a financial advisor, I’ve fielded many questions from clients who are trying to make sense of the changing markets and economic environment. While there is no single solution that applies to all investors, the following are answers to three of the most common questions. How should I cope with market fluctuations that are affecting my retirement savings? If you’re within five years of your...

Open enrollment season is just around the corner. For most, this is the only time of year when you have a chance to make changes to your employee benefits package, including your health insurance. (The exception is if you experience a qualifying event, including but not limited to marriage, divorce, having a baby, etc.). To ensure you’re maximizing your benefits, it’s important to understand the different terms and acronyms you are likely to encounter as you review your health insurance options. Here is an overview of some of the most common enrollment terms. Premiums. Any form of insurance...

An inherited individual retirement account (IRA) is a potential financial windfall that may create new opportunities to achieve your financial goals. If you are a beneficiary currently or expect to be one in the future, you should know recent legal changes on inherited IRAs can result in costly implications if not followed properly. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has clarified rules included in the SECURE Act (which Congress passed in 2019) that are important for IRA beneficiaries to understand. Read on to determine if these new rules are applicable to your situation. Different beneficiaries...