Read about the six pillars of a retirement plan
4 Common Estate Planning Mistakes and How to Avoid ThemÂ
Estate planning decisions that seem simple today can create unexpected taxes, delays, and loss of control later. Here are four common mistakes to watch for, along with steps to help…
What Happens to Your Retirement Income When a Spouse Dies?Â
Losing a spouse can change more than the emotional landscape of retirement. Social Security benefits, pension income, taxes, and required minimum distributions (RMDs) can all shift. Understanding those changes ahead of time can…
How to Potentially Save $136,000 on Your Retirement Tax BillÂ
Retirement can change where your income comes from, how that income is taxed, and the tax decisions you could face along the way. A long-term tax plan can help you look beyond…
5 Reasons People Put Off Retirement Planning and What the Delay Could Cost
Retirement planning is easy to push down the to-do list, especially when retirement still feels years away. But waiting can mean missed opportunities involving taxes, investments, health care, and retirement income. Here…
A New Way to Think About Paying for Long-Term CareÂ
Long-term care can become one of the largest expenses in retirement. Understanding what qualifies as long-term care, what care can cost, the limitations of traditional long-term care insurance, and newer…
The 5 Retirement Conversations Every Couple Should HaveÂ
Retirement brings decisions that affect both spouses, from how you want to spend your time to what happens to income when one spouse dies. These five conversations can help couples identify differences, understand potential…
The Road to Retirement at 64: Strategies, Tips, and Real-Life Examples
If you’re 64 years old and dreaming of retirement, you’re not alone. Many people find themselves teetering on the edge of this new chapter, filled with excitement and anxiety. Good planning can make the difference between a smooth transition to a financially secure retirement and running out of money in your golden years. Experienced retirement…
Navigating Retirement at 62 | Essential Action Steps for a Confident Future
Reaching the age of 62 is a significant milestone, often bringing the dream of retirement within sight. However, with this anticipation comes a flurry of questions and decisions that can significantly impact the quality and security of your retirement years. Experienced retirement planners Chawn Honkomp and Loren Merkle, provide some essential action steps for individuals…
Retirement Planning at Age 59: Taking Action Steps for a Secure Future
Planning for retirement is a journey filled with anticipation, excitement, and certainly a fair share of apprehension. At age 59, the runway to retirement becomes increasingly clearer, yet the path may be strewn with uncertainties. Experienced retirement planners Loren Merkle and Clint Huntrods, explored actionable strategies for those on the brink of this exciting transition….
Navigating Your Path to Early Retirement at Age 57
Are you 57 and dreaming of retirement? You’re not alone. Many individuals in their late 50s begin to seriously envision their retirement. Yet, transitioning from dreaming to doing can feel overwhelming. With numerous moving pieces and uncertainties, it’s crucial to start your journey with a plan. Experienced retirement planners Loren Merkle and Chawn Honkomp dive…
How to Fill Your Time and Find Joy in Retirement
In this episode, experienced retirement planner Chawn Honkomp and host Molly Nelson sit down with special guest Lisa Even, a joy connoisseur, author, and coach. They discuss the emotional and financial aspects of retirement, emphasizing how to find joy in this new life stage. Lisa shares her insights on making joy a priority, creating a…
Early Retirement Strategies | 8 Reasons to Leave the Workforce Sooner
In this episode, Retirement Planners Clint Huntrods and Loren Merkle delve into the compelling reasons to consider retiring early. Discover the benefits of a more active retirement, the financial strategies to make it feasible, and how to plan for health care and Social Security.  – Learn about the significance of time as a crucial factor…
- « Previous
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- Next »
What Happens to Your Retirement Income When a Spouse Dies?Â
Losing a spouse can change more than the emotional landscape of retirement. Social Security benefits, pension income, taxes, and required minimum distributions (RMDs) can all shift. Understanding those changes ahead of time can help couples build a retirement plan designed to support either spouse in the years ahead. Retirement Can Change Overnight Most couples spend years preparing for retirement together….
How to Potentially Save $136,000 on Your Retirement Tax BillÂ
Retirement can change where your income comes from, how that income is taxed, and the tax decisions you could face along the way. A long-term tax plan can help you look beyond this year’s tax bill and consider how Roth conversions, required minimum distributions (RMDs), and different retirement accounts could affect your taxes throughout retirement. Retirement Changes the Tax…
5 Reasons People Put Off Retirement Planning and What the Delay Could Cost
Retirement planning is easy to push down the to-do list, especially when retirement still feels years away. But waiting can mean missed opportunities involving taxes, investments, health care, and retirement income. Here are five common reasons people put off creating a written retirement plan and why starting earlier can make a difference. 1. Conflicting Priorities Make Planning…
The 5 Retirement Conversations Every Couple Should HaveÂ
Retirement brings decisions that affect both spouses, from how you want to spend your time to what happens to income when one spouse dies. These five conversations can help couples identify differences, understand potential financial consequences, and build a retirement plan around the life they want to share. — Retirement planning involves plenty of numbers, but some of the most important…
Retirement Planner vs. Financial Advisor: What’s the Difference?
As retirement gets closer, the financial guidance you need may change. Understanding the difference between investment-focused advice and comprehensive retirement planning can help you identify whether your current approach addresses income, taxes, Social Security, health care, investments, lifestyle, and legacy. — For decades, much of your financial life may have centered on one goal: saving and investing for the…
Will Your Money Last as Long as You Do?
Saving enough for retirement is only part of the equation. Learn how identifying your income gap, planning for inflation and taxes, and dividing savings into now, later, and forever buckets can help turn a retirement nest egg into an income strategy designed to last. Saving $1 Million Is Different From Having a Plan Reaching a retirement savings goal can feel like…
How to Potentially Save $136,000 on Your Retirement Tax BillÂ
Retirement can change where your income comes from, how that income is taxed, and the tax decisions you could face along the way. A long-term tax plan can help you look beyond this year’s tax bill and consider how Roth conversions, required minimum distributions (RMDs), and different retirement accounts could affect your taxes throughout retirement. Retirement Changes the Tax…
The 5 Retirement Conversations Every Couple Should HaveÂ
Retirement brings decisions that affect both spouses, from how you want to spend your time to what happens to income when one spouse dies. These five conversations can help couples identify differences, understand potential financial consequences, and build a retirement plan around the life they want to share. — Retirement planning involves plenty of numbers, but some of the most important…
Will Your Money Last as Long as You Do?
Saving enough for retirement is only part of the equation. Learn how identifying your income gap, planning for inflation and taxes, and dividing savings into now, later, and forever buckets can help turn a retirement nest egg into an income strategy designed to last. Saving $1 Million Is Different From Having a Plan Reaching a retirement savings goal can feel like…
Should You Do a Roth Conversion with a Million-Dollar IRA?Â
Many retirees are surprised to learn that a large IRA balance can create a significant tax bill later in retirement. This blog explores how Roth conversions work, why taxes may become one of your biggest retirement expenses, and how a proactive tax strategy could help reduce the lifetime taxes you pay while creating more flexibility…
Your Tax Bill Dropped When You Retired. Here Is Why It May Not Stay That Way.
Retirement often brings a welcome reduction in taxes, at least initially. But for many retirees, Required Minimum Distributions, tax-deferred retirement accounts, and changing tax laws can eventually cause tax bills to rise again. This article explores why that happens and how tax diversification may help create more control and flexibility throughout retirement. Retirement Doesn’t Automatically Mean Lower…
How to Turn Retirement Savings Into Income That Outlasts Inflation, Taxes, and a 30 Year Retirement
Many people spend decades accumulating retirement accounts, investments, and financial products, but far fewer have a written strategy showing how everything works together. This blog explores the difference between owning financial tools and having a retirement blueprint, how recent tax law changes may impact retirement decisions, and why planning for income, taxes, inflation, health care, and longevity…
5 Reasons People Put Off Retirement Planning and What the Delay Could Cost
Retirement planning is easy to push down the to-do list, especially when retirement still feels years away. But waiting can mean missed opportunities involving taxes, investments, health care, and retirement income. Here are five common reasons people put off creating a written retirement plan and why starting earlier can make a difference. 1. Conflicting Priorities Make Planning…
The 5 Retirement Conversations Every Couple Should HaveÂ
Retirement brings decisions that affect both spouses, from how you want to spend your time to what happens to income when one spouse dies. These five conversations can help couples identify differences, understand potential financial consequences, and build a retirement plan around the life they want to share. — Retirement planning involves plenty of numbers, but some of the most important…
6 Money Moves for Market Swings
Market volatility is inevitable, but it does not have to derail your retirement plans. These six retirement planning moves can help you prepare for market swings, protect your retirement income, manage investment risk, uncover potential tax opportunities, and take advantage of market downturns. — Market swings can feel very different when retirement is getting closer. While you are working…
Inherited an IRA? Here’s How to Avoid Costly Tax Mistakes
Inheriting an IRA can create new opportunities, but it also comes with important tax rules and deadlines. Learn what has changed, the options available, and how to make thoughtful decisions that fit your retirement plan. Inheriting an IRA Can Change Your Retirement Plan Receiving an IRA from a parent, grandparent, or other loved one can be…
Your Tax Bill Dropped When You Retired. Here Is Why It May Not Stay That Way.
Retirement often brings a welcome reduction in taxes, at least initially. But for many retirees, Required Minimum Distributions, tax-deferred retirement accounts, and changing tax laws can eventually cause tax bills to rise again. This article explores why that happens and how tax diversification may help create more control and flexibility throughout retirement. Retirement Doesn’t Automatically Mean Lower…
Annuities Explained for Retirees: How to Know If One Is Right for Your Retirement Plan
Annuities are one of the most discussed—and often misunderstood—retirement planning tools. This blog explains what annuities are, the different types available, their potential benefits and drawbacks, and how to determine whether an annuity belongs in your overall retirement plan. Why Annuities Can Cause So Much Confusion Few retirement planning topics generate as much confusion as annuities. Part of the challenge is…
A New Way to Think About Paying for Long-Term CareÂ
Long-term care can become one of the largest expenses in retirement. Understanding what qualifies as long-term care, what care can cost, the limitations of traditional long-term care insurance, and newer approaches to preparing for the expense can help you build it into your overall retirement plan. What Does Long-Term Care Really Mean? Long-term care can be difficult…
The 5 Retirement Conversations Every Couple Should HaveÂ
Retirement brings decisions that affect both spouses, from how you want to spend your time to what happens to income when one spouse dies. These five conversations can help couples identify differences, understand potential financial consequences, and build a retirement plan around the life they want to share. — Retirement planning involves plenty of numbers, but some of the most important…
The Retirement Decisions That Let Her Retire Earlier Than She Thought.
Retirement can feel like a finish line, but for many people, it’s really a series of decisions. For Angie, retirement had always seemed tied to age 65. Like many workers, she assumed she would continue working until she became eligible for Medicare. Yet after nearly five decades with the same employer, she began wondering whether retirement might be…
7 Steps to Retire Before 65… Even If You Think You Can’t Afford To
Retiring before age 65 may feel out of reach, especially when factoring in income, taxes, and health care. This article breaks down seven practical steps to help you understand what it really takes to retire early—and how the right plan can make it possible. Step 1: Get Clear on the Life You Want to Retire Into…
Facing a Buyout or Layoff? Key Retirement Questions to Answer Before You Decide
If you’re offered a buyout or find yourself retiring earlier than planned, several important financial questions come into play. From health care coverage before Medicare to tax implications and 401(k) strategies, here’s what to consider as you evaluate whether early retirement is truly within reach. When Retirement Happens Sooner Than Expected For many workers in their 50s and early 60s, retirement doesn’t always unfold…
The Retirement Readiness Checklist: Where to Start and What to Tackle NextÂ
Retirement Planner Loren Merkle, and Director of Medicare & Long-Term Care AnnaMarie Morrow walk through the Retirement Readiness Checklist, breaking retirement planning into nine practical areas to help you discover where to start and what to tackle next. Get Clear on Your Retirement Vision For many households, Social Security isn’t a side dish—it’s the main course. Chawn explains that for…
4 Common Estate Planning Mistakes and How to Avoid ThemÂ
Estate planning decisions that seem simple today can create unexpected taxes, delays, and loss of control later. Here are four common mistakes to watch for, along with steps to help make sure your assets ultimately go where you intend. — Estate planning is often driven by good intentions. You want to make things easier for…
What Happens to Your Retirement Income When a Spouse Dies?Â
Losing a spouse can change more than the emotional landscape of retirement. Social Security benefits, pension income, taxes, and required minimum distributions (RMDs) can all shift. Understanding those changes ahead of time can help couples build a retirement plan designed to support either spouse in the years ahead. Retirement Can Change Overnight Most couples spend years preparing for retirement together….
The 5 Retirement Conversations Every Couple Should HaveÂ
Retirement brings decisions that affect both spouses, from how you want to spend your time to what happens to income when one spouse dies. These five conversations can help couples identify differences, understand potential financial consequences, and build a retirement plan around the life they want to share. — Retirement planning involves plenty of numbers, but some of the most important…
Inherited an IRA? Here’s How to Avoid Costly Tax Mistakes
Inheriting an IRA can create new opportunities, but it also comes with important tax rules and deadlines. Learn what has changed, the options available, and how to make thoughtful decisions that fit your retirement plan. Inheriting an IRA Can Change Your Retirement Plan Receiving an IRA from a parent, grandparent, or other loved one can be…
Your Estate Plan May Not Protect Your Family the Way You Think It Does. Here Is Why.Â
Estate planning today is about much more than avoiding estate taxes. This blog explores how changes to tax laws, the SECURE Act, probate rules, and beneficiary planning are reshaping the estate planning conversation and why flexibility, protection, and coordination matter more than ever. Why Estate Planning Still Matters Many people assume estate planning is only…
Tax Planning Now Could Save Your Family Money in the Great Wealth Transfer
A look at the massive wealth transfer underway, why families struggle to talk about inheritance, and how thoughtful planning can protect both wealth and relationships. The Largest Wealth Transfer in History $124 trillion is expected to change hands over the next 20 years, according to estimates by the consulting firm Cerulli Associates. Much of that wealth is…
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL
Sign-up for our Visual Insights Newsletter for the latest retirement information and strategies – straight to your inbox.
