It’s no secret that the cost of education is on the rise. The key to preparing for this large but important expense, is to develop a savings strategy early on. As we discussed in a previous Q&A...
What are the benefits of individual bonds over bond mutual funds when investing in fixed income?
There are unique risks and benefits to investing in either individual bonds or in bond mutual funds. We have detailed a few of these risks and benefits below. Price Stability of Individual Bonds vs....
What financially-related steps do I need to take after my wedding?
Wedding season is approaching quickly. With the stress of planning a wedding, it is easy to overlook certain steps that affect your taxes and finances in general. We have compiled a list of steps to...
How can I help my children / grandchildren start investing?
As a parent or grandparent, you want to help guide your loved ones towards a path of success. Teaching them about compound interest and the importance of investing early in life will help guide them...
What factors affect the timing of when I should begin collecting my social security benefits?
Most people qualify to begin claiming their Social Security benefits as early as age 62 or as late as age 70. Exceptions to this include disability, a deceased spouse, or an inadequate number of...
Should I consider investing in U.S. Treasury Series I Bonds?
Interest rates remain at historically low levels. While we expect the Federal Reserve to start a path toward higher interest rates in March, we are also experiencing high inflation. This can put a...
Should you use a transfer on death (TOD) designation for a non-retirement account?
Many people are familiar with the need to designate beneficiaries for IRA, 401(k), 403(b) and other types of retirement accounts. What about non-retirement or “non-qualified” accounts? A Transfer on...
How does my income affect my medicare premium?
If you are retired and age 65 or older, you are likely enrolled in Medicare, the Federal health insurance program that provides hospital (“Part A”), medical (“Part B”), and prescription drug (“Part...
Wealth Management Q&As
Wealth Management is more than investment management. It considers the larger picture. While your investments are critical to your success throughout retirement, it is also important to understand how your taxes, finanical plan, estate, and insurance can affect both your overall situation. Do you know when you should begin collecting social security to maximize its benefit? Have you followed the necessary steps to help your assets pass efficiently to your heirs, avoiding probate? If 529 plans are applicable to you, have you considered 529 plan superfunding or how to maximize 529 plan tax advantages? Our wealth management Q&As consist of popular topics among our clients and are not limited to investment management.