Retirement Happiness
What are the primary drivers of a happy retirement and overall wellness?
Retire To do WHAT
Protect Your Taxes: What You Need to Know About IRS IP PINs
Tax season is already complicated enough, but identity theft can make it significantly worse. To help safeguard taxpayers, the IRS offers the Identity Protection Personal Identification Number (IP PIN). Here’s a breakdown of what an IP PIN is, how to get one, and insights on who should consider using it.
Planning for Retirement? Practice Could Make Perfect
Retirement isn’t a reward you one day receive at random. It’s not something you jump into without a thought in mind. You work up to this day with purpose, precision, and dedication.
Planning and Puppies 101
I bought a puppy back in April, and it has been one of the most challenging things of my adult life. Training a new puppy is hard work and takes a lot of intentionality and thought. The same can be said about building a financial plan. I have a few tips that might help others avoid my mistakes.
Physicians: Debt vs Savings, Which Comes First?
Young physicians often ask, “Should I focus more aggressively on paying down my debt, or should I just do the minimum and try to save as much as possible?” That’s an excellent question, with lots of variables and layers.
Pay Me Now or Pay Me Later | Financial Perspectives (In a Minute)
While this year has had its share of negative financial news, there might be one opportunity to pay some taxes now in order to save some money on taxes later. This week, Kent Kramer walks us through Roth IRA conversions.
Mega Backdoor Roth IRAs: What You Should Know
A mega backdoor Roth is a great option to quickly build a tax-free bucket of money for individuals who have maxed out other retirement savings vehicles, still have surplus to be invested, and have a 401(k) plan that allows for this strategy. Consider this an additional tool in your toolbox.
Med School Grads, Do These Three Things First
Making Sense of SECURE Act 2.0 | Financial Perspectives (In a Minute)
The SECURE Act 2.0 includes 90+ provisions designed to help savers and people in or near retirement. This week, Matt Moklestad highlights some of the key changes from the act.
Let’s Make 2023 a Year of Savings Inflation
The rising cost of living recently has led the IRS to raise the 2023 contribution limits for employees with 401(k), 403(b), most 457 plans, and the federal government's Thrift Savings Plan.
Keep Your Eyes on the Horizon and Wings Level
We often get asked by clients about different ideas they heard from a friend, a new exclusive deal they got invited into, or, most frequently, a specific company or stock that a friend gave them the scoop on. The reality is that a lot of the “great ideas and deals” never amount to any real return, and many end up going to zero.
IRS Allows for Reversal of 2020 RMDs
In late June, the IRS announced RMDs would be able to be reversed from any account requiring them through August 31st. Since the IRS is allowing this, it presents a potential tax planning opportunity.
How to Use Your Deferred Compensation Plan
For most of us, it’s that time of the year when we make benefits elections for next year. These are important decisions.
How to Use the Dollars: Building Your Income Stream
Retirement is exciting—but having a well-thought-out distribution strategy could help ensure your money lasts. Let’s explore the key considerations for crafting a smart plan that works for you.
How Much Income Do I Need in Retirement? | Financial Perspectives
How much will you really need in retirement? And how do you make it last? This month, Kent Kramer and Marcus Iwig discuss forecasting expenses, managing investments for income, and handling life's curveballs in retirement.
How Deep Is Your Bullpen?
You can’t have a championship team without a deep bench at your disposal. Foster Group takes the same approach, while we have a dedicated advisory team for every client we also have advisors with various skill sets that we can pull out of the bullpen and into a meeting at the right time.
Hold Still!
Hiking Through the Financial Wilderness
I used to laugh at the TV commercial years ago that stated, “Most people spend more time planning their vacation than their retirement.” It’s funny how your perspective can change with time. Now, I gladly note all details of a personal trip, perhaps as a parallel of my work.