Retirement is one of those things that feels like it's a long way off, right up until it's not. Nonetheless, being proactive and having a plan can make all the difference when it comes to living out the retirement you’ve always imagined. Start gathering a pre-retirement checklist to help you create goals, determine a realistic timeline, and keep your finances front of mind.
A fiduciary is a person that acts on behalf of another person while putting that person’s needs ahead of their own. Burt Hutchinson, CPA, CFP®, Founder and Wealth Advisor, and his team are fiduciaries by nature. It’s who we are. Our own ethical standards drive us to produce the best results for each and every client.
You’ve worked hard to save and make smart investment choices. Your goal is a smooth transition into retirement with peace of mind about your financial future. But those years of preparation can still leave you questioning exactly how to pull it off. Let’s dig into the ins and outs of social security as a retirement benefit and why deferring may be in your best interest.
Dividends — the desirable distribution of company profits paid to shareholders. You know what they are, but do you know how to manage them when it comes to reinvesting, withdrawing, taxes, and retirement? Dividends are primarily a ‘thank you for investing in us’ reward for shareholders. Understanding the fine print is necessary if you plan to utilize dividends as passive income or as part of your retirement plan.
As the year comes to a close, we want to wish you a happy holiday season! Whether you’ve turned to us for reliable information or you’ve trusted us with your retirement plans — thank you. We can probably all agree the past 18 months has been a unique period of time. On top of uncertainty surrounding the pandemic, many are navigating career changes, new work environments, and health concerns.
It’s common for the roles to reverse as we age — we begin watching out for our parents as they once did for us. For various reasons, people find themselves managing finances for their aging parents. While helping them keep up on their monthly bills may be straightforward, there are a few other factors to consider.
As baby boomers continue to retire, the utilization of Medicare will see a steady rise over the next decade. This influx in demand will lead to an increase in healthcare costs for Delaware retirees and seniors across the country — accepting this fact is pertinent to your retirement planning efforts.
What’s New — The Ever-Changing Tax Laws was the topic of a recent Delaware Tech-sponsored seminar. I was proud to participate alongside local estate attorney, Cindy Szabo. We’re both proud advocates for Delaware Technical Community College — the state's only community college — they do a great job of supporting their students and the community.
Education is key to feeling confident about your retirement decisions. As a pre-retiree, it’s time to gain a solid understanding of the timelines associated with retirement to build a clear plan.
Medicare is one piece of the retirement puzzle and this time of year, we hear about open enrollment — but who is that actually for and what does it really entail? If you plan to retire in the coming year, is there something you need to do?
Thanks to advances in technology, you have numerous investment options right at your fingertips. Beyond the constant emergence of new investing platforms, investment selection is also evolving. Target-date funds are a prime example of an easy solution for the DIY investor. But more and easier, in any regard, doesn’t typically equate to better.
Financial success revolves around educating yourself and consistency. That is exactly the case when it comes to maximizing the tax-advantaged accounts at your disposal. Some are available through an employee benefits package and others you can open on your own. Not utilizing them could leave you paying thousands of extra dollars to the IRS each year.
Diversification — the mixing of various investments in a financial portfolio to minimize risk. Investing does come with inherent risks. Utilizing risk management strategies and gaining a greater understanding of the rise and fall of the stock market through history can bring about a sense of predictability to your portfolio.
Retirement is a time to truly live, you’ve worked so hard, after all. But that desire to live your life to the fullest can oftentimes collide with the reality of living on a fixed income. We get it, you want to ‘add guacamole’ free from guilt, but now is not the time to spend frivolously in an effort to keep up with the Joneses.
Reaching a point where you can share your wealth with others is both rewarding and a wonderful opportunity to support future generations. Seeing the positive impact first hand versus leaving all gifts as an inheritance is a goal for many. Financially supporting a grandchild's college is a perfect opportunity.
Plan, save, plan, save — is that how you feel when you think about your personal finances? For all the effort and time you’ve dedicated to securing your future, how are you protecting yourself and assuring your funds will be available when you need them?
A well-rounded financial plan should include giving a loved one or trusted confidant access to your financial matters for those unforeseen circumstances life likes to throw our way now and then.
Will retirement come with a move? Or will real estate be your income-generating retirement side hustle? Whether you’re downsizing, moving to a new location, or investing, retirees often find themselves in need of a mortgage to make their retirement plans come to fruition. While this may have seemed like no big deal during your working years. Securing a mortgage takes a bit more effort when you’re retired.
If you’re approaching retirement, now is the time to review your financial plan to assure your future long-term care needs have been considered. Assuming Medicare will cover the cost can lead to a burden of bills. Proper planning and knowledge of your options are essential to a well-rounded financial plan.
At Integrated Wealth Management, we promote good stewardship with our finances. But at the same time, we want you to live your life to the fullest. But without a plan, you can wind up wondering where your gift disappeared to. Here’s a few facts to keep in mind along with ideas on how to put your inheritance to work for your future.
