Estate planning is a broad term that encompasses assuring all of your affairs are in order should something happen to you. There are various planning mechanisms that can make up your estate plan. The goal is to help ensure your assets are transferred per your wishes, your finances are managed if you become incapacitated, tax considerations are made, and your plan reduces stress on loved ones who will step in and manage your estate.

Losing a spouse is a devastating experience for anyone. No matter the circumstance, there's a level of uncertainty tied to loss, on top of the emotional toll. The advisory team at Integrated Wealth Management is here to provide empathetic support during life’s hard times. We understand this is especially trying for those who were not the ones actively managing the household finances.

Want to retire in the next 10 years? Then you’ve probably had thoughts of buckling down and making sure all your ducks are in a row. But where do you start? In this article, we outline how to lay the groundwork and understand where you stand, financially. We’ll get you thinking about future-proofing your finances and dig into why professional guidance just might be the ticket to retiring with confidence.

Did you list your spouse as your beneficiary when you first signed up for a 401(k) at work? Maybe you have a child listed as a Payable on Death recipient on your bank account. Did you make these decisions back when your kids were in diapers? Beneficiary designations and life insurance policies are simple ways to protect those that mean the most to you.

Long gone are the days of comfortable living off of a pension and Social Security benefits. The retirement landscape has changed from when our parents were planning for retirement. Today’s retirees often contribute to a retirement plan for many years, and unfortunately, many will find themselves needing to continue working to make ends meat. 

While you are eligible to begin collecting Social Security at the age of 62, doing so will result in a reduced monthly payment, compared to waiting until your full retirement age. Every month you delay collecting Social Security, your monthly payment increases, topping out when you reach age 70. Patience is key to many good things in life, let’s do the math to see if it’s worth the wait when it comes to collecting Social Security.

As you approach your golden years, the prospect of retiring without a mortgage payment can significantly enhance your financial freedom and peace of mind. Clearing your mortgage before retirement reduces financial strain and allows you to allocate your funds to something likely a bit more fulfilling.

People between the ages of 50-55 often find it's crucial to start planning for their retirement and securing a financial future — their primary goal is to retire in about 10 years with confidence. Delaware residents have the advantage of accessing professional wealth management services provided by our offices in Wilmington and Rehoboth Beach. 

Determining when to collect Social Security benefits is tough, and to make matters a bit more complex, you must consider Social Security spousal benefits. Social Security spousal benefits can positively impact the lower income earner — whether currently married or divorced (under specific circumstances).

Peace of Mind (noun) definition: the absence of mental stress or anxiety. We talk about peace of mind a lot on our blog, it’s time we dig into exactly what we mean. While reaching your retirement goals can take focus and dedication, we don’t think it should be stressful or cause you to feel anxious.

Born between 1965 and 1980, older Gen Xers are just a few years away from qualifying for Social Security. Those in the middle, thinking about retiring in the next 10-15 years or so, are buckling down to make sure they can, indeed, retire. 

Transparency is how we build trust at Integrated Wealth Management. We want everyone that walks through our doors to feel like they can lean on our years of knowledge and industry expertise. As fiduciaries, we’re obligated to put your needs ahead of our own and by choosing to be a fee-only firm, the cost of our services is always straight forward.

While you may have a general retirement timeline in mind, have you nailed down an exact date? Some have their mind set on retiring by their birthday, when it’s time for summer vacation, or at Christmas time. Others may still be thinking about what month makes the most sense in terms of finances, the seasons, work, or other personal preferences.

There are many misconceptions floating around when it comes to Social Security. From “bonuses” to “bump up” payments, it can be hard to decipher fact from fiction if you rely on just what others are saying about their plans for Social Security. Let’s set the facts straight about how Social Security works and what truly impacts your monthly payment.

Diversification is an important aspect of investing used to manage risk. But can you over diversify? The short answer is yes. More common than over-diversification, we see pre-retirees who may benefit from adding a bit more diversification into their investment strategy. Let's talk about the diversification of your retirement portfolio.

At Integrated Wealth Management, we’re financial advisors focused on retirement planning and today we’re coming to you from the beach. While many of our current clients here in Rehoboth Beach are already retired, many of our readers are about 10-15 years away from putting in their final notice. 

There’s no question, medical expenses must be a part of your retirement plan. But how can we proactively manage expenses without a crystal ball showing us what’s ahead? While we can’t be certain of our needs, the data shows planning ahead is the smart thing to do.

Tax-advantaged accounts, like a 529 Plan, are a great way to keep more of your money by lowering the total you owe the government in taxes each year. 529 Plans are state sponsored savings accounts where invested funds can be used for qualified education expenses — think tuition, room and board, and books.