Articles & Insights

Understanding What Drives Higher Prices Can Help Improve Retirement Planning

According to the Employee Benefit Research Institute’s 2024 Retirement Confidence Survey, 83% of workers are concerned that the higher cost of living will make it harder to save as much as they want toward retirement. If you’re like most retirement savers, you’ve likely had concerns over the rising cost of living over the past few years. And for younger workers, it’s the first time you’ve experienced an elevated inflation rate as an investor.

By Nikki Young, CFP^® | Financial Advisor
 

You may be able to reduce your tax liability if you consider adopting these tax strategies before year’s end.

By Nikki Young, CFP®
Financial Advisor

Many middle-aged Americans (generally age 45-65) are behind in their retirement savings. If this is you, you’re not alone. According to a 2023 Vanguard study, workers between the ages of 45 and 54 years old had a median 401(k) account balance of approximately $142,069, well below the commonly recommended target of six times your annual salary by aged 50.

Following a few rules may help maximize the impact on your bottom line

When it comes to retirement income planning and saving, there are several important age milestones to keep in mind. Knowing these age milestones will help keep you on track as you pursue your retirement savings goals and proceed through retirement. So, here they are:

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is a U.S. government oversight organization charged with overseeing and enforcing our nation’s federal securities laws. Founded at the peak of the Great Depression and after the passing of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the agency’s mission consists of three primary objectives:   

• Protecting Main Street investors who depend upon the nation’s financial markets to help create their financial wellness and future financial security  

By Nikki Young, CFP^® 
Northwest Financial Advisors 
 

Many of us vow to lose weight and get in better physical shape in the new year. And unfortunately, many of us fail. Instead of spending money on an expensive gym membership or fancy workout gear, consider putting that money toward your retirement nest egg next year.  

Increasing your retirement savings may not be as hard as you think. And it sure beats dieting! Here are some tips to help you get started — or restarted — on your retirement savings. 

Make retirement savings a priority once your children leave home

By R. Todd Holden, Financial Advisor

Tips for managing your finances once you tie the knot

By Nikki Young, CFP^®, Financial Advisor

By Nikki Young, CFP®,  Financial Advisor
 

As a Millennial or Gen Xer, it may seem like retirement is far away and saving for it is not a priority. But the reality is that it is important to contribute to a retirement savings account now so that you can  accumulate enough funds for a comfortable retirement.

By R. Todd Holden, Financial Advisor

There’s a reason why even athletes, entertainers and businesspeople with seven-figure (and higher) incomes suddenly find themselves filing for bankruptcy. Money mismanagement can eat through even the biggest bankrolls. Here are some specific threats to financial stability that people can avoid to help effectively manage their finances.

And how to reduce your risk of a lower post-divorce standard of living

By R. Todd Holden, Financial Advisor

By Nikki Young, CFP®, Financial Advisor

It even makes understanding inflation easier.

“Bacon’s the best. Even the frying of bacon sounds like applause. Bacon bits are like the fairy dust of the food community.”

      – Jim Gaffigan

By Nikki Young, CFP^®,  Financial Advisor

Market timing is an investment strategy in which investors move in and out of the markets to try to avoid losses before they happen and then buy back in at the bottom after the market has crashed. Buying low or selling high is a prudent strategy for most investors. However, buying lowest or selling highest — or trying to time the market perfectly — is an elusive strategy, one that is difficult to execute and may lead to lower returns and missed opportunities.

By Todd Holden, Financial Advisor

Annuities are contracts between the annuity owner and an insurance company — nothing more, nothing less. Like any contract, they have terms. Sometimes, these terms turn out to favor the annuity owner, and a smart owner can use these terms to their advantage. Other times the contract terms favor the company, and the annuity owner should get out of the contract as quickly as possible. Below is an example of both:

Gold Mine

By Todd Holden, Financial Advisor

When we think of life insurance, we think of a younger person with a family to protect. Typically, we think of somebody with children to raise and a mortgage to pay. The insurance buyer wants to make certain their spouse and children are not forced to leave their home or change their lifestyle drastically in the event of an unexpected death.

By Nikki Young, CFP^®, Financial Advisor

An employer-sponsored retirement account is a vital part of your retirement planning picture. So it’s important to avoid making mistakes with these plans.

By Jim Christy, Wealth Advisor

Inflation, rising interest rates, a global health pandemic now in its third year, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, supply chain disruptions. The global economy and markets are currently facing the perfect storm of challenges as investors eye an uncertain second half of 2022.

Making the Ups and Downs Easier to Handle

By Todd Holden, Financial Advisor

By Todd Holden, Financial Advisor                        

There are two fatal errors in regard to IRAs that cannot be fixed. Once these errors are committed, the funds can never be placed back in IRA accounts.  Both errors have to do with IRA rollovers and are explained below.

Required minimum distributions take on added urgency as you approach (and reach) age 72, with specific rules and tax implications.

Tips for organizing your estate to preserve your assets for your designated beneficiaries.

When it comes to financial stability, people tend to focus on paying off debt and saving for retirement. In reality, many other financial goals beckon to individuals during their lifetime. Because of this, it’s important to look beyond retirement when setting targets, no matter how old you are.

During these uncertain times, 529 plans may make more sense than ever.