Retiree
A retiree and his wife engaged us to help them decide how to invest the funds of the various 401(k)s and IRA's they owned. They had heard so many bad things about equity investments that they got out of the market and allocated their entire retirement savings to a money market fund. They were referred to Stonegate Wealth Management and asked us to develop a cohesive investment and financial plan. Their greatest financial fear was outliving their money. Continue Reading
Stress Testing Portfolios
Stress testing is a way to analyze and project someone’s retirement circumstances under extreme conditions. Traditionally retirement projections have been made using assumptions that may have been “best case” assumptions. For example - that investment returns will be fairly steady over many years, or that you do not retire at the beginning of a severe bear market. Unfortunately, the real world is not always so predictable. Ask your advisor to run projections showing you how bad the “worst case” can actually be. Continue Reading
15 Tips for Saving and Penny-Pinching
The truth is, we don’t always pay attention to the little things we can implement in our financial lives that can save money. Consider implementing one of these tips a week for fifteen weeks and enjoy the savings. Continue Reading
Nearing Retirement: Is it OK to Retire Now?
Most pre-retirees want to know if they can be financially independent in their post-retirement years. Some want to know if they can afford a second home, and whether the portfolio’s income stream will replace a reliable paycheck. An advisor can run various hypotheticals, from best case to worst case scenario to offer you some practical information about your retirement security. Continue Reading
Worried About an Occasional Splurge?
Healthy elders in their late 70s and early 80s often worry about whether their money will stretch to meet their needs. Particularly, frugal folks wonder if they can splurge at their age to take the dream trip of a lifetime, or to take a grandchild on a special vacation. Your advisor can run cash flow projections that will give you comfort that your spending is well within the realm of possibility, and that your assets are sufficient to meet both your short-term and long-term goals. Continue Reading
When Relatives Urge Ailing Business Owner to Disinherit Deserving Heir, What Do You Do?
Often, changes in a parent’s will do not come to light until after the parent dies. In the case of parents who are ailing and have caregivers or distant relatives who have shown up recently, it is not uncommon for a new will to appear after the elder’s death favoring the caregiver or prodigal relative. When the dust settles, you, the long-term employee of your father’s firm and appropriate new owner of the company, find that you have been disinherited. Here is a list of things to do before you contact your attorney. Continue Reading
Real Estate: When to Hold em’ when to Fold ’em
Managing multiple real estate holdings may become an onerous task as you age. It may be better to sell some properties and invest the proceeds. Some properties may be better used as 1031 exchanges into real estate that is more consolidated and easier to manage. The tax implications of any real estate sale must be well studied far in advance of the sale. Continue Reading
The Reality and Frustration of a Lower Return Environment for Investors
Many advisors cap recommended withdrawals from an investment portfolio at 4%; greater rates of withdrawal are considered risky. How many investors retiring at this time have enough assets so that 4% is a livable income? Continue Reading
Without Proper IRA Beneficiary Designations, Inheritances can Run Amuck
John Jeffreys died leaving no children or wife. His brother was the recipient of his estate in carefully crafted estate planning documents. Then the financial advisors helping John’s brother, Jason, settle the estate came upon an unexpected hurdle. Continue Reading
