Articles and Videos

Can an Ex-Spouse Collect Social Security Benefits on Your Work Record?- Episode 125

You may have heard that Social Security has something called “Spousal Benefits,” where your current spouse can receive a benefit based on your work record, even if they never held a job in which they paid FICA taxes.  But did you know this rule may also apply to an ex-spouse? We’ve had questions about this in the past, with many people wondering how they can PREVENT an ex from taking a Social Security benefit from them.  But the truth is, while there’s nothing you can do about it, it also won’t have any effect at all on your own benefits. We’ll also answer two other common questions: can I work and still collect a Social Security benefit?  And: are my kids ever eligible to receive a benefit? 

Janean Stripe named new board president of The Country Friends Nonprofit – Rancho Santa Fe Review

Why Understanding Tax Brackets Is Crucial- Episode 124

The US tax system is by design a complicated beast, and trying to understand it all is a futile challenge. And yet, it’s extremely important that people understand how certain elements of it work. As we so often say, tax knowledge is tax power. Most taxpayers assume that the amount of tax they pay is determined by which tax bracket they’re currently in. This is both a true and untrue statement. If you’re in the 24 percent bracket, does that mean every dollar you earn is taxed at that rate?  Going forward, yes; looking backward, no.

Why Managing Risk May Be the Key to Financial Survival

When people talk about reaching their investment goals, they often focus their rate of return. Instead you should focus on instead is risk management: minimizing the damage of unforeseen events. 

Value Averaging: The Key to Surviving Market Downturns?

A good retirement plan and investment strategy should take market ups and downs into account, capitalizing on both. That’s value averaging.