Managing Your Financial Future

Why Naming Your Estate’s Beneficiaries Is Vital- Season 6: Episode 2
Managing Your Financial Future

Why Naming Your Estate’s Beneficiaries Is Vital- Season 6: Episode 2

June 15, 2021

Estate planning – it’s not just for the ultra rich! While many people don’t have estates that are large enough to warrant an estate tax (which, for married couples, is in excess of $23 million for 2021), there are other aspects of estate planning that most individuals should be aware of. The one that perhaps affects the most people is where beneficiaries are concerned. If you have assets that you want to go to specific people or certain organizations, it’s vital that you have your beneficiary assignments done correctly, even if you already have a will and a trust in place. What do you need to know about beneficiary assignments?  It’s all about making sure your assets go where you want them to go.
How Do Financial Advisor Fees Actually Work?- Season 5: Episode 10
Managing Your Financial Future

How Do Financial Advisor Fees Actually Work?- Season 5: Episode 10

May 4, 2021

One of the most common questions people ask us when they’re considering the services of an investment advisor and/or financial planner is this: “what will this cost me in terms of fees?” The question of how much an advisor charges, not just for their own services but for the team and others working alongside him or her, is one that you absolutely must get an answer for. And that answer should be clear, concise, and spelled out in simplistic form so that there’s no mistaking who’s getting paid, how much they’re getting paid, and who is actually responsible for paying them. Everyone should be paid for the work they do and the value they may add – you just need to be sure there are no surprises.
3 Generous Tax Law Benefits You Didn’t Know Existed- Season 5: Episode 9
Managing Your Financial Future

3 Generous Tax Law Benefits You Didn’t Know Existed- Season 5: Episode 9

April 27, 2021

Taxes can be scary. Whether you’re anticipating a big tax bill this year, or you’re fretting about a tax deadline that’s coming up, or you’re concerned that you’re overpaying but can’t find a way out of it.  On top of that, the tax code is insanely large and complicated. But oddly enough, the tax code also gives us some good things — a few benefits that just may help allay some of those concerns. Learn more about 3 of those benefits,
How Do You Know When You Can Retire?- Season 5: Episode 8
Managing Your Financial Future

How Do You Know When You Can Retire?- Season 5: Episode 8

April 20, 2021

If you’ve been planning on working until a certain age (62? 65? later?), but you find that you are a) overwhelmed by stress at work, and b) a number of years short of that “required” age, are you still able to retire? This is a question that financial advisors and planners deal with every day. How do you know when you’re really able to hang it all up? Maybe your portfolio balance hasn’t reached the number you’ve always figured was the minimum amount you’d need. There’s a chance, given certain generous tax laws and some basic strategy techniques, that you may be able to retire well before you thought you could.
Annuities 101: Understanding the Basics- Season 5: Episode 7
Managing Your Financial Future

Annuities 101: Understanding the Basics- Season 5: Episode 7

April 13, 2021

Of all the financial products available to consumers, it is the annuity that is perhaps the most misunderstood. The initial concept of the annuity — you give money to an insurance company, they pay you some, or all, of that money back (and maybe more) over time — is rather simple. But over they years they’ve become more complex, with more features, more options, and (yes) in some cases, more fees. Whether an annuity is suitable for you will depend on many factors. But it’s never a good idea to own an annuity (or anything else) without understanding what you’re getting and why it’s been recommended to you.

Do You Really Owe Taxes When You Give Someone a Gift?- Season 5: Episode 6
Managing Your Financial Future

Do You Really Owe Taxes When You Give Someone a Gift?- Season 5: Episode 6

April 6, 2021

Have you heard of the “Gift Tax?” Many people are at least familiar with the term, but relatively few know how, when, or where it might be applied. You probably give gifts all the time: some small, some not so small, and some maybe quite large, as for example a downpayment on a home for your son or daughter.  Generosity certainly has its benefits, but is there also a tax that someone should be paying? The answer is both yes and no. And it all depends on a few factors. Knowing how the gift tax works can be especially helpful when it comes time to pass your assets down to your heirs, and if you’re worth a lot of money, it’s even more vital that you understand how it works.