Many people aren’t sure how they’re supposed to manage their pension. It seems like there’s some kind of “to do” list associated with your pension – but it may not feel as cut-and-dry as your 401(k), where you’re able to manage your asset allocation and contributions.
You may have heard that some retirees look toward pension maximization as a strategy to get the most out of their pension – both for them and for their spouse. Pension maximization has some clear benefits, but it might not be the solution for everyone. Let’s explore how this strategy operates in the real world, and how you can determine whether or not it’s right for you.
Have you ever wondered what will happen to your pension if your company goes bankrupt? It may seem like a distant possibility, which is possibly why you haven’t considered it before. But in 2018, a wide range of companies filed for bankruptcy – including Toys R Us, Sears, David’s Bridal, and others.
A pension, or defined-benefit plan, is a post-employment benefit offered to employees by employers. They’re one of the many ways that an employer can offer incentive for their employees to stick around for the long-haul. By showing you (the employee) that they (your employer) are invested in you and your successful retirement, you’re more likely to stay with the company long-term.
I wanted to write something that stood out from the noise. I’m not a cynic. I believe in resolutions, and I really trust that 2019 can be your best financial year yet. But in order to achieve that, we need to talk about bite-sized, actionable steps that will help to get you there.
The gig economy is a relatively new concept, but research shows that by 2020 nearly 40% of the workforce will be involved in “gig” work in some capacity. While this can be intimidating for some who have been exclusively full-time corporate employees, it’s actually a trend that has some huge benefits for pre-retirees (and current retirees!).
The holiday season often pushes us to take time for gratitude in many areas of our lives. There’s more time spent with family and friends. There are more opportunities to take time to truly think about the things in life that you’re grateful for.
As an executive, you may be feeling the pressure when it comes to putting together an estate plan. Although this financial “to do” is on everyone’s checklist, you’re in a unique situation because of the unique way many executives are compensated. Your wealth may be tied up in equity – whether that means a stock option compensation plan, RSUs, RSAs, etc. This form of wealth can be tricky to transfer to your beneficiaries when you die without being forced to pay 40%+ in taxes to the IRS.
Did you know that almost 60% of Americans don’t have an estate plan? This presents a huge financial problem for anyone who wants to continue to grow their wealth, create family wealth, or to use their money in a way that leaves a legacy long after they’re gone.
Most of the articles you read about finding a financial planner today discuss whether or not the advisors you’re interviewing are “fee only.” These articles typically come to the same conclusion – the advisors you’re interviewing should be fee-only. As a fee only advisor myself, I couldn’t agree more with this.
Earlier this year, the Federal Reserve cited Wells Fargo’s “pervasive and persistent misconduct” as reasoning for doling out one of their harshest punishments ever – that Wells Fargo was no longer allowed to expand their business until they took actionable steps to right the many wrongs they’ve done in the past several years. Let’s go over a few reasons that Wells Fargo has endangered their account holders, and what you need to watch for if you’ve chosen to work with them in any capacity in the past.
Target date funds are a go-to retirement investment for many 401(k) plans when an employee doesn’t elect where they’d like their funds to be allocated. Some individual investors looking for an easy way to invest according to their retirement timeline use target date funds, as well. Most people want to simplify their retirement savings as much as possible. The more you can automate your investments to align with your desired retirement date and risk tolerance, the better. Although a target date fund may look like the perfect solution to this dilemma on the surface, it’s important to do a little bit of digging before you commit.