Choosing the Right Pension Option: A Lifelong Decision in Disguise One of the most common and consequential decisions facing new retirees is choosing the right pension payout option. If you’re retiring from a company, school district, or municipality, chances are you’ve been handed a list of confusing choices with names like Single Life Annuity, 50% Joint & Survivor Annuity, or PLOP (Partial Lump Sum …
Are You the Family Bank? Here’s How to Turn a Potential Burden into a Blessing Picture this: Your phone rings. It’s a family member – again. You instinctively brace yourself, because this isn’t just a “Hey, how are you?” call. Nope. This is a “Hey, I’m in a bit of a bind and could really use some help” call. And …
If you’ve ever watched sports – whether you’re a die-hard fan or just along for the snacks – you’ve seen it: the buzzer-beater shot, the bottom-of-the-ninth game-winning hit, the nail-biting putt that seals the championship. These are the adrenaline-soaked, slow-motion-replay moments that fill arenas and inspire highlight reels. And if you’re anything like me, you’ve probably thought: “Where are those moments …
Since retiring, my wife and I have found that life hasn’t slowed down one bit – if anything, it’s become busier and more fulfilling than ever. We’ve been embracing new adventures and making the most of our time with family, filling our days with travel, projects, and plenty of grandkid activities. Last year, we embarked on our first guided “old …
How are we already in the last few months of 2025? Boy this year has flown by! Our family has been busy this Fall, mostly with sports (as usual). My son, Michael, is playing on a fall baseball team made up of kids who love the game and don’t play football. He practices a lot, but even the games are …
It’s one of the most important – and frustrating – questions to answer as you approach retirement: “How much will I actually spend?” It seems like something we should all know, but many people realize as they near the finish line that they’re just guessing. This question sits at the core of retirement planning. Your expenses, now and in retirement, determine how …
Why Now is the Perfect Time to Create Your Estate Plan As we approach the end of the year, many of us find ourselves slowing down and spending more time with friends and family. The holiday season naturally leads to conversations about what matters most – our loved ones, our goals, and how we want to provide for those we …
When most people think of financial planning, they imagine spreadsheets, retirement projections, or investment accounts. But a well-designed financial plan does more than grow your net worth; it can improve your health, reduce stress, and even add vitality to your life. Let’s explore how. 1. Financial Planning Reduces Stress and Anxiety One of the most immediate and noticeable health benefits …
We recently helped a widowed client navigate the heartbreaking process of getting her affairs in order after the untimely death of her husband. Naturally, these experiences leave us all a bit raw. So, when I saw these statistics, I was stopped in my tracks: 80% of men die married. 80% of women die single. And among those who live to …
As we round the corner into another fall season, I’m reminded of just how much change we continue to see in the world around us, from economic shifts, geopolitical uncertainties, political movements, market dynamics, and more. It’s a very unique time, and for many retirees or those preparing for retirement, that dynamism can feel like instability. But alongside this movement …
