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Can I Save Too Much for Retirement?

In Articles, Articles: Kansas City Office, Articles: Salt Lake City Office by Scott Dougan

When it comes to retirement preparedness, countless studies indicate that many baby boomers are woefully unprepared. As a general demographic, they face the grim possibility of struggling with poverty in their later years, or even being unable to retire at all. It’s a sobering reality, but it raises an interesting question to the contrary: can someone actually save too much …

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Long Term Care Insurance and Health Insurance – Not Your Average Topic

In Articles, Articles: Kansas City Office, Articles: Salt Lake City Office by Scott Dougan

For those who are approaching the later stages of life, insurance is a big deal. And with politics endlessly in the news, politicians from all sides continue to debate what’s best for the “average American.” Unfortunately, these discussions often lead to gridlock, fueled by competing perspectives, and a system riddled with flaws. While there may be no straightforward solutions to …

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The New Inheritance Trend

In Articles, Articles: Kansas City Office, Articles: Salt Lake City Office by Scott Dougan

As college costs continue to rise and the job market becomes increasingly tech-driven, many families with young children are feeling the weight of financial uncertainty. The very education their kids need to thrive appears to be slipping out of reach, with alarming stories of graduates burdened by hefty student loans as they embark on adulthood. This situation leaves parents and …

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Timing Your Retirement and Remaining Retired

In Articles, Articles: Kansas City Office, Articles: Salt Lake City Office by Scott Dougan

Retirement means something a bit different to everyone. To some, it’s a financial finish line. To others, retirement represents a transition from paid work to volunteer work. Whatever it means to you and those close to you, retirement happens, whether by choice or by force. As a person nears ‘retirement age’, a litany of decisions arise that must be carefully …

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Client Corner: Retirement is Everything We Hoped it Would Be

In Articles, Articles: Salt Lake City Office, SLC Fall 2024 by Scott Dougan

Toby and I retired 2 1/2 years ago after long careers with the federal government. At first, we were concerned about staying busy, but soon found ourselves taking classes at the U of U, playing pickleball, golfing, hiking, and doing volunteer taxes. Needless to say, our days are filled! We are also determined to live these “go go” years to …

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Service Updates

In Articles, Articles: Salt Lake City Office, SLC Fall 2024 by Scott Dougan

Our Service & Experience Enhancement Project is Complete With your help, we were able to complete our service and experience enhancement project a couple of weeks ago and fully transition to our new investment management platform.  During our annual Advisor’s Summit at the office in Kansas City, our advisors had the opportunity to connect with Head of Sales, Kevin Thornton, …

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2024 Fall Newsletter: Salt Lake City

In Newsletters, Newsletters: Salt Lake City Office by Scott Dougan

It’s hard to believe we are coming up on just the last few months of 2024. I don’t know about you, but this year had flown by faster than any year before. We completed the last of our major remodeling projects here at the ERG office. Just last month a new, more secure front door was installed with a lot …

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Who Is Really Winning At Retirement?

In Articles, Articles: Kansas City Office, Articles: Salt Lake City Office by Scott Dougan

I’d like to share a few important discoveries that we’ve made in our business. This list is actually pretty insightful because it’s one that our clients helped us assemble. Those who invest the most in their planning reap the greatest rewards. People who regret financial decisions can usually point to not having enough information about the decision. Typically, this results from …

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Back to the Basics: Retire Your Debts Before Retirement?

In Articles, Articles: Kansas City Office, Articles: Salt Lake City Office, Back to the Basics, Fall 2024, SLC Fall 2024 by Scott Dougan

Before retirement, most people would like to pay off any remaining debts, so they can feel good going into that next phase of life all tidied-up. That makes a lot of sense, both financially and psychologically. In a recent meeting, we not only discussed this but put a plan together that was well received by the family, so we thought …

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Briefcase Study: Pairing Retirement Needs with Retirement Assets

In Articles, Articles: Kansas City Office, Articles: Salt Lake City Office, Briefcase Studies, Fall 2024, SLC Fall 2024 by Scott Dougan

Years ago, I was asked a very specific question by a curious friend: “What’s one piece of advice you’d offer retirees who are concerned about planning their retirement?” It’s a fair question but admittedly difficult to answer without going into a long speech that may be more than he was bargaining for. I shared a number of thoughts, but here’s …