Latest articles by Ken Moraif, MBA, CFP®, CRPC®
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Retirement Planning in a Time of Inflation and High Interest Rates
Today’s challenges make retirement planning even more complicated than usual, but it’s not all doom and gloom.
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When Is the Right Time to File for Social Security?
Some say you should claim your benefits ASAP, while others say wait until 70. The bottom line: What works for someone else might not work for you. Here are some considerations.
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Retirement Planning That May Help You Enjoy Your Second Childhood
Given inflation, rising interest rates and a possible recession, how can near-retirees feel confident that their planning will ensure a fun and secure retirement?
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Can You Protect Your Retirement From Natural Disasters?
Hurricanes, wildfires and floods have wreaked havoc in the U.S. this year. Having a disaster plan in place could help protect you financially in the moment and the aftermath.
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How Does Working Longer Affect Your Social Security Benefits?
social security You probably know you’ll get bigger payments if you stick with your job and wait to claim. But there’s more to it.
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Yes, You Can Collect Social Security from an Ex-Spouse: Here’s How
social security It’s always smart to maximize your Social Security benefits, and if you are divorced, one way to do that might be to take them based on your ex’s earnings record. Here are some of the rules on how that works.
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Over 50 and Furloughed/Unemployed? Five Actions to Consider Now
unemployment Don’t despair, but do plan for the worst.
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We Exited the Stock Market the Day Before the Pandemic Was Declared
investing How we knew to sell, why we think it was smart, and what you can do now.
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Stock Market Losses or Lower Returns: Which Is More Dangerous to Your Retirement?
retirement One eye-opening, simple math equation can clearly show retirement savers the answer to that question, and if you are among those investors who take pride in their high-performing portfolios, you may be surprised.
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How to Calculate the Break-Even Age for Taking Social Security
social security When it comes to maximizing your Social Security benefits, there are many elements to consider. One factor that can be especially enlightening is your Social Security break-even age. Here's how to calculate it, and how it could help you time when you take your Social Security benefits.
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Focus on Protecting Your Nest Egg Once You're Retired
Making Your Money Last How much do you really need to earn on your investments once you retire? Figure it out, and then don't take one more iota of risk than necessary.
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Social Security Spousal Benefits FAQs
social security Answers to some of the most commonly asked questions financial advisers get on spousal benefits, including when to take them and how benefits for ex-spouses work.
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An Easy Way to See If You Have Enough Saved to Retire
retirement Cash flow planning is a crucial part of your retirement plan, and much of it can be boiled down to one math equation.
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Retirement Planning Is Cash Flow Planning
Making Your Money Last Cash flow planning may sound complicated, but what it boils down to is comparing your assets to your expenses over time and identifying periods when you may fall short and when you may come out ahead.
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Medicare Open Enrollment: A 5-Point Checklist
retirement The annual window for making changes to your Medicare health coverage has now opened. It's time to see if your plan is still right for you.
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A Retirement Checklist: 8 Steps to Take Now
Financial Planning Retirement should be like a second childhood … without parental supervision.
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A Pre-Retirement Checklist: 8 Steps to Take Right Now
Making Your Money Last Planning for retirement obviously is a big job, so it helps to break it down into a series of goals that you can check off as you go.
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Myth: Life Insurance is NOT Taxable
insurance The reality is that life insurance is treated as an asset in your estate. And if the payout pushes your estate past federal or state estate tax exclusion limits, it could trigger a hefty estate tax bill. If this is a concern, you may want to consider an irrevocable life insurance trust.
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The Tax-Smart Way to Leave Money to Your Heirs and to Charity
retirement From 401(k)s and IRAs to stocks and bonds, your retirement savings accounts are taxed in different ways. So to make the most of your money, it makes sense to pass certain types of accounts to family and others to charity.
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Living on Your Investments? What Happens When a Bear Market Hits?
investing Investors are often told to "stay the course" even as stock markets go through tough times. However, if you're retired, that advice could put your nest egg in jeopardy.
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Is Passive Investing 'Worse Than Marxism'?
Index Funds A set-it-and-forget-it investing approach is certainly a pretty easy route for retirement savers to take, but it might be contributing to some big problems for portfolios, and even the market itself, down the line.
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The Ins and Outs of Buying Long-Term Care Insurance
Long-Term Care Insurance Think about this coverage not just as insurance for long-term care, but for your retirement nest egg itself. With that in mind, here are some tips.
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The 3 Spending Stages of Your Retirement
Making Your Money Last Popular thinking is that you’ll spend less once you retire, but that’s not what I’ve seen in my own clients, at least in the first few years.
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End the Year Right: 6 Financial Tips for Retirees
retirement How time flies. As the year quickly winds down, it's time to check a few items off your to-do list.
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