When someone inherits an IRA, one of the first questions is: “Can I just leave it alone and let it keep growing?” The rules changed under the SECURE Act. Many inherited IRAs must now be distributed within 10 years, and depending on the situation, annual withdrawals may also apply. That can create unexpected tax consequences if withdrawals aren’t planned carefully. Waiting until year 10 to withdraw everything can sometimes lead to a large tax bill depending on your circumstances. If you or someone in your family inherits a retirement account, understanding these rules can make a big difference. 🎥 Watch the video for a brief explanation below.

When you have a child, one of the first things that changes—outside of your daily routine—is your financial picture.From estate planning and guardianship considerations to life insurance, employee benefits, tax strategies, and college savings planning, there are several areas many growing families choose to review during this stage of life.A lot of parents focus on one item, like opening a 529 plan, but often the bigger conversation is how all the pieces fit together—especially when cash flow, childcare costs, or changes in work schedules start to shift the household budget.If you’re expecting or recently welcomed a child, taking time to understand these areas can be an important step in protecting and providing for your family.🎥 Watch the video for a brief explanation below.

People are making a tax decision in their 401(k) every single paycheck… and many don’t even realize it.The choice between Roth and pre-tax contributions can impact taxes, retirement income, and long-term flexibility over time.For some individuals, Roth contributions may make sense earlier in their career, while pre-tax contributions may become more valuable during higher earning years. In many cases, having a mix of both can create flexibility later on.One thing many people don’t realize is that most 401(k) plans automatically default to pre-tax contributions. So unless you’ve reviewed your elections, there’s a good chance that’s what you’re currently using.🎥 Watch the video for a brief explanation below.

You can average a 6% annual return in retirement and still have a very different outcome depending on when those returns occur.That’s the idea behind sequence-of-returns risk and it becomes especially important in the years immediately before and after retirement.In this example, two retirees each start with $500,000, withdraw $35,000 per year, and experience the exact same investment returns over 10 years, just in the opposite order.After 10 years:Investor A: $337,734Investor B: $485,532That’s nearly a $150,000 difference, despite both experiencing the same average annual return.The difference? Timing.As you transition from accumulating assets to relying on your portfolio for income, managing when and where withdrawals come from can become just as important as investment performance.This video explains sequence-of-returns risk and why it should be considered when building a retirement income strategy.

Social Security can be a major piece of retirement income planning but deciding when to claim isn’t always straightforward.You can begin benefits as early as age 62, wait until your full retirement age, or delay until age 70. Each choice can have a meaningful impact on the monthly benefit you receive for the rest of your life.The right decision isn’t simply about maximizing a monthly check. Your other retirement income, taxes, employment plans, life expectancy, and marital status should all be part of the conversation.If you’re approaching retirement and wondering how Social Security fits into your overall plan, please reach out to our team so we can help you evaluate your options.

Do you know who your beneficiaries are and when was the last time you reviewed them?Beneficiary designations are an important part of your overall estate plan. Retirement accounts, life insurance policies, and annuities generally pass directly to the beneficiaries on file, which means outdated designations can have unintended consequences.Major life events such as marriage, divorce, the birth of a child or grandchild, or the death of a loved one are all good reasons to review your beneficiaries.Keeping your beneficiary designations current is a simple but important part of making sure your assets ultimately pass according to your wishes.