Spouses, Ex-spouses and Surviving Spouses

As you begin the retirement planning process, it’s important to have a strategic income plan with regard to Social Security benefits. Continue reading →

Assessing your Mortgage Situation in Retirement

When it comes to retirement preparation, a common benchmark goal is having one’s mortgage paid off. This typically removes a large, ongoing payment from the budget and can reduce retirement expenses substantially. Some people even schedule their retirement just after their final payment date. Continue reading →

Why Buy an Annuity When the Market is Up?

Perhaps you are familiar with an annuity. The basic premise is that you convert a lump sum of money into a stream of income. Continue reading →

More Tax Considerations For 2019

According to IRS estimates, taxpayers collectively pay about 82 percent of taxes they legitimately owe. This amounts to about $458 billion annually in lost taxes, based on data from 2008 to 2010. Continue reading →

Companies look to innovative options to hedge insurance risk

Companies are constantly trying to find new ways to reduce their expenses and generate revenue each year; some in quite innovative ways. The insurance industry is no different. Continue reading →

Don’t let presumed costs deter your insurance decisions

The No. 1 reason to purchase an insurance policy is to cover expenses that would otherwise create a financial hardship for you or your family. Continue reading →

Efforts growing to address mental health issues

Although mental illness has long been stigmatized, fortunately, things are beginning to change. Starting this year, dozens of health systems are adopting widespread solutions to address mental health conditions, including untreated depression, teen suicide and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Continue reading →

All About Homeowners Insurance

According to Zurich North America’s chief claims officer, natural hazards are more common and more damaging than in the past. Continue reading →

Notes on Social Security

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) reports that Social Security beneficiaries have lost $6.7 million in two months resulting from a new, highly effective scam Continue reading →

Clients for Life

The first tax-filing season under the new Tax Cuts and Jobs Act has come and gone. If you’re keeping up with the news, you’ll know that a lot of taxpayers have been surprised by their tax refunds this year. Some were pleased, but others found they owed more than they expected. Continue reading →