The Retirement “Zone” If you’re considering retirement within the next five years or so, you’re in the retirement “zone.” This is a critical time period during which you’ll be faced with a number of important choices, and the...
read moreSelecting beneficiaries for retirement benefits is different from choosing beneficiaries for other assets such as life insurance. With retirement benefits, you need to know the impact of income tax and estate tax laws in order to select the right beneficiaries....
read moreWhy did you purchase life insurance? Most people buy life insurance to provide a source of income for someone (e.g., a spouse, parent, or child) after they pass. Buying the policy was the first step. Now you’ll need to do a little more work to help the money you...
read moreIf your employment situation changes, you may wonder what to do with your retirement savings at your previous employer. In fact, you have a variety of options when it comes to taking distributions from your employer-sponsored retirement savings plan. This may be a...
read moreYour emergency fund has been established, and you’ve accumulated enough savings to warrant thinking in terms of an investment portfolio. What’s the next step? There’s the DIY approach, where you have an idea of the strategies and rules of the industry and you make...
read moreWhen it comes to “surprise” expenses, the first thought may be a car breaking down, or a sudden medical emergency. However, these aren’t the only expenses that can balloon out of control quickly. There are many unknowns in life, and not everyone ends up with the same...
read moreFor investors, election years should be much like any other year. However, there is sometimes a temptation to try to discern how the political winds may affect investment outcomes. The temptation becomes pronounced in presidential election years, and there is a risk...
read moreDo you ever wonder where your money goes each month? Does it seem challenging to get ahead? If so, establishing a budget can help keep track of how you spend your money and help you reach your financial goals. Examine your financial goals Before you establish a...
read moreWhen it comes to retirement, one of the most common regrets expressed by the recently retired in surveys is not having saved enough. Another regret is spending too much too soon. Although it’s not surprising that some wish they were paid more and were able to save...
read moreAlthough most people recognize the importance of sound retirement planning, they don’t always embrace the work involved. With many investment possibilities, complex rules governing retirement plans, and the unpredictable future of consumer prices, it can be...
read moreArvest is pleased to announce that the Arvest Wealth Management Retirement Plan Consulting team has been named to the 2024 National Association of Plan Advisors’ (NAPA) list of the nation’s top defined contribution (DC) Advisor Teams with assets under advisement of at...
read moreIt’s a fact: People today are living longer. Although that’s good news, the odds of requiring some sort of long-term care increase as you get older. As the costs of home care, nursing homes, and assisted living escalate, you probably wonder how...
read more“Tax efficient” investing means taking steps to minimize losses to taxes in an investment portfolio. However, taxes should not be the primary reason to buy, hold, or sell an investment. Afterall, paying more taxes on an investment that grows substantially can mean...
read moreMany women are working and taking charge of their own retirement planning. What does retirement mean to you? Do you dream of traveling? Pursuing a hobby? Volunteering your time, or starting a new career or business? Simply enjoying more time with your grandchildren?...
read moreThe earlier you make your IRA contributions, the longer they will grow. So, under that theory, you should have made your IRA contributions for tax year 2023 at the beginning of 2023. However, not everyone has the luxury of having the money ready to invest right away....
read moreAccording to the Investment Company Institute’s 2023 handbook, as of the beginning of 2023, some $33.6 trillion worth of assets had been earmarked for retirement. That seems like a mind-boggling amount of assets. However, running out of money in retirement is the...
read moreThe tax deferral accorded to IRAs and qualified retirement plans has helped to push total retirement resources in the USA to $33.6 trillion at the end of 2022 (Investment Company Institute 2023 Fact Book). Eventually, tax deferral must come to an end. The mechanism...
read moreCaring for your aging parents is something you hope you can handle when the time comes, but it can be very challenging and is often the last thing you want to think about. Whether the time is now or somewhere down the road, there are steps you can take to make the...
read moreEvery year since 2009, during the third week of October (the 17th through the 23rd in 2023), estate planners across the country recognize National Estate Planning Awareness Week. They work to help the public understand the value of estate planning and how it aligns...
read moreMyth: Social Security will provide most of the income you need in retirement. Fact: It’s likely that Social Security will provide a smaller portion of retirement income than you expect. There’s no doubt about it — Social Security is an important source of...
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