For those that will turn age 66 on or before April 30th, 2016, there is still an opportunity to take advantage of the “File and Suspend” strategy of Social Security benefits. Before the new Social Security filing laws were passed late last year, there was no deadline for anyone who would eventually reach age 66. But that has been changed. So if you will not attain age 66 on or before that date, there is nothing that you can do with this strategy. If you will make … Continue reading
IMPORTANT: Social Security filing changes
a 40 year retirement plan
As a long-time Certified Financial Planner, I have always believed that having a written retirement income (cash-flow) plan is critical to enjoying a long and prosperous retirement. Unless one has many millions of dollars or plans to spend well under their means (perhaps to leave more of a financial legacy to family and/or charities), having a real plan in place can allow you to fully enjoy the rewards of a long career – without worry or undo stress. You’ll know how much you can reasonably … Continue reading
the Four S’s
I made a quick video about the four S’s in my retirement planning practice. Can you guess what each “S” stands for? CLICK BELOW to watch the 60 second video right now: all the best… Mark
Retirement Income Certified Professional® (RICP®)
Well, I did it! I just signed up for a one-year long course to earn the Retirement Income Certified Professional® (RICP®) designation. At about $2,000 (for the 3-course advanced curriculum), this will mean about two hundred hours of coursework/studying plus passing 3 two-hour exams (with additional continuing education requirements for the rest of my career too). This is a big commitment, but one I am excited to make in order to better serve my existing and future clients for years to come. Since its launch three years ago by the … Continue reading
How Much of Your Charitable Donation is Wasted?
Does making your charitable donations do the most good as possible make as much sense to you as it does to me? CLICK BELOW to watch a one minute video that reveals how I check out potential charities to give my hard-earned money to! all the best… Mark