Financial Planning | With people living longer and benefiting from the long-running bull market, there are more factors to consider in taking required minimum distributions (RMDs) from retirement accounts. The traditional IRA, SEP IRA and 401(k) plans offer tax deductions on contributions and tax-deferred growth on earnings during the accumulation phase, but eventually the government…

Financial Planners | Recently, President Trump bemoaned the inconveniences of low-flow toilets, showers, dishwashers and energy-efficient lightbulbs – all implemented in the wake of government regulation aimed toward conservation efforts. Read further to learn more about Assessing the Role of Government… One issue in the political divide between parties is disagreement about the role of…

Financial Planners | The number of workers older than 64 has increased threefold since 1989. And while working longer may be a marker of good health for some, it’s a necessity for others who need the income. As a result, we may need to rethink our idea of what retirement looks like in the 21st century.…

Financial Planning | The U.S. has enjoyed 10 years of a booming stock market and a growing economy. It’s too early to tell how 2020 will look, but there are some signs that it doesn’t look quite as promising. Between warnings of a possible economic pullback and a contentious presidential election year, investors may want…

Financial Planning | The United States is the second-largest energy consumer on the planet. Over the past dozen years, domestic production of oil and natural gas has grown thanks in part to the innovation of shale extraction. The surge in energy production has been further advanced by lower costs of renewable sources, such as wind…

Retirement Planning |If you’ve been lucky enough to receive employer-subsidized health insurance throughout your career, retirement may be a bit of an eye-opener. Many retirees expect Medicare to cover all their health care expenses, but it doesn’t. You’ll pay a premium for comparable coverage, plus you may have to contribute to deductibles and copays throughout…

South Carolina | As we enter a new year, it’s time to start thinking about smart tax moves to help minimize what you’ll owe Uncle Sam on April 15, 2020. Given the fact that the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act went into effect only last year, taxpayers are still learning the ins, outs and…

Married or single, women are finding that taking an active role in their financial futures is critical. About 80% of married women outlive their husbands, and nearly half of all widows say they wish they’d been more involved in managing their finances when their spouse was alive. Financial Planning | Whether you have a career…

Financial Planning | Three pivotal economic events of 2019 were: (1) the prolonged trade dispute between the U.S. and China; (2) the series of three interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve; and (3) chatter about a possible 2020 recession. Read further to know more about Non-Cyclical Stocks and Their Relationship to the Economy It…