retirement

A Traditional IRA vs. Roth IRA Example for 2026 In 44 years of helping people plan for retirement, I've never had a stronger preference for one type of IRA than I do today. It has become crystal clear - when it comes to retirement savings - I'd much rather pay tax on the seeds than on the harvest. Let's look at a simple example. Suppose you invest $1,000 per month for 30 years and earn an average annual return of 9% per year. At the end of 30 years, your account could grow to

Three weeks from now, the midterm elections will be behind us. What won't be behind us is the uncertainty that often surrounds the days and weeks leading up to major elections. Investors have strong opinions about what election outcomes could mean for taxes, regulation, interest rates, economic growth, and the stock market. The challenge is that markets don't simply react to who wins or loses. They react to expectations, surprises, and sometimes completely unrelated events. T

I thought it might be useful to occasionally show you how I use annuities to benefit real clients in Toledo and Northwest Ohio. So, here’s an actual planning situation. My client is 70 years young and has roughly $380,000 in IRAs. Social Security and a pension provide the income she needs to live a secure and comfortable retirement. Bank savings and a money market fund provide emergency and opoortunity funds. We’re considering putting $120,000 — about one-third of her IRA mon

Have you won the game? How much longer do you want to keep playing? Are your market based accounts ahead of projections? Is it time to stop playing?

Ohio public pensions, PLOPs and arbitrage. Explore an idea you've never considered for your retirement income plan.

Every month, Ohio families feel the impact of rising household expenses. While we can't control inflation, we can take steps to manage some of our recurring costs. One often-overlooked opportunity is your electric and natural gas supply service. Many Ohio consumers don't realize they may be able to choose their electricity and natural gas supplier through Ohio's Energy Choice program. The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio provides a free comparison tool called Apples to A

Relief comes from not facing important retirement decisions alone.

Compare results for a 70-Year Old with a $100,000 IRA. RMDs and account balances across two types of annuities.

For many Northwest Ohio STRS, PERS, and SERS members, retirement planning becomes an endless search for certainty. Should I pick Option 1 or Option 2? Should I take a PLOP? Should I invest more aggressively? Should I delay retirement another year? The problem is that retirement doesn't offer certainty. It offers confidence. And confidence comes from recognizing what you've already accomplished. You've shown up for work for decades. You've contributed to your retirement

Annuity Decision Process™️

Retirement is a time to enjoy life, relax, and feel secure. If you’re thinking about where to spend your retirement years, you might wonder why so many retirees choose to stay in Northwest Ohio. In fact, 82% of retirees in this region decide to stay put. What makes Northwest Ohio so special for retirees? Let’s explore the top three reasons that make this area a favorite for those enjoying their golden years. Eye-level view of a peaceful lakeside park in Northwest Ohio with be

Purchase the Right Annuity for You - Not the One You Are Being Sold Take the time to review options from several annuity providers. It is your money, after all. Savvy buyers approach annuity decisions with confidence and precision. Annuities can offer tax deferred growth and a dependable income stream for retirement, yet their complexities demand a clear understanding. Here are three pivotal questions that discerning annuity buyers ask before committing. 1. What type of annu

When you think about your retirement investments, you probably want a mix that balances growth and safety. Balanced funds, target-date funds, and "set it and forget it" allocations are popular choices because they promise simplicity and steady results. But there’s a hidden risk many retirees don’t see: bond exposure. This hidden bond exposure can limit your flexibility and may shortchange your long-term results. Let’s explore why these three common investment approaches mi

Discover a conservative way to generate the retirement income you want - and free up dollars for additional liquidity.

A happy couple walk along the Maumee River.

Do the issues raised by Bloomberg raise risks for current retirees?

Stock markets are at all-time highs in the US. The Dow Jones Industrial Average trails the other major indexes, up only 18% in the past...

NOTE: This blog article is intended primarily for someone who already owns a Fixed Index Annuity. However, it will also be helpful for...

I understand that you can't leave your current broker or financial advisor easily. They do have all your money, and it is "allocated"....

Some people like numbers, calculating and figuring. Their brains are wired to look at choices that involve numbers well. These folks...