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

Relief comes from not facing important retirement decisions alone.

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™️

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

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.

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...

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

Two minute video explains how getting old impacts your IRA accounts.

Do you remember the rest of this 1990's marketing slogan and what company made it famous? Of course, you do! This concise slogan ended in...

I'm not sure which came first when it comes to scrambled eggs and chicken sandwiches. But I know what HAS TO COME FIRST when you are...

Have you heard about indexes that use algorithms or mathematical formulas to guide their asset allocation? No human money manager. A...

A syndicated columnist each year writes about how he allows young trick-or-treaters to choose from two treats. One treat is a small piece...

Two retirees recently told me that they are waiting for 8% before they move their nest egg out of the bank. They both mentioned articles...

Right now, may be one of the roughest times that retirees will have to deal with for a long time. The effects of inflation and market...

Imagine you have a Roth IRA, a 401(k) at work and a brokerage account. A fairly typical situation these days. You are 65-years old and...

Beef Amazon Prime Gasoline Haircut Electricity Let me start the list of pain in the wallet. You go next. Who is asking you for more money...

Inflation runs faster than Social Security increases can keep up.