401k

The SECURE Act And How It Can Impact Your Retirement

The Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement (SECURE) Act was signed into law on December 20th, 2019, in an effort to expand retirement plan access and boost savings at a time when most Americans are under-prepared for the challenges of retirement.

The law is quite expansive, affecting many areas of the retirement landscape. Click to read more for a few highlights of the changes that will impact Retirees and Savers.

2020 Contribution Limits: Maxing Out Your Retirement Savings

On November 6, 2019 the IRS announced changes to the maximum amount employees can contribute to their 401(k) plans, increasing from $19,000 to $19,500 for the 2020 tax year. The catch-up contribution for employees over 50 years old was also increase from $6,000 to $6,500. For SIMPLE IRA plans, the maximum employee contribution was raised…

Who gets paid when you invest? (and why that matters!)

Schwab recently announced that the company would be reducing commissions on U.S. and Canadian stocks, ETFs and options from $4.95 to $0.

The announcement enticed other competing firms to also reduce or eliminate commission charges on stocks, ETFs and options. With companies not charging commissions on trades any more, you might be inclined to ask:

So how are they making money?

What is Asset Allocation?

Asset Allocation is one of the most important factors in investment returns; at least as, if not more, important than market timing and security selection (collectively called active management). When you hire an investment manager to manage your investment accounts, you’re paying for (active) management of your portfolio AND asset allocation. BUT when you hire…

Why Financial Planning?

Hans and Franz have never done something like this, but they think ,”How hard could it be?” They’ve got a good amount of money saved up and some pre-packed snacks. So they head to the rental car place, pack up their stuff, drive off the lot and hit the road. “Let’s drive the coast! It looks amazing,” they say, and off they go…