Are you planning to retire with a pension and want to make the most of it? Unlike 401(k)s or IRAs, pensions tout income for life. Knowing how to optimize your retirement benefits is crucial. Retirement planning goes beyond monthly checks.
Pension retirements are rare these days. How will you ensure stability, flexibility, and financial freedom? We’ll cover what most people don’t know about retiring with a pension.
Most people spend decades preparing financially for retirement, but very few consider the emotional and mental changes that come with it. Retirement isn’t only about money in the bank. It’s also about identity, purpose, relationships, and planning for the future. Retirement often feels more uncertain and overwhelming than it needs to. The transition out of work is a whole new stage of life with hidden retirement traps that can catch you off guard.
Life will look and feel different when the structure of work is no longer there. Let’s take a look at four challenges that often surprise people after they retire and how to navigate them.
Ever wonder if your financial advisor is missing something important? Most people assume their financial adviser has everything under control. Sometimes, that’s true. But even the most well-meaning advisers can overlook important details. Not because they’re bad at their job, but because philosophies and best practices change. Not every adviser adapts to them.
These blind spots can snowball into setbacks like higher taxes in retirement, unnecessary risk, or missed opportunities you didn’t even know existed. Here’s a look at the most common mistakes financial advisors make and how to spot them before they derail your financial future.
Are you divorced and wondering if you can still get Social Security benefits from your ex? You probably can, and in most cases, they don’t even have to know about it. Social Security divorced spouse benefits don’t require your ex’s consent. This is one of the most misunderstood parts of Social Security. People are letting thousands of dollars go unclaimed because they don’t understand the rules.
Reports show more than 4 in 10 Americans nearing retirement age do not know they can collect Social Security benefits for divorced spouses based on their ex-spouse’s earnings (AARP). Don’t leave money on the table. Being divorced doesn’t automatically rule out Social Security spousal benefits. Here’s a breakdown of the most common questions about divorce spousal benefits. Learn who is eligible, how much you might receive, what happens if you remarry, and how you can apply.
Have you ever wondered what a donor-advised fund is and how you could use it to maximize your charitable giving and tax benefits? There are a few different ways to give to charity. Donor-advised funds (DAFs) or charitable gift funds are one of the most flexible and efficient tools for philanthropy and financial planning. In this post, we’ll break down exactly how DAFs work, how they compare to private foundations, what assets are best to contribute, and the smart strategies you can use to make the most of your giving.
If you’re starting to plan for retirement, you’ve got the right idea. But keep in mind retirement isn’t about reaching a magic number in your bank account. Before you spend another dollar, it’s worth taking a step back. Because the truth is, retirement isn’t just about how much money you’ve saved, it’s about the smart choices you make today. One wrong move could mean pushing retirement further away, or worse, never being able to retire at all.
If you’re charitably minded, you may want to consider how you give, not just how much. Some charitable giving strategies can be more tax-efficient and align better with your financial goals, especially during retirement. In this article, we’ll discuss three ways to approach charitable gifting that you may not have heard of, and which may offer more benefits than simply giving cash. They are gifting stock to charity, gifting your required minimum distribution to charity, and utilizing a charitable gift fund. Keep reading to learn more.
When it comes to estate planning, trusts are powerful tools that can help individuals maintain control, protect assets, and provide for loved ones. However, understanding the different types of trusts for estate planning can feel overwhelming without the right guidance. In this article, we’ll explore four widely used trusts—testamentary, revocable living, irrevocable, and special needs trusts—and clarify how each one functions.
When it comes to wealth and legacy, even the rich and famous can get estate planning wrong—and sometimes in very public and expensive ways. From overlooked documents to poor communication and failed funding of trusts, these missteps often lead to years of legal battles and unintended consequences for heirs.
At Paces Ferry Wealth Advisors, we believe that clear, coordinated planning is essential, regardless of how much money you have. Here’s a look at several high-profile estate planning mistakes and what we can all learn from them.
When it comes to estate planning, how your accounts are titled can have a significant impact on what happens to your assets after you pass away. Certain titling strategies can help you avoid probate, simplify asset distribution, and ensure your wishes are carried out. Others—if not handled properly—can lead to unintended consequences.
In this article, we’ll walk through three common account titling strategies and how each one works:
Keep reading to learn more.
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