Resources and Links

No Guarantees for Retirees
January 30, 2012, 12:29 pm

I recently read an article that suggested Social Security benefits, company pensions, and insurance annuity contracts provided a dependable, even guaranteed, income for retirees.  I beg to differ. Risks and uncertainties exists that can quickly derail that confidence.

In today’s economic environment, there are very few guarantees. It would be unwise to enter your retirement years with the assumption that income from any source that you do not control will always be available to provide for your financial security.

 

Pay Off the Mortgage or Invest?
January 23, 2012, 9:50 am

With uncertainty surrounding our investment markets, homeowners with cash are questioning whether to pay off their mortgage or invest the extra dollars. The answer depends on your mortgage rate and your inclination to hold debt.

Because no one can predict the returns that investors will receive over the next ten years, it is impossible to say with great certainty which strategy is better for a homeowner with extra cash.  However, there are two ways to consider this question.  One is purely financial and the other is based on your personal feelings regarding debt. 

 

Start Your 2012 Tax Planning Now
January 10, 2012, 10:43 am

Make plans now and take action to reduce your 2012 taxes.  Pre-tax savings and taking capital gains at this year’s lower rate can make a difference.  And, if you are over 70 ½ years of age, it may make sense to delay taking your IRA minimum distribution until later in the year.

Taxpayers often wait until close to year-end to consider what they can do to reduce income taxes.  Unfortunately, at that time, you are limited in what can be accomplished.  However, if you start at the beginning of the year, you have a better opportunity to take advantage of tax reducing strategies.

 

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