Category: Medicare

Even though retirement is something that many people look forward to, recent findings suggest that a significant proportion of people are unsure about what retirement will be like for them, when they should retire, and how they will pay for it all. These findings indicate a significant disparity between employees’ emphasis on being able to retire comfortably and their confidence in their ability to achieve that aim.

The confidence gap is something that plan sponsors are aware of, and many of them are concerned about the workers’ financial well-being when they reach retirement age.

According to two recent surveys, clients seeking financial and registered investment advisors have similar opinions regarding the significance of retirement income planning as part of an overall financial planning package. This finding suggests that clients and advisors are on the same page regarding this topic.

The American College of Financial Services surveyed close to 400 independent advisors and found that retirement income planning is the area that registered investment advisors (RIAs) most want to become experts in. This was followed by estate planning and advanced tax planning as the areas in which RIAs most wanted to become knowledgeable.

Most Desired Offering

According to the second poll of 1,157 people with investable financial assets of at least $25,000, retirement income planning was the service customers sought the most, regardless of age or gender.

According to the American College of Financial Services, 31.3% of customers chose “understanding how much I can comfortably spend in retirement” as the top service they sought from a financial adviser as the top service they wanted from a financial advisor.

Both consumers and independent advisors place a high value on ongoing education. According to the survey, 49.2% of consumers ranked knowledge as one of the top three characteristics of their advisor, and 27.1% said it was the most important characteristic. Independent advisors also place a high value on education.

Helping in Career

The American College of Financial Services reports that among independent advisers, 58.5% of respondents strongly agreed that the enhanced knowledge that comes with the process of acquiring a financial services certification had helped them better their profession.

According to the survey, 79.4% of the financial advisors agreed that they would not have been able to provide integrated services if it had not been for the knowledge they obtained while working toward such a designation. 

Michael Finke, a professor of wealth management and director for the O. Alfred Granum Center for Financial Security at The American College of Financial Services, stated that continuous learning is critical to the growth and success of investment advisors. When we take a look at the statistics, we notice a definite demand for further education and specialized expertise in planning retirement income. This is precisely what customers want and what advisers in the RIA community think is beneficial.

Contact Information:
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 2129517376

Bio:
M. Dutton and Associates is a full-service financial firm. We have been in business for over 30 years serving our community. Through comprehensive objective driven planning, we provide you with the research, analysis, and available options needed to guide you in implementiong a sound plan for your retirement. We are commited to helping you achieve your goals. Visit us at M. Dutton and Assoiciates.COM. Tel. 212-951-7376: email: [email protected]

The average life expectancy has risen to over 78 throughout the United States, considerably influencing how citizens care for themselves into their golden years. With an influx of aging Americans, the number of people needing long-term care has increased and will only continue to do so. There are near-limitless ways to save for retirement, including 401(k)s, IRAs, HSAs, and more. Long-term care insurance is another way in which retirees can enjoy coverage for in-home care, adult daycare, and more due to chronic health conditions. If you have considered long-term care insurance for yourself or a loved one, there are various questions and considerations before taking the plunge.

The COVID pandemic has dramatically impacted every facet of our world, including health insurance. The rising costs were partly due to the increased pressure and the changing regulations required to keep everyone safe and healthy. In 2020 especially, it was difficult for insurance companies to offer guarantees alongside solutions, which also caused insurance costs to skyrocket. As time marches on, we can expect premiums to increase for new policies, price increases for existing policies, and additional difficulties in attempting to get insurance coverage.

There are many reasons to invest in long-term care insurance, especially when it comes to your age and overall health. If you are currently in excellent health, and getting adequate coverage through a solid plan, chances are your rate will be lower compared to that of others in poor health. Maybe you have recently become a parent or are looking to provide a safety net for yourself and your children. Take time to read the fine print of everything involved with your chosen long-term insurance plan to avoid “use it or lose it” clauses within fine print sections.

Once you begin shopping for long-term care insurance, you will find many policy options that provide death benefits or a cash value upon your death. Essentially, if you find yourself needing care, you will enjoy the necessary coverage or care. However, should you never utilize these benefits, your loved ones can reap the benefits upon your death, highlighting the importance of adding the desired beneficiaries to your plan.

What other details affect your premiums and suitable long-term care insurance options? Gender can affect coverage and cost, although married couples often enjoy lowered premiums due to a marital discount. On the other hand, single women typically pay higher premiums since they experience a long life expectancy compared to their male counterparts and have a higher chance of utilizing said insurance.

Contact Information:
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 2129517376

Marvin Dutton

Author

It’s much easier than you think to lose money in your retirement savings.

Do you want to get the most out of your Social Security benefits? I’d be surprised if you didn’t. It’s only natural to expect more from a pension that will last the rest of your days. The following are six ways to maximize your Social Security benefits.

Verify your earnings history

Your Social Security payout is based on your past work history. Your benefits will be artificially reduced if your earnings history is incomplete.

Your earnings history may be seen by registering for an account with my Social Security. Form SSA-7004 can be used to get a copy of your earnings record from the Social Security Administration (SSA).

Gather your tax returns, pay stubs, or any other proof, and call your local Social Security office if your income is missing from your record.

Compile your “side hustle” earnings

Taxes are due on the money you make from any secondary sources of income. If you fail to declare these earnings, you may face penalties from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Furthermore, you risk a smaller Social Security payout if you don’t declare all your income.

The IRS Form 1040, Schedule C, and Schedule SE commonly record self-employment income. Self-employment taxes, such as those for Social Security and Medicare, are calculated using Schedule SE.

Work for at least 35 years

This method uses an average of your prior wages to calculate your Social Security payment. The 35 years you made the most money are included in this average. If you’ve worked less than 35 years, the average computation utilizes zeros to fill in the missing years of your career.

For example, let’s assume you’ve worked for 30 years and earned $50,000 throughout that time. The 35-year average of $42,860 is based on an assumption of no income for five years. You might expect to earn $50,000 after 35 years of full-time employment, which is the average.

If you can, work for 35 years. In this way, you can avoid years where you have no income, reducing your wages and, as a result, your pension.

Wait until FRA

For Social Security purposes, your Full Retirement Age (FRA) is the age at which you are eligible for your entire pension without any reductions. Your Social Security payout will be smaller if you begin collecting it before your FRA. A percentage decrease is applied for each month your pension is expedited relative to full retirement age (FRA), and this deduction can be as significant as 30%.

Plan your income

Income limitations apply if you work and receive Social Security benefits before your FRA. Similarly, benefits are slashed if you go beyond certain limitations.

With a rise in your taxable income, you may experience a Medicare-related reduction in Social Security benefits. You may be subject to a higher or greater Medicare premium surcharge on your Social Security benefits if your taxable income (including investment income) rises. A Roth conversion or making a substantial investment gain can result in this.

Surcharges are added to your benefit two years after income is generated, making matters even more complex.

If you’re considering a Roth conversion, you might be willing to put up with a short-term reduction in your Social Security benefits in exchange for the long-term benefits. However, in some cases, timing your income may be able to reduce or prevent an additional penalty.

Repay debts

For delinquent obligations, Social Security may garnish your payments. Unpaid taxes, child support, alimony, and student loans to the Department of Education are among such obligations. Court-ordered victims’ restitution is another.

You must appeal garnishments directly with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). It’s preferable to avoid these circumstances if you can, as you’ll almost certainly require the assistance of an attorney.

Contact Information:
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 2129517376

Marvin Dutton

Author

Social Security is a significant part of retirement benefits, even though you may not get as much as you want from it, so it’s essential to make wise choices. The outcomes of your decisions about your Social Security will have an effect on how you live your retirement. 

However, some people count solely on Social Security, not knowing that the benefits are approximately 20,000 dollars a year. Others who are wise retire with some money saved up already – the Social Security benefit can come in afterward as an “extra”.

Therefore, before you start getting your retirement benefits, be sure that you can confidently answer the questions below. 

1. When can I retire for good?

The question you’ll need to answer before getting Social Security benefits is easy to answer. At what point will you be financially confident enough to retire?

The answer varies according to an individual; it could be 65, 68, or between that time. This time is the age where full benefits based on your past earnings can start rolling in.

2. What time is best for you to receive Social Security?

There is no particular best time for everyone to receive Social Security, and the decision solely rests on you. You can start getting your Social Security funds as early as 62, and it could be as late as 70. 

Moreover, receiving the benefits early will cause you to get smaller checks in high quantity while receiving them later will give you an 8% increment until age 70. To help your decision, think about how long you want it to last. Waiting a little longer might be great for people with the gift of long life.

3. How much money do I need to live on when I retire?

The best solution is to plan out your retirement in detail. It would be best to calculate how much money you will need throughout your retirement – you should also figure out how you will get it. You may have to save extensively, rely on a pension, or secure an extra source of income.

When you get a rough picture of the money coming from your Social Security retirement benefit and an estimation of what you can save and get from pensions, you will know how and where to invest in new income sources/businesses. 

You can find an estimate for your future social security benefit by creating an account on the Social Security Administration (SSA) website.

It’s advisable to prepare for retirement, make the most of your Social Security retirement benefits, make more money, save as much as possible, and rest assured of a comfortable retirement.

Contact Information:
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 2129517376

If the insured person passes away, their loved ones are protected by life insurance. The protection offered by term life insurance is fundamental and momentary. The benefits of term life insurance are broken out in this lesson plan.

Insurance on a Term Basis

The coverage period for term life insurance is typically between 20 and 30 years. If the policyholder passes away due to a covered cause while the coverage is in effect, the insurer will pay a death benefit. No reward is paid out if the policyholder passes away.

Several different insurance providers offer term life insurance. Certain employers do not need medical examinations. Policyholders are the ones who decide the coverage they want. It might be a few thousand dollars to pay for the funeral expenses or a million dollars or more. Insurers base the premiums they charge policyholders on the likelihood that the policyholder may pass away. Usually, people who are young and healthy have lower insurance costs. The person who owns the insurance may choose one or more people to receive the death benefit. The death benefit is larger, but the premiums are higher. If the policyholder passes away due to an event covered by the plan at any point during the plan term, the beneficiary will receive the death benefit. Beneficiaries are exempt from paying taxes on this money.

Whole as opposed to Term

There is a significant difference between term and whole life insurance regarding cost, purpose, and coverage. The duration of term policies is not permanent. If the policyholder does not pass away within the policy term, the beneficiary receives no death benefit. Insurance expenses affect premiums. Whole life insurance is more expensive than term life insurance. Value is not added to the currency by term policies. They can neither be cashed out nor invested in. The benefits of whole life insurance are permanent. A death benefit is always paid out if the insurance policy is still current. This is an excellent option for a parent who has a disabled child who will need permanent coverage. There is the potential for cash accumulation with whole life insurance. Investments. Policyholders have the option to borrow against their policies or cash them in.

Permanent vs. Term

Temporary coverage is provided by term life insurance. Permanent life insurance protects the rest of one’s life. The most common kind of life insurance is permanent whole life insurance. The term “universal life” refers to both permanent and temporary life insurance. The security provided by universal life policies is permanent. Nevertheless, both the premiums and the benefits upon death are negotiable. You have the option of using the cash value of your insurance to pay your premiums and increase the amount of the death benefit.

Contact Information:
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 2129517376