Understandably, financial professionals and their clients often focus on potential returns and projected income in retirement. In addition to leveraging traditional investments and employer-sponsored plans, clients are encouraged to strategize their timing for claiming Social Security.
A lot of emphasis is placed on calculating Social Security benefits as part of a retirement strategy. And rightly so.
The unemployment rate has remained below 4% for the last year or more, emphasizing the labor shortage that continues to be a pain point for organizations looking to fill open positions.1 Wanting to stand out from the competition, some employers are strengthening their benefits packages to include flexible work environments as well as better salaries and health benefits.
The turn of the calendar from one year to the next often brings with it New Year's resolutions. In addition to improved health, making better financial decisions often tops people’s lists.
The transition from working to retirement impacts just about every facet of a person’s life — yes, even taxes. So, as plan participants prepare to embark on their post-career lives, it’s reasonable to expect them to have new questions about tax implications of retirement account withdrawals.
After a lifetime spent saving, investing, and diversification, with retirement, the participant’s goal may not have changed, but their strategy will. They most likely still aim to achieve a financially secure retirement; but now, they face the challenge of transforming savings and investments into an income stream.
As we embark on another new year, many have been curious about the cost of living adjustments (COLA) they’ll see for 2024. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has made the updates available, and these adjustments have the marks of the current inflation crisis all over it.
Financial professionals and plan sponsors are often well aware of the pitfalls of taking Social Security too soon. But are your plan participants?
Diversification is a common investment strategy for many. Not only are workers encouraged to diversify within a portfolio, many will need to rely on a diverse range of income sources in retirement.
Social Security has long been a relied-upon source of income for retirees. As you meet with plan participants, you may need to have different conversations with women than you do with men, especially when it comes to exploring the role of Social Security benefits in their retirement strategy.
