by Christina Slavonik, CFP(R) Oh, yes! It’s that time of year again! It's time to list out resolutions or goals that we would like to accomplish this year. There may be some “rollovers” from 2020! One important resolution to add to your list is to be financially fit. It’s not something … [Read more...]
April 2016 Personal Finance Newsletter
Our April 2016 newsletter was sent to email subscribers on April 19 and is now available online. For investing, the newsletter includes an investment market update and a review of the major factors affecting first quarter market performance. The newsletter also covers our perspective on the new … [Read more...]
Investing Consistency Pays Off
If you’ve ever found yourself tempted to stop investing when the market was declining, you now have one more piece of evidence that it’s best to stick with your game plan through good and bad market conditions. A recent study analyzed 7.5 million 401(k) plan participants who participated in their … [Read more...]
May 2013 Personal Finance Newsletter
The May personal finance newsletter is now available. In addition to the introduction of our new staff members Jordan Nightingale and Rachel Songer, it includes financial planning information on understanding your expenses in your 401k as you plan your retirement, how to use payable on death … [Read more...]
January Personal Finance Newsletter
The January 2013 personal finance newsletter is now available. It includes lots of financial planning news and updates. Starting with a review of the 2012 investment year, we also review the details of the fiscal cliff compromise and how it may affect you. In addition, there are articles on … [Read more...]
June 2012 Personal Finance Newsletter
The June newsletter is now available. With the Supreme Court upholding the healthcare law last week, you will want to read the article and watch the video on how the new 3.8% Medicare tax works so you can begin incorporating this into your financial plans if it affects you. Also in this newsletter … [Read more...]
Getting the Most Out of Your Employer Retirement Plan
I will be presenting a free financial planning workshop at the Keller Public Library on Tuesday, March 20 at 6:30 pm. The topic is How to Get the Most Out of Your Employer Retirement Plan. We will cover: How to choose the best funds with the information provided Where to get more … [Read more...]
Small business owners: increase retirement savings with individual 401(k)
If you're self-employed or own a small business, you've probably considered establishing a retirement plan. If you've done your homework, you likely know about simplified employee pensions (SEPs) and savings incentive match plans for employees (SIMPLE) IRA plans. These plans typically appeal to … [Read more...]
Advice Featured in Dallas Morning News
The Dallas Morning News hosts an annual financial planning hotline and web chat to allow readers to get free financial advice from members of the Dallas-Fort Worth Financial Planning Assocation. I've participated in this event for each of the last 3 years, and this year's questions reflected many … [Read more...]
Funding early retirement
Most are familiar with the magic ages of 59 ½ when you can start withdrawing from retirement savings without paying the 10% IRS penalty and 62 when you can start taking social security. But sometimes retirement comes before these ages either voluntarily or involuntarily, and you may need income. … [Read more...]
Paying the Bills: Potential Sources of Retirement Income
Planning your retirement income is like putting together a puzzle with many different pieces. One of the first steps in the process is to identify all potential income sources and estimate how much you can expect each one to provide. Social Security According to the Social Security Administration … [Read more...]
August 2009 newsletter
The August newsletter is now available. It includes information on 2010 social security and medicare numbers for planning purposes, whether creditors can go after your 401(k) and more. To view it, click here. … [Read more...]
401(k) options when you change jobs
If you've lost your job, or are changing jobs, you may be wondering what to do with your 401(k) plan account. It's important to understand your options. What will I be entitled to? If you leave your job (voluntarily or involuntarily), you'll be entitled to a distribution of your vested balance. … [Read more...]
February 2009 Newsletter
The February 2009 KFP newsletter is now available. The topics for this month are: What to do when your employer stops matching your 401(k), working during retirement, college costs update, and your credit score. There's also some information on the Your Money Bus tour stop in D-FW. … [Read more...]
2009 contribution limits announced
On October 16, 2008, the IRS issued news release IR-2008-118 announcing cost-of-living adjustments to dollar limitations for pension plans. Items addressed for 2009 include: Elective deferrals * The annual elective deferral limit for 401(k) plans, 403(b) plans, 457(b) plans, SAR-SEPs, and the … [Read more...]