The 2023 Q1 financial planning newsletter is now available. It includes highlights of the Secure Act 2.0 and how it will affect you, as well as student loan and investment market updates. In addition, we cover 2023 retirement plan contribution limits and tax season reminders. Please click here to … [Read more...]
Accessing Cash in Retirement
There is a lot of information available on how to save and invest for retirement. Investors select an asset allocation and learn what accounts to contribute to. But what about in retirement? We are still invested, but instead of saving, we need to spend some of our savings. How much should we have … [Read more...]
Financial Planning January 2021 Newsletter
The first quarter financial planning newsletter is now available. We all have a heightened awareness of the uncertainty of life right now, so our goal for the newsletter is to provide some reassuring insight and perhaps some actionable ideas. The newsletter includes: Friendly financial … [Read more...]
How to Become Financially Fit in 2021
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...]
December 2020 Financial Planning Newsletter
Our December 2020 financial planning newsletter is now available. It includes year-end financial planning tips from Lead Planner Patty Priddy. What a year 2020 has been! For most people, it is one for the books, or in the infamous words of Mr. Miyagi in Karate Kid, it is a year we want to “Wax … [Read more...]
Real-World Retirement Planning Workshop
Jean Keener, CFP®, CRPC®, will present on real-world retirement planning as part of the Fort Worth Public Libraries Money Smart Week. She’ll cover tax-efficient ways to save for retirement, determining if you’re financially ready to retire, and how to safely transition to spending your retirement … [Read more...]
2020 SECURE Act Changes to IRAs and Required Minimum Distributions
The SECURE Act stands for Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement. It was signed into law on December 20, 2019 and most provisions went into effect on January 1, 2020. Lawmakers mostly focused on enhancing options and eligibility for retirement plans. However, one significant change … [Read more...]
April 2017 Financial Planning Newsletter
Our April financial planning newsletter is now available. It covers an update on the investment markets for first quarter, along with our perspective on current market valuations. In addition, we give you the most important retirement plan and tax limits for 2017 -- if you haven't already reviewed … [Read more...]
October 2016 Financial Planning Newsletter
The October Financial Planning newsletter is now available. In addition to an investment market update, it includes an update on the social security cost-of-living adjustment, tips on inheriting an IRA, a third quarter investment summary, year-end tax tips and more. To read the newsletter, click … [Read more...]
July 2016 Personal Finance Newsletter
Our July newsletter is now available. On investing, it includes a second quarter investment market review and our commentary on why fears about Brexit may be overblown. In addition, it covers the highlights of the June 2016 Social Security and Medicare Trustees' Reports and a Q&A on how the … [Read more...]
Major changes in social security strategies for retirees
As a result of the budget bill passed last week, two social security strategies that we've recommended to many clients over the years are no longer available or significantly limited. File and Suspend The strategy involves one spouse filing an application for retirement benefits when he or she … [Read more...]
August 2015 Personal Finance Newsletter
The August 10, 2015 personal financial planning newsletter is available online. It includes information on qualified longevity annuities, frame-of-reference risk for investing, and investing in China. If you'd like to receive the newsletter as soon as its published, please enter your contact … [Read more...]
May 2015 Personal Finance Newsletter
The May 2015 personal finance newsletter is now available. It covers several personal financial planning topics including why consuming too much financial journalism may be hazardous to your long-term financial health. There's also information on how divorce affects your social security and … [Read more...]
Fall Retirement Planning Workshops Announced
Our fall schedule for retirement planning workshops at the Keller Public Library has just been released. The series is entitled Countdown to Retirement and is designed for individuals and couples within 5 – 10 years of retirement. During the workshop sessions you will learn about the tools and … [Read more...]
August 2014 Personal Finance Newsletter
The August 2014 Personal Finance Newsletter is now available. It includes a year-to-date investment market update, plus thoughts on why we shouldn't fear a correction. In addition, we highlight 10 tax breaks that haven't been extended yet for 2014 and why you may wish to consider a Roth IRA for … [Read more...]
Social Security Benefits for Children
Your child--whether he or she is your biological child, adopted child, or stepchild--may be able to receive Social Security monthly benefits based on your earnings record if you're receiving disability or retirement benefits from Social Security, or in the event of your death. These often overlooked … [Read more...]
Personal Finance Newsletter for December
The December financial planning newsletter is now available. It covers several tax items: Year-end tax planning tips for 2013 including new taxes to be aware of for higher income tax payers IRS regulations affecting legally married same-sex tax payers for 2013 In addition, we have … [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...]
November/December Personal Finance Newsletter
The November/December Personal Finance Newsletter is now available. It includes information on the 2013 retirement plan limits and an update on investment market performance. There are also two articles relevant to the fiscal cliff negotiations -- a review of the considerations in harvesting long … [Read more...]
Keller Retirement Planning Workshops 2013 Schedule
I'm pleased to announce the schedule for my first quarter 2013 Keller Personal Finance Workshops. The series is entitled Countdown to Retirement and is designed for individuals and couples within 5 – 10 years of retirement. January, Part I: Creating your Retirement Plan This session will … [Read more...]
May 2012 Personal Finance Newsletter
The May 2012 personal financial planning newsletter is now available online. If you've been waiting for it's arrival, you may want to sign up to receive it through email on the same day it's sent to clients and friends. Sign up is available at https://keenerfinancial.com/about. The May … [Read more...]
March 2012 Personal Finance Newsletter
The March 2012 personal finance newsletter is now available and covers several personal finance topics. For retirement planning, we look at your options when you inherit an IRA. For debt management, we cover how to pay down credit cards without hurting your credit. For investing, we look at … [Read more...]
Pay Yourself First
For the past three years, I’ve taught the Junior Achievement personal finance course to one of Ms. Turner’s economics classes at Keller High School. In the very first session each semester we talk about the concept of Pay Yourself First. It’s an idea the high school seniors easily embrace as they … [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...]
Maximizing Social Security Survivor’s Benefits
When you think of Social Security, you probably think of retirement. However, Social Security can also provide much-needed income to your family members when you die, making their financial lives easier. Your family may be entitled to receive survivor's benefits based on your work record When you … [Read more...]
Your Retirement Savings Game Plan
I will be offering a free Keller retirement planning workshop at the public library on Tuesday, April 19. There are many uncertainties in saving for retirement right now. Even if you never plan to retire, planning for that day when work becomes optional still carries a lot of unknowns. In this … [Read more...]
How to Structure Retirement Income
I'm providing a free personal finance workshop at the Keller Public Library on Tuesday, March 15 at 6:30 pm on Structuring Your Retirement Income. This retirement income workshop is designed for residents of Keller and surrounding areas who are in or near retirement. Investing for retirement … [Read more...]
Social Security File-And-Suspend Strategy
If you're married and looking for opportunities to increase retirement income, you may want to look closely at your Social Security benefits. One opportunity for maximizing Social Security income, called "file-and-suspend," may enable a married couple to boost both their retirement and survivor's … [Read more...]
March 2010 Newsletter
The March 2010 Newsletter is now available. It includes an investment market update, Part II in my series on how to tap into your home equity in retirement, considerations in evaluating an early retirement offer, information on 2009 tax deduction for 2010 Haitian relief contributions, 2011 tax rate … [Read more...]
Pension Max: Is it right for you?
If you’re near retirement and have a pension, you may be considering a pension max strategy. With all the variables involved, it can be challenging to determine if it’s really in your best interest. First – what is pension max? Pension max is used by married couples to increase their net … [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...]
Quoted in Dallas Morning News on 2010 Roth conversions
I had the opportunity to talk with Pamela Yip, personal finance columnist at the Dallas Morning News, a couple weeks back about 2010 Roth IRA conversions. Her article provides a good synopsis of the changes for 2010, and quotes me on when conversion makes the most sense. Click here to read the … [Read more...]
Who should consider Roth conversion
Given the historic opportunity of 2010 to spread the tax payment over 2 years in 2011 and 2012, everyone with a traditional IRA should take at least one look at Roth IRA conversion for next year. It is most beneficial to you when all of these apply: You'll pay the resulting "conversion" tax … [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...]
Retiring Later Boosts Social Security Benefit
The following chart illustrates how the age you begin receiving benefits can greatly affect the amount of income you receive from Social Security every month. The chart assumes a full retirement age of 66, and a base benefit at full retirement age of $2,000 (which is nearly the maximum Social … [Read more...]
Social Security Myth Debunked
Question: Help! I'm 62 and my income is declining. Should I take social security now to lock in my benefits? Quick answer: this is not a good reason to take social security early. Social security uses your highest 35 years in calculating your benefit. They index the years before age 60 for … [Read more...]
April 2009 Newsletter
The April 2009 newsletter is now available online. It includes an update on market conditions, plus information on the Cobra subsidy, writing off worthless securities on your taxes, an estate planning pitfall to avoid, a conversation for parents about saving for retirement vs. college, and a how-to … [Read more...]
Retirement V. College
So many parents struggle with the dilemma of whether they should prioritize saving for kids' college or their own retirement. Some parents believe that children benefit the most from being responsible for their own college funding through personal work, savings, scholarships, and borrowing to get … [Read more...]
Working During Retirement
Planning on working during retirement? If so, you're not alone. An increasing number of employees nearing retirement plan to work at least some period of time during their retirement years. Why work during retirement? Clearly, if you work during retirement, you'll be earning money and relying less … [Read more...]
Annuities: Retirement Income Option
Everyone like a guarantee. Unfortunately, in the financial services industry they're few and far between. And those that are available often come with a steep price -- if you can even figure out what the price is. As you know, I don't sell any products or accept commissions on products I … [Read more...]
December 2008 Newsletter
The December Newsletter is now available. Click here to view the newsletter. … [Read more...]
Year End Tax Planning Techniques
Many tax provisions that had already expired or were scheduled to expire at the end of the year were extended as part of the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008, signed into law on October 3, 2008. Included in the list of extended provisions is an additional one year alternative minimum tax … [Read more...]
2009 Key Numbers
This document is a really handy reference. If you look at your finances on any sort of ongoing basis, you may want to print it out and keep it on your desk. It has everything from tax brackets to retirement plan limits, mileage deduction amounts, adoption credits, phase-outs, education tax … [Read more...]
Free Seminar, Jan. 5: Retirement Savings
Where: Keller Public Library (640 Johnson Rd., Keller, TX) When: Monday, January 5, 2009, 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. Limited Space. Reservations Recommended. Call (817) 743-4840 to reserve your seat. Figure out how much you need to save for retirement. Take a realistic look at your progress, and … [Read more...]
Dummies Excerpt Now Available
Investing in an Uncertain Economy for Dummies came out in October this year. The book is by Sheryl Garrett and the Garrett Planning Network, and I am proud to be a contributor. I wrote Chapter 37, Sort Through an Investment's Return. Wiley (the publisher) has now provided the electronic version … [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...]
Free Seminar — Are You Saving Enough for Retirement?
Where: Keller Public Library (640 Johnson Rd., Keller, TX) When: Monday, December 1, 2008, 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. Limited Space. Reservations Recommended. Call (817) 743-4840 to reserve your seat. Take a realistic look at your progress toward a secure retirement. Get the tools to build a solid … [Read more...]