Why Retirement Income Gaps Are So Common
For many retirees, the fear isn’t dying too soon—it’s living too long without enough money. Even diligent savers can discover that Social Security and investments alone may not cover all their expenses. That’s where the concept of an “income gap” comes in.
Your retirement income gap is the difference between what you’ll need to live comfortably and the reliable income you’ll have coming in.
According to the Employee Benefit Research Institute, only about 1 in 3 retirees feel “very confident” their savings will last their lifetime. This lack of confidence usually comes down to not knowing how big their income gap really is—or how to close it. Read More
Why October Matters for Your Finances
Every October, National Financial Planning Awareness Month serves as a reminder to pause, reflect, and take action on your long-term financial goals. Just as people use spring for “cleaning up” their homes, October is a chance to organize your financial life before year-end.
For retirees and those approaching retirement, this awareness month is more than just a calendar event—it’s an opportunity to evaluate whether your plan for income, taxes, insurance, and investments is truly built to last a lifetime.
At SafeMoney.com, we created this article to answer the most common questions retirees and pre-retirees have about financial planning, retirement income strategies, and how new laws, taxes, and market conditions can impact your nest egg.
What Is Financial Planning Awareness Month?
National Financial Planning Awareness Month was established to highlight the importance of setting financial goals, creating a strategy to reach them, and making sure your plan stays on track as life changes. Read More
Over the next decade, the United States will experience one of the largest financial shifts in history—what experts call “the Great Wealth Transfer.” Baby Boomers, those born between 1946 and 1964, are beginning to pass on their assets to younger generations.
It’s estimated that $68 to $84 trillion will change hands by 2045, with most of that happening in the next ten years. For families, this shift will bring both opportunities and challenges. Preparing now can make the difference between building a stronger legacy—or watching wealth disappear to taxes, fees, or disputes.
What Is the Great Wealth Transfer?
The Great Wealth Transfer refers to the massive movement of assets—savings, investments, businesses, and property—from Baby Boomers to their heirs. This includes:
- Retirement accounts like 401(k)s and IRAs
- Life insurance proceeds
- Real estate (homes, vacation properties, investment rentals)
- Family-owned businesses
- Stocks, bonds, and other investments
- Personal savings and valuables
Baby Boomers currently hold over half of U.S. household wealth, and as they age, that wealth will steadily move to children and grandchildren. Read More
Introduction
In today’s uncertain financial environment, many people rely on 401(k)s, IRAs, and stock market investments to build wealth. However, these traditional methods come with risks—market volatility, government restrictions, and unexpected tax liabilities.
What if there was a way to grow wealth predictably, access your money anytime, and bypass banks for major purchases—all while protecting your financial future? That’s where the Bank On Yourself concept comes in. Read More
Understanding Financial Education
Financial education is the foundation of a secure financial future. It involves learning about essential financial principles, such as saving, investing, retirement planning, and risk management. Unfortunately, many Americans lack basic financial knowledge, leaving them vulnerable to poor financial decisions that can impact their long-term well-being.
With increasing economic uncertainty and market volatility, financial education is more critical than ever. It empowers individuals to make informed decisions, avoid financial pitfalls, and build lasting wealth. At SafeMoney.com, we believe in providing consumers with the knowledge they need to make sound financial choices—especially when it comes to retirement planning, annuities, and wealth preservation. Read More
What is Holistic Financial Planning?
Holistic financial planning is a comprehensive and evidence-based approach to managing your finances, ensuring that all aspects of your financial life work in harmony. Unlike traditional financial planning, which often focuses on isolated goals like investment growth or retirement savings, holistic financial planning takes a big-picture view of your financial well-being. It integrates everything from income management and wealth accumulation to tax strategies, estate planning, and even emotional financial well-being.
By considering every aspect of your financial life, this approach helps individuals and families build sustainable wealth while preparing for life’s uncertainties. Read More
Planning for retirement can feel overwhelming—especially when you’ve spent years working hard and now want to enjoy the fruits of your labor. With so many financial advisors available, it’s important to choose one who truly has your best interests at heart. For many boomers and seniors, working with an independent financial professional can offer a level of personalized, unbiased advice that is essential for a secure retirement.
In this article, we’ll explore the differences between independent financial professionals and captive advisors, and explain why an independent advisor might be the right choice for your retirement planning needs.
Understanding the Difference
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As we step into 2025, the IRS has implemented several updates to tax rates, retirement contributions, and savings account limits, reflecting inflation adjustments and evolving economic considerations. For individuals, families, and businesses, staying informed about these changes is essential to optimizing tax strategies and retirement planning. Here’s a comprehensive guide to the most critical updates for 2025 compared to 2024. Read More
Why More Retirees Are Returning to Work and How to Navigate It
The traditional view of retirement is changing, with more retirees choosing to “unretire” and return to the workforce. Whether driven by financial necessity, personal fulfillment, or the desire for continued engagement, unretirement offers opportunities to supplement income, stay active, and find purpose. In addition to part-time jobs and consulting roles, strategies like life insurance and annuities are becoming popular tools for generating reliable income in retirement. Let’s explore why retirees are unretiring and how they can maximize their financial security with these options.
Why Are Retirees Choosing Unretirement?
1. Financial Pressures
One of the most common reasons retirees return to work is the fear of outliving their retirement savings. Rising healthcare costs, inflation, and longer life expectancies often create financial strain, even for those who planned ahead. While unretirement offers an income boost, retirees can also use life insurance and annuities to help manage their finances.
- Solution: An annuity can provide a steady stream of income that helps supplement part-time work or freelance jobs. Fixed and indexed annuities, in particular, offer stability because they can deliver guaranteed lifetime payments, which ensure retirees don’t run out of money no matter how long they live. By pairing unretirement with an annuity, retirees can balance fluctuating earnings from work with a reliable, predictable income.
2. Desire for Purpose and Engagement
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Navigating Market Volatility: Safe Investment Strategies for Uncertain Times
In today’s rapidly changing economic landscape, market volatility has become a common concern for many investors. Whether driven by global events, economic data, or shifts in market sentiment, periods of uncertainty can make even the most experienced investors uneasy. However, with some thoughtful strategies, you can better prepare your portfolio to weather these turbulent times. This article provides an overview of some common strategies that are often discussed by financial experts when considering how to navigate uncertain markets.
Understanding Market Volatility
Market volatility refers to the frequency and magnitude of price changes in financial markets. While some level of volatility is normal, sharp and unpredictable movements can cause anxiety. Factors like geopolitical tensions, inflation worries, and changes in monetary policy can all contribute to increased market fluctuations. Understanding these dynamics is the first step in considering how to manage your investment strategy.
1. Diversify Your Portfolio
Diversification is a commonly recommended strategy that involves spreading investments across a variety of asset classes to help reduce exposure to any single risk. This approach is often suggested to help manage risk during volatile periods.
- Mix of Assets: A diversified portfolio might include a mix of stocks, bonds, real estate, and commodities. Stocks can offer growth potential, while bonds and other fixed-income assets can provide more stability.
Sector and Geographical Diversification: Experts often suggest diversifying not just by asset class, but also by sector (e.g., technology, healthcare) and geography (domestic vs. international) to mitigate risks associated with any single market or sector downturn.
- Consider Annuities as a Bond Alternative: Annuities can provide a predictable, guaranteed income stream, making them an appealing alternative to bonds for some retirees. Unlike government bonds, which can be subject to interest rate risks and other concerns, annuities offer a more stable income source, helping to protect against market volatility.
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