Financial Education

There are many types of IRAs. But two of the most common are the traditional IRA and the Roth IRA. The type of account you select can have a significant impact on your long-term household savings.

The biggest difference between a traditional IRA and Roth IRA is their classifications in the IRS tax code. A traditional IRA holds the benefit of tax deferral, which means that money going into it has pre-tax status. On the other hand, since a Roth IRA is funded with after-tax dollars, it gives the benefit of potentially tax-free distributions. On top of these differences, both types of accounts have different rules for required minimum distributions.

Because of this difference and others, it’s important to understand the fundamentals behind these two plans. This brief discussion will help you understand their distinctions, their eligibility criteria, and other important factors. Let’s get into it. Read More

Brent Meyer, President and Founder of SafeMoney.com and a wealth brokerage owner, recently joined Protect Wealth Academy (PWA) for an insightful discussion. PWA educates investors on asset protection, tax minimization, and wealth creation. With over 23 years in the financial services industry, Meyer shared his expertise on annuities, life insurance, and retirement planning strategies. He emphasized the importance of planning for a long retirement and offered effective strategies for growth, income, and protection using guaranteed insurance contracts.

Why SafeMoney.com Was Started:

Meyer noticed a gap in accessible, practical retirement planning information.
SafeMoney.com aims to provide unbiased financial education and clarity for consumers.

Common Retirement Myths:

Many believe they are retirement

-ready due to disciplined savings, but longevity risk and inflation can impact their plans.
Fee-based planning can also pose conflicts of interest, as advisors might prioritize fee-generating accounts.

Annuities and Their Role:

Annuities are often misunderstood; they are not investments but transfer-of-risk strategies.
They provide contractual guarantees and should be part of the retirement portfolio foundation.

Effective Wealth Creation Strategies:

Fixed index annuities offer tax-deferred growth without contribution limits.
Cash value life insurance policies provide tax-free income and are useful for minimizing taxes in retirement.

Understanding Life Insurance:

Indexed universal life insurance offers growth potential linked to market indices with protective features like caps and floors.

Common Estate Planning Mistakes:

Procrastination and not considering the impact of taxes can undermine estate plans.
Life insurance can provide liquidity and cover estate taxes, ensuring beneficiaries receive the full estate value.

Preparing for Long-Term Care:

With high costs for nursing homes and in-home care, early preparation is essential.
Life insurance with living benefits can help cover care costs without depleting retirement savings.

Future of Retirement Planning:

Economic conditions and longer life expectancies may drive a shift toward annuities for guaranteed lifetime income.
For more insights and strategies on retirement planning, visit SafeMoney.com and explore their resources.

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Note: This is the fourth part of a month-long series on financial awareness in the U.S., and how investors are planning – or not preparing – for retirement. Here are some important takeaways that are keeping Americans from financial security and peace of mind.

For the first time in a long while, Americans are feeling more stressed than ever. If surveys are any indicator, money concerns are a big part of it. In fact, more Americans are losing sleep over money issues than before the Great Recession.

According to CreditCards.com, 65% of Americans report having insomnia over money issues – a 9-point jump from 56% in 2007. And what accounts for these new, high levels of stress? Here’s a quick look at the sleep killers for Americans in 2017. Read More

Note: This is the second part of a month-long series on financial awareness in the U.S., 401(k) plans, and how investors are planning – or not preparing – for retirement. If you have an employer-sponsored retirement plan, read on for insights on how a lack of financial education can tie into people’s experiences with their 401(k) plans.

Financial Literacy: A Must for Retirement Success

Financial wellness is the ground-spring for a happy and financially secure retirement. As common sense may indicate, this begins with well-informed retirement planning decisions. But many Americans fall short in their knowledge of even the basics, as numerous consumer surveys document, year after year. And in turn, this knowledge gap can lead into broken retirement dreams: crushing debt, depletion of savings, scaled-back lifestyles, and other headaches that undermine Americans’ post-work standard of living. Read More

The holidays offer a great opportunity for us to reconnect with loved ones, relatives, and friends. From Thanksgiving dinners and seasonal gift shopping to holiday get-togethers and family gatherings, these times are truly special. But apart from the joy, merriment, good cheer, and great company, many Americans find this period financially stressful.

Discretionary spending, in the form of gift buying and other holiday shopping, ups the pressure on household budgets. And for a large proportion of retired and working Americans, the coming year-end may increase the brunt of existing financial pressures and obligations. Having sufficient income and healthy cash-flow is a concern for all households, especially people in their retirement years. The holidays are an ideal time-frame for financial review, but it can be intimidating to get our house in order, as personal finances are tedious, detailed, and, for many, overwhelming.

However, a secure financial life is well within reach, and it involves taking the right steps. If you are retired or approaching your golden years, read on for four quick tips to boost your financial wellness this holiday season. Read More