By Glenn J. Downing, MBA, CFP®
This blog post is the second of a trilogy having to do with Social Security. The first is about Social Security Benefits; the third is, Will Social Security will be There When I Retire?
Oh yes. Many new Social Security retirees get a big...
by Jonathan G. Cameron, CFP®
The Thrift Savings Plan, or TSP, is the equivalent of the 401k for federal government employees. My intention here is to cover the main highlights of this fantastic retirement benefit. Much more detail is found on the TSP website.
As in a 401k, you contribute...
By Glenn J. Downing, MBA, CFP®
Increasingly as we work with people of retirement age, we’re hearing a new concern: What happens when my mother runs out of money? This is something relatively new. Those in their middle ages used to be called the sandwich generation, because they were in...
By Glenn J. Downing, CFP®
(Note to the reader: I originally posted this piece in mid-March of 2020. Now I'm reviewing it at the end of April 2020. Hit the nail on the head, didn't I?)
I’m sure you’ve heard the term before: asset bubble. Sounds...
by Jonathan G. Cameron, CFP®
In the previous installment of this 2-part series, I discussed how you can prepare yourself for a mortgage application in terms of your credit report and credit score. In this installment I’ll look at the criteria that lenders use when evaluating your...
by Jonathan G. Cameron, CFP®
So you’re getting ready for your first home purchase. Congratulations! This is the first in a two-part series that should be helpful to you. Your First Home Purchase Part II is all about the criteria lenders use when evaluating your...
by Jonathan G. Cameron, CFP®
Student loans are often top of mind for many people in the early stages of a professional career. You’ve made an investment in yourself by getting a great education, and now you’ve got to make enough money to build a life, but also to repay those...
by Jonathan G. Cameron, CFP®
We’ve all seen the financial headlines:
“Sell everything and buy gold!”
“Time to take profits off the table!”
“The market is poised for a big upswing – get in now!”
“Make 16% guaranteed with tax lien...
By Glenn J. Downing, MBA, CFP®
Charitable Giving
As a financial adviser, I am privileged to work with many wonderful people who give generously. These are people who want to leave a legacy. These are clients who want to leave money behind which will continue to accomplish the good works the...
By Glenn J. Downing, MBA, CFP®
FRS participants have a choice among two retirement plan options:
The investment option, which is a defined contribution plan (DC)
The pension option, which is a defined benefit plan (DB)
In previous posts, I covered both the FRS Pension Option and the DROP...
by Glenn J. Downing, MBA, CFP®
All the rules for Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) changed with the SECURE Act of 2019. In this piece I go through the changes.
Important Ages
There are two important ages in retirement financial planning: 59 1/2 and 72. The former marks...
By Glenn J. Downing, MBA, CFP®
As many of you know, I am a CFP® instructor with Zahn Associates and have been for many years. As I write I'm reviewing the material for General Principals of Financial Planning, which I’ll be teaching again soon. Part of that course is college...