Taxation of Social Security Benefits financial planning for retirement Feb 11, 2020

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...

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The Thrift Savings Plan for Federal Employees financial planning for retirement Feb 10, 2020

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...

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What Happens When My Mother Runs Out of Money? financial planning for retirement Feb 05, 2020

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...

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Asset Bubbles financial planning for attorneys financial planning for entrepreneurs financial planning for retirement Feb 04, 2020

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...

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Your First Home Purchase Part II financial planning for entrepreneurs financial planning for young professionals Feb 02, 2020

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...

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Your First Home Purchase Part I financial planning for entrepreneurs financial planning for young professionals Feb 01, 2020

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...

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Paying Off Student Loans financial planning for attorneys financial planning for entrepreneurs financial planning for young professionals Jan 31, 2020

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...

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Don’t Get Distracted by Financial Headlines – Stick to Your Financial Plan financial planning for attorneys financial planning for entrepreneurs financial planning for retirement financial planning for young professionals Jan 30, 2020

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...

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You Are Generous. Give Creatively. financial planning for attorneys financial planning for entrepreneurs financial planning for retirement Jan 29, 2020

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...

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The FRS Investment Option financial planning for retirement Jan 27, 2020

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...

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72 Is the New 70½ financial planning for retirement Jan 25, 2020

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...

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Some Thoughts on College Funding financial planning for attorneys financial planning for entrepreneurs financial planning for young professionals Jan 24, 2020

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...

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