According to Giving USA 2020, Americans gave an estimated $449.64 billion to charity in 2019. That’s one of the highest totals in more than 60 years since the report was first published.1 Americans give to charity for two main reasons: to support a cause or organization they care about or…
Read MoreCharles de Gaulle once remarked, “The graveyards are full of indispensable men.”¹ While we know that life goes on regardless of the loss of any “indispensable” person, for a small business, the loss of a key person is not only a human tragedy, it can also represent the potential for…
Read MoreIf you're like many small business owners, running your own business is an all-consuming endeavor. In the face of everyday demands, choosing a retirement plan for your business can become a casualty. The idea of establishing a plan could evoke worries about complicated reporting and administration. If this sounds familiar,…
Read MoreOnce you turn 65, the world of Medicare opens to you, and you also gain access to its offshoot supplemental programs. You likely know about Part A, Part B, Medicare Advantage, and other sections, but you may not know about the senior fitness offering “SilverSneakers.” SilverSneakers is a versatile and…
Read MoreFor small business owners, the line between the personal and their business can be a bit hazy at times. Yet, when it comes to a vehicle that may be used for personal and business-related reasons, it’s important to know how your auto insurer is expected to define what constitutes commercial…
Read MoreAddressing the potential threat of long-term care expenses may be one of the biggest financial challenges for individuals who are developing a retirement strategy. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services estimates that 70% of people over age 65 can expect to need long-term care services at some point…
Read MoreWhether through inertia or trepidation, investors who put off important investment decisions might consider the admonition offered by motivational speaker Brian Tracy, “Almost any decision is better than no decision at all.”1 This investment inaction is played out in many ways, often silently, invisibly and with potential consequence to an…
Read MoreTwo high-profile companies—Apple and Tesla—have announced stock splits in the past few weeks, which makes it a great time to discuss what’s involved when a company announces a stock split. Remember, any companies mentioned are for illustrative purposes only. It should not be considered a solicitation for the purchase or…
Read MoreOne study found that 43% of cyber attacks target small business, and 60% of small companies go out of business within six months of a cyber attack.¹ Business owners are also required to protect their customers’ personal information. In 47 states, and the District of Columbia, businesses are required to…
Read MorePresented by Nisivoccia Wealth Advisors QUOTE OF THE MONTH “Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced.” JAMES BALDWIN FIGURING OUT WHEN TO START YOUR SECOND ACT Many Gen Xers and baby boomers look forward to retiring on their terms.…
Read MoreSome people approach buying a car like they approach marriage, “‘til death do us part.” Others prefer to keep their options open, trading in every few years for the latest make and model, the most cutting-edge technology, or the highest horsepower. Whichever describes you best, we all face a similar…
Read MoreMany investors are looking to build a portfolio that reflects their socially responsible values, while giving them the potential for solid returns. That’s where SRI Investing, Impact Investing, and ESG Investing may play a role. In the past, some investors regarded these investment strategies as too restrictive. But over time,…
Read MoreMedicare Advantage, sometimes known as “Part C,” is something of a catch-all choice for those who are ready to sign up for Medicare. Rather than being one plan (featuring solely government programs), Medicare Advantage plans are offered by private insurers in conjunction with the Medicare program. What’s in them? In…
Read MoreTechnology has not only shrunk the tools we use, but it has also given small businesses the power to operate like big businesses. Technological tools can help small businesses get better organized, efficiently manage their finances, or support customer service and win new business. New Digital Tools that Can… Organize…
Read MoreDuring your accumulation years, you may have categorized your risk as “conservative,” “moderate,” or “aggressive” and that guided how your portfolio was built. Maybe you concerned yourself with finding the “best-performing funds,” even though you knew past performance does not guarantee future results. What occurs with many retirees is a…
Read MoreFew life events are more stressful than a job loss. If you or someone you know is in this situation due to COVID-19, you’ll likely have several questions about job hunting, unemployment insurance, and health care. You may also be wondering, “What should I do with my 401(k)?” People leaving…
Read MoreEvery few months, you may hear the phrase “we’re entering earnings season” as you read financial news. But what exactly is “earnings season” and why is it important to Wall Street? Earnings season is the period of time when a majority of publicly traded companies release their quarterly financial reports.…
Read MoreFor many people, retirement income may come from a variety of sources. Here’s a quick review of the six main sources: Social Security Social Security is the government-administered retirement income program. Workers become eligible after paying Social Security taxes for 10 years. Benefits are based on each worker’s 35 highest…
Read MoreForty-six percent of Americans do not own any stocks or stock-related investments, such as mutual funds, according to a recent Gallup poll.¹ Individuals may cite different reasons for not investing, but with important long-term financial goals, such as retirement, in the balance, the reasons may not be good enough. Why…
Read MoreEvery year, about 140 million households file their federal tax returns.1 For many, the process involves digging through shoe boxes or manila folders full of receipts; gathering mortgage, retirement, and investment account statements; and relying on computer software to take advantage of every tax break the code permits. It seems a…
Read MoreIf you live in or have visited a big city, you’ve probably run into street vendors – people who sell everything from hot dogs to umbrellas – on the streets and sidewalks. Many of these entrepreneurs sell completely unrelated products, such as coffee and ice cream. At first glance, this…
Read MorePresented by Nisivoccia Wealth Advisors - July 2020 QUOTE OF THE MONTH “We are made to persist. That’s how we find out who we are.” TOBIAS WOLFF HAS THE PANDEMIC AFFECTED THE RETIREMENT MINDSET? Each year, the Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies surveys baby boomers, Gen Xers, and millennials…
Read MoreBy any measure, the tax code is huge. It is almost 75,000 pages long, with footnotes.1 And each Monday, the Internal Revenue Service publishes a 20- to 50-page bulletin about various aspects of the tax code.2 Fortunately, it’s not necessary to wade through these massive libraries to get a basic…
Read MoreDetermining the value of an estate is a fundamental first step in estate management and a critical requirement for settling a decedent’s estate.1 How to Assess the Value of an Estate Select the date of calculation. Because values move up and down, you need to set a specific date for a…
Read MoreIf college were a party, then student loans are the hangover. Unfortunately, the “hair of the dog” won't cure this headache, but here are some ideas for managing your student loan debt. The programs listed are not intended as tax or legal advice. They may not be used for the…
Read MoreThe reason withdrawals from an Traditional Individual Retirement Account (IRA) prior to age 59½ are generally subject to a 10% tax penalty is that policymakers wanted to create a disincentive to use these savings for anything other than retirement.1 Yet, policymakers also recognize that life can present more pressing circumstances…
Read MoreThe uncertainties we face in retirement can erode our sense of confidence, potentially undermining our outlook during those years. Indeed, according to the 2017 Retirement Confidence Survey by the Employee Benefits Research Institute, only 18% of retirees say they are “very confident” about having enough assets to live comfortably in…
Read MoreThe Social Security Disability Insurance program is projected to pay out approximately $133 billion in benefits in 2020. And with new applicants each year, the system is expected to exhaust its reserves at the end of 2035 if changes aren’t made.1,2 Rather than depending on a government program to protect…
Read MorePursuing your retirement dreams is challenging enough without making some common, and very avoidable, mistakes. Here are eight big mistakes to steer clear of, if possible. No Strategy: Yes, the biggest mistake is having no strategy at all. Without a strategy, you may have no goals, leaving you no way…
Read MoreKnowledgeable investors are aware that investing in the capital markets presents any number of risks, including interest rate risk, company risk, and market risk. Risk is an inseparable companion to the potential for long-term growth. Some of the investment risks we face can be mitigated through diversification.1 As an investor,…
Read MoreIt doesn’t take a degree in finance to see the cost of college continues to rise. In its 2017 report, the College Board showed that public four-year institutions raised prices an average of 3.2% annually between the 2007-08 and 2017-18 school years. Put another way, a $5,000 education in 2007-08…
Read MorePresented by Nisivoccia Wealth Advisors - June 2020 QUOTE OF THE MONTH “The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new lands but seeing with new eyes.” MARCEL PROUST YOU MIGHT SPEND LESS – LATER IN RETIREMENT A 2019 whitepaper by the Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI) indicates…
Read MorePreparing for college while still in high school can be difficult for even the most academically minded student. These days, you need to excel in the classroom, make sure you’re involved in extracurricular activities, and enroll in challenging classes to impress a college admissions board. On top of that, the…
Read MoreMost portfolios are constructed based on an individual's investment objective, risk tolerance, and time horizon. Using these inputs and sophisticated portfolio-optimization calculations, most investors can feel confident that they own a well-diversified portfolio, appropriately positioned to pursue their long-term goals.¹ However, as a retiree, how you choose to live in…
Read MoreHave you ever had one of those months? The water heater stops heating, the dishwasher stops washing, and your family ends up on a first-name basis with the nurse at urgent care. Then, as you’re driving to work, you see smoke coming from under your hood. Bad things happen to…
Read MoreAs a parent, of course you want to give your child the best opportunity for success, and for many, attending the “right” university or college is that opportunity. Unfortunately, being accepted to the college of one’s choice may not be as easy as it once was. Additionally, the earlier you…
Read MoreJohn and Mary are nearing retirement and they have a lot of items on their bucket list. Longer life expectancies mean John and Mary may need to prepare for two or even three decades of retirement. How should they position their money?1 One approach is to segment your expenses into…
Read MoreEveryone loves a winner. If an investment is successful, most people naturally want to stick with it. But is that the best approach? It may sound counterintuitive, but it may be possible to have too much of a good thing. Over time, the performance of different investments can shift a…
Read MoreShould you withdraw and reinvest your retirement plan money while you are still on the job? Provided by Nisivoccia Wealth Advisors Did you know you might be able to take some or all of the money in your 401(k), 403(b), or 457 plan and roll it over into another…
Read MoreProvided by Nisivoccia Wealth Advisors Did you know that May is Disability Insurance Awareness Month? First started in 2007, the month of May was the first time that information about disability insurance became more easily accessible to millions of Americans. Recently, Disability Insurance Awareness Month has become a time…
Read MorePresented by Nisivoccia Wealth Advisors QUOTE OF THE MONTH “Reputation is what other people know about you. Honor is what you know about yourself.” LOIS MCMASTER BUJOLD HOW SHOULD PRE-RETIREES VIEW ILLIQUID ASSETS? Some people approach their retirement years owning illiquid assets worth more than their liquid ones. While long-held…
Read MoreA useful year-end move to counteract capital gains. Provided by Nisivoccia Wealth Advisors Even though this may end up being a subpar year for stocks, you may realize capital gains, which is a taxable event. What can you do about them? You can do what some investors do –…
Read MoreYou’re not alone in this fear, but you have choices of what to do with your 401(k). Leave your 401(k) alone. The money remains invested in your former employer’s plan, if permitted. There are potential drawbacks, however: your investment choices may be limited, the plan fees may be high, and…
Read MoreConfidence can quickly erode, but it can also quickly emerge. Provided by Nisivoccia Wealth Advisors Undeniably, spring 2020 has tried the patience of investors. An 11-year bull market ended. Key economic indicators went haywire. Household confidence was shaken. The Standard & Poor’s 500, the equity benchmark often used as…
Read MoreHow does it work? What should you do? Provided by Nisivoccia Wealth Advisors Are you or someone you know currently making federal student loan payments? In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, some welcome relief may be on the way. Thanks to the recent passage of the CARES Act, the…
Read MoreTucked into the gigantic “Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security” (“CARES”) Act were two key changes you should know about, regarding required minimum distributions (RMDs). Both were designed to give people more control over their money and to help manage selling investments during an emergency. One provision allows retirees to…
Read MoreWhat they are. How they help. Provided by Nisivoccia Wealth Advisors In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, almost every state in America is under some sort of stay-at-home order. This unprecedented time has also led many businesses, large and small, to downsize or close up shop entirely. In response…
Read MoreWhat you should know about them. Provided by Nisivoccia Wealth Advisors Individuals hold about $2.2 trillion in annuity contracts; a tidy sum considering an estimated $9.2 trillion is held in all types of IRAs.1 Annuity contracts are purchased from an insurance company. In exchange, the insurance company makes regular…
Read MorePrepare now to better protect your business in the future. Provided by Nisivoccia Wealth Advisors As a business owner, you’ve worked hard for your success. The long hours, the difficult decisions, and the sacrifices you have made have led to where you are today. The last thing you want…
Read MoreIs it right for you? Provided by Nisivoccia Wealth Advisors The COVID-19 pandemic has shaken up nearly every aspect of American life. To say it’s been a difficult time would be an understatement. However, difficult times may open doors to new possibilities. Businesses are changing their ways of operating,…
Read MoreMonthly News and Information for Current and Future Retirees Presented by Nisivoccia Wealth Advisors QUOTE OF THE MONTH “There are no mistakes. The events we bring upon ourselves, no matter how unpleasant, are necessary in order to learn what we need to learn; whatever steps we take, they’re necessary…
Read MoreThe earlier you start pursuing financial goals, the better your outcome may be. Provided by Nisivoccia Wealth Advisors As a young investor, you have a powerful ally on your side: time. When you start investing in your twenties or thirties for retirement, you can put it to work for…
Read MoreThe hows and whys of college savings. Provided by Nisivoccia Wealth Advisors The American family with a child born today can expect to spend about $233,610 to raise that child to the age of 18. And if you’ve already traded that supercharged convertible dream for a minivan, you can…
Read MoreWhat’s the difference? What do these terms mean for you? Provided by Nisivoccia Wealth Advisors The COVID-19 outbreak has put tremendous pressure on stock prices, prompting some investors to blindly and indiscriminately sell positions at a time when the entire market is trending lower. Worried investors believe "this time…
Read MoreDistributions can be waived in 2020 for Inherited Accounts, 401(k)s, and IRAs. Provided by Nisivoccia Wealth Advisors Recently, the $2 trillion “Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security” (“CARES”) Act was signed into law. The CARES Act is designed to help those most impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, while also…
Read MoreHere’s what you need to know. Provided by Nisivoccia Wealth Advisors In the third quarter of 2019, more than 2,400 small businesses were sold. The median sale price was roughly $278,000, up 3.3% from 2018.1 As a business owner, ascertaining the value of your business is essential for a…
Read MoreWritten by Martin Landry, CFA, CFP®, CAIA, CIMA®, CTFA, CIPM, AIF®, Director, Portfolio Management Group at Avantax Wealth Management, March 25, 2020 The unintended effects of the world’s valiant efforts to reduce the number of deaths in the most susceptible to the severe effects of contracting COVID-19 has caused…
Read MoreA practical financial checklist for the future. Provided by Nisivoccia Wealth Advisors When our parents retired, living to 75 amounted to a nice long life, and Social Security was often supplemented by a pension. The Social Security Administration estimates that today’s average 65-year-old woman will live to age 86½.…
Read MoreShould you arrange automatic distributions from your retirement or investment accounts? Provided by Nisivoccia Wealth Advisors, LLC. Some retirees wish they could simplify money management. Estimating investment income, annual retirement plan distributions, and quarterly taxes can be a chore. This is why some retirees choose to make systematic withdrawals.…
Read MoreWhat younger investors need to know. Provided by Nisivoccia Wealth Advisors The SECURE Act passed into law in late 2019 and changed several aspects of retirement investing. These modifications included modifying the ability to stretch an Individual Retirement Account (IRA) and changing the age when IRA holders must start…
Read MoreWhat do you do with big money? Provided by Nisivoccia Wealth Advisors Getting rich quick can be liberating, but it can also be frustrating. Sudden wealth can help you address retirement saving or college funding anxieties, and it may also allow you to live and work on your…
Read MoreCall it a “black swan[1]” event if you would like, but the world is in the midst of another modern-era global health scare that few saw coming and few imagined the repercussions. In just two months’ time, a new virus strain has emerged from an old virus. The reaction has…
Read MoreWhy do so many people choose them over traditional IRAs? Provided by Nisivoccia Wealth Advisors The IRA that changed the whole retirement savings perspective. Since the Roth IRA was introduced in 1998, its popularity has soared. It has become a fixture in many retirement planning strategies because it offers…
Read MoreAre you aware of these potential tax breaks and tax-saving opportunities? Provided by Nisivoccia Wealth Advisors The federal government offers some major tax breaks for older Americans. Some of these perks deserve more publicity than they receive. At age 65, the Internal Revenue Service gives you a…
Read MoreThings you can do for your future as the year unfolds. Provided by Nisivoccia Wealth Advisors What financial, business, or life priorities do you need to address for the coming year? Now is a good time to think about the investing, saving, or budgeting methods you could employ…
Read MoreMore families should know about these tax-advantaged savings vehicles. Provided by Nisivoccia Wealth Advisors Families with special needs children have a new tax-deferred savings option. The ABLE account, also called a 529A savings account, is patterned after the popular 529 savings plan, created to help parents save for a…
Read MoreMonthly News and Information for Current and Future Retirees Presented by Nisivoccia Wealth Advisors - February 2020 QUOTE OF THE MONTH “Rest is the sweet sauce of labor.” PLUTARCH WHAT MATTERS MORE IN RETIREMENT: INCOME, OR SAVINGS? Retirement saving is not just about accumulating assets. It is also about…
Read MoreA retirement savings vehicle designed for the smallest businesses. Provided by Nisivoccia Wealth Advisors Do you work for yourself? Then take a look at the solo 401(k), which marries a traditional employee retirement savings account to a small business profit-sharing plan. To have a solo 401(k), you must either…
Read MoreSome specifics about the “second act.” Provided by Nisivoccia Wealth Advisors Does your vision of retirement align with the facts? Here are some noteworthy financial and lifestyle facts about life after 50 that might surprise you. Up to 85% of a retiree’s Social Security income can be taxed.…
Read MoreLong-established retirement account rules change. Provided by Nisivoccia Wealth Advisors The Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement (SECURE) Act is now law. With it, comes some of the biggest changes to retirement savings law in recent years. While the new rules don’t appear to amount to a massive…
Read MoreA look at the maximum amounts you can put into retirement accounts this year. Provided by Nisivoccia Wealth Advisors The I.R.S. just announced the annual contribution limits on IRAs, 401(k)s, and other widely used retirement plan accounts for 2020. Here’s a quick look at them. *Next year, you can…
Read MoreMonthly News and Information for Current and Future Retirees Presented by Nisivoccia Wealth Advisors - January 2020 QUOTE OF THE MONTH “Generosity is giving more than you can, and pride is taking less than you need.” Kahlil Gibran HOW THE SECURE ACT IMPACTS RETIREMENT ACCOUNTS A new federal law,…
Read MoreWhy are they made again and again? Provided by Nisivoccia Wealth Advisors. Much is out there about the classic financial mistakes that plague start-ups, family businesses, corporations, and charities. Aside from these blunders, some classic financial missteps plague retirees. Calling them “mistakes” may be a bit harsh, as not…
Read MoreProvided by Nisivoccia Wealth Advisors. For most, creating an estate strategy is important to make sure your loved ones are taken care of after you’re gone. But it may be just as important to have an estate strategy for your business. Whether you’re a sole proprietor who will be…
Read MoreHere is what you need to know. Provided by Nisivoccia Wealth Advisors. Financially, many of us associate April with taxes – but we should also associate April with important IRA deadlines. April 1, 2020 is the deadline to take your Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) from certain individual retirement accounts.…
Read MoreProvided by Nisivoccia Wealth Advisors, LLC. Does your vision of retirement align with the facts? Here are some noteworthy financial and lifestyle facts about life after 50 that might surprise you. Up to 85% of a retiree’s Social Security income can be taxed. Some retirees are taken aback…
Read MoreMonthly News and Information for Current and Future Retirees Presented by Nisivoccia Wealth Advisors, LLC - December 2019 QUOTE OF THE MONTH “Always be a first-rate version of yourself, instead of a second-rate version of someone else.” JUDY GARLAND READY FOR MORE TIME TOGETHER? A career-focused couple may spend…
Read MoreWhat the I.R.S. looks for and why. Provided by Nisivoccia Wealth Advisors, LLC. “Audit” is a word that can strike fear into the hearts of taxpayers. However, the chances of an Internal Revenue Service audit aren’t that high. In 2017, the most recent statistics available, show the I.R.S. audited…
Read MoreProvided by Nisivoccia Wealth Advisors, LLC You’ve probably heard the saying that “cash is king,” and that truth applies whether you own a business or not. Most discussions of business and personal “financial planning” involve tomorrow’s goals, but those goals may not be realized without attention to cash flow,…
Read MoreAfter you get that first card, how can you manage your FICO score? Provided by Nisivoccia Wealth Advisors, LLC Good credit may open doors. It is vital to securing a loan, a business loan, or buying a home. When you establish and maintain good credit in college, you create…
Read MorePlan F is fading away, and Plan G may gain more popularity. Provided by Nisivoccia Wealth Advisors, LLC. Soon, two types of Medigap policies will no longer be sold. Seniors who enroll in Medicare in 2020 or later will be unable to buy Medigap Plan F or Plan C.…
Read MoreProvided by Nisivoccia Wealth Advisors, LLC. Everyone loves a winner. If an investment is successful, most people naturally want to stick with it. But is that the best approach? It may sound counterintuitive, but it may be possible to have too much of a good thing. Over time, the…
Read MoreOverlooked Tax Deductions for Small-Business Owners Provided by Nisivoccia Wealth Advisors, LLC. Being a small-business owner isn’t easy. After all, balancing payroll, managing employees, drawing up marketing plans, and handling the bookkeeping can be stressful! Luckily, the Internal Revenue Service (I.R.S.) allows small-business owners to take some surprising deductions,…
Read MoreThinking about coverage as you enter a new phase. Provided by Nisivoccia Wealth Advisors, LLC. With the children now out of the house, financial priorities become more focused on preparing for retirement. At this stage, you may very likely be at the height of your earning power and fast…
Read MoreNisivoccia Wealth Advisors LLC is pleased to announce the planned merger of their business operations with Trusted Global Advisors LLC to offer client-centered tax-optimized financial strategies throughout the Greater New York area. Joining the Nisivoccia Wealth Advisors LLC team are: Berge Avedisian, Partner of Trusted Global Advisors Mary Anne Bohlinger,…
Read MoreGiven the high cost of college, getting a loan can be the deciding factor in whether a student can attend school and where he or she will go. In fact, a majority of college students graduate with at least some student loan debt, and the average debt in 2017 was…
Read MoreMany students are happy to sign the loan documents that will enable them to get a college education, but when it comes time to pay off that loan, they may find themselves with a lot of questions. Here are a few ways to get a better handle on the repayment…
Read MoreCollege tuition can be very expensive, but when you’re budgeting for higher education don’t forget to include the many other costs you’ll be facing. Here’s a rundown of some of the most significant expenses to keep in mind: Tuition. Costs for public state schools are generally lower than for private ones, even if you go to a…
Read MorePutting away enough money to pay for college costs can seem daunting, but there are several ways to do it, each with its own advantages. 529 Plans There are two kinds of 529 plans, which are named after a section of the U.S. Tax Code: With a 529 prepaid tuition plan, your contributions essentially buy tuition credits that…
Read MoreA look at grants, scholarships, 529 plans, and other methods. Provided by Nisivoccia Wealth Advisors LLC How much could a college education cost in the 2030s? You may want to take a deep breath and sit down before reading the next paragraph. A MassMutual analysis projects that…
Read MoreYour financial future is up to you and no one else. Provided by Nisivoccia Wealth Advisors LLC What will be your future? You know that solid retirement strategy takes your time horizon, an often unpredictable factor, into consideration. Your thinking must include an awareness of how long you…
Read MoreProvided by Nisivoccia Wealth Advisors LLC In a recent study, 35% of married couples described money issues as their primary source of stress. While there are many potential causes of such financial stress, in some cases the root may begin with habits formed early in the marriage.1 Fortunately, couples…
Read MoreWhat is your exit strategy? Provided by Nisivoccia Wealth Advisors LLC Your company is ripe for sale. Now what? These days, your children or employees may not necessarily want to take over your business, but you still want to sell your business. So, what’s a successful entrepreneur to…
Read MoreFocusing on what you can control can lead to a better investment experience. Whether you’ve been investing for decades or are just getting started, at some point on your investment journey you’ll likely ask yourself some of the questions below. Trying to answer these questions may be intimidating, but know…
Read MorePhysical, mental, and financial warning signals. Provided by Nisivoccia Wealth Advisors LLC Is someone taking advantage of someone you love? June 15 is World Elder Abuse Prevention Day, a day to call attention to a crisis that may become even more common as baby boomers enter the “third acts”…
Read MoreDelegating responsibilities to others may lead to problems down the road. Provided by Nisivoccia Wealth Advisors LLC When you are putting together a household, it isn’t unusual to delegate responsibilities. One spouse or partner may take on the laundry, while another takes on the shopping. You might also decide which…
Read MoreThe case for aligning your portfolio with your outlook & worldview. Provided by Nisivoccia Wealth Advisors LLC Do your investment choices reflect your outlook? Are they in agreement with your values? These questions may seem rather deep when it comes to deciding what to buy or sell, but some great…
Read MoreWhat is it and why is it important? Provided by Nisivoccia Wealth Advisors LLC While nature offers four seasons, Wall Street offers only one – four times a year. It’s called “earnings season,” and it can move the markets. So, what is earnings season, and why is it important? Earnings…
Read MoreProvided by Nisivoccia Wealth Advisors LLC Regardless of how the markets may perform, consider making the following part of your investment philosophy: Diversification. The saying “don’t put all your eggs in one basket” has real value when it comes to investing. In a bear OR bull market, certain asset classes…
Read MoreHaving your identity stolen may be costly. Provided by Nisivoccia Wealth Advisors LLC Many Americans have taken steps in recent years to protect their personal information, but savvy cybercrooks have overcome some of those defenses. A 2018 Javelin Research report found identity theft hit an all-time high in 2017, affecting…
Read MoreA look at some ways to get ready. Provided by Nisivoccia Wealth Advisors LLC Are Americans saving enough? Only 19% of U.S. adults describe themselves as “very confident” when asked about their savings. Worry spots include retiring without enough money saved (16%) and anxiety about having a “rainy day” emergency…
Read MoreFacts about the federal Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance (OASDI) program. Provided by Nisivoccia Wealth Advisors LLC Social Security has been a pillar of retirement life for several decades, but how much do you really know about it? Here are some facts that might surprise you: The Social Security trust…
Read MoreBreaking down the basics & what each part covers. Provided by Nisivoccia Wealth Advisors LLC Whether your 65th birthday is on the horizon or decades away, you should understand the parts of Medicare – what they cover and where they come from. Parts A & B: Original Medicare. There are…
Read MoreDoes thinking about investing leave a bad taste in your mouth? With all the jargon that gets tossed around — headwinds/tailwinds; beta versus smart beta; portfolio under- and over-weightings; Brexit, Grexit and even Texit — investors are often left feeling like they have egg on their face when they try…
Read MoreWhen fear and uncertainty find their way into headlines, investors should ignore the herd and “stay the course.” While there is no magic formula for handicapping a stock market correction, it is not uncommon for resoundingly jubilant investor sentiment to precede a sudden spate of selling. Building on a record…
Read MoreIt may not sound enticing, but creating a will puts power in your hands. Provided by Nisivoccia Wealth Advisors LLC According to the global analytics firm Gallup, only about 44% of Americans have created a will. This finding may not surprise you. After all, no one wants to…
Read MoreWise moves to make before things are finalized. Provided by Nisivoccia Wealth Advisors LLC Before your divorce goes through, it would be wise to check up on financial matters. It would be better to assess the state of your financial life before the split rather than after. …
Read MoreIt’s impossible to time the market perfectly or completely avoid market fluctuations, and every year, there is significant rotation on which of the asset classes at right perform well or poorly. So how can long-term investors not only endure market fluctuations but plan for them in their journey to achieve…
Read MoreWatch out for crooks impersonating I.R.S. agents (and financial industry professionals). Provided by Nisivoccia Wealth Advisors LLC Do you know how the Internal Revenue Service contacts taxpayers to resolve a problem? The first step is almost always to send a letter through the U.S. Postal Service to the…
Read MoreThere is really no reason to wait. Provided by Nisivoccia Wealth Advisors LLC October is here – the ideal time for college students to apply for financial aid. October 1, in fact, marks the first day a current or future college student can submit a Free Application…
Read MoreSome say yes, pointing to the recent federal tax reforms. Provided by Nisivoccia Wealth Advisors LLC Will federal income tax rates ever be lower than they are right now? Given the outlook for Social Security and Medicare, it is hard to imagine them falling much further. Higher federal…
Read MoreBaby boomers entering their “second acts” should think about these matters. Provided by Nisivoccia Wealth Advisors LLC Retirement is undeniably a major life and financial transition. Even so, baby boomers can run the risk of growing nonchalant about some of the financial challenges that retirement poses, for not…
Read MoreFall is a good time to assess where you stand and where you could be. Provided by Nisivoccia Wealth Advisors LLC You need not wait for 2019 to plan improvements to your finances. You can begin now. The last few months of 2018 give you a prime time to…
Read MoreThings to think about before heading to a dealership. Provided by Nisivoccia Wealth Advisors LLC Time to buy a car? Short of buying a house, this is one on the most important purchases you will make. It’s also one that you might be making several times through your…
Read MoreLike an emergency fund, it can come in handy. Provided by Nisivoccia Wealth Advisors LLC Sometimes, life gets expensive. A little bad luck or a twist of fate can hit us right in the checkbook and challenge us to live within our budget. An emergency fund may…
Read MoreNow is a good time to think about a few financial matters. Provided by Nisivoccia Wealth Advisors LLC Making changes earlier rather than later. If you own a business, earn a good deal of investment income, are recently married or divorced, or have a Flexible Savings Account (FSA),…
Read MoreGreg Wilson, Head of Information Security, 1st Global Research & Consulting A common, growing problem in the technology world is phishing, which is a tactic used by cybercriminals to try to obtain financial or other confidential information from unsuspecting individuals. This is typically done through email messages or phone…
Read MoreFor millennials, today is the right time. Provided by Nisivoccia Wealth Advisors LLC If you are under 30, you have likely heard that now is the ideal time to save and invest. You know that the power of compound interest is on your side; you recognize the potential…
Read MoreSome good reasons to retain it. Provided by Nisivoccia Wealth Advisors LLC Do you need a life insurance policy in retirement? One school of thought says no. The kids are grown, and the need to financially insulate the household against the loss of a breadwinner has passed. …
Read MoreIf something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Provided by Nisivoccia Wealth Advisors LLC If you are in or near retirement, it is a safe bet that you would like more yield from your investments rather than less. That truth sometimes leads liars, scammers,…
Read MoreYou may be surprised to learn about the potential relationship. Provided by Nisivoccia Wealth Advisors LLC Does your credit history partly determine the cost of your life insurance? It may. The potential for such a relationship may surprise you – and the relationship is not without controversy. …
Read MoreWhile computer system breaches are often done through means of technology, there are certain methods hackers can use to take advantage of unsuspecting individuals that are less technical — especially social engineering. Social engineering uses direct human interaction, whereby hackers fool others in order to gain access to…
Read MoreSteps to get your credit rating back toward 720. Provided by Nisivoccia Wealth Advisors LLC We all know the value of a good credit score. We all try to maintain one. Sometimes, though, life throws us a financial curve and that score declines. What steps can…
Read MoreSomeday, you or your parents could be at risk. Provided by Nisivoccia Wealth Advisors LLC You may know victims of financial elder abuse. According to a new Wells Fargo Elder Needs Survey, almost half of Americans do.1 As you read or hear stories about seniors being financially…
Read MorePaying them down and managing their financial impact. Provided by Nisivoccia Wealth Advisors LLC Is student loan debt weighing on the economy? Probably. Total student loan debt in America is now around $1.5 trillion, having tripled since 2008. The average indebted college graduate leaves campus owing nearly $40,000, and…
Read MoreA primer for parents and grandparents. Provided by Nisivoccia Wealth Advisors LLC A university education can often require financing and assuming debt. If your student fills out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and does not qualify for a Pell Grant or other kinds of help, and…
Read MoreWhy are they made again and again? Provided by Nisivoccia Wealth Advisors LLC Much has been written about the classic financial mistakes that plague start-ups, family businesses, corporations, and charities. Aside from these blunders, there are also some classic financial missteps that plague retirees. Calling them “mistakes” may be…
Read MoreSeptember 27, 2017 – Damien Paumi is pleased to announce that he has been named to the 2017 edition of the Financial Times 401 Top Retirement Plan Advisers. The list awards and recognizes the top financial advisers with specialization in serving defined contribution (DC) retirement plans. Applicants of the award…
Read More