Latest articles by Joe F. Schmitz Jr., CFP®, ChFC®
-
Five Estate Planning Things You Need to Do Now
For a solid estate plan, you should put powers of attorney in place, designate beneficiaries, tackle tax planning and more.
-
When Should You Start Social Security Benefits? It Depends
The answers to these five questions can help you determine when it’s a good time to file for Social Security. The timing is different for everyone.
-
Estate Planning: Who Needs a Trust and Who Doesn’t?
Knowing the differences between a revocable trust and an irrevocable trust can help you decide if you need one and, if you do, which kind.
-
Do You Have the Five Pillars of Retirement Planning in Place?
A solid retirement plan requires planning in these five areas so you’re covered on everything from taxes to health care expenses to what happens to your estate when you’re gone.
-
Do You Have at Least $1 Million in Tax-Deferred Investments?
If the answer is yes, then this article is for you. Find out how you can keep more of that $1 million for yourself and away from Uncle Sam.
-
What You Can Do Now to Avoid Paying Higher Taxes in 2026
Tax rates are set to increase once the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act sunsets at the end of 2025, but steps you take now could put you in a better financial position.
-
Don’t Let the 'Widow's Penalty' Blindside You: How to Prepare
If one spouse passes away, the surviving spouse could pay nearly double the amount of income taxes. Are you planning for this?
-
Are You Taking Too Much Risk in Retirement?
Use a two-bucket plan, with a protection bucket and a growth bucket, to protect your nest egg from market volatility so it lasts as long as you need it to.
-
Is Your Financial Adviser Doing a Good Job for You?
If your meetings focus only on investment returns, that’s a problem. These 10 questions can help you determine if your financial adviser is being lazy.
-
What CRNAs Need to Know About Money Post-Graduation
Like other high-income professionals, certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) face unique financial challenges when it comes to cash management, risk and accumulation.
-
High-Income Millennials, This Advice Is for You
If you are in your 20s or 30s and making $150,000-plus a year, your financial planning needs are more advanced, and need more attention, than the average Millennial.
-
Will You Pay Higher Taxes in Retirement?
Your Social Security income and RMDs will most likely combine to deliver a tax torpedo, but there are ways to reduce your income in retirement to pay less tax.
-
Five Things Federal Employees Should Know for Retirement
Knowing the ins and outs of retirement is challenging, especially for federal government employees.
-
2 Alternatives to Required Minimum Distributions
required minimum distributions (RMDs) Retirees can save money and stress with these two simple alternatives to RMDs.
required minimum distributions (RMDs) -
I Love Roth IRAs and Roth Conversions!
Roth IRAs Roth IRAs truly are a gift from the government, but many people haven’t taken Uncle Sam up on them. Now is a great time to do just that. Here’s why.
Roth IRAs
