We spend much of our working lives saving, planning, accumulating, and preserving in preparation for our golden years. Sometimes, our wishes are to leave a legacy both financially and personally to the next generation and to causes that are dear to us.

While that might be our ideal, few people complete the planning to ensure it happens. Often times, we fail to address difficult and emotional issues, either because they're too uncomfortable or it's an easy topic to put off. An Ill-carried out estate plan can lead to more difficulties than no planning at all.

By considering these questions now, it's possible to make difficult periods of illness or a sudden passing a little more manageable at the time.

Approximately 70 million Americans will see a 5.9% increase in their Social Security benefits and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments in 2022. Federal benefit rates increase when the cost-of-living rises, as measured by the Department of Labor’s Consumer Price Index (CPI-W).

Will you be paying more in taxes next year? Since politicians have taken aim at high earners, clients are wondering “Do I fall under Congress’ definition of wealthy?” and “How will this affect me?”

If proposed changes in the tax code that passed a House committee are enacted into law, those that are wealthy, as defined by lawmakers, will likely see their taxes rise.

“A rising tide lifts all boats”- John F. Kennedy

We’ve come a long way since the start of the pandemic. The country is gradually opening up, vaccines are available to all interested adults in our country, and stock market prices have skyrocketed. Home prices have also greatly increased, with most selling over asking prices.

In fact, at the writing of this article, the S&P 500 is nearing all-time highs at approximately 4,370. Interestingly, markets are forward looking and built on investor expectations. That is, they reflect what investors anticipate will happen. This is also why markets fluctuate daily in response to news. When investors sense uncertainty, volatility ensues. When investors are confident, markets continue to soar.

However, adjusting your portfolio frequently in response to negative news introduces stress in many ways, which can affect your overall investment experience. Of course, to be an investor is to experience significant declines from time to time. In fact, they happen more often than you might think. So at some point we will all have to prepare ourselves for a correction. It’s not a matter of if, but when.

Of course, nobody can consistently predict market movement or certain asset prices, but you can adequately prepare for downturns with the four simple strategies below.

In this episode, Maggie is chatting with Robin Young, the President of Northstar Financial Planning. They talk about Robin’s work helping women navigate life’s transitions, particularly sudden and unexpected life changes like a partner or family member dying, getting a divorce, or losing your earned income. They also talk about how you can prepare for and protect yourself just in case you find yourself experiencing one of these life events. It’s not always a happy topic, but it’s an important one to discuss.

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Loss is never easy, but grieving the loss of a spouse is especially tough. Losing your life partner can make it especially challenging to make decisions on your own. Not because you aren't capable, but because you're used to having someone by your side.

Even though money may be the last thing you want to worry about when you become a widow, working through it and learning to balance your money won’t just help you financially, it will help you on your healing journey, as well.

For thirty-one years, the Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI) and independent research firm Greenwald & Associates have been conducting a Retirement Confidence Survey (RCS) measuring the attitudes toward and preparation for retirement of American workers and retirees. As of January 2020, the RCS found that Americans had near-record-high levels of confidence in having enough money to live comfortably throughout retirement, and these levels held as late as the end of March 2020.

Encouragingly, the 31st Retirement Confidence Survey found that confidence in having enough money to live comfortably increased again to record levels for Americans in 2021. It seems the pandemic did very little to rattle investor sentiment. Over 70 percent of those surveyed reported feeling somewhat confident about their financial future, while 30 percent feel very confident.

But not everyone is feeling so hopeful.

You’ve spent years devising a tax-savvy retirement plan that will prolong the longevity of your wealth and ensure you don’t outlive your assets. But do you know what would happen to your taxes in retirement should your spouse suddenly pass away?