CFP®

Retirement can sneak up on you.

In one of its final acts of 2022, Congress approved a massive year-end spending bill that includes the long-anticipated retirement savings package known as SECURE Act 2.0.  

Set against a backdrop of outsized inflation and a wildly volatile stock market, the threat of a recession is enough to make almost anyone feel uneasy.

Financial gurus want young home shoppers to stop complaining and cut back on small luxuries. But there are broader affordability issues at play.

Consider the 21st century’s most ubiquitous piece of financial advice: “Can’t afford a house? Just stop buying lattes.”

As markets continue to wobble and more people discuss the possibility of heading into a recession, let me share a fundamental truth about money:

You're never too old to keep saving. And now the SECURE Act gives you added incentive—even past age 70.

According to a recent GALLUP survey, 63% of Americans plan on working part-time in retirement. And I think that makes a lot of sense. After all, working part-time not only provides some extra income, it’s also a way to stay active and engaged.

There are over 30 million small businesses in the United States. Many people start their own businesses in order to become their own boss and take control over their schedules, career goals and finances. It can be incredibly rewarding to start and own a successful small business. But one thing that many small business owners may not think about is a retirement plan. 

Taxes, whether we admit it or not, drive a lot of our personal finance decisions. Avoiding or lowering them can influence where we choose to live, what kind of car we buy, where we send our children to school, whether we purchase a house, and many other everyday decisions. Everyone tries to limit the amount of taxes they pay. Taxes play a large role when we invest for retirement, as well.

The rationale for speculation over taxing Roth IRA withdrawals is that the tax break looks far too generous. Other tax-sheltered retirement plans, after all, are merely tax-deferred—meaning you’ll pay taxes on them eventually. The earnings on Roth IRAs are effectively tax-exempt.

Riding the highs, and experiencing the lows, it is the way of the investment market. However, what if we told you that the key to sound and quality investing is learning how to keep cool when the market is in turmoil? In this article, we look at some of the techniques that can help you manage your emotions and expectations during market uncertainty.