Posted on Monday, 13th May 2013 by Paul Risser
What makes financial sense for some baby boomers may not make sense for you. Provided by Paul H. Risser There is no “typical” retirement. Many baby boomers want one and believe that they will have one, and their futures may indeed unfold as planned. For others, the story will be different. Just as there is […]
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| Comments (0)Posted on Saturday, 6th April 2013 by Paul Risser
After you leave work, what will your life look like? How do you picture your future? If you are like many baby boomers, your view of retirement is likely pragmatic compared to that of your parents. That doesn’t mean you have to have a “plain vanilla” tomorrow. Even if your retirement savings are not as […]
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Posted on Sunday, 3rd March 2013 by Paul Risser
Why do so many people choose them over traditional IRAs? 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 savers so many potential advantages. The key argument for going Roth […]
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| Comments (0)Posted on Friday, 1st February 2013 by Paul Risser
Save a little more for retirement. Presented by Paul H. Risser Time to boost your IRA balance. In 2013, you can contribute up to $5,500 to your Roth or traditional IRA. If you will be 50 or older by the end of 2013, your contribution limit is actually $6,500 this year thanks to the IRS’s […]
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| Comments (0)Posted on Monday, 14th January 2013 by Paul Risser
Different ways to respond to the challenge. Presented by Paul H. Risser As you retire, there are variables you can’t control; investment performance and fate are certainly toward the top of the list. Your approach to withdrawing and preserving your retirement savings, however, may give you more control over your financial life. Drawing retirement income […]
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| Comments (0)Posted on Tuesday, 4th December 2012 by Paul Risser
IRAs & workplace retirement plans have higher contribution limits. Presented by Paul H. Risser The IRS has set annual contribution limits for IRAs, 401(k)s, TSPs and other retirement plans higher for 2013, and made other important adjustments for inflation as well. Here is an overview of some notable changes just announced. The 2013 IRA contribution […]
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Posted on Friday, 9th November 2012 by Paul Risser
Things you can do before and for 2013 Presented by Paul H. Risser What financial, business or life priorities do you need to address for 2013? Now is a good time to think about the investing, saving or budgeting methods you could employ toward specific objectives. Some year-end financial moves may prove crucial to the […]
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| Comments (0)Posted on Saturday, 6th October 2012 by Paul Risser
Why are they made again and again? Presented by Paul H. Risser 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 a bit harsh, as not all of […]
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| Comments (0)Posted on Thursday, 6th September 2012 by Paul Risser
Investing timidly may shield you against risk … but not against inflation. Presented by Paul H. Risser When is being risk-averse too risky for the sake of your retirement? After you conclude your career or sell your company, you have a right to be financially cautious. At the same time, you can risk being a […]
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| Comments (0)Posted on Thursday, 9th August 2012 by Paul Risser
Little things to keep in mind for life after work. Presented by Paul H. Risser Decades ago, there was a popular book entitled What They Don’t Teach You at Harvard Business School. Perhaps someday, another book will appear to discuss certain aspects of the retirement experience that go unrecognized – the “fine print”, if you […]
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| Comments (0)Posted on Sunday, 8th July 2012 by Paul Risser
Things to check and double-check before you leave this world. Presented by Paul H. Risser Estate planning is a task that people tend to put off, as any discussion of “the end” tends to be off-putting. However, those who leave this world without their financial affairs in good order risk leaving their heirs some significant […]
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| Comments (0)Posted on Friday, 8th June 2012 by Paul Risser
Over these last couple of months I’ve had the opportunity to correspond with a number of federal employees and these two concerns were at the top of their list: the length of time it is taking OPM to finalize annuity payments, and the desire to obtain life insurance in the private sector, but neglecting to […]
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| Comments (0)Posted on Saturday, 26th May 2012 by Paul Risser
Who might want to take advantage of it? Who might not? Presented by Paul H. Risser Do you have a Thrift Savings Plan account? Then you should know about an important new development. Starting in spring 2012, FERS and CSRS employees will be able to have two types of balances in their TSPs: a traditional […]
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| Comments (0)Posted on Tuesday, 15th May 2012 by Paul Risser
Is a tax refund coming your way? If you have already received your refund for 2012 or are about to receive it, you might want to think about the destiny of that money. Here are some possibilities. Start (or add to) an emergency fund. Many people don’t have a dedicated rainy day fund, only the […]
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| Comments (0)Posted on Sunday, 22nd April 2012 by Paul Risser
Many people underestimate lifestyle costs, medical expenses and inflation. Presented by Paul H. Risser What is enough? What is not enough? If you’re considering retiring in the near future, you’ve probably heard or read that you need about 70% of your end salary to live comfortably in retirement. This estimate is frequently repeated … but […]
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Posted on Thursday, 5th April 2012 by Paul Risser
Two-thirds of us have no financial plan. provided by Paul H. Risser 64% of Americans have no financial strategy at all. That’s right – no plan whatsoever to build wealth or keep it. That finding comes from the 2009 National Consumer Survey on Personal Finance conducted by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. […]
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| Comments (0)Posted on Monday, 26th March 2012 by Paul Risser
Little details worth paying attention to as April approaches. Presented by Paul H. Risser Every year, the IRS institutes big and little changes – and some don’t get as much notice as they should. This year is no exception. Here is a rundown of some of alterations and asterisks affecting taxpayers this year. Don’t forget […]
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| Comments (0)Posted on Sunday, 11th March 2012 by Paul Risser
Over the years I’ve talked to many federal employees about their Thrift Savings Plan (TSP). Unfortunately most don’t have an understanding of what their options are at retirement. First, let’s discuss your current TSP allocation. Does your current allocation still meet your needs and goals? What I have found is most folks seldom reallocate investment […]
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| Comments (0)Posted on Sunday, 26th February 2012 by Paul Risser
Meeting your obligations & finding some opportunities. Presented by Paul H. Risser After you turn 70½, the IRS requires you to withdraw some of the money in your retirement savings accounts each year. These withdrawals are officially called Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs).1 While you never have to make withdrawals from a Roth IRA, you must […]
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| Comments (0)Posted on Thursday, 9th February 2012 by Paul Risser
A few months ago, while meeting with a federal employee couple, I came across a story that I think is worth repeating. I’ve changed the names and some of the details, but the overall theme of the story is true. Mr. Jones was a good man and longtime CSRS government employee with many years of […]
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| Comments (0)Posted on Thursday, 26th January 2012 by Paul Risser
A look at some financial changes & the opportunities they may present. Presented by Paul H. Risser Every year brings some financial change, so here are some relevant changes relating to investment, tax and estate planning for 2012. Retirement plans. 401(k), 403(b), and TSP annual contribution limits rise slightly to $17,000, and you can contribute […]
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| Comments (0)Posted on Friday, 13th January 2012 by Paul Risser
If your loved ones have invested, saved or insured themselves to any degree, you may be named as a beneficiary to one or more of their accounts, policies or assets in the event of their deaths. While we all hope “that day” never comes, we do need to know what to do financially if and […]
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| Comments (0)Posted on Sunday, 11th December 2011 by Paul Risser
Financial Planning is simply taking a snapshot of where you are financially today and calculating what you will have and need in retirement down the road. Federal employees have some unique planning issues that Non-Federal employees usually don’t face such as: Should I buy back prior service time? What will be my approximate monthly annuity […]
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