Planning

When people hear the term “mortgage points,” they often think of them as some kind of mysterious fee. In reality, points are mostly a pricing mechanism lenders use to adjust the interest rate on your loan.At its core, mortgage points are a tradeoff:Lower Up front costs but a Higher RateHigher Up Front Costs but a Lower RatePoints are how lenders move you along that spectrum. How Mortgage Pricing Actually Works There is usually a “base” or “par” rate available for a mortgage. This is the rate where the lender is neither charging significant discount points nor giving significant lender credits.From…

Many people wonder whether they should have a trust as part of their estate plan. Sometimes that question is framed around wealth: “Do I have enough money to need a trust?” But in many cases, a trust is less about estate size and more about purpose.A trust can be a versatile planning tool used in many different ways and for people at many different wealth levels. It may help provide structure, protect beneficiaries, preserve privacy, reduce administrative burdens, plan for incapacity, or give more specific instructions about how assets should be managed and distributed.At the same time, a trust is…

iPhone / iPad Instructions These steps work best using Safari.Open the Safari app.Go to the website you want to save.Tap the Share button.This is the square icon with an arrow pointing upward.Scroll down and tap Add to Home Screen.Edit the name if you want a shorter app-style label.Tap Add in the top-right corner.The website icon will now appear on your iPhone or iPad home screen. You can tap it just like an app.If you are using Chrome, Edge, or another browser on iPhone, the Add to Home Screen option may not appear the same way. Safari is usually the simplest…

Compensation for insurance and annuity products is complex and has evolved over the years. Broadly speaking, there are two main ways an advisor can receive compensation from these products. Commission This is the predominant model and has existed for many years. Essentially, commissions are a percentage of the premium paid into the product.For example, if a product has a 2% commission and you put in $250,000, the commission will be $5,000. Commission rates vary significantly by product. Some products have lower commission rates than others.Commissions can also be paid by one of two parties: the client or the insurance company.When a…

For many individuals, the gap between early retirement and age 59½ presents a planning challenge. Retirement accounts are often the largest source of wealth—but accessing them too early typically triggers a 10% penalty.However, a lesser-known provision—the Rule of 55—creates a powerful exception. When used correctly, it can provide meaningful flexibility for early retirees, career changers, or those facing unexpected job transitions. What is the Rule of 55 The Rule of 55 allows individuals to take penalty-free (but not tax-free) withdrawals from certain employer-sponsored retirement plans if they separate from service in or after the calendar year they turn age 55. To…

Retirement can create a strange lending problem.A retiree may have a paid-off home, a large investment portfolio, excellent credit, and decades of responsible financial habits, yet still struggle to qualify for a loan because they no longer receive a regular paycheck.That can feel backwards. After all, a person with $1 million in retirement savings may be in a stronger financial position than someone earning $80,000 per year with little savings. But lenders are not simply asking, “Is this person wealthy?” They are asking, “Can we document a reliable way this person will make the payments?”That distinction matters.Getting a loan in…

Discovering that your identity has been stolen can be overwhelming. It may feel invasive, confusing, and urgent all at once. The good news is that there are specific steps you can take to limit the damage, document what happened, and begin restoring your financial identity.Identity theft occurs when someone uses your personal information without permission, often for financial gain. This may include your name, Social Security number, date of birth, bank account information, credit card number, online login credentials, or other identifying details. A thief may use that information to open accounts, make purchases, apply for loans, file a fraudulent…

When most people picture retirement, they imagine one long season of freedom. In reality, retirement tends to unfold in chapters.Not because something goes wrong but because life naturally changes over time. Changes to health, family, or other influences might impact how you live out your retirement.A common way to think about this is through three phases:Go-Go years, Slow-Go years, and No-Go years.Understanding these phases can make your retirement plan feel a lot more real—and a lot more confident. The Go-Go Years These are the early years of retirement. You’re healthy, independent, and excited to take advantage of the time you’ve worked…

For many retirees, Social Security is the closest thing to guaranteed lifetime income. Yet the number you expect to receive is not always the number that shows up in your bank account.While most people focus on how to maximize their benefit, it is equally important to understand what can reduce it. Some reductions are permanent. Others are temporary but misunderstood. Some are mechanical calculations inside the formula. Others are coordination errors that create avoidable penalties.Below are five of the most common factors that lower Social Security benefits—and how they work. 1) Claiming Before Full Retirement Age (Permanent Reduction) The most…