IRA Withdrawals That May Avoid the 10% Early Withdrawal Penalty
Traditional IRAs are designed for retirement savings. That is why withdrawals before age 59½ generally face a 10% additional tax, on top of ordinary income tax. However, tax law recognizes that life does not always follow a retirement plan. Certain situations may allow an IRA owner to take an early withdrawal without the 10% penalty. […]
Insuring Your Business With a Buy-Sell Agreement
Life insurance can help protect a household after the death of a primary wage earner. For business owners, a similar question applies: What happens to the business if an owner dies or becomes disabled? A buy-sell agreement can help answer that question before a crisis occurs. A buy-sell agreement is a legal contract that explains […]
Investing for Impact
Many investors want their portfolios to reflect more than financial goals. They also want their money to align with their values. That interest has led to several investment approaches, including ESG investing, socially responsible investing, and impact investing. These terms are often used together, but they do not mean exactly the same thing. At True […]
Intellectual Property in a New Digital Era
How will your intellectual property work for you in retirement and beyond? That question used to apply mainly to authors, musicians, inventors, and business owners. Today, it may apply to more people than ever. Digital content, online businesses, software, courses, brands, podcasts, videos, creative work, patents, trademarks, and even a person’s voice or likeness may […]
Inflation and Your Money
“If inflation is reported at one rate, why do my bills feel like they are rising faster?” Many people ask that question, and it highlights an important point: the inflation number reported in the news may not match your personal experience. Inflation affects households differently depending on where they live, what they buy, whether they […]
Insuring Your Business Against Cyber Liability
Cyber risk is no longer limited to large corporations. Small and midsize businesses also store customer data, process payments, use cloud-based systems, rely on email, and work with vendors. That creates exposure to data breaches, ransomware, phishing attacks, wire fraud, and system outages. A cyber incident can create more than a technology problem. It can […]
Insurance Needs Assessment for Empty Nesters and Retirees
When children leave home, financial priorities often shift. Many empty nesters are in their peak earning years, approaching retirement, or beginning to think more seriously about legacy goals. At this stage, protecting accumulated wealth can become just as important as building it. A strong retirement plan should not rely only on investments. Insurance can play […]
Inflation and the Real Rate of Return
Investment returns do not tell the whole story. What matters most is not only how much your money grows, but how much purchasing power it keeps after inflation. That is where the real rate of return comes in. The real rate of return measures an investment’s return after accounting for inflation. It helps answer a […]
Important Birthdays Over 50
Most children stop being “and-a-half” somewhere around age 12. Kids add “and-a-half” because they want everyone to know they are closer to the next age than the last. Later in life, “and-a-half” birthdays start to matter again. Starting at age 50, several birthdays and half-birthdays can affect retirement contributions, withdrawals, Social Security, Medicare, and required […]
Immediate vs. Deferred Annuities
Annuities may not be as familiar as 401(k)s, IRAs, or brokerage accounts, but they can play a role in some retirement income strategies. An annuity is a contract with an insurance company. In exchange for a premium or a series of premiums, the insurance company agrees to make payments according to the terms of the […]