Retirement doesn’t happen on your last day of work. In our view, it happens over the year leading up to it, in a series of decisions we believe are easier to make early than in a rush. If 2027 is your year, here’s a countdown that may help you prepare […]
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Still Have an Old 401(k)? Four Options That May Be Worth a Closer Look
When you change jobs, the to-do list gets long fast. New benefits. New commute. New passwords. An old 401(k) can be easy to leave sitting where it is, and a lot of people do. That may be fine. It may not be. Not every old plan needs to move. But […]
Read MoreNavigating Summer Markets: Staying the Course in the Second Half of 2026
As we officially step into summer and close the books on the first half of 2026, it can be a natural time to pause and reflect. We have seen our share of market fluctuations this past spring, from the geopolitical uncertainties in March and April to shifting inflation narratives, but […]
Read MoreMid-Year 2026 Retirement Savings Check-Up and Tax Optimization Strategies
Half the year is already behind us. This might be a good time to review your retirement savings progress and consider tax strategies that may improve your financial outlook for 2026 and beyond. Contribution Limits for 2026 401(k), 403(b), and 457 plans: $24,500 employee deferral limit. Age 50 and older […]
Read More2026 Roth Conversion Rules: How Some Retirees Consider Their 401k
A 401k is often one of the largest assets for retirees. A Roth conversion is one strategy some retirees consider to help manage future taxes and Medicare premiums. What is a Roth conversion? Money moves from a traditional 401k or IRA to a Roth IRA. Taxes are paid on the […]
Read MoreHow Big Should Your Nest Egg Be?
How Big Should Your Nest Egg Be — and How Much of Your Paycheck Do You Need to Build It?
The 15% savings rate is a widely used benchmark in the industry. Fidelity suggests that saving approximately 15% of income annually (including employer contributions) may help individuals work toward a retirement that replaces a portion of their pre-retirement income. Current Savings Rates (Recent Industry Data) Fidelity’s Q4 2025 Retirement Analysis […]
Read MoreSenior Deduction Under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), signed in 2025, gives taxpayers 65 and older an increased standard deduction through 2028. Married filing jointly with both spouses 65+: extra $6,000 each, total $12,000 added to the base standard deduction. Single filers 65+: extra $6,000. No itemizing needed. Key planning considerations: […]
Read MoreStrategic Financial Group Financial Planning Process
Building and Preserving Wealth: Why We Believe a Personalized Financial Plan Matters
It is our belief that true financial success isn’t just about growing wealth, it’s about keeping that wealth working for you over time. Client’s goals are typically specific to them and that is something we try to identify as the first step of our financial planning process. We have seen […]
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