By Brian Swerdlow Even younger workers dream of the day when they are no longer bound to a work routine that can be unfulfilling and exhausting. Many Americans under 65 picture a day when they are free from the grind and can explore the world and pursue their passions. Unfortunately, as many younger Americans watch [...]
By Brian Swerdlow Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) have long been a favorite tool of financial planners. Unfortunately, though, IRAs usually require that an individual earns income before they can contribute. However, there's an exception to the requirement often overlooked by pre-retirees, called a spousal IRA. If you are married and building a retirement plan, you [...]
By Brian Swerdlow As you enter your retirement years, enjoying travel, dinner dates with friends, and spending more time with family, you may think your chances of being audited by the IRS are low. After all, why would the IRS scrutinize tax returns filed when you no longer have a job? Generally speaking, that's a [...]
by Brian Swerdlow As you transition to retirement, you might find yourself living in a different house in another state or country. You could be engaged in hobbies you never had time to do when you were working or might decide to become an entrepreneur and build your own company. Once you stop working, you [...]
By Brian Swerdlow Many people want to balance their need for life insurance with their need to save and grow their wealth as much as possible. In the 1970s, an insurance agent came up with what proved to be a popular but possibly flawed solution- "buy term and invest the difference." Buy term and invest [...]
by Brian Swerdlow Retirement planning is a concern that can arise even though you may be years away from hitting the golden years. It's natural to think about how you'd like your retirement life to look and to seek ways to grow wealth while minimizing the risk of losing money. When clients ask for advice [...]
Divorce is an emotionally challenging and stressful life event for anyone. However, federal employees face their own unique set of challenges which must be addressed.- Brian Swerdlow By Brian Swerdlow From understanding the long-term effects on their retirement to navigating the division of benefits, federal employees going through divorce or separation must confront some [...]
By Brian Swerdlow As a federal employee, you have a fantastic portfolio of benefits, including healthcare, life insurance, and the Thrift Savings Plan. This robust benefits package may be a primary reason you decided to work for the public sector in the first place. However, when navigating the intricacies of your benefits, you may [...]
"If you're close to retirement, don't panic and listen to "trendy" financial advice. Remain calm, focusing on long-term goals, and partner with a fiduciary agent who has your best interests in mind." Brian Swerdlow By Brian Swerdlow Most of us understand there is a tradeoff between risk and reward. You may realize, for example, [...]
"Many people understand life insurance is a "necessary expense" but often overlook the valuable role insurance plays in enhancing their financial security."- Brian Swerdlow. By Brian Swerdlow For many Americans, talking about life insurance is right up there with discussing our hernia surgery or listening to Aunt Mabel drone on about her hydrangeas. It's [...]
By Brian Swerdlow Signed into law in late 2022, the Setting, Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement (SECURE) 2.0 Act contains dozens of new provisions pertaining to retirement. These changes will likely impact how Federal employees save and withdraw funds from their retirement accounts. Building on the original SECURE Act of 2019, which altered the [...]
"If you are a federal employee covered by FERS who needs or wants to retire earlier than planned, MRA 10+ may be an option. MRA + 10 allows Feds who have met minimum age requirements and have at least ten years of service to retire sooner than expected." Brian Swerdlow by Brian Swerdlow Federal [...]
