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New (Temporary) RMD Rules Offer Potential Planning Opportunities – Season 2: Episode 12
Managing Your Financial Future

New (Temporary) RMD Rules Offer Potential Planning Opportunities – Season 2: Episode 12

June 2, 2020

The COVID-19 outbreak has brought with it several changes for people who are facing deadlines, including filing federal and state income taxes. Another big one has to do with Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) for 2020 – and maybe for 2019 as well. When the SECURE Act passed at the end of 2019, it changed the age at which IRA owners must begin taking RMDs, from 70 ½ to age 72. Several weeks later, in response to the pandemic, Congress made changes again to the RMD rules through the CARES Act, allowing for more flexibility and the potential to skip the distribution for 2020.
A Mortgage Payment Strategy You’ve Never Heard Before- Season 2: Episode 11
Managing Your Financial Future

A Mortgage Payment Strategy You’ve Never Heard Before- Season 2: Episode 11

May 26, 2020

When taking out a mortgage, people often wonder if it’s better to have a 15-year loan instead of a 30-year loan.  They think of all the interest payments they’ll save by shortening the loan period, and the fact that the home would be owned free and clear in half the time. Of course, they have to be able to afford the higher payments of a 15-year loan, which for some people is a deal-breaker.  But there may be a way for you to take the 30-year loan option and still be free of mortgage payments in 15 years.  On today’s podcast, we talk about a strategy to do exactly that.
New Rules for Hardship Retirement Plan Distributions
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New Rules for Hardship Retirement Plan Distributions

May 21, 2020

The recently-enacted CARES Act introduced us to some new rules regarding qualified retirement plans (like a 401-k) and IRAs. These new rules are actually more like temporary “allowances,” as they provide a window of opportunity that may allow you to take advantage of some penalty-free distributions during the pandemic. What’s new is something called a CRD — COVID-Related Distribution — and it’s important that people who need to access their savings during this time of crisis know how they work. If done properly, they may provide some much-needed relief. And while we don’t always recommend that someone take loans or premature distributions from their retirement plans as their first option, this may be the right thing for certain people to consider.
Maintaining Your Confidence in Retirement- Season 2: Episode 10
Managing Your Financial Future

Maintaining Your Confidence in Retirement- Season 2: Episode 10

May 19, 2020

The standard, cookie-cutter portfolio often consists of just three main assets: stocks, bonds and cash.  One may argue that this is not enough diversification, but that discussion aside, some investors seem to find themselves these days replacing some of their “riskier” stock portfolio with the relative safety of US Government bonds. But interest rates are at historic lows, and the reward for owning bonds is minimal, at best.  Are people really satisfied with a 10-year rate of return that’s currently paying less than 1 percent annually?  Maybe: but there may also be some bond alternatives available to you that pay a bit more than that.
Staying Financially Healthy
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Staying Financially Healthy

May 14, 2020

There’s a lot of talk these days, understandably so, about health. This is extremely important, and following proper guidelines may help save your life. But besides personal health, it’s also important to make sure you’re financially healthy as well. Thus, it’s a good idea to do a checkup every so often to assess where you are right now, and decide if you’re prepared for any potential roadblocks that may occur.   So where does financial health start? It begins with the simple things: an emergency fund, one that may cover your basic expenses in case your income is slowed or stops. But there’s more to it. What about debts? Are you taking advantage of any employer matches in your company retirement plan? Have your goals changed in the past few years? If so, are you still set up to get to where you want to be? 
Why Own Bonds in This Low Interest Rate Environment?- Season 2: Episode 9
Managing Your Financial Future

Why Own Bonds in This Low Interest Rate Environment?- Season 2: Episode 9

May 12, 2020

The standard, cookie-cutter portfolio often consists of just three main assets: stocks, bonds and cash.  One may argue that this is not enough diversification, but that discussion aside, some investors seem to find themselves these days replacing some of their “riskier” stock portfolio with the relative safety of US Government bonds. But interest rates are at historic lows, and the reward for owning bonds is minimal, at best.  Are people really satisfied with a 10-year rate of return that’s currently paying less than 1 percent annually?  Maybe: but there may also be some bond alternatives available to you that pay a bit more than that.
Don’t Neglect the Ordinary Things – Season 2: Episode 8
Managing Your Financial Future

Don’t Neglect the Ordinary Things – Season 2: Episode 8

May 5, 2020

With everything we have going on in our lives right now, with all the new things we have to deal with, it’s important to keep in mind that ordinary events still happen during extraordinary times.  Births, deaths, marriages, divorces, family events — things both in and out of your control — continue.   Part of the essence of financial planning has to do with making sure that both expected and unexpected events are properly dealt with.  This should be the goal of every financial advisor — to minimize the surprises that inevitably crop up during your lifetime.  Yes, extraordinary events do happen, but if you’re ready for them, if you’ve prepared to deal with them, then your advisor has done their job.
Questions Regarding the Partnership with LPL Financial
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Questions Regarding the Partnership with LPL Financial

May 1, 2020

We are really excited to announce that LPL, the country’s largest independent broker-dealer firm, will be partnering with Lucia Capital Group later this year. A broker-dealer is a company that provides regulatory compliance and support to registered investment advisor firms, and acts as the buyer and seller of securities for its customers. In addition, LPL will also act as Lucia Capital Group’s clearing firm that will custody our brokerage and advisory assets.
Answering the Everyday Financial Questions- Season 2: Episode 7
Managing Your Financial Future

Answering the Everyday Financial Questions- Season 2: Episode 7

April 28, 2020

Stock markets are volatile, people are hunkered down in their homes, and life as we know has been put on pause, at least for a while.  In spite of that, though, all of the regular financial issues still exist, pandemic or not.  And today we’re answering those emails that have come in from you, our loyal listeners, over the past few weeks. The issues at hand:  taking distributions from your IRAs even without RMD’s, fleeing the stock market out of fear, and the up-front bonuses that insurance companies often offer to people who are considering buying annuities.
Navigating These Treacherous Stock Market Waters
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Navigating These Treacherous Stock Market Waters

April 23, 2020

We’ve seen several eras of stock market volatility over the past few decades: the dot-com bust, 9/11, the Great Recession of 2008.  But somehow, this market, this new era, feels a lot different. Whether it is or is not remains to be seen, but as we work our way through this time of absolute uncertainty, it seems more important now than ever before to have a steady hand on the wheel and an eye on the long term. We’re hearing a lot of talk about a “flight to quality,” or a “flight to safety,” and the potential benefits of active management versus passive management when the markets do crazy things.  But what does that mean? Do you really change your investment style in times like these, or did you already have a strategy to deal with these inevitable turns so that you can just stay the course? Difficult questions, indeed.