Social Security planning is one of the most important elements in any retirement plan, but getting the most from your Social Security benefit can also feel complex and frustrating. In our guide, “Optimizing Your Social Security in Today’s World,” you’ll uncover practical tips and easy-to-understand steps to get the most out of your Social Security benefits.

We believe it’s important that you look to employ “tax diversity” in your retirement plan. Different types of investments can impact your taxes differently. Having accounts that receive varying tax treatments is a key strategy. You should work with a qualified professional to help determine exactly how much you should have in each tax “bucket” to help minimize your overall tax burden in retirement.

While the tax code can be incredibly complex, you still need to stick to the basics when it comes to filing and preparing your tax returns. So, here are our 5 tips to help you better prepare for tax filing this year.

You’re nearing your 60th birthday, which doesn’t seem as significant a milestone as the moon landing or important birthdays like 16, but that’s where you’re wrong! Turning 59 ½ is almost as exciting as when you turned 16 and could drive because at 59 ½ you can withdraw from your retirement accounts without incurring a penalty. Hopefully you’ve been taking advantage of the ability to contribute extra money to your retirement accounts since you turned 50. You’re also nearing the age at which you’re eligible for Social Security benefits and Medicare. Keep reading to learn about your retirement options and how you can successfully transition into retirement.

Do you know how much you’re paying in fees for your retirement account? Were you aware that fees are commonly charged on retirement accounts in the first place? If you have access to an employer-sponsored retirement account such as a 401(k), information about your account might be harder to access given that it’s offered through your employer and often isn’t completely in your control.

You may not think of your family as incredibly wealthy, but America is full of “millionaires next door.” When you think of a millionaire,
you might think of extravagantly rich people with yachts and countless vacation houses. But in today’s reality, a millionaire is someone who has saved comfortably for retirement but likely doesn’t live extravagantly. Similarly, you may think of a financial advisor as a person only the super-wealthy can afford. But in reality, they work with countless “millionaires next door” each year.

A strong retirement plan doesn’t end with you. It extends to the people and causes you care about most. This guide covers the essentials of estate and legacy planning, from wills and trusts to beneficiary designations and tax-smart giving. With the right plan in place, you can protect your wishes and leave a lasting impact.