“Insights”, the Westview Blog
New Super Catch Up is Coming Soon
‘Super Catch-Up’ contributions will allow workers who turn 60-63 during the year to contribute even more beyond the normal Catch-Up contribution. This additional $3,750 is a welcome addition for many pre-retirees. Read the full blog for all the details!
When Should I Start Taking Social Security?
This might be the most common retirement planning question we get — and one of the most impactful. There are many variables to consider but the most important, and maybe the simplest to understand, is your expected longevity. At its core, Social Security is a supplemental income to help support living during retirement. The monthly benefit continues to grow 8% per year until age 70 where it hits its maximum and then continues for the rest of your life.
Is Cognitive Bias Impacting Your Decision Making?
A number of years ago I read Richard Thaler and Cass Sunstein’s book, Nudge: Improving Decisions About Health, Wealth, and Happiness. The book, first published in 2009, argues that individuals often make poor, sub-optimal decisions due to cognitive and behavioral biases.
IRS Provides Slight Relief on Inherited IRA Distributions
On April 16, 2024 the IRS released Notice 2024-35, providing updated guidance on the “10 - year rule” that outlines how Required Minimum Distributions (RMD) must be taken from inherited IRA/401k/403b/etc. If you’ve been wondering how this guidance may impact you or your heirs, this article will help.
What to Do With an Inheritance
Practical tips on how to navigate a received inheritance; what to do first, how to manage the hierarchy of saving, and how to simplify the process to get everything in order.
Treasury Inflation Protected Securities
Treasury Inflation Protected Securities (or TIPS) are bonds that are issued by the U.S. Treasury and specifically designed to protect against rising inflation. Find out how they work in this article from Ben Nostrand, CFP.
Understanding Your Required Minimum Distribution
If you’re not familiar with the term RMD, the Internal Revenue Code requires owners of retirement accounts to begin taking money out of these accounts every year once reaching age 73, this is known as a required minimum distribution (RMD). Since these accounts have benefited from tax-deferred growth. this is Uncle Sam’s way of getting his share.
Understanding the Basics of Social Security
Social Security can be claimed as early as 62 or as late as age 70. Upon reaching full retirement age, you are eligible to receive the basic benefit amount. However, the timing of when you file will determine if you receive more or less than the basic benefit amount.
Financial Checklist for New or Expecting Parents
There are a number of financial points to consider (and documents to update) when you’re a new or expecting parent. This checklist provides a simple guide on key things to update (ex. beneficiaries) and organize during this exciting stage of life.
SECURE Act 2.0 and What it Means for You
Posted in May 2023, this article guides you through SECURE Act 2.0 and how it stands to impact retirement.
Understanding the Silicon Valley Bank Failure
Posted in April 2023, this article helps make sense of the Silicon Valley Bank failure and other turmoil in regional banking at that time.
Staying Invested Matters
Volatility is normal - don’t let it derail your long-term investment plans. Did you know that the best trading days often happen within a month after the worst trading days? Check out this article and graphs to learn more.
The Big Three: Time, Diversification, Volatility of Returns
Time, diversification, and the volatility of returns. In the financial industry these are considered ‘The Big Three’. Learn how these factors at play impact financial planning and strategies in this article originally posted in May 2022.
Fair & Balanced Disclosure: The content of this page should not be regarded as a complete analysis of the subjects discussed. All expressions of opinion reflect the judgment of writer as of the date of publication and are subject to change. This content herein does not constitute personalized advice from Westview or its investment professionals, or a solicitation to execute specific securities transactions. Westview is not a law or accounting firm and does not intend for any content to be construed as legal, accounting, or tax advice. Readers should not use any of this content as the sole basis for any investment, financial planning, tax, legal, or other decisions. Rather, visitors should consult their other professional advisers (including their lawyers and accountants) and consider independent due diligence before implementing any of the options directly or indirectly referenced. Past performance does not guarantee future results. All investment strategies have the potential for profit or loss, and different investments and types of investments involve varying degrees of risk. There can be no assurance that the future performance of any specific investment or investment strategy, including those undertaken or recommended by Westview, will be profitable or equal any historical performance level.