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Will Social Security Run Out: Your Retirement Sidekick, Not Its Savior (My S.O.S. Plan)

Will Social Security run out before you retire? You’re not alone if you’ve lost sleep over that question—especially with headlines about trust fund depletion and benefit cuts making the news almost daily. Just recently, one of my clients gasped when she learned her expected benefit could be slashed by...

4% Withdrawal Rule 2.0: Why Flexibility Beat a Rigid Retirement Ceiling in 2026

I’ll never forget the chill that ran down my spine, and my soon to be client’s. October 24th, 2008. David, a sharp engineer who’d meticulously planned his retirement for years and had only just hung up his hat. He logged into his portfolio in my office. The silence was...

Ultimate Saving For Retirement Calculator: Are You Truly Ready?

Alright, let's talk retirement savings. You're likely here because you're wondering, maybe even worrying, if you're actually putting away enough. It’s the question I heard constantly over 25 years of advising real people. Engineers, teachers, small business owners. They’d used generic online calculators, got a big confusing number, and...

Interactive Publix Retirement Decision Calculators

Look, if you've been with Publix for a while, you probably own a decent chunk of stock. That's great, it shows you believed in the company and stuck around. But here's the thing: having too much of your net worth in any single stock is risky as hell for...

How To Start a Roth IRA Guide for 2026: Stop Dreaming. Start Building

Is starting the biggest hurdle keeping you from a secure retirement? Forget generic advice. Let's get specific. I've helped thousands just like you take their first Roth IRA step in 2026. And it's often the start of a major financial shift. Ready to learn how to open a Roth...

Beagle 401k Review (2025): Legit Service or Overhyped for Finding Lost 401(k)s?

Finding your old 401k accounts can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. But locating those lost funds is crucial for your retirement planning. As a financial advisor, I've helped many clients in this exact situation. The good news? New tools like Beagle 401k Finder make tracking...

403(b) Retirement Savings Calculator: Maximize Your Retirement Funds

The average 403(b) balance hit $125,400 in Q2 2025—up 8.7% in one quarter. That's what compounding does when you're contributing consistently. But most educators and nonprofit workers don't realize a 5% increase in contributions over 30 years can add $600,000+ to their retirement balance. The 2026 contribution limit jumped...

2025/2026 RMD Calculator & IRS Rules: How to Avoid Penalties & Optimize Withdrawals

A Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) is not just an IRS rule; it's a critical annual event that can either silently erode your retirement savings through hidden taxes or, with the right strategy, become a powerful tool for financial efficiency. For most retirees, it's a source of anxiety. For the...

Inherited IRA RMD Rules in 2026: What Beneficiaries Must Know

Imagine inheriting a substantial IRA from a loved one, only to face unexpected tax bills that erode your newfound wealth. In 2026, navigating the maze of Inherited IRA Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) rules is more critical than ever. With recent changes under the SECURE Act and IRS updates, making a...

Do Non-Qualified Annuities Have RMDs? A Planner’s Guide (2026)

Imagine reaching age 73 and having the flexibility to keep your money growing tax-deferred, instead of the IRS forcing you to withdraw it. That's the powerful and often misunderstood advantage of a non-qualified annuity. Which is why people keep asking; are non-qualified annuities subject to required minimum distributions? As a financial...