Retirement Planning

Is Now a Good Time to Invest in Stocks?

Last year the stock market was down over 18%. So far this year, stocks are up about 8%, but we face potential headwinds of a recession. Is now a good time to invest? To best answer this question requires a quick review of the stock market’s history. In the short term, the stock market can […]

Guarding Against a Weakening US Dollar

Following the Bretton Woods agreement post World War II, and the agreement between the United States and Saudi Arabia in the 1970s to trade oil in US dollars, the US dollar stood alone as the preeminent global currency for almost 80 years. While the United States continues to enjoy this status, concerns are increasing around […]

The Social Security Decision Tree

Social Security Retirement Income has evolved into the foundation of retirement planning for most workers, representing most of the retirement income, on average, for older Americans. Remember that Social Security Retirement Income is subject to cost-of-living increases, making it a very valuable income source for your retirement. This means making the right decision about when […]

There Is Still Time for a 2022 IRA Tax Break

Time is fast running out, but you may still be able to score a tax break for 2022 with an Traditional IRA contribution. Here’s what you need to know: For 2022, your maximum contribution limit is $6,000; plus an additional $1,000 if you were age 50 or older in 2022. Eligible couples could save $3,500 […]

Retired? Avoid the Cardinal Sin of Investing

Designing an investment portfolio can be a complex process at any age. It requires consideration of various variables such as risk tolerance, time horizon, and financial goals; however, there is one rule that always holds true for investors:  **Rule** Never put yourself in a position where you MUST sell assets when they are down to […]

Over 65? Things to Watch for This Tax Season

Filing your taxes can be daunting, but it can also be an opportunity to save money if you know where to look. If you are 65 years old or older, it’s important to focus on certain tax areas that can help you reduce your future income tax liability and Medicare expenses. Here are some tax […]

Want to Take the Stress Out of Planning Your Financial Future?

If you stop to think about the most important things in your life, it’s likely that family, health, and having a sense of purpose rise to the top of your list. Naturally, money is also an important factor that adds to our quality of life—and it’s not to be overlooked. Financial stability can provide the […]

Understanding Secure Act 2.0

Secure Act 2.0

Three years ago, the original Secure Act moved the Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) age from qualified pre-tax retirement accounts such as IRAs, 401(k)’s, 403(b)’s, etc., from age 70.5 to age 72.  The Secure Act 2.0 passed Congress at the end of 2022 and has made further changes related to pre-tax retirement accounts, qualified charitable distributions […]

Your Guide to Social Security and How it Fits in Your Plan

2023-1_Your 2023 Social Security Benefits Guide

By The Welch Group Retirement planning can be an overwhelming process, and understanding Social Security can be a big part of that. Thankfully, there are resources to help you comprehend what Social Security is and how it fits into your retirement plan. Social Security benefits can be an important part of your post-retirement income, so […]

A 2023 Investment Outlook

In 2022, the market suffered a hangover after almost 12 years of fiscal and monetary accommodation on the backend of the financial crisis of 2008-09 and Covid-19 in 2020. What brought the party to its end was the emergence of inflation and the Federal Reserve’s response to it via increased short-term interest rates and quantitative […]