Retirement 360

The markets are up - spend! The markets are down - save! Almost daily you are bombarded from news shows, talking heads and various articles but when it is too much? And, who should you listen to? Many financial media outlets seem to operate on speediness and attention-grabbing headlines, but if you are ever concerned about your accounts, sit down with a trusted fiduciary who can explain how all the news may actually affect you. Alan and Randy also take on the concept of advisor loyalty and when it is time to consider a second opinion. Sometimes a change is needed, and sometimes its not, but it never hurts to have a second set of eyes to review your retirement plan.

FOMO: The fear of missing out. Whether you are caught up in the endless financial news cycle, or constant watching the stock tickers, it is easy to get swept in the hype of markets, products, and what your neighbor is doing. If you go down 9% this month, but grew by 239% over the last years, is there need to panic? Just because a talking head on TV is calling for fire and brimstone, the main thing to do is NOT panic and simply call a fiduciary. This week, MWA advisor Alan Mercurio, and host, Randy Cook, will dive into how to push away from the financial news cycle, how to contribute more to your retirement accounts, and how to avoid having FOMO.

Sometimes, we meet with families and they seem to know exactly when they want to retire - down to the day. While having a target date in mind helps, we still ask, "Are you ready to retire?" Retiring from work is more than just not going to your full time job every day, and it can involve much more planning than setting up your SSI. Are you a business owner? How will you transition out of your business? Have you planned for medical costs? If the medical costs outweigh your structured income, are you ready to go back to work? Are you keeping track of all the fees associated with your retirement accounts? When was the last time you had them reviewed? Planning now, so you can retire when you want to, is essential. Looking over all the aspects of retirement - income, insurance, long-term care, wills, estates, and taxes - is all part of our Retirement 360 Game Plan process. The holistic approach to planning your future.

The word "Correction' is circling the news, so what are you doing in case there is a pullback in the market? But other than worrying, learn what actions MWA Advisor Alan recommends in case there is the 10% drop. If you do not secure your accounts in the event of a correction, you will also want to consider preventing these mistakes at the 2018 tax season approaches. Alan and host, Randy Cook discuss the “6 Whopping Tax Mistakes that can Ruin your Retirement”: Retirement Tax Mistake #1: Assuming you will pay less taxes in retirement Retirement Tax Mistake #2: Not Planning for Social Security Taxation Retirement Tax Mistake #3: Forgetting about Roth IRAs and Roth 401(k)s while you have the chance And with so many things to think about - making the right choice, choosing the best path, planning for the best outcome - how do you make your retirement a priority? While it may seems easy to push off to the side, saving for retirement is necessary today so you will have something tomorrow.

What is a "Market Pullback" and what action should you consider? MWA Advisor, Alan Mercurio and host, Randy Cook, delve in to the details of what to look for, how to understand the highs and lows, and choices you should consider within your portfolio. Always speak with your trusted fiduciary before making any new plans. Should you make changes in your portfolio - do you know how the fees are assigned and how much you may pay over a lifetime? If you add up ATMs, checking, savings, IRA, 401k and other investing…the real number is closer to $369,000.00! Does this number surprise you? Alan and Randy tackle fees and how to cut back to put more money back in YOUR pocket.

When it comes to growing your money - should you play offense or defense? MWA advisor, Alan Mercurio and host, Randy Cook, tackle the pros and cons of both. A defense cannot earn more money, you cannot just save your way to wealth. They touch on 3 steps to playing a smart offense for growth: Set a goal. Determine your financial target. Income. Who’s got your money? Find where it is so you can get it. Earn it. Invest. Find something to invest in that will reproduce money. That said, playing a smart defense and setting up certain protections and insurances, should there be another market correction as seen in past Octobers, like Black Monday in 1987 where the DOW dropped 22% of its value in a single day, could also stave off losses. While you wouldn't necessarily gain anything, you might not lose anything either. Don't forget - November is approaching and that means Open Enrollment for healthcare. If you are signing up for Medicare for the first time check out THESE FAQs to help get you started.

Selecting the right tools, choosing the best date, making sure your funds are all set up to last and stay protected, making sure your will and estate plans are set....there are a number of items to check on your retirement to-do list. Where do you even start? And who is there to help you make the best decisions for you and your family? This week on Retirement 360, MWA advisor, Alan and host, Randy Cook, discuss the importance of paying attention to these items. While no two retirements will look the same, everyone should be following a few steps to success. And then once you can retire, the new life ahead will need planning as you adjust from your 9-5 work schedule to your new normal. Don't forget - November is approaching and that means Open Enrollment for healthcare.

10 years ago this week, the financial markets plummeted and we started the Great Recession. What have we learned? For the young, they learned that the market ebbs and flows. For the senior, they learned the value of preservation and risk management. While there might be a correction on the horizon, lessons can be learned from 2008 and new strategies can be taken to safeguard your wealth. Not only have strategies to protect your wealth changed - but so have options on how to draw out of those buckets. Is it better to take away from taxable accounts first and then withdraw from your tax-free accounts? Well, it depends. Alan will explain the "Tax Bucket" system and how to use it to your benefit. Lastly, for the biggest change to the lives of those around you - how will you plan for end of life, and eventual passing? Is it worth the cost to put into Long Term Care insurance? And, what are the key differences between a will and a trust?

Are You Asking Yourself the Right Questions? Self-reflection is necessary for your planning - but are you asking yourself the right questions? What do you look forward to the most during retirement? How long will your retirement last? How much will retirement cost? How much will you need to save to reach your retirement goals? How much of your retirement nest egg can you afford to spend each year? Answering these items - let alone planning for them can be a daunting task. By working with a financial professional, a trusted advisor can lead you in the right direction. This Sunday, MWA advisor Alan Mercurio, and host, Tony Vanetti tackle these questions - and try to answer the most pressing - How much will I need in retirement? The answer might surprise you.

Having a team of advisors - retirement, investments, taxes, legal - is not just for a select audience. Every day, our advisors answer questions and address the following: Myth: Financial planning is only for rich people. Myth: Financial planning costs too much. Myth: Financial planning can wait until life settles down. Myth: Get one plan, and you’re set. Myth: I’ll pay fewer taxes in retirement Having a team, a whole team, that manage and have your best interests in mind, is part of our Retirement 360 Game Plan. We plan for individuals, couples, and families. We address couples in particular and explain by both parties need to be equally involved in planning and decision making.

This week, MWA advisor, Troy Bolton, and host, Randy Cook, discuss the Guessing Game: When is the Best Time to Retire? And, that is not an easy question to answer because it is so personal to the individuals and the needs of their home and family. At MWA, we bring all our guests and clients onboard with the Retirement 360 Game Plan. The plan includes the following evaluations: Complete analysis of your current investment strategy • Where is your money placed? • Are you properly diversified? • Are you at risk of losing if the market takes a turn? • Are you paying excessive fees? Income plan review • What kind of monthly income will your plan generate? • Is it enough to cover your bills and all the things you want to do in retirement? 1040 Tax review • Are you missing opportunities to save money in taxes? • Are you prepared for the upcoming changes in the Trump Tax Reform? • One of our CPAs will go through that with you Legacy and Legal document review • Do you have the proper legal documents in place? o Powe

Since no family is average, and you cannot depend on the financial markets to stay average - one must create a unique plan that adheres to their needs and wants. You can start by meeting with a financial advisor, or take classes (sign up at HERE) and learn about strategies that are best for you. This week on Retirement360, MWA advisors Alan and Troy, and host, Tony Vanetti try to answer these questions and more. You will learn to answer questions like: How do I create a will? And, why is it necessary? What does a Bull Market mean? How do I protect myself should the Bull Market turn? If I am nearing retirement, do I take the lump sum offer? Tune in to why financial planning should be personal and customized and why no one solution is a cure all.

Many in our community are a DIY - do it yourself - when it comes to their own finances. But, is there a line at which you should consider asking for help in managing your assets? Are the DIYers choosing their best options and strategies? - Are they putting too much trust in a "Target Date Fund"? - Do they know they know what option is the best to pull money from SS or IRA? - Should you invest the majority of your assets in the stock market? - And how much of your SS do you actually get to keep? Some say, once you reach 250k in assets, you should consider meeting with an advisor. This week on Retirement360 MWA Advisor, Alan and host, Tony Vanetti, discuss these questions and more. The benefits of having an advisor can sometimes outweigh the costs, and also ease your piece of mind. Knowing you have a trusted Fiduciary working for your best interests that can help navigate the expansive financial industry might be something to consider - even for the DIYer.

We hear recurring topics when listening to our community and their fears of planning for retirement: Will I have enough income saved? How much income do I need to maintain my lifestyle? What happens if I get sick and need long-term care? What happens if there are cuts to Social Security? While our advisors do not have a crystal ball, they can assist with planning ahead and trying to prevent a disruption should an event occur that may affect your financial future. They assist in creating the solutions to combat your worries. This week, on Retirement 360, MWA advisors Alan and Troy, with host, Tony Vanetti touch on ways on how to start planning, when to start planning, and what to consider or ask your advisor as you approach your retirement. There are no dumb concerns, and they are no dumb questions. Whether you are an expert, or a novice, the MWA advisors are here to help. Tune in for so much more!

When is the right time to retire? Is it solely based on age? When you have exhausted your role at work? Could it be due to family obligations or even sickness? Are you maximizing your Social Security to receive the best benefit? Are you following your risk tolerance to make sure your investments are sound - whether it's for an annual or long-term return? What should you be asking your advisor, and what should your advisor be asking you?

For many, leaving a legacy to your spouse, family or charity is built within your long term planning. But more than just assigning a beneficiary, your legacy will need to project market inflation, routine audits and even thinking outside the box of just your assigning your assets. Mercurio Advisor, Alan will chat with host, Tony Vanetti and go over ways to maintain and grow your legacy, account for market changes, and even add items like your airline miles!

There is no crystal ball, there are no tea leaves and there are no fortune tellers to fully explain what the future holds. But families, with the help of their advisors, can prepare for both the blue and grey skies when it comes to protecting and growing their assets. In retirement, you will need to navigate where that future paycheck will come from, and ensure it will last as long as it needs too. Is a lifetime income possible? Yes. Will it need modifications along the way? Yes, especially should there be new tax changes that will affect your assets. Will you be able to protect that income outside of storing your cash in just your checking account? Yes. This Sunday, Mercurio Advisor's Alan and Troy will chat with host, Tony Vanetti and go over ways to maintain your income and opportunities to see it protected, and grow - no matter the color of the skies.

"We can't help everyone, but everyone can help someone," said Ronald Reagan. At MWA, we pride ourselves combining our experiences and learning from the daily trends when it comes to creating the best path to retirement for our clients. Every day, we help our clients navigate some of their biggest questions and concerns and even steer them away from potentially bad habits that might affect their futures. We meet with families who have fallen in love with a certain stock, and they just can't seem to let go no matter that outcome. Or, we identify ways in making their nest egg last and thrive. Or, creating budgets so they enter their retirement as debt free as possible - and not just lowering credit card debt, but also mortgages and school loans.

Often, the MWA advisors hear these questions from our community. The top three concerns are: How much income will I need? When will I take out Social Security? How do I select my retirement date? There is no one plan that applies to everyone in the same way. That is why it is so important to have a game plan in place. Some families will want to maintain their current standard of living, other might want to hitch up a Winnebago and hit the open road. That is why an individualized plan is so important. These two families will have different goals and will require different strategies. Depending on your goals and the needs of your family, you should be asking yourself how can you get there. By working with an advisor, and one who is a fiduciary, they will help lay the course to a stress-free retirement, making sure all your needs are covered along the way.

It is a fairly simple question but unfortunately, the answer can be long, complicated and layered. Retirement planning is different for everyone and for every family. No one solution is exactly applicable even if situations are similar. Investing in the stock market might yield greater rewards than a low-index fund, but your openness to risk is also much higher. Men and women invest differently, so who is the driving force in your family's planning, and are all needs being met? Is your advisor advocating for the both of you equally and or are they applying a cure-all to both partners? We as a community might share in the struggle of national financial events, so are we to all have the same plan in place? The short answer is no. Founder and President of Mercurio Wealth Advisors, Alan Mercurio, and advisor Troy Bolton, with host, Tony Vanetti speak openly about the challenges facing families when it comes to finding the right path for them. As life changes, and goes through ups and downs, are you prepared fo