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How to Retire with Confidence and Peace of Mind

This post was last updated on January 28, 2024, to reflect all updated information and best serve your needs.

You may have spent your whole life working towards retirement. However, as you get closer to retirement, there are so many feelings and doubts that can creep in and cause you stress. There’s no need to worry – as long as you have a plan.

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Should I Keep My Employer Life and Health Insurance Policies When I Retire?

You’ll encounter many important decisions as you transition into retirement. Almost none are as important as your access to quality healthcare. Your life insurance needs will probably change too.

If you’re trying to retire early, or at least before you’re eligible for Medicare, you’ll have to weigh your healthcare options carefully. You’ll want to make the best decision for you to preserve your health, wealth, and legacy.

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Critical Ages to Keep Track of in Retirement

This post was last updated on January 08, 2024, to reflect all updated information and best serve your needs.

Although you might not care much about what age you are, the government does. It’s very important you keep track of key age-related milestones in retirement. If you fail to properly plan around these, you may be missing out on some opportunities – or even face penalties.

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The 3 Main Phases of Retirement Planning

This post was last updated on January 07, 2024, to reflect all updated information and best serve your needs.

There are three main phases of retirement planning: accumulation, transition, and decumulation (retirement). Depending on which you’re in, you’ll need to focus on different aspects of your financial life. The advice and expertise you’ll need will also be different as you move through these phases.

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Is a Survivor Benefit on My Pension Worth It?

Thinking through your pension decisions and transitioning into retirement is hard enough. Adding in planning for your premature death is even more stressful. However, there’s no replacement for peace of mind knowing your family is covered no matter what.

Adding a survivor benefit to your pension isn’t a decision to be taken lightly. There are often many variations and levels of coverage to consider too. Make sure you take your time to think through this decision by looking at your whole financial picture.

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7 Goals to Accomplish When You Retire

This post was last updated on December 30, 2023, to reflect all updated information and best serve your needs.

You’ve reached many milestones in your life so far, but retirement brings new challenges and opportunities. There are many goals that you may be looking forward to already or maybe you’re going back to the drawing board.

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What is a Mega Backdoor Roth IRA?

This post was last updated on December 30, 2023, to reflect all updated information and best serve your needs.

In addition to sounding cool, mega backdoor Roth conversions can be super helpful for long-term tax-savings. For high income earners, having the ability to get more money into a Roth account now will make retirement income planning much easier.

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How Do I Calculate My Liquid Net Worth?

This post was last updated on September 30, 2023, to reflect all updated information and best serve your needs.

How do you measure your personal financial health? If you were running a business, you’d pay close attention to its financial health, right? Elements like cash flow, debts, and total assets would be part of your normal routine.

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The Easiest Ways to Save Money

Many Americans are one paycheck away from going into debt to pay for an emergency. A report by the Federal Reserve on the economic well-being of U.S. households found that 40 percent of American’s can’t afford an unexpected $400 expense. Having some extra cash can help you be prepared in case financial disaster strikes.

There are many different ways to save money – some easier than others. Pick what works for you and stick with it for a few months, setting aside the money that you save in a separate savings account. You can use the extra money to start an emergency fund or invest for retirement.

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More than a Plan - A Tour of the COLLAB Financial Planning Process™

What does it actually look like when you work with a financial planner? This varies a lot between financial planners and clients alike. However, we’re peeling back the curtain to show you how we create your financial plan at NextGen Wealth.

Whether you’re already working with an advisor or a do-it-yourself investor, having a clear system for success is vital. The COLLAB Financial Planning Process™ is our answer. We hope you enjoy this “inside look” at how we construct a plan for your future.

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How to have a difficult conversation with your spouse about finances

Talking about money with your spouse can be difficult. Not everyone enjoys talking about finances and it can seem easier to just ignore the subject. However, avoiding difficult conversations and money discussions can lead to many problems down the road.

If the idea of discussing money with your significant other stresses you out, you’re not alone. According to a survey by SunTrust Bank, 35 percent of people said money was the primary cause of friction and stress in their relationship. For respondents between 44 and 54 years of age, that number shot up to 44 percent.

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The Best Kansas City Financial Advisors

Are you in the market for a financial advisor and looking to know who are the best in the Kansas City area?  Well, you’ve come to the right place.

In today’s post, I’m going to provide you with who I believe are the best financial advisors in Kansas City. I respect and admire all of these firms and individuals and would have no problem at all referring a family member (as long as they’re a good fit, of course).

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When to Update Your Estate Plan

If you already have an estate plan, you’re ahead of the majority of Americans. According to a survey by Caring.com, more than half of people don’t have a will or living trust. Even if you have your estate documents in order, you’re not done.

Chances are you’re still many years away from needing to put your end-of-life plan into motion. There are still many changes in your life that need to be reflected by updating your documents. It’s an essential part of making sure everything is in order for your family and heirs.

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How to Make Passive Income: 15 Ideas to Get You Started

If you want more freedom over your time, building passive income streams should be a priority. Finding ways to convert active income, i.e. your job, to a passive model will give you more agency over your waking hours.

Working a day job means you’re trading time for money. Every day, you wake up and get ready to go to your job, get in the car and sit in traffic until you finally make it to the office. On the other hand, earning passive income requires little time and effort on your part once you have everything set up.

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7 Planning Tips for 6 Figure Earners

Making a lot of money and being wealthy are not synonymous. Even if you make six figures, you can still feel stretched to pay your bills if you don’t take the appropriate steps to build wealth.

While having a high income is a good starting point, if you spend everything you make, you’ll find yourself feeling strapped. Getting the right financial planning information can help get you on the right track toward growing your net worth.

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Finding Peace and Happiness: Reducing Stress and Anxiety in Retirement

Retirement is supposed to be a time of relaxation, personal growth, and fulfillment. However, it can also bring unexpected challenges and uncertainties which can lead to stress and anxiety. It's crucial to prioritize your mental and financial well-being during retirement, as it directly impacts your overall happiness and quality of life.

We’ll explore some effective strategies to help you reduce stress and anxiety, allowing you to embrace your golden years with tranquility and peace of mind. One note, we’re not doctors or licensed therapists, so seek professional counseling or therapy if you’re feeling stress and anxiety.

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How to Get Money from Your Retirement Accounts Early

One of the key functions of retirement accounts is they “lock up” your money until you’re ready to retire. What happens if you need to access your money sooner? There are several reasons, and options, to gain access to your retirement funds early.

As with anything, you need to understand the consequences of pulling money out of your retirement accounts – early or otherwise. There may be options which may be better suited to your situation. Just make sure you know what you’re getting yourself into.

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5 Health Concerns Retirees Need to Know About: Are You Prepared?

Retirement is an exciting phase of life where you can finally relax and enjoy the fruits of your labor. However, it's essential to maintain good health in retirement to make the most of it. As we age, our bodies undergo various changes, making it crucial to take extra care of our health.

In this article, we'll explore some tips for maintaining good health in retirement, including staying socially engaged, pursuing hobbies and interests, practicing mindfulness and relaxation techniques, regular check-ups with healthcare providers, and staying up to date on preventative health measures such as vaccines and screenings.

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The Four Phases of Your Financial Life

This post was last updated on 31 May, 2023, to reflect all updated information and best serve your needs.

It’s helpful to break your financial life into phases so you can focus on what’s most important right now. Understanding how decisions you make today affect what tomorrow looks like is vitally important. Keep in mind, these phases blend together and don’t always look the same as someone else’s journey.

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How Should You Prepare if You're Forced to Retire Early?

Retiring early might sound nice, but not if you’re forced into it!  If you are forced to retire sooner than you planned, you’ll need to prepare yourself for your next chapter a bit abruptly.  You may not have saved as much money as you had hoped, or this may mean smaller dreams for you.

Regardless of what forced you to retire early, there are steps you can take to improve your financial position. Let’s talk about what you need to consider if you find yourself in this situation.

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