Read more about the article The SECURE Act Eliminates the ‘Stretch IRA’ – Here’s What to Do

The SECURE Act Eliminates the ‘Stretch IRA’ – Here’s What to Do

The Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement Act of 2019 (SECURE Act) eliminates the stretch IRA for most non-spouse beneficiaries, beginning with deaths in 2020.That means many taxpayers should look at revising their estate plans. Here's why. New IRA rulesPrior to the SECURE Act, which was a tax measure signed into law in December 2019, the law allowed heirs to "stretch" IRA distributions over their entire life expectancy. This means you could theoretically leave a large IRA to a grandchild, for example, and the distributions could be spread out over decades. This provided a significant tax deferral benefit for younger…

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Read more about the article Protect Your Boat with Insurance, Winterization

Protect Your Boat with Insurance, Winterization

Now that summer's over and the weather is cooling down, if you own a boatyou have likely pulled your vessel out of the water and parked her at home orsome other dry dock.While it's sad to think that you won't be back on your boat until next year,you also need to ensure that you keep her primed and protected by properlypreparing for fall and winter. We are offering up the following tips, but remember to also read yourowner's manual for the manufacturer's recommendations for keeping your boatprotected during the colder months: The engine Follow the manufacturer's instructions when winterizing the engine, but…

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Trick-or-Treating During the Pandemic

With Halloween approaching during the COVID-19 pandemic, many people with children who don't want to miss out on trick-or-treating likely have mixed feelings about it. Trick-or-treating will be more difficult, but it is possible if you have safety top of mind for both the kids who are trick or treating and the adults who are handing out candy to the little goblins and princesses. Before you do anything though, you will need to check with the rules and regulations in your city, county, neighborhood as well as state, as they may have imposed emergency restrictions. Here are some tips from…

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Read more about the article Medicare’s Annual Enrollment

Medicare’s Annual Enrollment

As Medicare Open Enrollment Nears, Here Are the Changes Medicare's Annual Enrollment Period begins Oct. 15. and runs through Dec. 7. This is the time to reassess your Medicare plans.  As you get started, you should ask yourself: Am I satisfied with my current plan? Am I comfortable maintaining it for another year? Are the medications I need in my plan's formulary next year?   How much can I expect to pay for my medications next year? If you are a current Medicare recipient, you should have receive your Annual Notice of Change from your Advantage plan or pharmaceutical plan…

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Read more about the article Seven Tips: Preparing Your Home for Autumn

Seven Tips: Preparing Your Home for Autumn

As the temperature starts dropping and harsher weather looms in the coming months, now is the time to get your home ready. Taking steps now to protect your home and belongings can help you enter the new season worry-free, and you might save money in the process. You can follow these tips to do just that: Clean your furnace and switch out filters Check your furnace for soot, ignition problems, pilot-light health and the state of other components to make your home ready for fall. You should also clean up dust and dirt and if you see anything that could…

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Read more about the article Pandemic, Volatility Spur Interest in Annuities

Pandemic, Volatility Spur Interest in Annuities

The COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting changes in our lives has put physical, emotional and financial stress on a significant portion of the population, particularly seniors. A recent survey found nearly half of currently employed Americans between the ages of 56 and 75 polled said they were uncertain about when they would be able to retire as a result of the pandemic. As you may recall when the pandemic first took hold, the stock market plummeted, but has since been on a tear. This volatility has made things even more uncertain for retirees and people approaching retirement, as reflected by…

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Read more about the article How to Buy Health Insurance If You Lose Your Job

How to Buy Health Insurance If You Lose Your Job

For those who have lost jobs during the COVID-19 pandemic, the loss of income is only part of the hardship. Another major part is the loss of health insurance that came with the job. Amid the worst public health crisis in a century, millions of people no longer have their health coverage for this reason. What can they do to replace it? Public exchanges One avenue is the health insurance exchanges in their states. These are online marketplaces, created under the Affordable Care Act, where individuals and small employers can purchase coverage. Some states have their own exchange, while others…

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Read more about the article Life Insurance Is There Because Life Happens

Life Insurance Is There Because Life Happens

No one knows what the future holds. One moment life is unfolding exactly as you have planned, and the next, you're handed a life-changing event. That's what happened to Melissa Wandall. Nine months pregnant, she decided to put her feet up and relax after work instead of going out to eat. Mark, her husband of a year, gave her a kiss as he left to dine out with Melissa's brother. He never returned. On the way home, he was killed when another driver ran a red light and broadsided the car he was in. Just two and a half weeks…

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