Posts by Ben Rickey
2016 Changes Coming to Social Security and Medicare
The budget bill signed by President Obama in November included significant changes to the Social Security program. The changes have left many pre-retirees scrambling to make sense of the new rules. Here’s a breakdown of some of the changes coming: The Good News *No COLA. Existing Medicare beneficiaries won’t see an increase in their Medicare Part…
Read MoreWhat’s the Difference? Time Weighted Return versus Internal Rate of Return
A common question we hear from our clients is “what is my rate of return?” The true answer is: there is more than one way to look at returns. Understanding the differences can help you make better informed financial decisions. The two most acceptable methods to calculate returns are Time-Weight Return (TWR) and Internal Rate…
Read MoreBig Changes to Washington’s GET Program
Earlier this month, changes were made to the Guaranteed Education Tuition (GET) program. The changes were in response to the recent reduction in tuition for Washington’s public colleges and universities. Tuition will be reduced at UW & WSU by 15% over the next two academic years. In addition, beginning in 2017-18, resident undergraduate tuition will…
Read MoreIncome in Retirement – Can it affect your Social Security Benefits?
These days, returning to work after retiring is a common trend. Whether you’re looking for an additional income stream to ease your finances into full retirement, or maybe you’re wanting to purse that dream career. Whatever your reason for re-entering the workforce, your Social Security, health insurance, and tax situation may be affected. Here’s some…
Read MoreGetting the most from your Social Security Benefits
It can be one of the most important financial decisions you’ll have to make in your life – when to begin taking Social Security retirement benefits. The years between 62 and 70 can make a world of difference to your financial future and the future of your spouse and heirs. Often, the decision can be…
Read MoreFifteen Ways to Save Money Fast (Part 1)
There are infinite life changes that can help you save money, but here are a few of the easiest. These fifteen tips and tricks will help keep your wallet fat and happy. 1. Learn to Make Starbucks at Home Whether you learned the habit in college, from parents, or at the office, a warm morning…
Read MoreOvercoming the Top Money Problems That Lead to Financial Regrets
Most people would love to have a do-over when it comes to how they have handled their money. A recent survey by Money-Rates cited by Personal Finance Cheat Sheet examined the average person’s financial regrets and fears. By making a conscious commitment to change financial habits and attitudes, it’s possible to overcome obstacles that get…
Read MoreRetirement Planning When You Are Debt Heavy
Student loan debt isn’t just a problem for Millennials in their 20s and early 30s anymore. According to an article by CNBC, senior citizens are debt heavy as well. An analysis by TransUnion shows student loan debt 10 years ago accounted for about 13 percent of total debt carried by people in their 20s. Today,…
Read MoreRetirement Planning Doesn’t Need To Be Scary
Retirement Planning is one of those things that everyone knows they should do, but many fall short in the taking action. This is usually because they simply don’t know where to start. That’s a reasonable concern, but it’s really just a matter of having a framework of understanding as to what comprehensive retirement planning entails.…
Read MoreWhy Do Women Trail Men in Retirement Planning?
It’s often said that women naturally put others first, which, admirable as it is, can become a problem in terms of their own financial future. A new study by the ING Retirement Research Institute shows that women, on average, are much less prepared for retirement than men. Fewer women have formal investment plans in place…
Read More