Many of you have likely heard rumblings about changes that were made to Social Security in the final days of the Biden Administration. The Social Security Fairness Act, signed into law on January 5, 2025, eliminates two provisions—the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO)—that previously disqualified millions [...]
I know many of you don’t want to hear this, but it’s about that time of year again. Time to start thinking about end of year tax planning. If you are retired or receiving Social Security benefits there are actually some things to be excited about as you project what [...]
As financial advisors one of the primary things we do is help people prepare for retirement. For most advisors, that is accomplished by helping clients build up and grow their retirement accounts in order to make sure the client can afford the standard of living they want when no longer [...]
Life has various stages. Your plan needs to take them into account. If there is one thing, I have learned in my over 40 trips around the sun it is that life never happens in a straight line. Markets don’t just go up at a consistent 7% a year, last [...]
In light of the escalating debt crises in Washington, I have recently been asked by several clients why this keeps happening, and what will happen if a deal doesn’t get struck? Today, I thought I would give a very brief explanation for why our politicians are seemingly always arguing about [...]
My favorite movie of all time is The Shawshank Redemption. In one of the most powerful scenes in the movie it’s lead protagonist Andy Dufresne, played by Tim Robbins, tells his friend life comes down to a single choice, “get busy living or get busy dying.” Both the simplicity and [...]
Under cover of darkness, at least figuratively, last week Congress passed a budget bill that actually reduces bleeding from the imaginary Social Security trust fund. President Obama signed it Monday. Some Americans will not like it, especially those who have had higher incomes during their career. The two provisions are [...]
"Social Security Planning: What Baby Boomers Need to Know to Maximize Retirement Income" When: Wednesday, October 28th, 7:00 pm-8:00 pm Where: Stoney Creek Hotel & Conference Center 18011 Bass Pro Drive, Independence, MO 64055 Please contact us to reserve seating. Michelle Baldi at mmbaldi@stewcap.com or 816.833.6650. Seating is limited. As [...]
3.6% cost of living adjustment beginning in January 2012 The Social Security Administration announced yesterday (10/19/11) that Social Security beneficiaries will receive a 3.6% cost of living adjustment beginning in January 2012. This amounts to a $43 per month raise for the average recipient, bring their average annual benefit to [...]
