Retirement 360

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...

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 disr...

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...

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 fo...

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...

"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 fu...

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 migh...

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, s...

Sounds reasonable, right? If you promise a friend the wedding cake of their dreams but show up with a box of lumpy cupcakes and a faltering smile…someone’s not going to have a good day. Ever been on a trip and the driver assures you that they “know a shortcut” to bypass traffic that ends up getting you three hours off-schedule? Maybe you’ve taken on a big project at work before, confident that you...

On this Father’s Day, consider this: “My father had taught me – mostly by example—that if a man wanted to be in charge of his life, he had to be in charge of his problems.” The line comes from Joyland, a novel penned by one of the famous masters of horror, Stephen King. A father of three himself, King’s characters are known for facing down their problems—albeit often in the form of a killer clown...

With summer finally here after our extended winter season, most of us are hitting the lake or hopping on an airplane to far-off lands (or Florida, which we’ll still say is far-off.) Have you ever thought about how much planning really goes into a vacation? There’s tickets to buy, suitcases to pack, pet sitters to arrange, and a whole host of to-do activities before you can set off. Whether you’re...

"An investment in knowledge pays the best interest. " -Benjamin Franklin. Education is paramount as you begin and maintain your retirement planning. The more you can learn, they better you and your family can better prepare. This week's radio show will feature MWA advisor's Alan Mercurio, Troy Bolton and also host, Tony Vanetti as they discuss how to avoid the “tax time bomb” with your investments...

"Everything old is new again." This week's radio show will feature a "Best of Retirement 360" highlights with MWA advisor's Alan Mercurio, Troy Bolton and also host, Tony Vanetti. They discuss the importance and need for a financial advisor, that just maybe following your parent's advice on financial issues may not be the best idea, how to navigate volatility, and what you can expect with the 2018...

The stock market can be a complex creature to understand. You might have incredible gains for a few years, and then suddenly in a few months you’ve lost all that success through a bad market. There’s an old saying that paints the market as an escalator, steadily climbing in the good years….yet it may suddenly transform into a plummeting elevator, ruining all the upward progress you just had. This...

Humorist Erma Bombeck once penned in her weekly newspaper column that, “When your mother asks, ‘Do you want a piece of advice?’ it is a mere formality. It doesn’t matter if you answer yes or no. You’re going to get it anyway.” As many of us celebrate our mothers this coming Sunday, think back to a time you received motherly words of wisdom—requested or not. Insight given across the dinner table or...

With Derby right around the corner, many of us will spend this week gearing up for the big show on Saturday—even if all that means is sipping on Mint Juleps and eating Derby pie at in front of your TV. Thousands both on and off the track will be watching to see which swift equine competitor will be the first to cross the finish line. One thing you can be sure of regardless of where you watch is th...

Founder and President, Alan Mercurio speaks with the host, Tony Vanetti. They cover topics like following the same financial footsteps as your parents, filing taxes, creating a secure plan that strikes back at volatility, and what to expect for healthcar costs.

Think of all the times you've put together a plan. Small things need a plan--a house project you swore you'd get to next summer, a fancy cake to impress your family at Thanksgiving. I'm sure you planned for the bigger tasks in life as well-what career you wanted, when to buy a house, whether to have kids or not. Did things always go according to the plan you originally set out? For most of us, the...

As springtime gradually makes its appearance in the Kentuckiana area, many of us have started to think about what house projects we want to get done before winter comes around again. You've probably seen one of the many fix-it-up housing shows that have had a huge boost in popularity in recent years. The idea is generally the same across the board: a couple or a team of people purchase a "fixer up...

Easter is hopping closer and families will celebrate this weekend. Whether it's an egg hunt with your grandkids, ham and turkey with family and friends, or quiet time with a hobby you love, remember that these moments are what you want to replicate in the future. Live your life your way, today and tomorrow!

American actor John Wayne once said that, "Courage is being scared to death, but saddling up anyway." Most of us remember Wayne as one of the biggest stars of Western film in the 20th century, perpetually seated on horseback and riding off to fight the latest bad guy in a countless number of films. While well-known now, Wayne started off as a nobody. He picked up gigs as an extra throughout the 19...

With spring just around the corner (if you pay no mind to the random snow we've been gifted the past few weeks), you'll find lots of things will be popping up soon. Flowers, Derby hats, allergies, and better weather are all bound to start making their appearances in the coming months---along with our beloved spring cleaning chores. While most of us are content to "get to it later" when it comes to...

Anyone who has begun even the preliminary stages of retirement planning knows that you're going to have to face some challenges. Even just thinking about not having the promise of that weekly paycheck to get your bills paid can be worrying. But, as writer T.S. Eliot once wrote, "If you aren't in over your head, how do you know how tall you are?" Retirement is something that has so many facets play...

With tax season in full swing, many of us have our minds on our finances. This is the time of the year we reflect back on how things went for us-good and bad-in the markets. For those nearing retirement, it becomes an even more critical period as you approach the finish line of your working years. What we have in our pensions, 401(k)s, IRAs, and even just your savings account suddenly starts to ma...

With tax season in full swing, many of us have our minds on our finances. This is the time of the year we reflect back on how things went for us-good and bad-in the markets. For those nearing retirement, it becomes an even more critical period as you approach the finish line of your working years. What we have in our pensions, 401(k)s, IRAs, and even just your savings account suddenly starts to ma...