Retirement 360

The markets are up - spend! The markets are down - save! Almost daily you are bombarded from news shows, talking heads and various articles but when it is too much? And, who should you listen to? Many financial media outlets seem to operate on speediness and attention-grabbing headlines, but if you are ever concerned about your accounts, sit down with a trusted fiduciary who can explain how all th...

FOMO: The fear of missing out. Whether you are caught up in the endless financial news cycle, or constant watching the stock tickers, it is easy to get swept in the hype of markets, products, and what your neighbor is doing. If you go down 9% this month, but grew by 239% over the last years, is there need to panic? Just because a talking head on TV is calling for fire and brimstone, the main thing...

Sometimes, we meet with families and they seem to know exactly when they want to retire - down to the day. While having a target date in mind helps, we still ask, "Are you ready to retire?" Retiring from work is more than just not going to your full time job every day, and it can involve much more planning than setting up your SSI. Are you a business owner? How will you transition out of your busi...

The word "Correction' is circling the news, so what are you doing in case there is a pullback in the market? But other than worrying, learn what actions MWA Advisor Alan recommends in case there is the 10% drop. If you do not secure your accounts in the event of a correction, you will also want to consider preventing these mistakes at the 2018 tax season approaches. Alan and host, Randy Cook discu...

What is a "Market Pullback" and what action should you consider? MWA Advisor, Alan Mercurio and host, Randy Cook, delve in to the details of what to look for, how to understand the highs and lows, and choices you should consider within your portfolio. Always speak with your trusted fiduciary before making any new plans. Should you make changes in your portfolio - do you know how the fees are assig...

When it comes to growing your money - should you play offense or defense? MWA advisor, Alan Mercurio and host, Randy Cook, tackle the pros and cons of both. A defense cannot earn more money, you cannot just save your way to wealth. They touch on 3 steps to playing a smart offense for growth: Set a goal. Determine your financial target. Income. Who’s got your money? Find where it is so you can get...

Selecting the right tools, choosing the best date, making sure your funds are all set up to last and stay protected, making sure your will and estate plans are set....there are a number of items to check on your retirement to-do list. Where do you even start? And who is there to help you make the best decisions for you and your family? This week on Retirement 360, MWA advisor, Alan and host, Randy...

10 years ago this week, the financial markets plummeted and we started the Great Recession. What have we learned? For the young, they learned that the market ebbs and flows. For the senior, they learned the value of preservation and risk management. While there might be a correction on the horizon, lessons can be learned from 2008 and new strategies can be taken to safeguard your wealth. Not only...

Are You Asking Yourself the Right Questions? Self-reflection is necessary for your planning - but are you asking yourself the right questions? What do you look forward to the most during retirement? How long will your retirement last? How much will retirement cost? How much will you need to save to reach your retirement goals? How much of your retirement nest egg can you afford to spend each year?...

Having a team of advisors - retirement, investments, taxes, legal - is not just for a select audience. Every day, our advisors answer questions and address the following: Myth: Financial planning is only for rich people. Myth: Financial planning costs too much. Myth: Financial planning can wait until life settles down. Myth: Get one plan, and you’re set. Myth: I’ll pay fewer taxes in retirement Ha...

This week, MWA advisor, Troy Bolton, and host, Randy Cook, discuss the Guessing Game: When is the Best Time to Retire? And, that is not an easy question to answer because it is so personal to the individuals and the needs of their home and family. At MWA, we bring all our guests and clients onboard with the Retirement 360 Game Plan. The plan includes the following evaluations: Complete analysis of...

Since no family is average, and you cannot depend on the financial markets to stay average - one must create a unique plan that adheres to their needs and wants. You can start by meeting with a financial advisor, or take classes (sign up at HERE) and learn about strategies that are best for you. This week on Retirement360, MWA advisors Alan and Troy, and host, Tony Vanetti try to answer these ques...

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...