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Social Security Part 3 – Insolvency

In the first two parts of this 3-part blog, we discussed how much money you could get from Social Security based on your work history and family situation.  But what if the Social Security trust fund isn’t there to pay your full benefits?  In this blog, we discuss what happens when Social Security goes insolvent …

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Social Security Part 2 – The Exceptions

In part 1 of this 3-part blog, I outlined how to understand the Social Security benefits you could be eligible for based on your own earnings record.  But it is possible that you could be eligible for more benefits based on your current or former spouse’s earnings record instead.  So, let’s look more closely at …

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Social Security Part 1 – How to Read Your Statement

Americans love the royal family.  And I’m English (my mom was born and raised there) so let me try to spice up the topic of Social Security with a royal family metaphor.  Social Security is like Prince Harry – widely known but never fully understood.  I cannot figure out what Harry is doing right now, …

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Businessman showing an insurance policy to sign. Insurance agent consulting insurance to customer.

What is an Investment Policy Statement (and Should You Have One)?

In the financial industry, the term “Investment Policy Statement” is used a lot – but what is an Investment Policy Statement (or IPS) and do you really need one? Definition of Investment Policy Statement (IPS) An investment policy statement is a document written to provide the strategy for selecting and monitoring plan investments. This document …

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Accountant working with calculator for investigation of corruption account.

Are You a Fiduciary (And What You Need to Know)

The term “Fiduciary” comes from the Latin word “fiduciaries” which means trust.  In 401(k) terms, a fiduciary is someone entrusted with complying with the requirements outlined in ERISA—the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. This act governs the management and operation of retirement plans and protects the interests of those invested in the plan. …

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Insurance agent with stack of policy contracts on office desk

Using Erisa Section 404(c) To Limit Fiduciary Liability

Did you know that as a plan sponsor, you could be held personally liable for the poor investment and allocation decisions employees make inside their 401(k) plans? Don’t worry though – there is a provision inside ERISA (the Employee Retirement Income Security Act) that allows you to be relieved from liability, provided you follow some …

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Senior couple embracing in autumn park - pursuing enough money

Disciplined Pursuit of Enough – A Case Study

In my last blog, I argued the benefits of pursuing enough money, rather than always striving for more. In this blog, I hope to illustrate some of the benefits of this through a case study.  All names have been changed to protect the innocent (and very contented) couple. Several years ago, I got a call …

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Silhouette of happy family walking in the meadow at sunset -

The Disciplined Pursuit of Enough

The word enough gets a bad rap.  Teachers will yell “That’s enough!” at their unruly students, or we might declare “Enough is enough!” when dealing with a loved one who has just pushed the limits too far.  But I am here to espouse the benefits of enough. We live in a world that emphasizes the …

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