Personal finance website CreditDonkey picks Clear View for top wealth blog honors. Recently, Steve Stanganelli, CFP® of Clear View Wealth Advisors received news that the online financial website chose Clear View's Smart Money Insights for top honors based on the breadth and depth of content in areas including personal income taxes, index investing, college funding, retirement and insurance. ... Read More
retirement
Should You Self-Insure for Long Term Care Insurance?
Should you self-insure for long term care insurance? Should you consider buying LTC insurance or roll the dice. These are the types of long-term care insurance questions I often get when helping clients. Long Term Care insurance, like any other type of insurance, may be an important part of your personal financial plan. Without a solid foundation that protects your wealth, you can easily ... Read More
Are 134 Fees Better Than Commissions
I came across a very compelling and thoughtful post from a thought leader in the insurance arena I respect. In a recent post, the author, Brantley Whitely, asks are 134 fees better than commissions? I think that the gist of his comment is that a 'fee is a fee is a fee' regardless of what it's called. And whether it's a commission or a fee, it's all paid by the client in the end (though the CFP ... Read More
Financial Planning Money Moves When a Spouse Dies
Ask the Money Coach - Financial Planning: Question from Michael about financial planning after a parent's death: My father recently passed and the attorney who drew up the trust recommended a financial planner to my mother. He made a couple of the recommendations during the initial appointment and I'm a bit concerned about the type of advice being given. One recommendation was for her to move ... Read More
Borrowing from Your 401k Retirement Plan
Ask the Boston Money Coach: Retirement Plans Question: I already have an existing loan from my 401k plan, I need cash but can I still get money out of my account? Response from Boston Money Coach Steve Stanganelli regarding borrowing from your 401k. Not all plans allow employees to borrow from their retirement accounts. And these types of accounts are really not meant to be used as ... Read More
Deferring Retirement to Salvage 401(k)
Ask the Boston Money Coach Question: Will working longer and deferring retirement allow me to have more money for when I finally retire? I'm 54 now and was originally planning on retiring at 65. My 401K took quite a hit a few years ago and now I'm wondering if I should be postponing my retirement. Financial Planning Response from Boston Money Coach Steve Stanganelli: Time heals all wounds ... Read More
How Many Choices Does A Retirement Investor Need
KISS - Keep It Simple, Stupid. That advice can apply to most things in life. It may be true for investing as well. As financial advisors we have access to tons of academic research, white papers and other sources of navel gazing. But the reality is that most investors prefer to KISS. And maybe they're onto something. Yes, we try to demonstrate our added value through complex algorithms ... Read More
Calculating Social Security Benefits
Ask the Boston Money Coach Question.) I retired at age 55 and am returning to work. How will this affect my Social Security Benefits at age 67? Betty in Florida Response from Boston Money Coach Steve Stanganelli: Your benefits from Social Security are based on your lifetime earnings. Your income taxes on Social Security benefits will depend on your age and your current earnings. ... Read More
Ask the Adviser: What’s Next Beyond My 401(k)?
I'm trying to decide where to invest next. Client Question: I'm maxing out my employer matched 401k, maxing out a traditional IRA, and will soon have an emergency fund in a savings account that I'll continue to add to every paycheck. This is where I am now: Moderate risk 401k, Vanguard target retirement fund, and low risk savings account. Looking for something slightly riskier. Boston ... Read More
Ask the Adviser: Are 401(k) Loans a Good Idea
I already have an existing loan from my 401k plan,I need cash but can I still get money out of my account? When an unexpected bill arrives or you're short on cash, it's tempting to look at your 401(k) as a quick and easy source of funds. But just because you can tap your 401(k), should you? I've found this to be a common question and recently received an inquiry from a a participant in the ... Read More
