January 17, 2020
The SECURE Act (Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement) became effective on January 1, 2020, and it could have a significant impact on your retirement asset distributions and taxes paid on those distributions. Here are the top five things to know about the SECURE Act: The act increased the required minimum distribution (RMD) age… Read more »
December 23, 2019
As a new year approaches, now is a good time to review the upcoming changes across a number of areas that affect financial planning. IRA and retirement plan contribution limits, Medicare premiums, and Social Security cost of living adjustments are all experiencing changes for the 2020 calendar year. We’ve compiled the specifics here, to help… Read more »
November 26, 2019
When we talk about estate planning with clients, the topic of prenuptial agreements is one that is coming up more frequently. Whether it’s for themselves as they prepare for a second marriage or for adult children who stand to inherit a sizable estate in the future, clients wonder if this is a document they should… Read more »
November 11, 2019
As the end of the year approaches, it is the perfect time to review your current Medicare plan and determine if any changes need to be made. Most people will make changes based on an increase in premiums or co-pay amounts, but changes could also be a result of the network of providers changing for… Read more »
November 8, 2019
Mortgage refinances (or “refis”) are on the rise again as rates continue to drop to near all-time lows. At the time of this blog post, 30-year fixed rate loans are hovering in the mid-3% range. There are a variety of reasons to consider refinancing including: lowering your interest rate, reducing your monthly payment, accessing equity in… Read more »
November 7, 2019
Earlier this year, we blogged about the importance of creating a lasting and impactful charitable giving plan. In Minnesota, there’s one day devoted to putting that plan into action: Give to the Max Day. It seems like the entire state turns its attention to charitable giving on our “online giving holiday,” which lands on November… Read more »
October 11, 2019
For many working individuals, open enrollment season is here again and that provides opportunity to confirm and enhance your benefit elections for the coming year. If you experienced life changes or transitions in 2019 (e.g., getting married) or if you are planning for a big event in 2020 (e.g., having a baby), it is especially… Read more »
September 26, 2019
As health insurance open enrollment season will soon be upon us, there’s a lot of news and activity in the health insurance marketplace to consider. If you’re a consumer or a business owner, it’s important to be aware of a few key shifts happening around us and to understand what those shifts could mean for… Read more »
August 8, 2019
With the 2019-2020 academic school year around the corner, the JNBA Financial Planning Committee wanted to provide some reminders for parents and students as you prepare for the upcoming school year. Estate Planning Documents Once a student turns 18 years old, it is important for them to have documents in place that will allow a… Read more »
August 8, 2019
Nowadays, humans pose an even higher risk to an organization’s cybersecurity defense than software flaws and vulnerabilities. Luckily, common sense thinking can be more effective against cyber criminals than sophisticated tools. Here are 10 cybersecurity tips to help protect yourself and your organization from security threats. 1. Be cautious with links and attachments in emails.… Read more »