The Bull Is Back… Will It Keep Charging?
On August 18, 2020, the S&P 500 set a record high for the first time since COVID-19 ushered in a bear market on February 19. The cycle from peak to…
Retirement Planning
We utilize a personalized approach to retirement planning that incorporates income distribution planning, investment management, Social Security planning, health care planning, long-term care planning, estate planning and risk management. We draw on the extensive experience of our financial professionals to help create a clear, actionable road map in planning your retirement.
- Planning for Retirement and Social Security
- Fundamentals of Defined Benefit Plans
- Fundamentals of Defined Contribution Plans
- Fundamentals of 401(k) Plans
- Traditional, Roth, and Simples IRAs
- 403(b) Plans and Other Plan Issues
- Retirement Plan Distributions
- Deferred Compensation and Stock Plans
- Employee Group Benefits
IRA and Retirement Plan Limits for 2020
IRA contribution limits The maximum amount you can contribute to a traditional IRA or a Roth IRA in 2020 is $6,000 (or 100% of your earned income, if less), unchanged…
IRS Clarifies COVID-19 Relief Measures for Retirement Savers
Retirees who took RMDs in 2020 have until August 31, 2020, to roll the money back into a qualified account. This rollover will not affect the one-rollover-per-year rule. The Coronavirus…
Financial Planner vs Financial Advisor?
Making sense of these titles and other tips on choosing a financial professional Professionals at Ballast Advisors, LLC delineate differences between financial professional terms and designations to help empower your choices…
What You Need to Know About the SECURE Act
Recently Congress passed both the SECURE Act and the CARES Act into law. Although these Acts are comprehensive in aggregate, Ballast Advisors financial professionals have comprised a summary of the sections we want our…
Financial Resolutions for 2020
It’s a new year, a new decade, and the perfect time to renew healthy habits, including those in your financial life. Like any good habit, setting intentions and priorities is…
Medicare Open Enrollment Begins October 15
Where can you get more information? Determining what coverage you have now and comparing it to other Medicare plans can be confusing and complicated. Pay attention to notices you receive…
4 Questions If You’re Thinking About Retiring to Punta Gorda
If retirement is on your mind, Realtor.com recently ranked Punta Gorda as the number one of the top 10 hottest retirement spots for baby boomers in the country. In fact,…
There’s Still Time to Contribute to an IRA for 2018
Making a last-minute contribution to an IRA may help you reduce your 2018 tax bill. If you qualify, your traditional IRA contribution may be tax deductible. And if…
How Grandparents Can Help Grandchildren with College Costs
As the cost of a college education continues to climb, many grandparents are stepping in to help. This trend is expected to accelerate as baby boomers, many of whom went…