National IFL Champion Wranglers Kick Off New Season

By Ray Newton, QCBN

Fans in Prescott Valley already are sporting their favorite Northern Arizona Wranglers player’s jerseys, logo caps, banners and other team memorabilia.

Town of Prescott Valley manager Gilbert Davidson says the national championship the team won last year brings “tremendous pride and excitement” to the community. “It’s hard to believe the season is upon us again.”

He noted that interest in the Indoor Football League seems to be strong throughout Central and Northern Arizona.

Team owners and coaches are anticipating a sell-out crowd when the 2022 Indoor League champions from Prescott Valley open their 2023 season March 25.

The season opener features the Wranglers against the Duke City Gladiators at 6:05 p.m., Saturday, March 25, in the Findlay Toyota Center. That’s when the team reveals the large banners it won as a result of being the 2022 conference champion and winner of the national championship.

“We are excited to have the Northern Arizona Wranglers begin their season in March as current IFL champs – and do it right here where we live,” said Prescott Valley Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Marnie Uhl.

“We look forward to great football and fun evenings for the whole family.”

The 2023 IFL season will feature 15 total games for each of the teams. Teams will play eight home games and seven on the road.

The Wranglers will compete in only two games against teams from the IFL’s Eastern Division. Those games will be on their home turf, Pinnacle Bank Field inside FTC. The opponents are Frisco Fighters on June 19 and the Massachusetts Pirates on July 8.

The Wranglers will play each team from the Western Conference twice during the regular season, and one team three times – one of the primary rivals, the Arizona Rattlers from Phoenix. Two of those games will be in Phoenix at the Rattlers’ home field, the Snake Pit. QCBN

Where are your funds invested? Do you want to continue with the same strategy that was used before your retirement? Alternatively, will you change strategies? The overall objective is for your money to last longer than you may live.

SOCIAL SECURITY, MEDICARE

This is where things can get tricky. There are many different variables of which to be aware. At what age will you begin to collect Social Security? What is your FRA (full retirement age)? Hint: it is not 65. FRA is generally between 66 and 67, depending on your year of birth and if further changes to the law are not made.

Be aware that a married couple collecting under the primary wage earner will have some significant income adjustments should one of them pass on. A spouse can collect about half of what the primary earner collects. Upon the death of one partner, the other partner’s benefit would stop. Only the higher benefit will survive. For example, for a married couple collecting Social Security under the primary wage earner, earnings will collect the primary wage earner’s benefit plus about onehalf for the spouse’s regardless of earnings. Upon the death of either spouse, the lower benefit will stop. Medicare, on the other hand, is available at 65. This is important because if you miss the window to sign up, you may find yourself paying a penalty for the rest of your life. So, get this on your calendar and sign up in a timely manner. What type of plan will you sign up for? There are many choices, so begin your research several months before you become eligible.

Estate Planning

So, you spent your entire life planning for retirement, you have done everything right and are enjoying a nice, relaxing time in your twilight years. Now what? What will happen to your assets when you pass on? Who will inherit them?

Make sure you have a will. Make the will as explicit as you want. Who will be your executor? Who will get what assets? Decide now; please, do not ignore this because if you do, the state will decide. Name primary and secondary beneficiaries on all your accounts. This is an area often overlooked. If you love your loved ones, leave a will. A will is nothing more than your final instructions as to how you want your lifelong financial achievements distributed after you pass on.

Conclusion

You thought you would turn 65 and life would be simple. Think again. Some of the items discussed above will help you make your way through the retirement maze. As you begin to create your retirement plan, reach out for expert help. If you have an investment advisor, tax advisor and attorney in your current brain trust, reach out to them to guide you through the technical pitfalls. Good luck!

You work hard for your money, make sure it stays your money! Thanks for reading. I hope you found this helpful. QCBN

Steven Calabrese, CPA, is the CFO of Polara Health. He is the owner-operator of a website known as thepersonalfinancewizard.com, where topics such as budgeting, investing, paying off debt and goal setting are discussed.