Investing in Your Future 2021

Published by Rock Valley Publishing 2021

Investing IN YOUR FUTURE

PAGE 2 • 2021 • INVESTING IN YOUR FUTURE

7 WAYS TO SAVE MORE FOR etirement seems like a lifetime away for young professionals. But as careers advance, families are started and milestones are met, retirement can start to feel a lot closer.

A 2014 Gallup poll indicates that most Americans now retire at age 62. That is a good starting point when planning your retirement. The earlier you start establishing savings goals and putting plans in motion, the more likely you will be to retire on time without having to worry about money. These strategies can help you save more for retirement years.

Retirement Open a Roth IRA

A Roth IRA is a retirement savings vehicle that enables you to pay taxes on the money you put in up front. When you become eligible to withdraw the funds (after age 591Ú2), they are tax-free.

Aim for a 15 percent investment Start investing 15 percent of gross income for retirement once you’re debt-free and have a fully funded emergency fund.

Such a strategy can go a long way toward ensuring you have enough money to do what you want throughout retirement.

Raise? what raise?

Make calculated cuts

If you’re lucky enough to get a salary increase at work, direct the extra money into retirement savings accounts and act like the raise never happened. You won’t miss the extra money since you were not accustomed to earning it, and redirecting it into retirement savings can go a long way toward procuring your financial future.

Allocate your tax refund

Saving for retirement becomes a little easier with strategies that can make money go further.

Elect to apply your tax refund to a traditional IRA or Roth IRA.

Max out deposit limits By depositing the maximum allowable amount into your retirement accounts each year, you can grow your retirement savings

STOCK PHOTO Investing in Your Future

quickly and earn considerably more interest on your money over the life of the account.

Contribute to plan Take advantage of employers’ offers to match retirement contributions. Many

employers will match 401(k) contributions if you save enough to qualify. This is an easy way to save without having to put in any extra money out of your own pocket.

Make sure you’re vested in the 401(k) plan so that the employer contributions can be taken with you if you leave a job.

Think about which items you can live without and dedicate what you would spend on those expenditures to retirement. For example, calculate the difference between buying a new car and a certified pre-owned model. Deposit the savings into retirement.

Can you skip a vacation this year and do a staycation instead? Forgoing certain luxuries can help you build retirement savings.

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Financial Advisor NAVIGATING IMPORTANT FAMILY DECISIONS WITH A

protect your finances in the event you are laid off, furloughed, or have your hours cut back. They can also help you determine whether you should consider alternate sources of income.

Employment

Economic downturns raise many questions about retirement planning.

Should you cut back on your investments or withdraw money from existing funds to boost your cash flow? Should you delay your retirement plans? A CFP professional will help you answer these questions and avoid panic-driven decisions.

You may not be thinking about a job change because of your child’s needs, but you may still be worried about the stability of your current position. A CFP professional can work with you to ensure you have enough of a savings cushion to

Education With return-to-school plans continuing to change, many parents must decide how their children will learn during the 2020-21 academic year. Some are choosing to leave the workforce, transition to part-time jobs, or freelance so they have the flexibility to support virtual or hybrid learning plans.

A CFP professional can help you evaluate how a change in your work status will affect your family’s income and recommend strategies for cutting costs and managing savings.

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Parents without school-aged children – or those with kids too young to care for themselves before and after school – must also choose how to handle childcare needs.

Is your usual daycare facility open, and are you comfortable sending your children?

Should you enroll them in a center with fewer children or consider hiring a nanny?

Before you make a final decision, consult with a CFP professional about how your choice fits into your financial plan.

To find a CFP professional near you,

Open enrollment for the health insurance marketplace begins in the fall, which is also when employers typically give employees a chance to change their plan for the coming year. CFP professionals can help you choose a plan that minimizes your costs while maximizing the benefits of savings plans like Health Savings Accounts and Flexible Spending Accounts.

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Recent historic economic downturns and significant unemployment numbers and job losses have created considerable financial worries for families across the country.

Health and safety concerns about returning to schools, childcare facilities, and office settings have only added to the uncertainty and stress that Americans are currently feeling.

Many families now have to make multiple important decisions with the potential to impact their personal and financial situation. If you are one of them, remember that you do not have to make these choices alone – there are many qualified experts, including professional financial advisors, who can help.

Financial advisors, such as Certified Financial Planner professionals, can help you understand and fully evaluate the shortand long-term impacts of your choices in the following areas.

EDITOR:...................................................................... Tracy Ouellette A publication of ROCK VALLEY PUBLISHING LLC CREATIVE/PRODUCTION DIRECTOR:.......................Heidi Schulz ADVERTISING DIRECTOR:.................................. Vicki Vanderwerff 1102 Ann St., Delavan, WI 53115 (262) 728-3411 SECTION DESIGNER:................................................... Jen DeGroot

FOR ADVERTISING OPPORTUNITIES: Call (262) 725-7701, ext. 134 ABOVE: Seeking advice from a qualified professional can help relieve some of the stress of these major decisions and ensure you are considering all possible angles.

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PAGE 4 • 2021 • INVESTING IN YOUR FUTURE

5 tips to protect seniors from financial scams right now

Social isolation among seniors is not only linked to numerous negative health consequences like depression and cardiovascular disease, but it’s also a primary contributing factor in financial exploitation and scams. Estimated to affect one in 10 older adults and cost billions annually, the threat of elder financial fraud is pervasive, and especially so right now.

With seniors more isolated than ever due to the pandemic and stimulus checks being sent to millions of Americans nationwide, experts suggest that seniors and their families be extra vigilant.

“Scammers look for key time periods

conducted by The Harris Poll, 69 percent of all seniors age 60 and above believe they’re not likely to be susceptible to a financial scam, despite nearly all seniors (97 percent) acknowledging that older people are very or somewhat susceptible to becoming a victim. When asked about their peers, the poll found that 47 percent of all seniors knew someone who had already fallen victim to a scam.

“The results indicate what most of us want – the ability to age relatively unaffected from the realities associated with aging,” says Dr. Marti DeLiema, a gerontologist and consultant for Wells Fargo’s Aging Client Services. “The problem is that when someone doesn’t feel they’re at risk, they’re unlikely to take precaution.”

To better protect seniors from elder financial fraud and abuse, consider these tips from Wells Fargo:

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where money and private financial information are in motion. Not only is IRS fraud one of the most common and successful types of scams that exists, as a general rule, additional money equates to additional fraud,” says Ron Long, head of Aging Client Services at Wells Fargo.

“Scammers are banking on the fact that many seniors are apart from families and

friends due to COVID-19. When someone is alone, physically or socially, they often miss out on the added benefit of a second pair of eyes and ears.”

Compounding the risks associated with isolation is the number of seniors who feel their chances of falling victim to a financial scam is unlikely.

According to a recent Wells Fargo study

Don’t wait for a crisis. Seniors 1. should speak with trustworthy family members about financial plans, as well as

consult them when something doesn’t feel right.

Stay up-to-date. Seniors and families 2. should draft and periodically update legal documents such as wills, healthcare directives and powers of attorney.

Automate. Seniors should consider 3. signing up for direct deposit, automatic bill pay and large transaction alerts.

See PROTECT SENIORS, Page 6

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INVESTING IN YOUR FUTURE • 2021 • PAGE 5

Leaving a legacy is something people start to think about as they grow older, but it’s easy to start planning a legacy regardless of your age.

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y c a g e l g n las ti 5 WAYS TO LEAVE A

It is customary for people to take inventory of their lives as they grow older, wondering about their impact on the world and the people closest to them. A legacy is often the story of one’s life and the things he or she did through the years.

The good thing about a legacy is it is never too early to begin planning. The following are some guidelines that can help people establish lasting legacies.

Keep track of your story Grab a journal and start jotting down events that occur in your life. Mention particular achievements or notable things that occur from day to day. Pepper these accounts with stories of your family and childhood to start establishing an autobiography of sorts.

Consider your daily actions Even though people may imagine it is the grand gestures that are remembered most, quite

often it’s the simplest acts that make the most impact. Think about the way you treat others each and every day. Smile at people, compliment others and offer positive advice when it is sought.

Research investments that are profitable If the goal is to make money to leave for future generations, investigate your options.

These include assets that can retain their value.

According to NewRetirement.com and Stepping Stone Financial, Inc., vacation homes mean a lot to families and they also can be a source of future revenue should they be rented or sold. Speaking with a financial advisor also can be a sound way to invest the right way to accumulate assets that can be passed down as a legacy.

Name beneficiaries Name children or other relatives as

beneficiaries on Individual Retirement Accounts.

With Roth IRAs, distributions are tax-free as long as the person who set up the IRA met the five-year holding period for contributions and conversions.

Beneficiaries can have five years to take out money from the account; otherwise, they can convert the plan to an Inherited IRA, which stretches out distributions over their life expectancy, according to Investopedia, an online financial resource.

Write a legacy letter A legacy letter is a way to speak directly to loved ones and say all those things that you had wished you told them earlier but maybe didn’t find the words or perhaps never had the time, according to Forbes. The letter ensures others know just how much joy they brought to your life and the pride you had in knowing them.

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PAGE 6 • 2021 • INVESTING IN YOUR FUTURE

Money management for kids pays off in adulthood The benefits of understanding finances at a young age will contribute to children’s economic success at all stages of life, so it is never too early to start teaching them about smart money management.

“By providing our children with firsthand experience in earning, saving, and spending money, they are more likely to develop a savvy sensibility and the framework necessary to manage their personal finances as adults,” says Marguerita Cheng, CFP, a certified financial planner professional and mom of three.

The CFP Board, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting professional standards in personal financial planning, offers four important tips to help you teach kids about money:

INVOLVE THE FAMILY Make money management a family affair. Get the whole family involved in financial planning. Talk to your kids about how they think money should be spent, such as saving for college, taking vacations, or dining out, and how to balance short-term indulgences and long-term financial planning goals.

LET KIDS EARN MONEY While not all parents approve of allowances, consider giving your child the opportunity to handle his or her own money, whether it is a regular allowance, small stipend, or money gifts from relatives for a birthday or special occasion.

ESTABLISH A SAVINGS PLAN

Let your kids know how you spend and save on a daily basis and talk to them about how they think their money should be spent.

STOCK PHOTO Investing in Your Future

Open a savings account for children. Show them statements and explain how money grows. Older children can have access to accounts to make deposits and withdrawals for food, clothes, games, and activities with friends. Kids may make some mistakes, but avoid the urge to rescue them. One experience with an overdraft charge on an account can be a valuable lesson for a lifetime of smart money management.

MODEL SMART SPENDING Let your kids know how you spend and save on a daily basis. Take them to the grocery store and explain saving money with coupons and sales, and how monthly expenses such as Internet and phone bills, as well as water and electricity, are part of a household budget. Explain how

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turning off lights saves money, as does making turkey soup for dinner with leftovers after Thanksgiving.

Visit letsmakeaplan.org today for more financial planning tips and guidance for your children or yourself, and to locate a certified financial planner in your area.

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• Protect seniors

(Continued from page 4)

Prioritize security. Seniors should keep checks and credit cards locked away, 4. and update passwords when information is compromised. They should also carefully review credit reports, account statements and bills for unusual activity or charges.

Be aware. Families can help seniors stay aware of the latest and most 5. common scams, as well as help them identify potential red flags, including: • Alleged emergency situations involving family members, often grandchildren,

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• Lottery winnings requiring upfront cash payment for taxes and other fees.

• Phone calls from alleged government agencies, such as Social Security, threatening arrest or penalties.

“Aging resiliently requires planning ahead and not shying away from difficult conversations,” says Long. “We have to talk with our older loved ones about the risks, the warning signs and prevention – and we have to keep talking.”

For more information on fraud prevention, visit wellsfargo.com.

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Saving strateg ies

Professionals approaching retirement may be dealing with a mix of excitement and anxiety, particularly if they’re concerned about their retirement savings.

Various strategies can help quell such anxiety and make it easier for professionals older than 50 to build their savings as retirement nears.

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AS RETIREMENT DRAWS Professionals on the cusp of retirement are often excited about what lies ahead. Some prospective retirees may look forward to traveling once they no longer have to go to work each day, while others may plan to return to school.

Regardless of how adults envision spending their retirement, they’re going to need money when they’re no longer being paid by their employers.

As retirement nears, some professionals may be concerned that they haven’t saved enough. There’s no one-size-fitsall answer in regard to how much money people will need in retirement. People who are worried they haven’t saved enough can try various strategies to build up their account balances before they officially call it a career.

Consider relocating

Take advantage of catch-up contributions

Conventional wisdom suggests moving away from investing in stocks the closer you get to retirement. Though that’s a sound strategy, professionals who are trying to build their retirement savings in the final years before retiring could be missing out on significant growth by abandoning stocks entirely.

Speak with a financial advisor about stock-based investments and your risk tolerance. Maintaining a diversified portfolio with a little risk can be a great way to grow your savings as retirement draws near.

Adults who are 50 or older are eligible to take advantage of catch-up contributions. These are designed to help people over 50 contribute more to certain retirement accounts, such as a 401(k) or IRA, than statutory limits would otherwise allow.

There are limits that govern the amount of money people can designate as catch-up contributions, but taking advantage of this perk can help people save more as retirement draws closer.

A recent study from the Employee Benefit Research Institute found that housing costs accounted for 49 percent of seniors’ spending. Professionals nearing retirement who live in areas traditionally associated with a high cost of living can begin to rethink their long-term housing strategy. Relocating to an area with a lower cost of living is one option, while those who prefer to remain in their current town or city can consider downsizing to a smaller home to reduce their property taxes and monthly utility bills.

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PAGE 8 • 2021 • INVESTING IN YOUR FUTURE

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