The IRS has released the 2019 cost-of-living adjustments, resulting in widespread increases to annual deferral limits - including the IRA, which previously hadn't changed since 2013. Short on time […]
New IRS Contribution Limits for 2019
by
Kristin McFarland, CFP®
on
November
01,
2018
in
tax planning,
Financial Planning,
Retirement Planning,
Updated for 2019
Infographic: Impact on Social Security Benefits by Age Claimed
by
Kristin McFarland, CFP®
on
October
30,
2018
in
Retirement Planning,
Infographics,
Social Security
When to take Social Security benefits is a decision every retiree or pre-retiree will ultimately face. Some situations are easier to navigate than others. For example, with a cash shortfall and no […]
Options After Inheriting an IRA from Your Spouse
by
Kristin McFarland, CFP®
on
October
16,
2018
in
Asset Management,
Inheritance,
Infographics,
SEP IRA,
Traditional IRA
If your spouse has named you as a beneficiary on their traditional IRA, SEP IRA, or SIMPLE IRA, you will need to understand your options for the account you have just inherited. In general, you will […]
How Lifestyle Inflation Can Harm Investors
by
Kristin McFarland, CFP®
on
October
02,
2018
in
Budgeting,
Building Wealth
This article was originally published by U.S. News and written by Kristin McFarland, CFP®, Wealth Advisor at Darrow Wealth Management.
Lifestyle inflation refers to when discretionary spending […]
What to do after inheriting a retirement account from a parent or relative
by
Kristin McFarland, CFP®
on
September
18,
2018
in
Inheritance,
Infographics,
401(k) Plans,
403(b) Plans,
SEP IRA,
Roth IRA,
Traditional IRA
If you have just inherited a traditional IRA, SEP IRA, Roth IRA, 401(k) or 403(b) plan from a parent, sibling, or relative, you may be unsure about what your options are and what to do next. As a […]
Is it always best to max out a 401(k)? Exploring the downside of tax-deferred growth
by
Kristin McFarland, CFP®
on
September
04,
2018
in
Financial Planning,
Retirement Planning,
401(k) Plans,
403(b) Plans,
Updated for 2019
Updated for 2019. In personal finance, there aren't too many universally applicable hard and fast rules. Although some might reasonably argue that always maxing out annual pre-tax contributions to a […]
Can You Save Too Much for Retirement?
by
Kristin McFarland, CFP®
on
August
21,
2018
in
Financial Planning,
Prioritizing financial goals,
Retirement Planning,
Investing,
Updated for 2019
Updated for 2019. With regular headlines reporting on the retirement savings shortfall facing many Americans, it may seem odd to consider whether it’s possible to save too much for retirement. […]
About to be Acquired: Managing Personal Finances During M&A Activity
by
Kristin McFarland, CFP®
on
August
07,
2018
in
Biotech,
Financial Planning,
Job Transition
Every industry has its own unique challenges. For professionals in biotech, pharma, and life sciences, the challenge is that most individuals don't stay at one company long enough to understand the […]
Should I Sign a Prenuptial Agreement?
by
Kristin McFarland, CFP®
on
July
24,
2018
in
Financial Planning for Couples
Despite the negative connotation, prenuptial agreements can provide certain couples with unique benefits and protections. Once thought of as only a tool for the super-rich, modern prenuptial […]
Essential Money Moves for Professionals Transitioning to a New Job
by
Kristin McFarland, CFP®
on
July
10,
2018
in
Financial Planning,
Employee benefits,
Job Transition,
Updated for 2019
A new job can be exciting: a fresh start, new title, and (hopefully) more money. But changing jobs also means navigating a new retirement plan and benefit package as well as tying up loose financial […]
