Blog

Retirement Withdrawal Strategy:  Which Accounts First?  

Your withdrawal strategy in retirement shouldn’t just focus on maximizing your income. It should maximize the amount of income that ends up in your pocket. This can be tricky when considering many people have a combination of pre-tax, Roth, and…

Self Employed in Michigan? Comparing a SEP IRA vs. a Solo 401(k)

For years, the SEP IRA was the gold standard retirement plan for the self employed. High contribution rates? Check. Easy to open? Check. Flexible investments? Check. However, the SEP IRA is getting some competition, from the solo 401(k) (a.k.a an…

Social Security Benefits for Widows in Michigan

When Anne’s husband passed, her social security benefit was the last of her concerns. Finding the right cemetery, breaking the news to friends and family, and grief dominated her thoughts. Who can blame her? The man that she had been…

Qualifying For U.S. Social Security, Canada CPP and OAS (Totalization Agreement)

In 1984, the U.S. and Canada finalized an agreement that allows a person to qualify for both U.S. Social Security and Canadian retirement benefits. This made it easier for people who worked in both countries to qualify for retirement benefits…

Disagreeing with Dave Ramsey Regarding the Lump Sum Pension

A client recently told me that he was planning on taking the lump sum pension because he heard from Dave Ramsey this is the best option.  Are you kidding me?! You are making one of the biggest financial decisions of…