Do you have retirement plans from more than one employer? Or multiple IRAs? If so, it might be a good idea to consolidate your retirement accounts. Here are five reasons consolidating your retirement accounts makes sense. You could spend less on account fees. One of the best ways to increase your investment returns is to… Continue reading
People who are serious about improving their physical health know that it requires effort and a series of small steps taken over time. It’s much the same with improving your financial health. Here are some steps you can take to start or continue your journey to financial wellness. Look for Savings in Your Day-to-Day Spending… Continue reading
Do you wait until May to take down your holiday decorations? Do you hit snooze on your alarm clock each morning? Do you put off grocery shopping until the only food in the fridge is a three-day-old leftover meatloaf? Then chances are, you’re a procrastinator. When it comes to managing your finances, procrastination can put… Continue reading
No one expects to be the victim of a disaster, yet every year people find themselves in the midst of fires, floods, earthquakes and other catastrophic events with little, if any, time to prepare. And every year personal and financial records are lost because they can’t be located quickly in an emergency. That’s why it’s… Continue reading
Risk tolerance is the amount of risk you’re willing to take with your investments. As a general rule, younger investors have more time to keep their money invested and can accept more risk than older investors who will need to access their money sooner, such as in a few months or years. Market volatility is… Continue reading
What Emergency savings accounts are an important part of any financial plan. The purpose of these accounts is to cover or offset unforeseen financial emergencies. Such emergencies can include car repair, medical expenses, or even employment termination. Your account should ideally be separate from your primary savings account. This helps reduce the temptation to spend… Continue reading
Should you make it a priority to retire your debts before you retire? As with other aspects of your financial planning, the answer depends on your personal goals and situation. A debt-free retirement is a goal for many Americans if for no other reason than the peace of mind it can bring. Among retirees surveyed… Continue reading
Make the Most of Your Planning by Remembering These Key Ages While your path to retirement is unique, there are certain ages that stand out for everyone. Keeping these key ages in mind will help ensure that you are able to make the most of your planning years and avoid penalties for not taking action… Continue reading
Social Security is a complex system with many guidelines that may or may not apply to your individual situation. To help you make sense of Social Security rules and processes, MERS held a Facebook Live session with Vonda VanTil from the Social Security Administration. She provided answers to questions that our staff frequently hear when… Continue reading
Buckle Up Investing is comparable to a roller coaster ride. It’s filled with ups and downs and can appear overwhelming at times. There will be moments of thrill and moments of fear. Your decisions during the process will impact your financial wellness and retirement readiness. Wherever you’re at in the ride, there are important considerations… Continue reading