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Smart Summer Financial Tips for Investors Nearing Retirement
As the sun shines brighter and vacation season rolls in, summer is the perfect time to not only unwind but also re-evaluate your financial strategy. If you’re nearing retirement, the warmer months can bring clarity, motivation, and the opportunity to make smart adjustments that could enhance your retirement readiness. Here are five timely summer financial

7 Facts Investors Over 50 Need to Know About Investing for Income
For decades, most investors have been taught to focus on growing their portfolios. Accumulate. Grow. Maximize. That works — until it doesn’t. As you near or enter retirement, the strategy that once helped you build wealth may now put it at risk. That’s why for most investors it makes sense, as retirement approaches, to make

Do You Need Stocks to Retire? Discover Stock-Free Ways to Generate Retirement Income
If you’ve been told that the stock market is the only way to build wealth for retirement, you’re not alone. For decades, the conventional wisdom has been to invest in growth stocks, ride out the ups and downs, and eventually cash in your nest egg. But there’s a major flaw in that approach, especially when

Make the Most of Today’s Interest Rates — Before They Change Again
If you’ve been watching the headlines or your account statements lately, you’ve probably noticed that interest rates are higher than they’ve been in years. And if you’re retired or approaching retirement, that’s a big deal. But the real question is: Are you taking full advantage of it? Let’s dive into how today’s rate environment can

How to Make Sure You Can Retire When You Want To
Most people have a target age for when they’d like to retire, but many worry they may have to work longer to better ensure their financial security. Usually, people worry they haven’t saved enough yet, but that’s only one important factor to consider when deciding the right time to retire. And so, the question becomes:

Are Tariffs a Threat to Your Retirement Plans?
If you’re within 10 years of retirement — or already there — you’ve likely been keeping a close eye on the economy. The market’s recent volatility, sparked by President Trump’s announcement of sweeping tariffs, may feel like déjà vu from a few years back. But this time, the stakes could be even higher, especially if

Bonds and Bond Mutual Funds: What’s the Difference?
When it comes to investing for retirement, bonds and bond mutual funds are often considered stable, income-generating options. But while they may seem similar, they function very differently and can have a significant impact on your financial future. Bonds: A Reliable Income Stream A bond is essentially a loan you provide to a corporation or

How to Deal with Market Uncertainty When Building Your Retirement Income Strategy
If you’re nearing retirement, market uncertainty can stir up a lot of anxiety. The assets you need to start generating retirement income soon could swing wildly up and down in value, depending on how they’re invested. But even extreme market uncertainty is not unusual, and fortunately, there are ways to deal with it, both mentally

5 Tax Tips Retirees Should Know Before April 15
Tax Day — April 15 — is fast approaching. Whether you’ve already filed or are still pulling together your paperwork, this is more than just a time to check boxes and send documents to the IRS. For retirees or those nearing retirement, tax season is a valuable opportunity to take a closer look at your

How Investing for Income Helps Reduce Financial Risk
When it comes to retirement income planning, it’s important to have a strategy with the right priorities. Once you’re nearing retirement age, one of your top two priorities should be reducing your risk of a major loss due to market volatility and having sufficient and reliable income for retirement. Most people know this, but what

The True Cost of Underestimating Your Retirement Expenses
Retirement is often painted as a time of relaxation, travel, and newfound freedom – and ideally it should be. However, many retirees face an unexpected reality as their income falls short of their actual expenses. Underestimating the true cost of retirement can lead to extreme emotional stress, forcing you to make difficult choices later in

You Don’t Need Luck for a Secure Retirement
St. Patrick’s Day is all about celebrating good fortune, but when it comes to retirement, relying on plain luck just isn’t a plan — it’s a gamble. An enjoyable, secure retirement doesn’t happen by chance. It takes smart planning, the right strategy, and a focus on dependable income. Rethinking Retirement: Why Income Matters More Than

How to Protect Your Retirement from Market Volatility
Market volatility is inevitable. After all, the markets are driven not by economic fundamentals, but by emotion. When investors are optimistic, the markets can soar. When investors are worried and pessimistic, the markets can sink — and these mood swings can happen quickly. But none of this needs to derail your retirement plans. Whether you’re

Tackling Tariffs: What Everyday Investors Need to Know
By David J. Scranton, Founder and CEO of Sound Income Group Trade wars, tariffs, and economic negotiations—these words can send the stock market into a frenzy and make investors, especially retirees, nervous. With ongoing debates about tariffs and their impact on inflation, you might be wondering: How does this affect my investments? What does it

Paying Your Bills in Retirement: Smart Strategies for Everyday Investors
As we celebrate Pay Your Bills Week from February 2 to February 8, it’s the perfect time to reflect on the financial challenges many retirees face when transitioning from a paycheck-driven life to relying on savings and investments. For countless individuals, retirement signals the end of a steady, predictable income stream — the salary or

How Financial Advisors Can Use AI to Attract More Business Online
More than ever today, financial advisors need a strong online presence to attract and retain clients. It’s all well and good to have a business model and a brand that differentiates you from the competition, but if other advisors are more visible, appealing and engaging than you are online, then they’ll still have a competitive

What Makes a Great Retirement Income Plan? 5 Key Elements
If you were to ask a group of people, “What is the most important goal of a retirement plan?” most would probably answer, “To help ensure that you never run out of money.” But if you were to ask the same group, “What is the key to achieving that goal?” you’d probably get a variety

From Offense to Defense: The Key Shift in Retirement Planning
Retirement planning requires a strategic shift as you approach your golden years. Early in your career, the focus is on growth — maximizing savings, investing heavily, and building wealth for the future. But as retirement gets closer, the strategy must evolve. It’s no longer just about accumulating more. It’s about protecting what you’ve built and

Why an Income-First Strategy Could Be the Key to Your Dream Retirement
We all hope to achieve our “dream” retirement. But hoping isn’t enough. Nor is simply saving a lot of money. As any successful person can tell you, the surest way to make your dreams come true is to have a true strategy. And when it comes to retirement income planning, that means a strategy characterized

5 Retirement Planning Mistakes That Can Cost You – And How to Avoid Them
Retirement is that chapter in life we dream about — the ultimate freedom to enjoy family, pursue passions, and finally relax. Yet, even as we work towards that goal, it’s surprisingly easy to make small planning missteps that could have huge consequences later on. These common mistakes can chip away at the lifestyle you envisioned

The 7 Secrets of a Stress-Free Retirement: What Most Financial Advisors Won’t Tell You
Plans and goals for retirement may vary from person to person, but there is one thing most everyone wants during their retirement years: peace of mind. You want your retirement to be as stress-free as possible, specifically when it comes to money. But how do you achieve that goal? The answer boils down to one