It’s Ill-Advised to Count on an Inheritance to Fund Your Retirement

Chief Investment Officer Troy Harmon, CFA, CVA, is joined by Managing Associate D.J. Barker, CWS®, and Senior Financial Planner Josh Weidie, CWS®, to discuss a common fallacy among investors—that they can rely on an inheritance to fund their retirement. They discuss the average inheritance and some of the many ways an it could be significantly reduced before passing to the heirs.

Lifetime Income From a 401(k)? You May Want to Think Again

Chief Investment Officer Troy Harmon, CFA, CVA, is joined by Managing Associate Jarrett McKenzie, CFP®, CWS®, and Client Relationship Manager for Retirement Services Justin Wagner, AIF®, to discuss 401(k) participants’ interest in a lifetime income feature to their plans. They talk about what that might look like, the fiduciary concerns, and if it is even a good option for the investors.

Spending in Retirement—It is What You’ve Been Saving For

Senior Associate Melanie Wells, CFP®, and a Financial Planner join Chief Investment Officer Troy Harmon, CFA, CVA, to address a couple who are worried about the transition in retirement from accumulating money to spending money. The investors are concerned that they won’t enjoy retirement because of the unease they feel not receiving a paycheck.

Establishing a Legacy of Giving Through Donor-Advised Funds and Family Foundations

Chief Investment Officer Troy Harmon, CFA, CVA, Managing Associate D.J. Barker, CWS®, and Senior Financial Planner Giuliana Barbagelata, CFP®, take a closer look at donor-advised funds and family foundations for significant charitable giving. They compare the two in terms of ongoing fees, donor control, and tax benefits.

Tapping a Retirement Account Early and Avoiding Early Withdrawal Penalties

Chief Investment Officer Troy Harmon, CFA, CVA, joined by Managing Associate K.C. Smith, CFP®, CEPA, and Senior Financial Planner Clay Norman, CFP®, team up to explain the Rule 72(t) strategy that allows early retirees to access their retirement funds before age 59 ½ while avoiding the 10% early withdrawal penalty. They discuss the pros and cons of tapping the retirement account early, as well as how investors can control how much they withdraw.

Inflation, Cash Flow Projections, and Retirement Spending

Chief Investment Officer Troy Harmon, CFA, CVA, is joined by Associate Michael Griffin, CFP®, and Financial Planner Adam Stadalius, CFP®, to discuss inflation with this week’s case study. An investor learns he is receiving a meaningful cost of living adjustment in his Social Security benefits; however, he is still concerned that inflation will significantly eat into his retirement income. The financial experts discuss how Henssler factors inflation into a client’s spending projections.

Life Insurance Policies Are Being Sold to Private-Equity Firms

Research Analyst Jacob Keen, CFA, is joined by Director of Insurance Planning, Jim Crone, CLU®, CFS®, and Associate Michael Griffin, CFP® to discuss the trend in the life insurance marketplace where large insurers are selling existing policies to private-equity firms and asset managers. Jim highlights the concerns that policyholders may be exposed to riskier underlying investments.