Roth conversions
Roth IRA conversions can be an important potential tool for implementing a tax efficient retirement plan. At its core, a Roth conversion involves prepaying a deferred tax liability in exchange for tax free growth going forward. Conversions are ideal for people who are in lower tax bracket today than they are likely to be in […]
Recessions and investing
The word “recession” makes investors feel uneasy and with good reason; the correlation between a bear market and an economic recession is very high. For anyone with money in the stock market, especially those nearing retirement, this can be scary. The “r” word has been making headlines in recent months as investors worry about trade […]
Life events to consider – buying a house
Whether it’s your first house, you are relocating to a new area, or you are upgrading to your “forever” home, buying a house is one of the most significant purchases you will make. Properly budgeting for the costs to buy, finance, and maintain the new home can help set you up for financial success and […]
Life events to consider – getting married
Congratulations! You are officially married and get to enjoy all the financial benefits that come along with it. After you’ve had some time to relax after the big day, be sure to consider the following. Beneficiary Designations – Update beneficiary designations on any life insurance, retirement accounts, etc., to name your spouse as primary beneficiary. […]
Social security: Child-in-care filing method
Rockbridge is involved in many organizations that advocate for children with disabilities and their caretakers. As a result, we’ve helped numerous families financially navigate through their working years and successfully transition into retirement. Special needs families tend to have common questions, one of which is how and when to file for Social Security benefits. In […]
Long-term disability considerations
Many of us are familiar with insurance for your home, auto and life, but the reality is – we don’t often know our specific coverages until we need to make a claim. Insurance has become so specific it’s worthwhile to contact you carrier and become more familiar with exactly what your policy is going to […]
Life events to consider
If you’re like most people, you know that planning to achieve your financial goals involves more than just budgeting and saving for retirement. You’ve undoubtedly received financial advice, solicited or otherwise, from some combination of family, friends, coworkers, or even just from the myriad financial planning advertisements on TV and online. With all of this […]
New York State office of unclaimed funds
Over the summer, we had a client ask if there was a place to look for existing accounts or funds they or family members may have accumulated and forgotten about over the years. That sparked Julie’s memory of the New York State Office of Unclaimed Funds (https://ouf.osc.state.ny.us/ouf/?wicket-crypt=8AxvNk1VlCk). You may have noticed the Office puts a […]
More than just an investment firm
At Rockbridge, we believe that the role of an investment advisor is changing, and investors should be expecting more from their advisors than they have in the past. With options like Vanguard, robo advisors, and all the other investment-only solutions popping up each day, it’s clear that advisors who focus solely on investment management are […]
New tax law makes bundling gifts to donor-advised funds attractive
“Give, but give until it hurts.” – Mother Teresa – I don’t think Mother Teresa paid much attention to the tax code, but her quote is unusually prescient for 2018 taxpayers. The changes have made it unlikely to get a tax break on money given to your favorite charities. When the Tax Cuts […]
