Are your beneficiaries up to date?

From: REAP, LLC. | Retirement & Estate Advisors & Professionals

Naming primary and secondary beneficiaries for life insurance policies, annuities and retirement accounts is one of the easiest and most effective estate planning moves you can make. Here’s why it’s important to make changes as needed to keep these details current.

Marriage, Divorce, Kids and More

Checking your beneficiaries on a regular basis (even annually is enough) can help…

How to keep your financial data safe

From: REAP, LLC. | Retirement & Estate Advisors & Professionals

Hackers, identity thieves and cybercriminals are continuously coming up with new ways to compromise sensitive financial information, so it’s important to make a regular practice of protecting your online data. Here are a few ways to help keep your digital details safe and secure.

Pick a financial aggregation tool.

It’s a good idea to use different passwords for…

How to talk about finances early in a relationship

From: REAP, LLC. | Retirement & Estate Advisors & Professionals

New couples have plenty of fun things to talk about, but what about the tricky-but-necessary topic of finances? Instead of avoiding the conversation, it’s better to tackle money issues early on in order to avoid problems later. Here’s how to discuss finances in a constructive way.

Values and Emotions
Understanding your new partner’s history…

What does a solid retirement plan look like?

From: REAP, LLC. | Retirement & Estate Advisors & Professionals

Whether your retirement is decades away or right around the corner, it’s important to be prepared for all this transition will entail. A good retirement plan should have a solid strategy and leave room for flexibility. It should also be regularly reviewed in order to address potential snags.

Want to make sure you’re in a…

A parents’ guide to paying for college

From: REAP, LLC. | Retirement & Estate Advisors & Professionals

Since the 1990s, the costs of both private and public college tuition have easily outpaced inflation. This means helping to pay for your children’s higher education may no longer be as straightforward as opening a 529 account, snagging as many scholarships as possible and filling out FAFSA forms.

Take another look at loans.
Student loans have…

Do you need to rebalance your portfolio?

From: REAP, LLC. | Retirement & Estate Advisors & Professionals

Crafting the right investment mix is both an art and a science. Not only do you have to consider your future goals, but you also have to take situational factors into account, like your risk tolerance and the current market conditions. To make sure your portfolio keeps its custom fit, it may help to rebalance on…

Estate planning for blended families

From: REAP, LLC. | Retirement & Estate Advisors & Professionals

Second marriages and blended families have become increasingly common. Since estate planning can be more complex in these scenarios, it’s important to prepare for a variety of situations through research, planning and by reaching out for help when needed.

Trust in Trusts
A trust requires resources to set up and maintain, but when it comes to

Get your taxes ready early and right

From: REAP, LLC. | Retirement & Estate Advisors & Professionals

Although the tax deadline is still a few months away, it’s a good idea to gather all relevant documents well in advance of the tax prep rush of early spring. Now is the time to review and organize your annual financial milestones to help ensure a smooth experience.

Review the basics.
A lot can…

Check In With Your Retirement Plan

From: REAP, LLC. | Retirement & Estate Advisors & Professionals

Preparing for retirement is a cornerstone of any financial plan, but a lot can change as you approach your golden years. That’s why trying a “retirement dress rehearsal” well before you stop working can reveal items to be addressed or give you reasons to adjust your expectations.

Double-check your financial details.
Most people’s anxiety about retirement comes…

Financial Considerations for Couples

From: REAP, LLC. | Retirement & Estate Advisors & Professionals

Money can be one of the most contentious topics of discussion in a romantic relationship, making open and honest communication vital to overcoming common financial concerns like debt and child-related expenses. What’s the best way to address finances as a couple?

Should you combine your finances or keep them separate?
In the past, the default was for couples…