What is the Perfect Retirement Age? (VIDEO)
Alhambra's Bob Williams has a list of considerations to help you determine your perfect retirement age.
The Sunny Side of Inflation – Maybe
It may not be public enemy number one, but inflation is certainly near the top of the list. Since the beginning of 2021, prices of almost everything have gone into orbit. Energy prices are up an average of 56%. Airline tickets are up almost 25%. Used car prices have jumped more than 45%. And it seems there’s no slowdown in [...]
Paying More Taxes Because Your Spouse Dies
It’s one of the most obscure taxes in the IRS code, but it can be one of the most devastating at a time when you can least afford it. It’s called the Widow’s Penalty Tax—a stealth tax you never see coming—that can cause a widow or widower to struggle financially. When one spouse dies, the surviving spouse is now responsible [...]
Ask Bob: Social Security Timing
Alhambra's Bob Williams explains whether the timing of taking a Social Security benefit will affect the amount received by their spouse.
Common vs Solemn Probate
Alhambra's Bob Williams describes the difference between Common and Solemn Probate and the pros and cons of each.
Medicare Planning and How to Pick the Right Plan for You
Medicare is a veritable alphabet soup of choices. There’s Part A, Part B, Part C, Part D, and when you get into Medicare Supplements, there are 10 options—A, B, C, D, F, G, K, L, M, and N. Make the wrong choices and you could be hit with lifetime penalties that drive up your Medicare premiums and a Medicare plan [...]
Fiduciary vs Suitability Standard
Today we hear the word fiduciary tossed around as some concept that means the same thing by everyone who utters it. Nothing could be further from the truth. A fiduciary, according to Investopedia is: … a person or organization that acts on behalf of another… putting their clients' interest ahead of their own, with a duty to preserve good [...]
Stealth Income Taxes
In 1983, the United States changed the rules of engagement when it unveiled the first Stealth Aircraft—the F-117 Nighthawk. The goal was to make a plane that was undetectable to the enemy. The new design didn’t make it completely invisible to radar, but it made detection much more difficult. It’s possible you may have to deal with some stealth attacks [...]
Ask Bob: Social Security Survivor Benefit
Alhambra's Bob Williams answers a question about collecting a Social Security Survivor Benefit on an ex-spouse's work history if you've been remarried after the divorce.
Spousal Lifetime Access Trusts—a Treasure Chest for Married Couples
There’s an old axiom that says, “All good things must come to an end.” And unless Congress makes some changes, that’s what will happen to the current level of the federal estate tax exemption. As it stands now, every individual can give away $11.7 million of their estate free of inheritance and gift taxes. Married couples have a combined exemption [...]
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