Not only do we help you make portfolio management decisions, stay on the good side of market volatility, and measure and report your investment performance periodically, but we also help you think through important (usually financial) decisions.
Here are examples of real-life client situations that we have helped with just in the past couple of months.
When To Begin Social Security
One of our clients was prepared to wait another year to begin Social Security at age 66 ½, thereby receiving a 4% increase in amount. Learning she was eligible for benefits at age 66, it made more sense to get six full additional payments (albeit 4% smaller) instead of waiting.
Reverse Mortgage
A widow with a modest income and invested assets considered selling her investments to cover cash needs. She also owned her house free and clear. After discussing the pros and cons of a reverse mortgage, she decided this was a better solution.
IRA Penalty Period
Another widow considered withdrawing cash from her IRA to meet an urgent, unexpected medical expense. After learning of the penalties pertaining to early withdrawals (prior to age 59 ½, which was only 4 months away), she decided wait until reaching the required age.
Clear Powerful Picture of the Future
One client was unsure of the ability to retire comfortably, especially after losing all their home’s equity during the housing crisis of 2007-08. Together we developed a Serious Money Vision Map, which looked at their pension and Social Security resources and illustrated a sufficient cash flow, providing the confidence they needed to proceed with retirement plans.
Purchase of Retirement Dream House
One family needed reassurance that the plan to sell their current house and buy their retirement dream house made sense. We reviewed their resources, retirement cash flow, current home equity, current mortgage rates, and timing. Their decision to proceed with the move was made with confidence and conviction.
Possible Loss of Dream House
Another couple invested their entire home equity into a newly-constructed dream house, but encountered a series of problems with the builder and faced the very real possibility of having to abandonment the project. During a meeting together, we found a forgotten retirement account from previous employment, providing the financial security and confidence to proceed with construction.
Transitioning to Retirement and Dream House
One couple was trying to juggle purchase of new home in the Sunbelt before sale of their current home and termination of employment. We discussed various options, including a short-term loan from a current 401(k) plan. They were able to make the down payment on a new home and then repay the loan in full from the sale of their current home. Our clients have a new home, new jobs, and confidence to pursue their dream.
Use of Funds to Pursue International Lifestyle
One client wanted to move his family to Europe for a change in lifestyle and pursuit of business interests. We discussed how to use the proceeds from the sale of their local home to make this international lifestyle a reality, giving the client confidence to pursue their plans immediately.
Transition to Assisted Living
An older client was ready to move from her current house into an assisted living facility. After discussing cash flow concerns with her adult children and modeling long-term expectations, the children felt confident in their decision to help their mother make the difficult transition.
These real-life situations occur regularly with our diverse client base. When faced with one of life’s transitions, please don’t hesitate to call. We have a variety of tools and conversations to help you think through your options to arrive at the best decision possible.
Jeff
FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENT DISCLOSURE
As a Registered Investment Advisor, one of our responsibilities is to communicate with clients in an open and direct manner. Insofar as some of our opinions and comments are based on current advisor expectations, they are considered “forward-looking statements” which may or may not be accurate over the long term. While we believe we have a reasonable basis for our comments and we have confidence in our opinions, actual results may differ materially from those we anticipate. You can identify forward-looking statements by words such as “believe,” “expect,” “may,” “anticipate,” and other similar expressions when discussing prospects for particular events and/or the markets, generally. We cannot, however, assure future results and disclaim any obligation to update or alter any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. Further, information provided in this letter should not be construed as a recommendation to purchase or sell any particular security.
The Planner’s Edge®: TM & copyright 2013. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form, or by any means whatsoever without written permission from the publisher. Serious Money TalksTM is a trademarks of The Planner’s Edge®. If you would like further information about the services of The Planner’s Edge®, please call 206-232-4500 or 1-800-735-7302. Email: info@theplannersedge.com.
