Blog
How Much Money Can I Make While Collecting Social Security Benefits?
If you are not full retirement age and will continue to work after you claim your Social Security benefits, it is important to be aware of the retirement earnings test and how it will affect your earnings.
Read MoreDo You Qualify For The Veterans Aid and Attendance Pension Benefit?
The Veterans Aid and Attendance Pension Benefit is something I came across when we were researching benefits for my father-in-law. This benefit helped immensely with his assisted living care costs during retirement.
Read MoreResumption of Student Loan Payments and Interest Accrual
The U.S. Department of Education has officially announced that student loan payments will resume in October. Despite ongoing discussions and potential developments, the likelihood of payments being paused again is unlikely.
Read MoreWhen Should You Collect Social Security?
When should you collect Social Security benefits? It is a question we hear frequently and, unfortunately, there is not a "one size fits all" answer. As Cassandra Dorn, CFP with Provident Financial Consultants shares, there are several...
Read More5 Things To Do 5 Years Before You Retire
What should you try to do within five years of deciding to retire? Jacob Merk, CPA, CFP shares five retirement considerations to start thinking about as you approach your retirement.
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What Happens If My Bank Fails?
What happens if my bank fails? When this occurs, the FDIC provides depositors with an insurance payout. However, not all accounts are covered under FDIC insurance. Cassandra Dorn, CFP shares the details.
Read More4 Options for Your 401k When Changing Jobs
Changing jobs? What should you do with the 401(k) money you’ve accumulated? Cassandra Dorn, CFPR shares the four options you may have (and in some cases you may engage in a combination of these options):Leave the money where it...
Read MoreFeds Managing SVB, Inflation
For the Federal Reserve, credibility is everything. And its credibility is being tested by how it plans to manage the banking system in the days leading up to its March 21-22 meeting.Last month, Fed Chair Powell confidently told Wall...
Read More5 Steps To Take After A Late Life Divorce
A growing number of retirement aged couples may find themselves going through what is being called a "gray divorce". Brenda Rolli, AAMS shares 5 financial steps to take as your plan your financial future following a divorce.
Read MoreCoping With Market Volatility
Cassandra Dorn, CFP shares a historical perspective of the stock market to remind us that some of the highest instances of market volatility also presented opportunities to investors.
Read MoreIdentity Theft Awareness Week
January 30 to February 3, 2023, is Identity Theft Awareness Week. Anytime is a good time to tighten up your identity security, but if you haven’t been as careful as you intended, consider this your annual reminder.
Read MoreSECURE Act 2.0: An Overview
The Secure 2.0 Act has dozens of significant provisions, so to help you see what changes may affect you, Brenda breaks down the major provisions of the new law into four sections.
Read More6 Key Birthday Milestones For Your Retirement Plan
Jacob Merk, CPA, CFP shares the six birthday milestones that play a role in your retirement planning and how you can plan accordingly.
Read MoreYear End Tax Planning Strategies
Jacob Merk, CPA, CFP shares opportunities you can review now that could lessen your tax burden in April.
Read MoreWill the Midterm Elections Move Markets?
Now that the midterm elections have come and gone, how will the stock market respond?
Read MoreWhy Aren't Bonds Working?
In a time when interest rates are higher than we have seen in decades, bond prices are behaving how we would expect them to.
Read MoreNew Retirement Contribution Limits for 2023
The Internal Revenue Service has released new limits for the coming year. After months of high inflation and financial uncertainty, some of these cost-of-living-based adjustments have reached near-record levels.Individual Retirement...
Read MorePro tip: Apply for Medicare Early.
If you’re like most of us, you’ve probably been thinking about your health quite a bit lately — especially if you’re approaching retirement. When it comes to your health, Medicare may be an important part of your retirement strategy.
Read More3 Practical Maneuvers in a Down Market
It’s natural to think “defense” during a bearish market season. But why not mix in some “offense” with your defense? Here are three moves we can discuss together that may be helpful during the current...
Read More1.02 Billion Reasons to Be Prepared
What would you do with a windfall? It’s a question I’ve read or heard a lot lately. Considering the Mega Millions jackpot has now grown to $1.02 billion, it’s safe to say most of us have thought about what it would be...
Read MoreWidowhood: Moving Forward On Your Own
Cassandra Dorn, CFP, covers some important details about how a woman can approach her financial situation following the death of her spouse. She also shares five common mistakes made by widows, and tips on how you can avoid these pitfalls.
Read MoreFiguring Out Your Credit Score
One of the first steps in building financial literacy is learning the ins and outs of your credit score. Tune in to our monthly webinar to learn where you can find your credit report, how your credit score is calculated and factors...
Read MoreThe Importance of Beneficiary Reviews
Cassandra Dorn, CFP® shares a few tales to inform you of the dangers we’ve seen with beneficiary titling gone awry. She will help make you aware of some of the problems that stem from not updating the beneficiaries on your...
Read More5 Camping Tips and Tricks
Camping can be the perfect getaway from your daily routine, allowing you to truly unwind and recharge. Now that the weather is getting warmer, our Administrative Associate Chantel Rechek is just itching to get their camper ready to go...
Read MoreThe Big Decisions
The journey to financial literacy and health is never-ending. Brenda Rolli, AAMS, considers the different issues and challenges we may face as we approach many of life's milestones. Whether you are getting married, deciding to buy or...
Read MoreWatch Out for These Common Tax Scams
According to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), tax scams tend to increase during tax season and/or times of crisis.1 Now that tax season is in full swing, the IRS is reminding taxpayers to use caution and avoid becoming the victim of...
Read MoreBeyond Investment Illusions Webinar
Market volatility can be very unpleasant for investors, however, the reality is that volatility should not only be expected, but embraced. In this webinar, Jacob Merk, CPA, CFP© goes through various historical perspectives of the...
Read MoreSouper Bowl Winning Recipe
There are many things to look forward to with the start of a new year, such as tackling new projects, planning upcoming vacations and even just being able to unwind from the busy holiday season. At Provident, one of the first things we...
Read MoreNavigating the Financial Aspects of Caregiving
Brenda Rolli, AAMS talks about navigating the financial planning aspects of caregiving. This webinar will help you have a better understanding of how you can help a loved one navigate various options for funding caregiving expenses,...
Read MoreTop IRA Planning Mistakes
Changes in tax laws, interest rates, inflation and Social Security benefits can all affect the success of your long-term plan. In this webinar, Cassandra Dorn, CFP® outlines some IRA mistakes for you and your beneficiaries to...
Read More5 Simple Ways to Make Healthy Lifestyle Changes
Investing in your health can benefit you not only physically, but mentally and financially as well. Creating a healthy lifestyle doesn’t need to be complicated. Just start small and remember to be kind to yourself in the process...
Read MoreCyber Safety Tips Webinar
Cyber attacks are continually evolving and affect millions of people around the world. With the biggest online shopping season approaching, Jacob Merk, CPA,CFP® will share the most common types of cyber attacks and ways to protect...
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