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Key 401k Changes Coming in 2026: What You Need to Know
As we look ahead to 2026, several important changes are coming to your company’s 401k plan. These changes, ranging from higher contribution limits to new Roth contribution requirements for high earners, may affect how much you are able to contribute. Here are the key changes you should know. Higher Contribution Limits Each year the IRS makes an inflation adjustment to the 401k maximum contribution limits. In 2026 the new employee deferral limit increases to $24,500 for those
Steve Coker, CFP
20 hours ago2 min read
Getting Your Docs In Order for Aging Parents
Aging can be difficult, and at some point, many of us will need some help taking care of our own affairs. When that time comes, it is critical to have the appropriate documents in place giving a trusted family member or friend the authority to help. Unfortunately, many of us also neglect to create those documents, for ourselves and our aging parents. My wife and I walked beside her parents in their final years. It was difficult. Yet, we are so thankful that her parents th
Steve Coker, CFP
Nov 83 min read
Trust Implementation Checklist
If you have successfully created a living trust, then congratulations! You have completed a complex task that many avoid. ...
Steve Coker, CFP
Sep 63 min read
Understanding Medicare Advantage
As you may recall from the previous articles in our Medicare series that there are two broad categories of Medicare: Original Medicare...
Carole Meitler
Aug 163 min read
Gifting to Children – when does the gift tax apply
In my opinion, both financial planning and estate planning focus too heavily on leaving money to children at death and overlook one of...
Steve Coker, CFP
Jul 253 min read
Social Security: Why You Should Wait
It is tempting to start taking Social Security Retirement benefits as soon as possible but making the most of Social Security...
Steve Coker, CFP
May 231 min read
How to think about Long-Term Care
Long-term care is one of the most difficult financial issues retirees face. As we age, many of us require assistance such as feeding,...
Steve Coker, CFP
May 23 min read
How to check your own credit
Identity theft has become one of the most significant crimes of today with over 15 million people in the United States falling victim...
Steve Coker, CFP
Apr 272 min read
Rethinking Retirement: You’re Just Getting Started
It may seem a bit counter cultural, but what if retirement isn’t the finish line—but a starting line? What if retirement was more a like...
Carole Meitler
Apr 123 min read
Social Security Government Pension Offset: Update
On January 5th, 2025 the Social Security Fairness Act was signed into law, eliminating the controversial Government Pension Offset...
Steve Coker, CFP
Mar 92 min read
What happens to my 401k when I retire?
Retirement should not be stressful, but too often it is. The flurry of critical decisions combined with a dramatic life change is enough...
Steve Coker, CFP
Feb 222 min read
4 Tax Benefits for California Retirees
It is popular to criticize California for its high taxes, and rightfully so. Californian’s enjoy one of the highest income tax rates,...
Steve Coker, CFP
Feb 153 min read
Qualified Charitable Donations
Qualified Charitable Distributions (“QCD”) allow eligible IRA owners aged 70.5 or older to make up to $100,000 in tax-free gifts to...
Steve Coker, CFP
Feb 83 min read
Do I Need Disability Insurance
Most Americans are far better prepared financially to die than they are to become disabled. However, statistically speaking, on average...
Carole Meitler
Jan 253 min read
Big Social Security Changes – WEP and GPO Repealed
I did not think that it would ever happen! After years of lobbying the “Social Security Fairness Act” was passed at the end of December,...
Steve Coker, CFP
Jan 172 min read
Updated Retirement Plan Contribution Limits 2025
The IRS has published the 2025 contribution limits for your 401k, IRA, and other retirement plans. Now is a great time to review your...
Steve Coker, CFP
Jan 121 min read
Do I Need Umbrella Insurance?
I admit that I am an insurance skeptic. Not only can insurance be extremely complicated, but it is also frequently sold aggressively,...
Steve Coker, CFP
Dec 13, 20242 min read
How to Get Your Social Security Statement
There was a time when the Social Security Administration would mail out annual statements showing your expected Social Security...
Steve Coker, CFP
Sep 28, 20241 min read
Think you may be laid-off from your job? Here are 9 things you should do now to prepare financially
Once again we have been hearing from our clients about corporate “reorganizations”. Facing a “reduction in force” in corporate America...
Steve Coker, CFP
Sep 13, 20244 min read
Social Security Apocalypse: Will It Run Out?
Today there are over 70 million people receiving social security. Yet fewer and fewer Americans have confidence that Social Security...
Steve Coker, CFP
Aug 23, 20243 min read
