Posts by Marcus F. Johnson, CFPⓇ

It’s difficult to find someone who has not been emotionally and/or financially impacted by Alzheimer’s. Alzheimer’s is one of our nation’s costliest diseases. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, total payments for all individuals with Alzheimer’s or other dementias are estimated to total $355 billion in 2021 (not including unpaid caregiving). Sadly, afflicted individuals without adequate…

We make sure our children use seat belts in the car, wear helmets when they bike, and never run with scissors. But there is one danger we may not be considering: identity theft. According to Identity Theft Resource Center, 1.3 million children’s records are stolen each year. And a study by Carnegie Mellon University’s CyLab…

May 29 is National 529 College Savings Plan Day, a great time to focus on this important tool in planning for future education. 529 College Savings Plan funds were created to help families save for college tuition, books, and room and board. The money you contribute grows tax-free, and qualified distributions aren’t taxed. Although contributions…

Nearly half of all Americans own or work for a small business. This is Small Business Week, an annual recognition of the critical role entrepreneurs and small business owners play in our economy and the challenges they face. Today’s article looks at one specific challenge – retirement saving – and several potential options. Simplified Employee…

It won’t happen to me. It’s easy to think that way when considering the possibility of being out of work due to a debilitating illness or injury. But the numbers paint a different picture. More than one in four of today’s 20-year-olds can expect to miss work due to a disability for 90 days or…

You’ve worked hard to build up your nest egg. But what would happen if you were involved in an accident, which left you liable for an amount above the limits of your homeowners or auto insurance? All your hard-earned assets could be gone over night. To protect your savings, you may want to consider adding…

Undoubtedly, you’ve heard speculation about future tax increases due to increased government spending during the pandemic. Such predictions have more people considering Roth IRAs since money that goes into these accounts has already been taxed, earnings grow tax-free, and qualified withdrawals are not taxed. If you’ve never had a Roth, here are some things to…

If you’re a newcomer to the complex Medicare system, or will be soon, it’s wise to research potential options and pitfalls to prevent future regrets. As a starting point, here are a few mistakes to avoid: Missing Part B deadlines. If you’re already receiving Social Security benefits at 65, you’ll automatically be enrolled in Part…

While it’s natural to look ahead to a leisurely retirement, it’s prudent to prepare for expenses that catch many retirees by surprise. In a recent survey, nearly one-third of retirees reported they faced at least four unforeseen expenses during retirement. Some of the most common include: Inflation: Inflation rates have been low since the 2008-2009…

You have worked hard, managed your finances well, and invested wisely to protect your future and care for your family. It’s crucial not to lessen your vigilance when it comes to your estate. Unfortunately, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) passed in 2017 has lulled some individuals into a false sense of security. In…