Quad Cities Business News

Prescott, Prescott Valley, Chino Valley, & Dewey/Humboldt

You are here: Home / Archives for Ronald Stevenson

Ronald Stevenson

Creating Your Own Retirement Plan

By Leave a Comment

Saving for retirement has become much more simple with automated savings for accounts like 401(k)s, but what do you do if you’re self-employed or work at a company that doesn’t offer a retirement plan? According to a study by the Employee Benefit Research Institute, fewer than half of American workers participate in an employment-based retirement plan.

Whether you work for a small company that doesn’t offer retirement options, you’re a part-time employee that is ineligible for benefits, or self-employed and don’t know where to begin, there are other ways you can plan for the retirement you’ve wanted.

One of the first options to consider is an individual retirement account (IRA), whether it is a traditional or Roth IRA. Traditional IRAs allow you to make contributions with money that you can deduct on your tax return, and the earnings grow tax-deferred until you begin making qualified withdrawals. Roth IRAs, on the other hand, let you contribute to an account with money that has already been taxed, so your withdrawals in the future can be tax-free. IRAs can be great investment vehicles, especially those without an employer-sponsored plan.

Another option is a solo 401(k), also known as individual 401(k)s or self-employed
401(k)s. These accounts can be appealing because they have high contribution limits and you can make more contributions as both the employee and employer, for those who are self-employed. It can be slightly challenging to navigate through the paperwork and guidelines for these plans, but they can be a good opportunity to save a significant amount of your earnings.

Aside from IRAs and solo 401(k)s, you could consider a taxable brokerage account, which allows you to  invest in the market in the same way that you would with a retirement account. Unlike retirement accounts, however, they aren’t tax-advantaged and you will have to pay taxes on any earnings from dividends or capital gains. There are no limits on contributions with taxable brokerage accounts, which make them good options for those who have already maxed out IRA contributions.

There are plenty of retirement savings options available to you, regardless of the plans available to you at your job. At American Financial Investments, LLC, we are dedicated to providing you with personalized financial solutions that fit your individual needs. We will help you determine which investment vehicles would work best for you and your retirement goals, and we can find any potential shortfalls that you may have, and devise a plan to help overcome them.

It may seem stressful and overwhelming to plan for retirement when you aren’t set up with an employer-sponsored plan, but with the right help, you can create a strategy that will help your finances and retirement plans stay on track. QCBN

By Ronald Stevenson and Barbara Clark Stevenson

Ronald F. Stevenson & Barbara Clark Stevenson own American Financial Investments LLC. American Financial Investments LLC offer Retirement Income Planning, Social Security Maximization, Personal & Corporate Tax Preparation and Planning.  For more information, call 928-771-8368 or visit AmericanFinancialSecurity.net, 3112 Clearwater Dr., Suite B, Prescott, AZ 86305.

Advisory services are offered through American Financial Investments LLC a Registered Investment Advisor in Arizona. Insurance products and services are offered through American Financial Security, LLC. American Financial Investments LLC and American Financial Security, LLC are affiliated companies. American Financial Investments LLC and American Financial Security, LLC are not affiliated with or endorsed by the Social Security Administration, or any other government agency.

Building Wealth Might Be Simpler Than You Think

By Leave a Comment

Wealth building isn’t about get-rich-quick schemes or chasing the trends in the stock market. Often, it just comes down to making the right financial decisions, big and small, over an extended period of time.

Recently, we came across an
Investopedia.com article from May 2019 entitled, “3 Simple Steps to Building Wealth.” We thought these steps were worth sharing. Sometimes, it can seem like the secret to wealth building is a mystery, when in fact it can be simpler than you think.

Don’t get us wrong – these steps are simple to understand, but they can be harder to execute. Still, they’re worth considering. According to the article, in order to build wealth over the course of your life, you need to do three things.

First, you need to Make it: You need to have a consistent source of income that allows you to have some left over after you’ve covered your necessities like housing, utilities, food and transportation.

Then, you need to Save it: Once those necessities are paid for, your next step is to have a proactive and consistent savings plan. This could include a 401(k) through your employer or another type of individual savings strategy.

Finally, you should Invest it: Once you have put aside that savings, it needs to work for you in an investment mix that matches your risk tolerance and long-term strategy.

Let’s dive into each of these three steps to wealth building a bit more in depth, starting with earning income. While earning income may seem like a no-brainer, it is still the most important step. Odds are that you have seen various charts and tables showing the value of compounding interest over time. What those tables and charts rarely show is what you need to be making to cover the necessities of your life. There is only so much you can save by cutting down on your expenses.

You will likely need to increase your income over time to allow for more opportunities to invest. One way to make sure that you are using new income for savings is to automatically increase your savings when you receive a raise or a bonus. You already know how to live on your current income, so don’t simply spend more because you have more.

Some 401(k) plans and individual retirement accounts will even provide you with the ability to automatically increase savings percentages on the schedule that you determine works for you. Are you paying off debt like a credit card or school loan? Schedule an increase for when that debt is paid off, thereby increasing your savings.

Speaking of savings, there are some more ways that you can avoid spending more than your income. Budgeting is an incredibly important and underrated tool to help you spend within your means and save what’s left over. Make sure you are looking at all of your monthly expenses and keeping excess and wasted expenditures to a minimum.

Finally, you need to find the right investment strategy and mix for your risk tolerance. At American Financial Security, LLC, we provide the Color of Money Risk Analysis and the Color of Money report. The first step is to color code your risk tolerance by answering the 11 questions of the Color of Money Risk Analysis. This analysis provides you with a financial picture and a roadmap to your overall risk preferences.

Building wealth can seem like a daunting task. But when you follow these three simple steps, you will find yourself on the right path. If you have any questions you’d like answered or would like to discuss your financial future, contact us today. QCBN

By Ronald Stevenson and Barbara Clark Stevenson

Ronald F. Stevenson & Barbara Clark Stevenson own American Financial Security, LLC and American Financial Investments, LLC. They specialize in Retirement Income Planning, Social Security Maximization, Tax Free Income Design, Personal & Corporate Tax Preparation and Planning. For more information, call 928-771-8368 or visit AFSprescott.com, 3112 Clearwater Dr., Suite B, Prescott, AZ 86305.

Ronald F. Stevenson offers Advisory services through American Financial Investments, LLC, a Registered Investment Advisor in Arizona. Insurance products and services are offered through American Financial Security, LLC. American Financial Investments, LLC and American Financial Security, LLC are affiliated companies.

Rebalancing Your Portfolio Allocations 

By Leave a Comment

In today’s uncertain financial landscape and based on the market run-up we have seen the last few years, we believe it is more important than ever to establish a well-maintained portfolio that can help you reach your financial goals. Your portfolio needs to not only meet your need for capital, but also provide you with financial peace of mind.

While there’s no simple formula to help you figure out how your portfolio should be constructed, determining the right asset allocation should be the first step in the process. In order to properly ascertain your financial situation, there are a few important things to consider: age, time horizon, amount of capital to invest and future capital needs.

Another important thing to be aware of is your risk tolerance. Would you be willing to risk funds for the possibility of greater gains? While everyone wants to reap the rewards of high returns, not everyone can handle the high stress levels it can cause.

On the other side, avoiding investment risk isn’t always a wise decision. It is possible for portfolios to be too conservatively constructed, which makes them unable to provide the necessary long-term growth that is needed to outpace inflation and build wealth. Many investors seek absolute safety and keep their money in bank accounts, Certificates of Deposit (CDs) and other financial products without realizing that these “safe” choices may incur their own set of risks.

These risks include investment opportunity loss and the destruction of purchasing power resulting from inflation. When investors fail to take advantage of returns that a portfolio of growth investments can produce over time, this is called investment opportunity loss. Inflation can also hurt your investments, as it is often regarded as the silent destroyer of low-risk portfolios as purchasing power declines over time.

You need to find the right balance for you – one that satisfies your risk tolerance while also achieving an appropriate amount of growth and income.

At American Financial Investments LLC, we can help you create a financial strategy that fits your individualized investment objectives and goals. Allow our team to utilize our knowledge and experience to help manage your portfolio during various economic conditions and investment market cycles. Allow us to help you determine your risk tolerance using proprietary surveys, analyzing your finances and discussing your retirement and financial goals in depth.

We believe that your best bet for steady, long-term growth of your investments is having a well-diversified portfolio. This can help protect your assets from the risks of large drops and structural changes in the economy over time. When you work with the right financial professional, they can help you diversify, make adjustments when necessary and help increase your odds for long-term financial success. QCBN

By Ronald Stevenson and Barbara Clark Stevenson

Ronald F. Stevenson & Barbara Clark Stevenson own American Financial Security, LLC and American Financial Investments, LLC, a Registered Investment Advisor in the State of Arizona. They specialize in Retirement Income Planning, Social Security Maximization, Tax Free Income Design, Personal & Corporate Tax Preparation and Planning.  For more information, call 928-771-8368 or visit AFSprescott.com, 3112 Clearwater Dr., Suite B, Prescott, AZ 86305

Discussing the Number One Concern About Retirement 

By Leave a Comment

Baby Boomers are retiring at astonishing rates and are looking for ways to replace their steady paycheck. They are worried about the potential of Social Security diminishing and what might happen to their retirement if it does. At American Financial Security, we believe that the number one concern for most pre-retirees and retirees is outliving their money. It is important to safeguard your retirement so you do not have to worry about outliving your retirement income.  

At American Financial Security, we take a holistic approach to retirement planning and a major part of that is trying to plan for the future. Nobody can predict the future, but by preparing for the future financially, you may be saving yourself from potential financial hardship. Essentially, creating income that you won’t outlive will be the result of strategic, innovative and purposeful retirement planning. 

There are various ways we help our clients work towards safeguarding their retirement. First, we like to encourage clients to revisit their retirement plan. People who planned their retirement years ago think that what they decided on then is still applicable to their situation now. However, situations change, and we believe it is important to always check on your retirement plan to make sure it meets your current and/or new needs.  

The next step is to determine what your daily income entails by first knowing how much you need and when you need it. Knowing how much you need and when is different for everyone. A general rule of thumb is that a retiree will require 70 to 80 percent of their pre-retirement income to maintain their current lifestyle. Once you figure out what the amount is you need and when, the next step would be to find beneficial investment strategies, options and tools to help you achieve your income goals. 

There are a handful of ways to fill your need for income in retirement. Social Security is one of the better-known ways. Social Security is the foundation of income planning for anyone who is about to retire and can be a reliable source of income. Having a solid understanding of your Social Security benefit can help safeguard your retirement by allowing you to make informed decisions that will allow you to maximize your benefit. 

For many Americans, finding dependable income to bridge their income gap in retirement can be a daunting and overwhelming process, but it doesn’t have to be. We help our clients develop a comprehensive understanding of Social Security so they can rest assured they are triggering their benefits in the way that’s best for them. The importance of maximizing your Social Security benefit really cannot be overstated. For some people, the difference can literally be thousands of dollars, and when it comes to retirement planning, every penny counts. 

Another way we help clients is by sharing with them how they could benefit from a fixed index annuity. Fixed index annuities are specifically designed to create income – either today or at some point in the future. When you place a lump sum into a fixed index annuity, the plan can be custom designed to help provide you with the ongoing income you need, for as long as you need it.   

A fixed index annuity may be an invaluable component of your retirement plan, helping you to safeguard your assets and your future. In order to help ensure you purchase the fixed index annuity best suited to your needs, it’s important you understand its fundamental concepts. A fixed index annuity can help provide the necessary income you need to maintain your quality of living after you retire. 

Is it very important to have a retirement plan addressing ways to have income for life in order to safeguard your retirement? Finding the most efficient and beneficial way to address this may impact your lifestyle, your asset accumulation, and your legacy planning after you retire. QCBN 

 

*Annuities are designed to be long-term investments and frequently involve surrender charges. Early withdrawals may impact annuity cash values and death benefits. Taxes are payable upon withdrawal of funds.  An additional 10% IRS penalty may apply to withdrawals prior to age 59 ½. Annuities are not guaranteed by FDIC or any other governmental agency and are not deposits or other obligations of, or guaranteed or endorsed by any bank or savings association. With fixed annuities, both the money you invest and the interest paid out are guaranteed by the claims-paying ability of the insurer. Investors should consider the investment objectives and expenses of a fixed index annuity carefully before investing.  

By Ronald Stevenson and Barbara Clark Stevenson 

Ronald F. Stevenson & Barbara Clark Stevenson own American Financial Security, LLC and American Financial Investments, LLC, a Registered Investment Advisor in the State of AZ.  They specialize in Retirement Income Planning, Social Security Maximization, Tax Free Income Design, Personal & Corporate Tax Preparation and Planning.  For more information, call 928-771-8368 or visit AFSprescott.com, 3112 Clearwater Dr., Suite B, Prescott, AZ 86305 

 

  

Using Life Insurance for Financial, Tax Planning  

By Leave a Comment

Do you have a financial plan set up to protect your loved ones after you pass away? With a well-thought-out life insurance plan, you can do just that. The purpose of life insurance is to help provide a measure of financial well-being for your family and loved ones when you are no longer there. With the purchase of a carefully planned life insurance policy, you can help ensure that your family and loved ones will be taken care of. 

Life insurance offers two essential benefits. First, it offers protection for your family from the financial hardships if you were to pass away. Secondly, certain types of life insurance policies offer wealth accumulation features. Not only can life insurance benefit your family in the event of your passing, but it can also benefit you as a key component in your financial portfolio. 

In addition, there are two terms commonly used when discussing life insurance: term and permanent. Term insurance is the most commonly one used. This insurance policy is when you purchase a certain death benefit that will go to your heirs upon your death that typically lasts for 10 to 20 years. Once you reach the end of that term, you no longer have insurance unless you purchase another policy. The other term used is permanent insurance. This type of insurance is permanent as long as the premiums continue to be paid. Permanent insurance generally has higher premiums than term insurance for the same amount of death benefit coverage. 

Life insurance enjoys a unique status among financial products. It may provide you with an array of benefits such as providing for funeral costs and final medical bills, along with helping with life expenses for your dependents and/or survivors. But, what really sets it apart from other financial options is that it receives advantageous tax treatment unlike any other financial tool.  

This little known or discussed tax asset holds some of the greatest value for your financial lives, both during life and upon death. After purchasing a life insurance policy, your loved ones will be provided with a financial windfall from the life insurance company when you pass to help them with your final expenses and carry on with their lives comfortably. One of the best parts about the life insurance windfall is that nobody will have to pay tax on the money they receive. This is one of the greatest tax-advantage devices available. Many “new” permanent life insurance policies allow you to use the death benefit as a living benefit for long-term care costs. This feature or benefit can be beneficial in deciding if life insurance is right for you versus other investments.    

Additional tax benefits on a life insurance policy is that there are no current income tax on interest or earnings, no income tax on the borrowed cash value and no income tax on proceeds. However, in certain situations, life insurance death benefits may be partially or wholly taxable.  

As an independent insurance firm, we are able to shop dozens of insurance carriers to find the best rates and product solutions to fit your specific needs and goals. In addition, we offer complimentary reviews on your existing life insurance contracts. QCBN 

 

By Ronald Stevenson and Barbara Clark Stevenson 

About the Authors: Ronald F. Stevenson, Investment Advisor Representative & Barbara Clark Stevenson own American Financial Investments, LLC, A Registered Investment Advisory Firm.   They specialize in Professional Investment and Portfolio Management, Retirement Income Planning, Social Security Maximization, Tax Free Income Design, Annuities, Personal & Corporate Tax Preparation and Planning.  For more information, call 928-771-8368, 3112 Clearwater Dr., Suite B, Prescott, AZ 86305 

or visit our website: AFSprescott.com. 

 

Investment advisory services offered through American Financial Investments, LLC a Registered Investment Advisor in the State of Arizona. Insurance products and Tax services are offered through American Financial Security, LLC.  American Financial Investments, LLC and American Financial Security, LLC are affiliated companies. 

 

 

 

 

### 

Re-Balancing Your Portfolio Allocations   

By Leave a Comment

In today’s uncertain financial landscape and based on the market run up we have seen in 2017, we believe it is more important than ever to establish a well-maintained portfolio that can help you reach your financial goals. Your portfolio needs to not only meet your need for capital, but also provide you with financial peace of mind.  

While there’s no simple formula to help you figure out how your portfolio should be constructed, determining the right asset allocation should be the first step in the process. In order to properly ascertain your financial situation, there are a few important things to consider: age, time horizon, amount of capital to invest and future capital needs.  

Another important thing to be aware of is your risk tolerance. Would you be willing to risk funds for the possibility of greater gains? While everyone wants to reap the rewards of high returns, not everyone can handle the high stress levels they can cause.  

On the other side, avoiding investment risk isn’t always a wise decision. It is possible for portfolios to be too conservatively constructed, which makes them unable to provide the necessary long-term growth that is needed to outpace inflation and build wealth. Many investors seek absolute safety and keep their money in bank accounts, Certificates of Deposit (CDs) and other financial products without realizing that these “safe” choices may incur their own set of risks.  

These risks include investment opportunity loss and the destruction of purchasing power resulting from inflation. When investors fail to take advantage of returns that a portfolio of growth investments can produce over time, this is called investment opportunity loss. Inflation can also hurt your investments as it is often regarded as the silent destroyer of low-risk portfolios as purchasing power declines over time. 

You need to find the right balance for you – one that satisfies your risk tolerance while also achieving an appropriate amount of growth and income.  

At American Financial Investments LLC, we can help you create a financial strategy that fits your individualized investment objectives and goals. Allow our team to utilize our knowledge and experience to help manage your portfolio during various economic conditions and investment market cycles. Allow us to help you determine your risk tolerance using proprietary surveys, analyzing your finances and discussing your retirement and financial goals in depth.  

We believe that your best bet for steady, long-term growth of your investments is having a well-diversified portfolio. This can help protect your assets from the risks of large drops and structural changes in the economy over time. When you work with the right financial professional, they can help you diversify, make adjustments when necessary and help increase your odds for long-term financial success. QCBN   

By Ronald Stevenson and Barbara Clark Stevenson 

 

Ringing in Financial Tips for the New Year 

By Leave a Comment

For many people, the New Year means new goals and resolutions. 

Last year, nearly one-third of Americans made New Year’s resolutions, with half reporting that they want to save more, according to the New Year Financial Resolutions study from Fidelity. You may be one of the many who created a financial resolution – but will you stick to it?  

The key to success when it comes to your financial resolution is to take a realistic approach and focus on consistency rather than perfection. Typical resolutions involve beating yourself up over all of the mishaps like missing a day or two at the gym or cheating on a diet, but if you take small steps and adopt realistic, long-term behavioral changes, it becomes much easier to stick to your plan.  

If you have big financial dreams for the year, you should break them up into mini-goals. Start small and move bigger as you get more and more comfortable. Try focusing on one financial goal at a time, like paying off credit card debt.   

 

Another thing that can help you accomplish your New Year’s financial resolutions is to track your progress. Because what’s the point of resolutions if you can’t see where you started and how you are progressing? It also can help to have some personal accountability. Although talking about money is typically viewed as taboo, it can be helpful to discuss your financial goals with your friends or family. 

 

One of the benefits of living in an age of technology is that it’s easy for us to automate a lot of our life expenses, thereby keeping ourselves on track to financial success. Bill paying, saving and investing have become so much simpler these days as banks, credit card issuers, investment companies and retirement plan providers have made automation an option. On that note, if one of your goals is to save more money, a smart idea is to have your savings automatically withdrawn from your paycheck and deposited into a separate savings account. 

 

If you find your finances do get off track, don’t worry. The reality is that you will likely have a moment of weakness, no matter how determined you are. Think of the times and situations that you could see yourself slipping up, and come up with a plan for how you will not let those moments completely derail you from reaching your financial goals. If you are someone who is easily tempted to spend more at the mall, grocery store or restaurant and often leave those places wondering how you spent so much, you may want to use cash instead – eliminate the temptation for yourself. 

At first, these small actions won’t feel natural and may even be uncomfortable, but they could save you big in the long run. 

 

At American Financial Investments, LLC, we are determined to help clients create a plan that will work for their unique situation, and can provide you with the understanding you need to feel confident and closer to your dreams. QCBN 

 

By Ronald Stevenson and Barbara Clark Stevenson 

Understanding Basic Financial Concepts  

By Leave a Comment

Having financial literacy means being able to discern the major financial issues that most people encounter at one point or another, including debts, investments, emergencies and beyond. Sounds straightforward, right? But statistics regarding the average American’s relationship to money reveal otherwise: 

  • Roughly four out of every five U.S. workers live paycheck to paycheck. 
  • More than a quarter aren’t making monthly savings contributions. 
  • Nearly 75 percent are in debt of some sort.  

In order to ensure that you don’t fit into those statistics, you need to learn how to be financially literate, and it starts with developing a solid understanding of the following concepts: 

Debt  

Today, millions of Americans are overwhelmed with mortgages, car loans, credit card debt and student loans. So much so that last year, Northwestern Mutual reported that 40 percent of Americans spend up to half of their monthly income on debt payments. Debt costs serious time and money to pay off, and can hinder your ability to invest in your future.  

Budgeting 

 

What’s the first step in paying off any debt you have and making smart decisions for the future? Creating a budget and sticking to it. Sit down, do the calculations on what you can afford versus what you’re spending, and start saving for your goals today so that you can have a better tomorrow.  

 

Emergencies 

According to a report from Bankrate, less than 40 percent of Americans say they could cover a $1,000 unplanned expense. To be financially wise, you should have funds set aside for any sudden emergency, like a totaled vehicle or loss of employment.  

The closer you are to retirement, the more important it becomes to have financial literacy – especially because many important and often irreversible choices may come your way. At American Financial Investments, LLC, we can help you become more confident in your knowledge of the financial landscape – from Social Security filing strategies to investments and insurance options, we’ve got you covered.  

Working with a financial services professional allows you to create a financial plan that will work for your unique situation, and can provide you with the understanding you need to feel confident and closer to your dreams.  QCBN  

 

By Ronald Stevenson and Barbara Clark Stevenson 

 

 

 

 

Is it Time to Schedule a Retirement Checkup?

By Leave a Comment

When was the last time you reviewed your financial life? In the same way that it’s important to go to the doctor for a physical, comprehensive retirement check-ups are crucial to your financial success down the road.

In today’s technology-driven world, it’s easy to put your finances on autopilot. From automatic deposits, online statements and automatic 401(k) contributions, it can be easy to leave your retirement plan unsupervised.

But, how do you go about starting the retirement check-up process? Well, first and foremost, you need to consider what your goals are. Whether you want to travel, have a winter home in a warm state, etc., it’s important to have goals to frame your retirement plans around.

Another important part of a check-up of your retirement is to monitor your account balances. Most of your retirement accounts are accessible online now, so log in and see how much you are saving and the value of your accounts. Obviously, the more you squirrel away now, even if it’s only a few extra dollars here and there a month, means the possibility for more money in the future.

You may want to consider increasing your contribution amounts, even if by just a few percentage points. Some accounts allow you to set up automatic increases to your contribution that can go into effect each year.

Another aspect of your retirement check-up should be to ensure that your investment strategy makes sense. Staying in conservative investments may be appealing – especially to your emotions that may fear market crashes, but the yields that you will earn on overly conservative investments can be too low to provide the income and purchasing power that you may need down the road. This is especially true when you take inflation into consideration, or consider that your retirement may last over 30 years with the life expectancy rates of today.

When it comes to investing, you just need to find the right balance. At American Financial Investments, LLC, we can help categorize your assets so that they are in a good position to help you reach your retirement goals.

When you choose to work with a financial services professional, they are able to assist you in creating financial plans that will work for your unique situation. You may want to consult a trusted financial services professional to help you check up on your finances. QCBN

By Ronald Stevenson and Barbara Clark Stevenson

Ronald F. Stevenson & Barbara Clark Stevenson own American Financial Security, LLC. They specialize in Retirement Income Planning, Social Security Maximization, Tax Free Income Design, Personal & Corporate Tax Preparation and Planning. For more information, call 928-771-8368 or visit
AmericanFinancialSecurity.net, 3112 Clearwater Dr., Suite B, Prescott, Arizona 86305.

All written content is for information purposes only. It is not intended to provide any tax or legal advice or provide the basis for any financial decisions.

Creating Your Own Retirement Plan 

By Leave a Comment

Saving for retirement has become much more simple with automated savings for accounts like 401(k)s, but what do you do if you’re self-employed or work at a company that doesn’t offer a retirement plan? According to a study by the Employee Benefit Research Institute, fewer than half of American workers participate in an employment-based retirement plan.  

Whether you work for a small company that doesn’t offer retirement options, you’re a part-time employee that is ineligible for benefits, or self-employed and don’t know where to begin, there are other ways you can plan for the retirement you’ve wanted.  

One of the first options to consider an individual retirement account (IRA), whether it is a traditional or Roth IRA. Traditional IRAs allow you to make contributions with money that you can deduct on your tax return, and the earnings grow tax-deferred until you begin making qualified withdrawals. Roth IRAs, on the other hand, let you contribute to an account with money that has already been taxed, so your withdrawals in the future can be tax-free. IRAs can be great investment vehicles, especially those without an employer-sponsored plan.   

Another option is a solo 401(k), also known as individual 401(k)s or self-employed 401(k)s. These accounts can be appealing because they have high contribution limits and you can make more contributions as both the employee and employer, for those who are self-employed. It can be slightly challenging to navigate through the paperwork and guidelines for these plans, but they can be a good opportunity to save a significant amount of your earnings.  

Aside from IRAs and solo 401(k)s, you could consider a taxable brokerage account, which allows you to  invest in the market in the same way that you would with a retirement account. Unlike retirement accounts, however, they aren’t tax-advantaged and you will have to pay taxes on any earnings from dividends or capital gains. There are no limits on contributions with taxable brokerage accounts, which make them good options for those who have already maxed out IRA contributions.  

There are plenty of retirement savings options available to you, regardless of the plans available to you at your job. At American Financial Investments, LLC, we are dedicated to providing you with personalized financial solutions that fit your individual needs. We will help you determine which investment vehicles would work best for you and your retirement goals, and we can find any potential shortfalls that you may have, and devise a plan to help overcome them.   

It may seem stressful and overwhelming to plan for retirement when you aren’t set up with an employer-sponsored plan, but with the right help, you can create a strategy that will help your finances and retirement plans stay on track. QCBN 

 

By Ronald Stevenson and Barbara Clark Stevenson 

Ronald F. Stevenson & Barbara Clark Stevenson own American Financial Investments LLC. American Financial Investments LLC offer Retirement Income Planning, Social Security Maximization, Personal & Corporate Tax Preparation and Planning.  For more information, call 928-771-8368 or visit AmericanFinancialSecurity.net, 3112 Clearwater Dr., Suite B, Prescott, AZ 86305.  

 

Advisory services are offered through American Financial Investments LLC a Registered Investment Advisor in Arizona. Insurance products and services are offered through American Financial Security, LLC. American Financial Investments LLC and American Financial Security, LLC are affiliated companies. American Financial Investments LLC and American Financial Security, LLC are not affiliated with or endorsed by the Social Security Administration, or any other government agency.