For the past several years, the “Magnificent 7” stocks seemed unstoppable. Apple, Microsoft, NVIDIA, Amazon, Alphabet, Meta, and Tesla drove much of the U.S. stock market’s gains.¹ Many investors wondered if owning anything else even mattered
When most people dream about retirement, they picture spending time with family, traveling, or finally doing the hobbies they love. But even the best retirement plan can run into problems if you are not prepared.¹
The good news is that many of the biggest retirement roadblocks can be avoided with good planning. Here are five common challenges that can hurt your retirement, and what you can do about them.
If you have money saved in a Traditional IRA or an old 401(k), you’ve probably heard of something called a Required Minimum Distribution, or RMD. While many people know they have to take money out eventually, there is much more to understand. Making smart decisions about your RMDs can help lower taxes, support your retirement goals, and even leave more money for your family.
For many Americans approaching or living in retirement, cash has become attractive again. After spending years earning little to nothing on savings accounts and money market funds, retirees suddenly found themselves able to earn yields exceeding 5% on many cash investments following the Federal Reserve’s interest rate increases that began in 2022.¹ ² ⁶
New Jersey has some of the highest property taxes and living costs in the country, which is why the state has built a layered system of relief programs—primarily for seniors—to help them remain in their homes¹²³. The three core programs—ANCHOR, Senior Freeze, and Stay NJ—are designed to work together, each addressing a different piece of the tax burden rather than relying on a single solution.
