Quote of the Month
“We contain all the ages we have ever been.” “Often when you think you’re at the end of something, you’re at the beginning of something else.”
FRED ROGERS
When You Are Within Five Years of Retirement
If your anticipated retirement date seems about five years away, think about some of the proactive steps you could take before that date arrives. Acting now could save you some stress later on when you move from your full-time career to the next phase of your life. Take an hour today to candidly assess how much money you spend in a typical month – your essential and discretionary outlays. You can draw a comparison between this monthly number and the monthly income you are likely to have once retired. Choices can be explored to try and narrow any income gap, if needed. It helps to have a cash reserve as you leave your career or business, because arranging that first Social Security payment or retirement withdrawal may take longer than you initially anticipate.
If you are confident that you will enter a lower tax bracket once retired, it may make sense to boost your tax-deductible retirement contributions. Give some thought to capital gains should you want to sell highly appreciated securities or a highly appreciated home in the near future. Keep in mind this article is for informational purposes only and is not a replacement for real-life advice, so make sure to consult your tax, legal, and accounting professionals before modifying your tax strategy.1
Travel Tip
When you tee up on a par 4 or par 5, pick a target
Most golfers tee up on par 4s and par 5s with the simple idea of hitting it down the fairway. Rather than just doing that, pick out a target in the distance. This can help you hit your drives with more commitment and confidence: you will have a distinct objective in mind. Also, by aiming at a target instead of the whole fairway, you will feel like you have more margin for error on your drives.
Source: AlamoCityGolfTrail.com, May 27, 20212
Get Treatment at Home, Instead of the Hospital?
In theory, many acute illnesses could be treated by medical professionals making house calls. With a little push from the pandemic, doctors, nurses, and home health care providers out west and in the east are putting theory into practice.
Hospitals and health care networks in Denver, Tacoma, Sioux Falls and Baltimore are now offering degrees of at-home care for illnesses such as urinary tract infections and pneumonia, Next Avenue reports, and other providers and hospitals may follow, especially at a moment when hospital beds are at a premium in some metro areas. When a nurse or doctor comes to treat you at home, you can talk to them in the comfort of familiar surroundings, and that medical professional can observe aspects of your daily life, which may inform your treatment. Just as in a hospital or urgent care center, Medicare recipients can expect that program to pay its share of the bill. X-rays, blood work, antibiotics, and EKGs can be administered in home settings now thanks to advancing technology, and the trend may point to a new path in health care.3
Did You Know?
In its earliest years, the Supreme Court met underground
During the nation’s infancy, the highest court in the land temporarily met in the basement of the Capitol building. That was the Supreme Court’s second home; it had previously been in residence at Philadelphia’s Old City Hall.4
On the Bright Side
According to a November Bankrate survey, 63% of U.S. workers have maintained or increased their level of retirement savings contributions since the start of the pandemic.5
Brain Teaser
What was the date and time exactly one million seconds into the year 2021?
STUMPED? CALL 815.577.9125 FOR THE ANSWER!
This material was prepared by MarketingPro, Inc., and does not necessarily represent the views of the presenting party, nor their affiliates. This information has been derived from sources believed to be accurate. The publisher is not engaged in rendering legal, accounting or other professional services. If assistance is needed, the reader is advised to engage the services of a competent professional. This information should not be construed as investment, tax or legal advice and may not be relied on for the purpose of avoiding any Federal tax penalty.
CITATIONS.
1 – The Balance, October 11, 2021
2 – Alamo City Golf Trail, May 27, 2021
3 – Next Avenue, November 17, 2021
4 – National Constitution Center, September 24, 2021
5 – Bankrate, November 17, 2021