Retirement Matters With Michael Stewart

Unfortunately, there are a lot of myths about Social Security out there. In this episode, we'll debunk these common myths and answer the Social Security questions you've been curious about. This is part 2 of our Social Security conversation, where we will break down the remaining 5 Social Security myths.   Contact Info: Website: https://crystallaketax.com/ Phone Number: 815-526-3092

Have you ever wondered if the Social Security system will run out of money before you retire? Or if claiming benefits as soon as you're eligible is the best decision for your financial future? In this episode, we'll be debunking common myths about Social Security and answering the questions you've been curious about.   Contact Info: Website: https://crystallaketax.com/ Phone Number: 815-526-3092

We will continue our discussion from last episode on if an advisor should tailor a plan to fit your personality and exploring the different aspects of this subject.   Contact Info: Website: https://crystallaketax.com/ Phone Number: 815-526-3092

Are you tired of one-size-fits-all financial advice that doesn't quite fit your unique needs and goals? In this episode, we'll tackle the question of whether an advisor should tailor a plan to fit your personality. We'll discuss the pros and cons of different approaches and explore how understanding your financial personality can help you make more informed decisions.   Contact Info: Website: https://crystallaketax.com/ Phone Number: 815-526-3092

Retirement can come with a lot of tax questions and concerns. From understanding the tax implications of withdrawing from your retirement accounts to minimizing taxes on investment income, it can be overwhelming. On today’s episode, we’ll break down the top ten tax questions retirees are asking in 2023. Before you file your 2022 taxes and plan ahead for the rest of the year, make sure to listen to this episode as we’ll discuss some important tax questions that retirees should ask themselves to ensure they're making the most of their retirement savings and minimizing their tax burden.   Contact Info: Website: https://crystallaketax.com/ Phone Number: 815-526-3092

We took an informal poll of listeners to find out what their biggest financial fears are. On this episode, we’ll explore the most common fears and talk about how they should be addressed in a retirement plan.   Contact Info: Website: https://crystallaketax.com/ Phone Number: 815-526-3092

It’s been said that if you don’t have an income plan, you don’t really have a retirement plan. We’ll tackle that mentality on this episode to see if it’s true and further explore why so many retirees and pre-retirees don’t understand the importance of an income plan, nor how to properly construct one. This is a foundational topic for anyone preparing for retirement, so make sure you hear this one.   Contact Info: Website: https://crystallaketax.com/ Phone Number: 815-526-3092

With the new year here, we thought it would be a good idea to cover our top 10 checklist for New Year planning. Break out the notepad, you won't want to miss out on any of these tips.   Contact Info: Website: https://crystallaketax.com/ Phone Number: 815-526-3092

Market volatility became the norm in 2022. Are we in for more of the same in 2023? We’ll talk about the market outlook for the next 12 months, plus share tips on how you can best prepare for potential future volatility.   Contact Info: Website: https://crystallaketax.com/ Phone Number: 815-526-3092

As we celebrate Thanksgiving and the holiday season, have you found yourself expressing thanks for those who provide financial leadership in your life? If not, perhaps it’s time to explore why and whether you’re getting enough value from your relationship with your financial advisor or other advice-givers. On this episode, we’ll explore some of the top reasons you should be thanking your financial advisor.   Contact Info: Website: https://crystallaketax.com/ Phone Number: 815-526-3092

Sometimes you need to find a new financial advisor. Other times, you might think you need a new advisor, but really, you’re just guilty of thinking that the grass is greener on the other side. Let’s discuss some common scenarios and whether they’re legitimate reasons for leaving your advisor.   Contact Info: Website: https://crystallaketax.com/ Phone Number: 815-526-3092

In this episode, we will discuss some of the more common questions about taxes during retirement planning.   Contact Info: Website: https://crystallaketax.com/ Phone Number: 815-526-3092

Too many folks misunderstand bonds, how they work, and what role they play in a proper financial plan. We’ll address some of those bond related issues on today’s show.   Contact Info: Website: https://crystallaketax.com/ Phone Number: 815-526-3092

We’re bombarded with ads each day in all forms of media. But have you ever taken a closer look at these messages? If we unpack some of these headlines and ads a little bit more, we’re able to clearly understand what emotions they’re trying to elicit. More importantly, we can figure out what companies are trying to sell us. For this episode, we just perused the internet for a couple of hours and kept track of various financial planning, investing and retirement ads we came across. Let’s pick apart these messages that popped up and see if it helps us become savvier savers.   Contact Info: Website: https://crystallaketax.com/ Phone Number: 815-526-3092

We always talk about the money side of financial and retirement planning. But what about the mental aspect of that big life change? Today we’ll break down an article written by a Licensed Professional Counselor (Kate Schroeder) for Psychology Today, titled The Psychological Investment In Retirement.   Contact Info: Website: https://crystallaketax.com/ Phone Number: 815-526-3092

Being a good advisor isn’t about winning a popularity contest or just saying the same things that everyone else in the industry says. It’s about giving the best advice that you can for each individual situation. On today’s show, we’re going to peel back the curtain to discuss some areas where a good financial advisor’s opinions might go against the grain with mainstream ideas in the industry.   Contact Info: Website: https://crystallaketax.com/ Phone Number: 815-526-3092

You’ve most likely heard plenty of “rules” you’re supposed to follow to retire successfully. Some of these rules are stated so confidently, you’d be crazy not to immediately accept them as fact. But we don’t mind the threat of being called crazy, so let’s dive into some of the most popular retirement “rules of thumb” to see if they truly lead us down the path of good financial guidance or run a chance of leading us astray.   Contact Info: Website: https://crystallaketax.com/ Phone Number: 815-526-3092

It’s no secret the stock market is in turmoil. We’re in a bear market and the R-word (recession) is getting thrown around daily. So, what can you do to survive bear markets like the one we’re in now? We’ve collected advice from various commentators and “experts” from across the country. You might have even heard some of this advice yourself. But should you follow it or proceed with caution? We’ll breakdown the guidance to provide some important context and perspective.   Contact Info: Website: https://crystallaketax.com/ Phone Number: 815-526-3092

Don’t dread this as much as you hated hearing these words as a kid, but it’s time for a pop quiz! We’re putting retirement planning preparedness under the microscope with 5 critical questions to which you need to know the answers. So sharpen those pencils and let’s see how ready you are for retirement.   Contact Info: Website: https://crystallaketax.com/ Phone Number: 815-526-3092

Let’s see if your tolerance for risk matches your financial plan. What should you do if that balance is out of whack? What if you’re a natural risk taker, but you really shouldn’t be when it comes to your finances? We’ll explore all of these angles as we break down the role of risk in your financial and retirement plan.   Contact Info: Website: https://crystallaketax.com/ Phone Number: 815-526-3092