With scam tactics evolving fast in 2025, now is the time to sharpen your radar. This article walks you through the red flags of today’s financial frauds and practical steps you can take to stay ahead.
Latest Insights Article
Understanding the Real Costs of Medicare
Many retirees are surprised to discover that Medicare isn’t free. Each part—A, B, C, and D—comes with unique premiums, deductibles, and out-of-pocket costs. This article breaks down what you’ll pay and offers smart ways to plan for these expenses in retirement.
IRMAA Demystified: What High-Income Retirees Need to Know in 2025
IRMAA can raise your Medicare costs if you’re a high-income retiree. Here’s what to know for 2025 and how to plan ahead wisely.
Medicare 101: What You Need to Know Before You Enroll
Medicare is one of the biggest transitions in retirement. Whether you’re turning 65 or still working, this guide explains what each part covers, how to enroll, and how to avoid common mistakes that can impact your financial plan.
Medicare Open Enrollment Is Coming: An Overview
Medicare Open Enrollment runs from October 15 to December 7. Learn what changes you can make, who should review their plans, and how your choices fit into your overall financial plan. Our advisors explain what you need to know — and what’s coming next in our Medicare Education Series.
Patience Pays: What Market History Teaches Us About Staying the Course
When markets dip, it’s easy to panic. But history shows that downturns are temporary and recoveries are powerful. Here’s why staying invested is often the best path to long-term success.
Howard Hook Speaks to Hadassah Members About Charitable Giving Strategies
Fee-only financial planner, Howard Hook, recently spoke at a Hadassah Southern New Jersey virtual event on “Taxes and Giving Strategies with Your IRA.” He shared practical ways to use IRA distributions to support charities while reducing taxes, offering members valuable insight into aligning giving with personal values and financial goals.
Using QCDs to Reduce Taxes and Support Charities in Retirement
What if you could lower your retirement tax bill and make a lasting difference at the same time? For retirees over age 70½, that’s exactly what a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) offers. By directing required withdrawals from your IRA straight to charity, you can reduce taxable income and put your money to work for the causes you care about most.
90 Years of Social Security: What It Means for You Today
Social Security has turned 90! For nearly a century, this program has provided a reliable source of income for retirees, people with disabilities, and families who have lost a loved one. But what role should it play in your retirement strategy? Learn how Social Security benefits work, when it makes sense to claim, and how to weave it into a broader plan for long-term financial security.
Act Now: Federal Energy & EV Tax Credits Expire in 2025
Time is running out to claim valuable clean energy and electric vehicle tax credits. Recent legislation moved the expiration date from 2032 to 2025, meaning homeowners and buyers must act quickly. Learn what qualifies, how much you can save, and the steps you need to take before the deadline.
Redefining Wealth: How to Create a Life You Love in Retirement
When most people think about wealth, they picture numbers on a bank statement. But according to fee-only financial planner Darren Zagarola, true wealth is about something much bigger—freedom, purpose, and living life on your own terms. In this candid conversation, Darren shares how redefining wealth can change not just your finances, but your future.
How to Stage Your Home for Sale: Tips, Costs, and ROI
Putting your home on the market can be exciting and also stressful, especially when you want to get the best price. One proven way to stand out is by staging your home. In this article, we’ll explore easy and effective ways to prepare your property so buyers can envision themselves living there.
5 Smart Ways to Use Leftover 529 Plan Funds After Graduation
Saving for college with a 529 Plan is a smart move—but what if your child graduates and there’s money left in the account? From changing beneficiaries to rolling funds into a Roth IRA, here are five creative ways to make the most of your leftover 529 savings while avoiding unnecessary taxes.