Posts by Brandon Renfro, CFP®
Financial Advisor
Ask an Advisor: How Do We Reduce Our Tax Bill When We Sell Our Second Home? We Bought It 6 Years Ago for $295k and Now It’s Worth $500k
We have a second home – a condo in the mountains – that was bought with cash for $295,000 approximately six years ago. It’s now worth at least $500,000. We are considering selling as our use is declining and maintenance costs and special assessments of the three-building complex are increasing. What are the options to… Read more…
Financial Advisor
Ask an Advisor: If I Apply for Spousal Benefits From My Ex-Husband, Do I Forfeit Max Social Security at Age 70?
I was born in 1957 and so was my ex-husband. He remarried, but I didn’t. Our full retirement age (FRA) is 66.5, but he started collecting Social Security at 65.5, one year early. For my own Social Security, I plan to wait until age 70 to maximize my benefits. If I apply for spousal benefits… Read more…
Retirement
Ask an Advisor: I’m a Retired Teacher With a State Pension, Social Security and $550k in Savings. Should I Pay Off My $120k Mortgage?
I am trying to decide if I should pay off my house worth about $750,000. I owe around $120,000 on an adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM). On the other hand, my 4.5% interest rate just ended and I know the interest will continue to rise in this economy. My mortgage is $1,450 per month, having risen $400… Read more…
Financial Advisor
Ask an Advisor: I’m 60 and ‘Feeling Hopeless’ With Just $15k Saved. What Can I Do Now to Increase My Retirement Savings?
I am feeling hopeless. I am 60 years old and have only $15,000 saved. I will get a 80% pension from the state of Massachusetts and be able to retire in three years. What can I possibly do to increase my savings now? – Joy There’s no question that $15,000 is a small amount of… Read more…
Retirement
Ask an Advisor: I’m 70 With $1.4 Million in IRAs. Should I Convert $160k Per Year into a Roth to Save on RMDs Later?
I am 70 and I have $1.4 million in traditional IRAs. Is it best to do $160,000 in Roth conversions for the next 1-3 years to reduce my high RMDs in about 5-10 years? That would put me in the 24% tax bracket and $330 Medicare premium rate. Please give me advice. – Dennis I do… Read more…
Financial Advisor
Ask an Advisor: We’re in Our 60s and Have $2.4 Million in an IRA. ‘Do We Really Need a Financial Advisor?’
My wife (62) and I (60) have $2.4 million in our Edward Jones IRA account and have no mortgage payment and our children are out of the house. Do we really need a financial advisor (at 1%) or could we go with a less expensive option like Vanguard? We don’t see any adjustment with our… Read more…
Financial Advisor
Ask an Advisor: What’s the Benefit of Having a Trust vs. Will? We Own 2 Homes, Have IRAs and Another $600k in Assets
What is the benefit of having a trust versus a will? We own our home, have a rental property and we have no debt. My husband and I are retired and both have IRAs, over $500,000 in the stock market and approximately $100,000 in CDs. We have three grown children – one is a stepchild.… Read more…
Financial Advisor
Ask an Advisor: I’m 55 With a $3 Million Net Worth and $5k in Monthly Expenses. Can I Retire Now?
I’m 55 and would like to retire now with a $3 million total net worth. I’m assuming my net worth will grow, on average, 5% until I’m eligible for Social Security. My house is paid off and my lifestyle is simple. I can live with $5,000 per month. Am I making the right decisions? –… Read more…
Retirement
Ask an Advisor: We Have $1.45M Saved, Plus $1M in Rental Properties That Make Us $5K Per Month. Can We Retire in 5 Years?
I’m 50 and my husband is 57. We paid off all debts and have $1 million in our 401(k) and IRA. We also own $1 million in rental properties that give us a $5,000 net profit monthly. We hope to keep the rental homes for another 15 years for income. We have $200,000 in savings… Read more…
Financial Advisor
Ask an Advisor: Our Long-Term Care Insurance Now Costs $500 Per Month. We’re in Our Mid-70s and Have Paid $72k in Total. Should We Cancel Our Policies?
My wife and I bought long-term care policies 25 years ago when they were relatively cheap. Now, our premiums have increased for the third time to over $500 per month and will rise again in six years. I figure I’ve already paid about $72,000 in premiums. Now, in our late 70s, I’m trying to decide… Read more…