- Mercer Advisors, Formerly Epstein & White

How Spending and Budgets in Retirement Can Change Over Time

Retirement is often viewed as a static phase of life, but the reality is far more dynamic. As retirees progress through their golden years, their spending habits and budgetary needs can evolve significantly. Understanding these changes is crucial for effective retirement planning and ensuring financial stability throughout this important life stage. The Early Years The initial years of retirement are often characterized by increased spending. Many retirees, newly freed from work commitments, indulge in activities they've [...]

Rebecca Mack2024-12-06T16:15:55+00:00December 6, 2024|Financial Planning, Retirement Income, Retirement Planning|

Differences Between Traditional and Roth IRA

When it comes to planning for retirement, Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) are a popular investment option. There are two main types of IRAs: traditional and Roth. Both have their own distinct features, advantages, and drawbacks. In this article, we will explore the key differences between a traditional and a Roth IRA. Tax Treatment One of the main differences between a traditional and a Roth IRA is the way they are taxed. Traditional IRA Contributions to a [...]

Rebecca Mack2024-11-19T20:39:06+00:00November 19, 2024|Investing, Retirement Income, Retirement Planning|

Back to the Basics of Retirement Accounts

Retirement accounts are a cornerstone of today’s retirement strategies. While everyone might recognize the terms “IRA” or “401(k),” it’s important to familiarize yourself with how they work so you can understand how they may play a role in your own retirement strategy and timeline. Once you approach retirement, there are so many ways you can use these types of accounts, or the funds in them, to structure a retirement that works for you. First, let’s understand [...]

Rebecca Mack2024-11-08T11:42:02+00:00November 8, 2024|Retirement Income, Retirement Planning|

How to Turn Your Roth IRA into Regular Income

In retirement, prioritizing stability is crucial—not just the growth of your account value. While it’s tempting to focus on maximizing returns, the reality is that you need a reliable income stream to support your lifestyle and replace your paycheck. Relying on market fluctuations for your financial security can lead to uncertainty and stress. Instead, having a consistent monthly income allows you to keep your savings intact while enjoying your retirement. Is a Roth IRA the Best [...]

Rebecca Mack2024-09-16T15:52:13+00:00September 16, 2024|Retirement Income, Retirement Planning|

The Fed Speaks, Earnings Release, and the Market Drops… But Your Retirement Finances Shouldn’t Care

In recent months, the financial landscape has been marked by unpredictability. The Federal Reserve's recent announcement to maintain interest rates at their current levels has left many investors on edge. While the Fed has signaled a cautious approach, it has not ruled out the possibility of economic struggles ahead, indicating a readiness to lower interest rates if necessary. This uncertainty has coincided with a notable drop in the stock market, particularly following disappointing earnings reports from [...]

Rebecca Mack2024-09-10T15:59:02+00:00September 10, 2024|Economy, Federal Reserve, Retirement Income|

Planning for Retirement Income Beyond Social Security

Planning for retirement income is a crucial aspect of achieving a secure and comfortable retirement. With longer life expectancies and the need for additional sources of income, it's essential to consider various strategies to supplement Social Security benefits and ensure financial stability during retirement. Importance of Supplementing Social Security Benefits While Social Security provides a financial safety net for retirees, it's important to recognize that it may not be sufficient to cover all expenses during retirement, [...]

Rebecca Mack2024-07-19T18:09:21+00:00July 19, 2024|Financial Planning, Retirement Income, Social Security|

Balancing Income and Growth in Your Retirement Portfolio

First of all, if you’ve made it to your retirement, congratulations! But we do have some other news: you’re not done working yet! Now that you’ve entered your golden years, you’re going to have to build up income strategies to make sure that your money will last for the rest of your retirement. The trick now is going to be figuring out how to balance how much money you’re generating, how much money you’re spending, and [...]

Rebecca Mack2024-06-12T20:06:28+00:00June 12, 2024|Financial Planning, Retirement Income|

Retirement Tips from Warren Buffet

Warren Buffet is one of the richest men in the world, and he is regarded as one of the savviest investors in history. Thankfully, he is fairly open about his investment strategies. If you are feeling a little lost about where to get started with your retirement plan, you may want to take a look at these tips. Here is Warren Buffet’s retirement strategy: Consider Paying Down Credit Card Debt. Buffet may be a wizard when [...]

Rebecca Mack2024-05-02T11:49:18+00:00May 2, 2024|Investment Strategies, Retirement Income|

Tips for Your Passive Income Strategy in Retirement

There’s a hack to retirement that you may not know about: passive income strategy. The usual tried and true plan for retirement, where you save money in a tax-advantaged account and claim Social Security, is a great backbone for your plan. But people often don’t think about what passive income can do for their savings. So, what is passive income? Passive income tends to come from investments that provide regular payouts. Here are some options for [...]

Rebecca Mack2024-04-25T14:59:29+00:00April 25, 2024|Financial Planning, Investment Strategies, Retirement Income|

You’ve Grown Your 401(k)…Now What?

Unfortunately, saving a ton of money in your 401(k) isn’t the last step in your retirement plan. You might think that if you have a lot of money in your 401(k), then you don’t have anything to worry about. But there are still strategies and complexities to retirement even after you’ve saved up. To put this in perspective, most financial professionals divide retirement plans into two broad categories. The first is the accumulation phase. This is [...]

Rebecca Mack2024-04-19T13:58:00+00:00April 19, 2024|Retirement Income, Retirement Planning|