Targeted scams have become even more popular with the amount of personal information readily available on the internet. Social Security recipients are, unfortunately, targeted by some of the most sophisticated scam artists out there. From phone scams to phishing attempts and intercepted deposits, here are three common Social Security scams and how you might avoid being fooled by them. Phony Phone Calls Generally, the Social Security Administration (SSA) communicates with you over the phone only if you request a call. You are unlikely to get a call from the SSA at random. Be immediately suspicious of anyone who calls you ...

Times to call your financial advisor Most of us go to see professionals when we’re in trouble or during times of crisis. Think about it. We go to the doctor when we’re sick. We go see a lawyer when we have a pending legal matter. We go see a counselor when we’re feeling depressed. As a financial advisor, unfortunately, I often hear from clients after something has happened – and sometimes I’m limited in how I can help. Sure, I can often make a situation better, but if I knew about what my clients were facing sooner, I can usually ...

Everyone needs to clean-up their financial clutter at least once a year Spring is traditionally the time to clean the garage and to get the yard in shape. It’s also a great time to clean up your investment portfolio. Going into the final days of tax season, this is a perfect opportunity to get rid of clutter, review your asset allocations and make the necessary changes if your portfolio has strayed from your financial plan. Here are seven steps to making your portfolio cleaner and more efficient. Think of your investments as a portfolio. This is the first key step. ...

Wealth preservation is essential for high-net-worth (HNW) individuals, but it warrants a gender-specific focus, too. Particularly for HNW women, understanding the complexities of wealth preservation is crucial. Whether due to inheritance, accomplishment in the corporate world, or entrepreneurial fulfillment, more women today find themselves in the ranks of HNW individuals. What makes a woman’s situation unique On average, women have a longer life expectancy than men, so they must plan for a more extended retirement period. This longevity risk is coupled with the fact they often spend fewer years in the workforce due to career interruptions for family care. Historically, ...