Tidbits

This month we deviate from our How to Retain & Attract Talent series because we wanted to share some year-end tax planning strategies and considerations. Hard to believe 2019 is only weeks away, but don't worry, you still have time to act on maximizing your tax benefit potential!

This month's newsletter is packed with some exciting updates and announcements we're excited to share with you! We also continue with our series on How to Retain & Attract Talent by looking at the "162" Bonus Plan. This particular executive bonus arrangement may be of interest to employers who are looking to reward and retain key executives with supplemental benefits. It also may be of interest to employers who have qualified plans in place, but feel they need another benefit with which they can reward certain key executives.

Our first article delves into the world of Social Security. The closer you are to Social Security, the more important it is to pay attention to how it can affect your retirement, when to take it, when to delay it, and how to maximize benefits. We share insight on eligibility and how to maximize your benefits.

This month's second article kicks off a series on How to Retain & Attract Talent. As we touched on last month, key employees are an integral component of the success of your business, and it's becoming increasingly challenging to attract and retain them. This month's installment highlights a specific tool when seeking to offer benefits beyond compensation — the QSEHRA (Qualified Small Employer Health Reimbursement) which can be effective for employers looking to add benefits in the "health insurance" arena.

For the constant struggle with demands on productivity and the proverbial work/life balance we all strive to achieve, take a look at this month's article "Smarter Not Harder: How To Succeed At Work".

To our business owner friends, take note of this month's second article "Are you Taking Steps to Retain Your Key Employees." In the midst of the current 'employee market' the economy is experiencing, we look at getting creative with compensation packages as ways to reward and retain valuable employees.

Our first article provokes thought on adjusting your perspective surrounding a question that you've likely asked yourself in countless, frustrated or exhausted situations - "what more can I do?" You'll be encouraged to answer this in a much different way, shifting from negativity to forward-thinking.

Next, we ponder the concept of networking. As society becomes more and more consumed by social media and technology, do you find yourself steering clear of the traditional networking channels? We share a few thoughts on the give and take of face-to-face networking.

In our first article, Brad highlights an ongoing journey into self mastery. We all have opportunities to better ourselves, and Brad discusses some of these ideas that he's discovered to continue help him own each day.

Our second article explores why the "three-legged stool" of retirement - once considered the ideal retirement model - has become outdated and offers suggestions on how to reinforce your future.

In this month's issue we tackle some tax related considerations for idle cash in our first article. In our planning, we always look to make sure we are addressing a tax-balanced perspective when it pertains to funding future goals. With it being April, and many Americans filing taxes by the April deadline, we felt this article would be a timely consideration both now and for the future tax year.

In our second post, we share some activities we've been busy with in the last few months. Included are a few takeaways from recent educational opportunities Brian was able to take advantage of. We are continually committed to making sure that we're staying informed and pushing toward the best ideas and strategies for the benefit of our clients.

This month's newsletter is packed with something for everyone! In our first article, Bradley Ruh discusses the connection between health and your finances. He'll show you just how closely these are intertwined and provide some tips on living a healthier lifestyle.

Our second article challenges the business owners or decision makers out there in asking themselves if their business is really ready for what comes next. Do you have a plan for the long term - a plan that covers both the expected AND the unexpected?

This month's newsletter is packed with some great stuff. In our first article, we discuss the time value of money, which can be used to help determine what an anticipated future value is worth today or what a current value may be worth down the road. in our second article, the author lays out some important snippets from the recently legislated tax reform. It's best to get a handle on these things early in the year, as your financial actions may undoubtedly impact your taxes come next April.

This month's articles feature two LinkedIn Publications by your very own Wealth Adviser, Bradley Ruh, ChFC^®, CFP^®. In these articles we share some thoughts on how much money someone really needs for their future retirement. In the article, Bradley highlights particular areas to pay attention to when it comes to mapping out your answer to this question; this includes things like varying expenses and income sources.