Category Archives: Retirement Income

Posts about creating and keeping retirement income from Mike Branch, certified financial planner in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

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7 Strategies To Get More Retirement Income From Social Security

5th and final post in a series

The adage “It’s not what you make, but what you keep” applies to your Social Security benefits in retirement as much as to your paycheck when you were working. How much of your Social Security benefit you actually put in your pocket depends on your income, when you start taking benefits and other factors.

The best way for many people to put more Social Security money in their pocket may be to delay benefits up to age 70. However, that may not be possible or even the best choice for everyone.

If that describes you, consider these 7 strategies to get more retirement income from Social Security.

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How Much Of Your Social Security Benefit Is Taxable?

4th in a series

Photo by rawpixel on Unsplash

For the past 40 years or more you have paid into the Social Security system with the promise that someday when you retire, you will receive a guaranteed monthly income for the rest of your life. Along the way, your employer has kicked in a matching contribution equal to 100% of your contribution.

At the end of your working life there should be a giant pile of cash with your name on it. And there is (figuratively speaking anyway). But it comes with a giant string attached.

In this case, the catch is that up to 85% of your monthly benefit is considered taxable income once it’s paid out to you. What’s more, depending on the state you live in, you may owe state income tax on those benefits as well. (Bad news fellow Minnesotans. We live in one of those states).

The following post will explain how much of your benefit is taxable and what, if anything, you can do about it.

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Ed Slott Live on PBS

How to take your IRA from "forever taxed to never taxed"

Last week I wrote about what it means to be an Ed Slott trained IRA advisor. Since then, I have learned that Ed Slott’s program “Retire Safe and Secure” will air on our local, Twin Cities Public Television stations this weekend!

If you want to learn how to avoid the most common tax mistakes people make with their retirement accounts, or why a Roth IRA is so important, or how to take your IRA from “forever taxed to never taxed” you will want to watch or record Ed’s show this weekend.

Ed Slott has been a huge supporter of Public Television for many years and is one of PBS’ all-time largest fundraisers. His programs have raised over $50 million in donations supporting PBS stations across the country. This weekend you can watch him on your local station.

Times and dates are listed below. Check with Twin Cities PBS for more information or click here.

  •  Retire Safe & Secure with Ed Slott | Friday, Jun 8 at 6pm TPT LIFE
  •  Retire Safe & Secure with Ed Slott | Saturday, Jun 9 at 11:30am TPT 2
  •  Retire Safe & Secure with Ed Slott | Saturday, Jun 9 at 9:30pm TPT LIFE
  •  Retire Safe & Secure with Ed Slott | Sunday, Jun 10 at 3am TPT LIFE
  •  Retire Safe & Secure with Ed Slott | Saturday, Jun 30 at 7pm TPT LIFE

Now this is must see TV.

Looking for an Ed Slott trained “Elite IRA Advisor”? Call me at 651.379.3935 or email me directly at mpbranch@focusfinancial.com

 

Ed Slott’s Elite IRA Advisor Group is solely an indication that the financial advisor has attended training provided by Ed Slott and Company.  Ed Slott is not affiliated with Royal Alliance Associates, Inc.

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Yield vs. Total Return. What’s The Difference?

Photo by Mathieu Turle on Unsplash

Retired clients often wonder how they will generate income in retirement. Beyond Social Security, pension payments, and other forms of guaranteed income how does their investment portfolio actually produce the money they will need to keep up with inflation and pay the bills?

Two ways in which your investments can support you in retirement are “yield” and “total return”. In this post I will share how they are different and what role they play in your long-term retirement income plan.

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3 Big Reasons Why Dividends Should Be Part of Your Retirement Income Plan

Photo by Matthieu Da Cruz on Unsplash

Imagine an investment that offers you a predictable, consistent income that rises over time. One that, while not guaranteed, is reliable and has been used by countless others to generate income during retirement.

What is the source of this idyllic income stream? Dividends. More specifically, dividends from publicly traded companies or mutual funds that own them.

To learn more about what a dividend is, click here.

If you ate cereal for breakfast, drank a soft drink at lunch, and drove to the store to pick up a few things on your way home from work, odds you consumed several products that were made by companies that have been distributing cash to shareholders via dividends for many years.

Dividends might not be the sexiest investment you will ever own, but they should play a vital role in your retirement income plan.

Below are 3 big reasons why dividends should be part of your retirement income plan: