Blog

Annuities. Often considered a dirty word to both financial planners and consumers alike. As financial planners, we have seen many annuities sold to people who later regret the purchase. Whether they are high in fees, inflexible, or just not quite what they thought it was, many times these purchases come with buyers' remorse. Like any tool in a toolbox, an annuity is just another weapon in a financial planner's arsenal when it comes to crafting a complete financial plan. However, you have to understand what the annuity will and will not do. Annuities certainly have their uses, but we find they are often too broadly recommended, or incorrectly avoided, based on preconceived notions about the product. Here's what to consider when deciding whether to buy an annuity or not.

Many people 65 and older rely on Medicare as their primary source of health insurance. But did you know, that if you're on Medicare you should be reviewing your benefits every year? From October 15th - December 7th is Medicare open enrollment this year to review your plan and make changes if needed. Last year we hosted a webinar with Peter Gosselin of Gosselin Insurance to discuss many aspects of the open enrollment process, and you can watch the full webinar below. Here are some additional considerations of why you should review your Medicare plan as well.

When it comes to financial planning, taxes are always a top concern. They can become even more tricky when someone lives in one state but works in another. Do you need to file a state return? What income gets reported where? If you're one of the many who live in NH but work in MA, make sure to report your income correctly so you're not overpaying this year.

Does it feel like the holiday season begins earlier and earlier every year? The shopping season deals, and advertisements will be bombarding us before we know it. This year will feel even more different as more people will shop from the comfort of their own home rather than be greeted by the sweet sounds of Mariah Carey in the aisles of Target. If you're not following the holiday deals this year you might miss out on some serious savings. Here's what you should know about the holiday shopping season this year, and why it's going to be different than what you're used to.

Did we use the words "Social Security" and "exciting" in the same sentence? Yes we did. Milestone is pleased to announce that we will be hosting a Social Security webinar with Kurt Czarnowski on Tuesday, October 20th at 6:00pm. Kurt was the former Social Security Administration's Regional Communications Director for New England and is a wealth of knowledge on all things Social Security.

Unless you've been living under a rock, the fact that there is an election this year is bombarding you. Cable news, radio ads, social media . . . it's impossible to escape it. A common question we get as financial advisors is if our clients should do anything different with their investments during an election year, especially in one as tumultuous as this. Here's a few of our thoughts on what you should (or should not) do with your investments during an election year.