How Much Do You Know About Social Security? (Quiz)

Social Security can be complicated to navigate at times, but since it’s so vital to your retirement income plan, it’s important to make wise decisions and create strategies to optimize your benefits. If you’re planning for your retirement income and evaluating your Social Security filing options, take a moment to test your knowledge first. Take our interactive quiz now to see how much you know! About John John Halterman, best-selling author and nationally published blogger, has been featured as a financial guest expert on the shows of self-help gurus Brian Tracy and Jack Canfield, author of Chicken Soup for the Soul, and has appeared on ABC, FOX, BRAVO, NBC, CBS, and A&E. John is the expert host of the weekly WDTV News 5 segment “Solutions 4 Financial Independence.” As an authority on wealth management, he has been invited by hundreds of institutions such as universities, federal agencies, professional associations, and large energy and utility corporations to be a guest speaker and educational event host. Event topics include retire ready, managing down market investment risk, how to reduce your tax burden, and transferring your family wealth in the most tax advantageous way. John is the founder and owner of Beacon Wealth Management, specializing in helping entrepreneurs, professional practitioners, and retirees overcome the 5 major challenges facing successful families. He is a warm communicator with a passion for helping people transform their financial futures. John understands the multifaceted set of financial worries people face as they become more successful and enter the Retirement Red Zone. He empathizes personally with each client and delivers a collaborative client experience that empowers people to reach their life goals. With more than two decades of experience, John’s professional credentials include Certified Wealth Strategist, Accredited Investment Fiduciary, Certified Estate Planner, Chartered Federal Employee Benefits Consultant, Professional Plan Consultant, and Registered Financial Consultant. He is also a past member of Ed Slott’s Master Elite IRA Study Group. A native of Weston, West Virginia, John served in the United States Air Force prior to becoming a wealth advisor. Today, he resides with his family in Clarksburg, West Virginia. He and his wife, Lisa, have been married since 2005 and have three amazing children. A family-oriented man, he enjoys giving back to his community, coaching youth sports, landscaping, architectural design, and playing racquetball.

Use these six estate planning steps to prepare plans for your assets and your family members, too.

Estate Planning Essentials: How to Protect Your Legacy and Your Loved Ones

Thinking about the future can be tough, especially when it comes to topics like mortality. However, planning ahead is important. After all the effort you’ve put into building your wealth and assets, it’s only natural to want to make sure everything is handled the way you’d like when you’re no longer able to manage it yourself. Estate planning lets you spell out your wishes and makes certain they’re followed. Plus, it helps avoid potential family disputes and keeps your financial matters private. If you haven’t started yet, now’s a good time to think about these six estate planning steps

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Understanding annuities may help you add a useful tool to your retirement portfolio, but this won’t be the right option for every retiree.

The Pros and Cons of Annuities in a Retirement Portfolio

When building your retirement portfolio, it’s important to explore a variety of financial tools, and annuities often come up in these discussions. Understanding annuities is crucial because they can serve as both an asset and a potential source of income throughout your retirement. However, like any financial product, annuities have their own set of pros and cons. Some people appreciate the steady income they provide, while others find the fees or lack of liquidity a drawback. In this article, we’ll break down how annuities work and explore the different types, so you can decide if incorporating them into your

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Assessing your small business financial health can help entrepreneurs like you course-correct and strengthen your bottom line.

Assess the Strength of Your Small Business’s Financial Health in Five Steps

Running a small business demands a lot of dedication, with much of your time spent managing daily tasks and keeping things running smoothly. With all that on your plate, it can be tough to focus on the bigger picture—especially your small business financial health. Yet, staying on top of your business’s financial well-being is crucial. In this article, we’ll outline five practical steps to help you evaluate the financial health of your business, so you can make adjustments when necessary and stay prepared for future growth opportunities.

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