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Legacy Planning for Blended Families: Helping Ensure Fairness and Clarity

Legacy planning can be complex for blended families, where you may need to account for multiple family members, previous marriages, and different financial needs. Blended families are becoming increasingly common in the United States, requiring careful financial and estate planning to ensure fairness and clarity. Studies show that nearly 40% of families in the U.S….

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Navigating Financial Planning for Widows and Widowers: A Guide to Rebuilding Financial Confidence

Losing a spouse is both an emotional and financial challenge that requires careful planning. Recent studies indicate that widowed individuals often face significant financial hardships compared to their married counterparts. For instance, 39% of widowed women carried over $25,000 in debt following their spouse’s death, with 10% shouldering more than $100,000 (InvestmentNews, 2023). Additionally, nearly…

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The Importance of Long-Term Care Planning: What Every Retiree Should Know

Planning for long-term care (LTC) is a crucial step in retirement planning that many overlook. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, approximately 70% of Americans aged 65 and older will require some form of long-term care during their lifetime.(HHS, 2025)  With…

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Planning for the Retirement Red Zone: Steps to Take 5-10 Years Before Retiring

The retirement “red zone”—the last 5-10 years before you retire—is important for helping secure your financial stability.  According to Vanguard’s “How America Saves 2024” report, average account balances increased by 19% in 2023, driven primarily by favorable market returns. This highlights the importance of continued contributions and strategic asset allocation, especially as one approaches retirement,…

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Ways to Financially Prepare for Rising Inflation During Retirement

For retirees, inflation can be a financial roadblock, silently reducing purchasing power year after year. In 2022, inflation peaked at 9.1%—the highest in four decades (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2022). Rising prices can have a profound impact on retirees, especially those on fixed incomes. Here’s ways to prepare for inflation and help protect your…

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Understanding the 4% Rule: Is It Still Relevant for Today’s Retirees? 

The 4% rule has been a cornerstone of retirement planning since it was introduced by financial planner William Bengen in 1994. The rule posits that retirees can withdraw 4% of their retirement savings each year, adjusted for inflation, and still have a high probability that their savings will last 30 years. But with today’s high…

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The FOCUS Process: A Comprehensive Approach to Retirement Planning

Retirement planning is much more than just setting aside money in a savings account or contributing to a 401(k). To help ensure a comfortable and preserve retirement, it’s essential to adopt a comprehensive, strategic approach that accounts for multiple aspects of your financial and personal life. At McIntosh & Associates, we call this the FOCUS…

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Debunking Common Retirement Planning Myths

When it comes to planning for retirement, there are plenty of myths and misconceptions that can derail even the most well-intentioned plans. At McIntosh & Associates, we believe that understanding the facts is essential for making sound financial decisions. In this blog, we’ll debunk some of the most common myths surrounding retirement planning so you…

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The Benefits of Diversifying Your Retirement Portfolio

As you approach retirement, diversification becomes even more important in protecting your nest egg and ensuring long-term financial security. 1. Reducing Risk By diversifying your investments across different asset classes—such as stocks, bonds, and real estate—you can reduce your overall risk. If one asset class underperforms, gains in another can help offset the losses. 2….

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Legacy Planning: Protecting Your Legacy for Future Generations

Legacy planning is about more than deciding who gets what after you pass away. It’s about ensuring that your wishes are carried out, your loved ones are taken care of, and your legacy is protected. Here are the essential components of a solid legacy plan. 1. Create a Will and Trust A will is the…

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