by Judy Carlson | Jan 5, 2026 | 401(k), Investments, Retirement, Social Security, Taxes, Wealth Management
There’s a moment I see happen in my office during retirement planning for couples — not every time, but often enough that I’ve learned to watch for it. A couple sits down across from me, ready to “talk money,” and within a few minutes the conversation shifts. Instead...
by Judy Carlson | Oct 9, 2025 | 401(k), Financial Advisor, Investments, Long-Term Care, Medicare, Retirement, Social Security, Wealth Management
When you hear the word plan, what comes to mind? Maybe it’s your calendar. A recipe. Directions on your GPS. Each of these may have one thing in common: they tell you what to do next. That’s the heart of a true plan—clear steps that guide you toward a goal. And yet,...
by Judy Carlson | Oct 2, 2025 | 401(k), Investments, Retirement, Social Security, Taxes, Wealth Management
Retirement may not just be another financial milestone—it may be the capstone of decades of decisions, habits, and circumstances. Unlike saving for a vacation or buying a car, you typically only get one shot at getting retirement right. That’s why Nobel Prize–winning...
by Judy Carlson | Sep 24, 2025 | 401(k), Investments, Retirement, Social Security, Wealth Management
That powerful reminder comes from Robert Shiller, Nobel Prize–winning economist and Yale professor. Why does retirement seem so different from other financial milestones? Because unlike buying a house, funding college, or even changing jobs—you may not get a do-over....
by Judy Carlson | Aug 7, 2025 | 401(k), Retirement, Social Security, Taxes
Roth conversions are having a moment—and for good reason. Done right, they may be one of the most strategic moves you make for your retirement and your legacy. But like all powerful tools, they’re best used with purpose and precision. Let’s explore what they are, when...
by Judy Carlson | Jul 29, 2025 | 401(k), Retirement, Taxes, Wealth Management
Your 401(k) might be your biggest retirement asset. But, is it getting the attention it deserves? Many employees are automatically enrolled in their company’s 401(k) plan, defaulted into a Target Date Fund, and never revisit it. Over time, that “set-it-and-forget-it”...
