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Monday, September 18, 2023

As you approach retirement, a significant choice regarding your pension plan awaits: Should you opt for the traditional lifetime monthly payments or select a lump-sum distribution instead?

Monday, September 11, 2023

People often lean towards the single-life benefit since it offers the highest monthly payment. It is crucial to recognize that this payment ceases upon the pension-earning spouse's demise, often with the loss of health benefits.

Monday, September 4, 2023

However, despite AbbVie's pension stability, the question of how to best prepare for retirement can be complicated. Retirees tend to approach investing in two different ways - both conservative and aggressive, with neither being wrong.

Monday, August 28, 2023

While Social Security benefits are designed to supplement your AbbVie pension, knowing how and when to take this pension can play a huge part in making sure you get the most income during retirement.

Wednesday, August 2, 2023

The decision to retire early is a deeply personal one, influenced by a variety of factors unique to everyone’s circumstances. While early retirement can bring freedom, fulfillment, and better health, it also requires careful consideration.

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Tuesday, July 25, 2023

Contributing solely to the AbbVie 401(k) may not be sufficient if you want to build wealth and achieve financial independence. In this blog post, we’ll discuss how and where to invest after reaching your AbbVie 401(k) contribution limit.

Tuesday, July 18, 2023

When you decide to leave or retire from AbbVie, you will have to make important decisions about what to do with your 401(k) plan.

Tuesday, July 11, 2023

In the AbbVie 401(k) plan, there are numerous investment options to choose from and selecting the right funds can be daunting. If you are feeling overwhelmed with the choices, let’s address which choices make sense.

Tuesday, July 4, 2023

One of the best ways to save for retirement is through the AbbVie 401(k) plan. However, for executives with pre-tax, Roth, and after-tax funding options, deciding the best course of action can be tricky.

Tuesday, June 6, 2023

With a strategic approach to tax planning and looking ahead, you can unlock a world of benefits that will help you stay on top of your financial game.

Tuesday, May 23, 2023

Getting your AbbVie bonus in March is always a great feeling. It's a reward for your hard work and dedication to your job. However, how you choose to spend that bonus can make a significant difference in your financial future.

Tuesday, May 9, 2023

While this bonus will come along at the same time every year you’re employed and eligible at AbbVie, the amount will vary. Whatever you end up using the money for – be intentional!

Thursday, May 4, 2023

When you look at the list of failed banks on the FDIC website, there was an onslaught of failures in the 2010-2019 period and then it paused. Now with a rapidly changing interest rate and market environment, failures are picking up speed.

Tuesday, May 2, 2023

If you’ve been working at AbbVie through the month of March, you’ll know a bonus has come your way. But it doesn’t show up a “Bonus” on your paycheck – it’s an acronym. Let’s explain what these acronyms are, who is eligible for which kind.

Monday, March 27, 2023

When you’re looking to invest your AbbVie DCP contributions, it CANNOT happen in a vacuum. You need to consider the other investments you have, what goals you’re trying to achieve, and your risk profile.

Monday, March 20, 2023

Designing the income stream portion of the AbbVie DCP is specific to your situation. Not only does it need to factor in your current situation, but also your spouse’s benefits (if applicable) and desired lifestyle after retirement.

Monday, March 13, 2023

As a high earner, you may find yourself in the higher federal and state tax brackets. However, if you anticipate being in a lower tax bracket in the future, deferring can lead to lower overall tax bill.

Monday, March 6, 2023

The AbbVie Deferred Compensation Plan (DCP) offers an option for high-earning and essential workers who have used up their tax-deferred savings (such as 401(k), HSA, IRA) and still want to defer income from their current tax situation.

Wednesday, March 1, 2023

With AbbVie's DCP, you can choose when you want to receive your deferred amount. Often employees will defer while their income is high so that their income will be taxed at a lower rate.

Sunday, February 26, 2023

Imagine this: even though you get AbbVie stock every year as part of the RSU program, you don't need to include that amount in your savings or overall portfolio to achieve the goals that you want to achieve. Let's explore what to do now.

Monday, February 20, 2023

Withholding on RSUs can be tricky - the rate at which you are withheld varies by company. Some companies have a flat withholding on RSUs for every employee, while others allow you to adjust it.

Saturday, February 11, 2023

I have worked with clients where both scenarios (selling or holding) make sense. For those building their wealth, it usually makes sense to sell the stock and purchase a diversified portfolio.

Saturday, February 4, 2023

These grants will give an employee a specific number of AbbVie shares after a vesting period. After that period is up, the employee can decide to hold the stock in their accounts or sell and get cash.

Tuesday, January 31, 2023

The AbbVie RSU plan - by understanding the program's structure, tax implications, and risks, you can make informed decisions. And remember: always diversify.

Monday, November 14, 2022

After years of strenuous work, retirement is the light at the end of the tunnel for many of us. However, what we don't realize is that this shift from gaining employment-based income to using investments as our primary source can be tough.

Saturday, October 8, 2022

Social Security will provide benefits to your spouse if you are receiving the retirement benefit. This is regardless of whether your spouse has worked or not. In some cases, even ex-spouses can claim.

Thursday, September 22, 2022

If you want to enhance your retirement lifestyle, or are not quite ready to retire fully, then you can still work and collect Social Security benefits. However, before starting a retirement job, make sure to crunch the numbers.

Wednesday, August 17, 2022

Young or old, it's important to understand Social Security. According to the Social Security Administration, the Trust Fund will be depleted by 2034. If no changes are made, this means future recipients could face an estimated reduction.

Tuesday, May 24, 2022

If you're like most people, when you think of Medicare, the first thing that comes to mind is "health insurance for seniors." And while that's one of the things Medicare does, it's much more than that.

Wednesday, May 11, 2022

As a high-income earner, it's vital to have a comprehensive understanding of the tax laws that apply to you. There are a number of tax reduction strategies available to high earners, and in this blog post, we will discuss them.

Friday, February 25, 2022

It is important to remember that no one theory can explain everything about the market. The best approach is a balanced one that incorporates MPT and behavioral finance.

Tuesday, February 8, 2022

What's the best way to ensure you have a comfortable retirement? One essential step is understanding and avoiding the pitfalls of the money illusion.

Thursday, January 13, 2022

While RSUs can provide employees with the opportunity to share in the success in the company's interests, there are advantages and disadvantages to this type of equity.

Tuesday, November 9, 2021

According to the 2021 Retirement Confidence Survey (RCS), nearly 1/3 of workers state they are "not confident" that they can save enough for medical expenses in retirement.

Friday, October 15, 2021

For a woman wanting a successful single retirement of financial freedom, independence, and stability, there are five key things to consider.

Wednesday, August 4, 2021

If you know that you want to leave behind money for your family members, is it better to leave the money as a gift while you are still living or as an inheritance after death?

Wednesday, July 7, 2021

Inflation can have a detrimental effect on retirement savings. However, there are several approaches you can take to protect your retirement from inflation. Here's how.

Tuesday, June 29, 2021

AbbVie prides itself on providing a very rich compensation package to reward its employees. Among AbbVie’s compensation options includes the AbbVie Incentive Plan.

Wednesday, May 19, 2021

58% of men will need some Long-Term Care services for an average of 2.2 years, and 79% of women will need Long Term Care services for an average of 3.7 years. Is AbbVie's plan right for you?

Monday, May 17, 2021

AbbVie offers various options when it comes to life insurance benefits: but which is right for you?

Monday, November 2, 2020

Everyone wants to be comfortable and financially stable as they age. Here are few tips to help you secure retirement in your 50s and 60s.

Tuesday, October 20, 2020

You may think of it as one single event, but retirement is a multi-stage process. Learning how to understand and plan for each can help you be more prepared.

Friday, October 9, 2020

Many wealthy individuals today have become wealthy by concentrating their investments in a single company. More than that have become bankrupt by doing the same thing.

Wednesday, September 2, 2020

Although policy changes in 2019 eliminated the tax for not having health insurance, going uninsured still carries substantial mental, economic and physical burdens. These are issues you may face if you choose to be uninsured.

Tuesday, August 25, 2020

If you’ve been working at AbbVie for any period of time, you’ll know the Savings Plan – or 401(k) plan – is available for you to use. But how do you maximize it for your situation?

Tuesday, August 11, 2020

The Stock Market and the Economy: while some aspects may be interrelated on some level, they are not all one and the same, nor do they all indicate the status of one another.

Tuesday, July 28, 2020

Converting a tax-deferred retirement account ("pay tax later") to a Roth account ("pay tax now") can work out really well for some investors. But for others, it can be a completely wrong move. How do you know if it's right for you?

Monday, July 6, 2020

If you've thought about drafting a will for the first time, or are looking to revise your current will, have you thought about how you're leaving money to your heirs? Are you leavings things equally or equitably?

Tuesday, June 16, 2020

For those already retired, there’s a good chance you might be feeling even more concerned about recent market volatility than others. With each general economic upset, the question becomes: what should you be doing next?

Tuesday, May 19, 2020

If you’re taking the same risky investment approach at age 50 as you did at 25, you may decide to pump the brakes.

Tuesday, April 28, 2020

You don't have to have millions in the bank to benefit from establishing a trust. Learn the truth about trusts and the surprising advantages you could be missing out on.

Monday, April 20, 2020

You’re insured under Medicare, but do you know what is (and isn’t) covered? If you’re thinking about filling in the gaps, we’ve got you covered with this must-read guide to Medigap insurance.

Tuesday, December 3, 2019

There are a number of things to think about when optimizing your situation for your pension. Some of them can happen as far away as five years away from retirement while other large decisions can happen the day before you retire.

Friday, November 15, 2019

The AbbVie Deferred Compensation Plan allows employees to create an income stream that will be taxed at a lower rate and serve as an additional income source from their investments / pension / Social Security.

Tuesday, October 8, 2019

In working at AbbVie, the benefits available are substantial. As is typical in most companies, there is a life insurance benefit. But AbbVie also offers numerous supplemental life insurance plans. So, should you be signing up for these?

Friday, September 27, 2019

When you turn 65, an HSA turns into a pseudo-IRA. The account is now not just for medical expenses, it can be used for everyday expenses as well. There’s no requirement of distributions like an IRA, so the account can keep growing.

Wednesday, September 18, 2019

But when you retire, it’s almost like you’re coming to the end of your investing journey. With that being said many people think that their risk tolerance goes down to adjust for this – but that’s not the case.

Wednesday, May 1, 2019

Asset location is focused on where (or in what accounts) your assets are located. Asset location, though not as frequently talked about in the world of personal finance and financial planning, is equally important to asset allocation.

Monday, April 15, 2019

As you tweak your portfolio in the last few years of your career, it can be challenging to know exactly how to diversify your investments in a way that balances tax minimization and wealth growth.

Tuesday, April 2, 2019

You spend a large part of your life saving and investing with retirement in mind. At this point, you will need to create a retirement income strategy and tweak your portfolio accordingly, in the years leading up to and throughout retirement

Friday, March 15, 2019

When you have an AbbVie pension, knowing how else you need to prepare for retirement can be a little bit confusing. After all, you’re getting a huge chunk of guaranteed funds already – how else should you be saving?

Friday, February 1, 2019

You may have heard that some retirees look toward pension maximization as a strategy to get the most out of their pension – both for them and for their spouse. Pension maximization has some clear benefits, but it might not be your solution.

Thursday, November 1, 2018

As an executive, you may be feeling the pressure when it comes to putting together an estate plan. Although this financial “to do” is on everyone’s checklist, you’re in a unique situation.

Wednesday, August 1, 2018

As an executive, a key element to your financial planning is income tax planning. The end goal is for you to keep as much of your hard-earned money as possible, which can be challenging when you fall into a tax bracket.

Monday, July 16, 2018

Many executives at the Director level have multiple stock plans as part of their compensation. While this seems fantastic at first glance, it can complicate your retirement plan in the long-run.

Friday, June 29, 2018

When your income has climbed to a certain point and you’re saving based on a percentage of your income, then your contribution amounts will increase as your salary increases. But beware the risks.

Tuesday, May 1, 2018

When viewed from a financial planning perspective, there is “good” debt and there is “bad” debt. Your goal should be to purge the bad debt that’s negatively impacting you.

Monday, April 2, 2018

Your pension payout is a major cornerstone of your retirement, so your choice of options should be based on a financial plan that considers several key factors.

Thursday, March 1, 2018

You’ve done the planning. You’ve crunched the numbers. Recent stock market movements have carried you over the top, assuring you of a worry-free retirement (hopefully!), but you can’t bring yourself to pull the trigger.

Thursday, February 15, 2018

Like the famous lyrics go: “More money, more problems”. The more money you have, the greater the number of complexities you have in your plan. As your wealth increases, so do the risk exposures that can take your wealth away.

Friday, December 15, 2017

Retirees today are facing a whole new set of financial challenges, which makes planning for health care in retirement all the more important.

Monday, December 4, 2017

It’s a problem that everyone will face in our lifetime – the passing of a parent. But if there is money to be left behind, how do you manage it wisely and honor their legacy?

Wednesday, November 15, 2017

The question has to be asked and, realizing that there are many variables that come into play, you need to have an appropriate target to shoot for.

Monday, October 2, 2017

Investors who lack clearly defined objectives and a well-conceived strategy for achieving them are much more susceptible to making these costly mistakes.

Friday, September 15, 2017

How many different investment accounts or retirement plans do you have? If it’s more than two, you could be seriously jeopardizing the long-term performance of your investments and undermining your retirement plan.

Tuesday, June 13, 2017

After decades of diligently saving and planning for retirement, the hard part should be over, right? It can get harder now you have to design a retirement income strategy for all of your investments.

Thursday, May 18, 2017

There’s much more to an early retirement than being financially prepared. If you’re not mentally, emotionally and physically prepared, you could find your golden years to be painfully unfulfilling.

Monday, April 24, 2017

The importance of having a well-conceived, comprehensive retirement plan cannot be overstated. Without one, you leave too much to chance at a critical time in your life.

Monday, April 10, 2017

Planning for health insurance through the time you become eligible for Medicare was thought to be fairly straightforward. However, whether you have always planned on retiring early, it may not be as straight forward as expected.

Friday, August 12, 2016

While the best scenario is that a 401(k) is fully diversified and doesn’t contain any single stock positions, there are ways to manage these scenarios should they be apparent.