Valerie Schmitz, CEPA, CPFA President
Welcome to our Web site, where you’ll find a wealth of information in the form of newsletter articles, calculators, and research reports.
We hope your visit will help you understand the opportunities and potential rewards that are available when you take a proactive approach to your personal financial situation. We have created this Web site to help you gain a better understanding of the financial concepts behind insurance, investing, retirement, estate planning, and wealth preservation. Most importantly, we hope you see the value of working with skilled professionals to pursue your financial goals.
We’re here to help educate you about the basic concepts of financial management; to help you learn more about who we are; and to give you fast, easy access to market performance data. We hope you take advantage of this resource and visit us often. Be sure to add our site to your list of "favorites" in your Internet browser. We frequently update our information, and we wouldn’t want you to miss any developments in the area of personal finance.
Newsletters
-
Managing Medicare Out-of-Pocket Costs
This article looks at the two different and mutually exclusive options Medicare beneficiaries have to help control retirement health-care spending: Medigap and Medicare Advantage.
-
Roth 401(k) News: Is It Time to Rethink How You Save for Retirement?
High-income participants will not be allowed to make pre-tax catch-up contributions to a traditional 401(k) or similar plan starting in 2026, but they will be able to contribute to a workplace Roth.
-
Cheaper Hearing Aids Are Coming to a Store Near You
Thanks to a recent regulatory shift, it’s now possible to buy an effective hearing aid without a medical exam or a prescription, potentially for a lot less money.
-
All Eyes on the Earnings Picture
Earnings season can be a volatile period for stocks. As investors digest and respond to new data, the marketplace rewards some companies and punishes others.
Calculators
-
Savings Goals
How much do you need to save each year to meet your long-term financial goals?
-
Required Minimum Distributions
Estimate the annual required distribution from your traditional IRA or former employer's retirement plan after you turn age 73.
-
Cash Flow Analysis
This Cash Flow Analysis form will help you weigh your income vs. your expenses.
-
Mortgage Refinancing
Determine whether you should consider refinancing your mortgage.