10 Smartest Money Moves for 2023

Posted on January 27, 2023January 24, 2023 by Shield Insurance Agency

Ring in the new year right with smart money moves

AARP | By Bruce Horovitz | December 19, 2022 | Money Moves | Shield Insurance Agency

With 2023 just days away, could there be a more confusing time for investors? On one hand, the discussion is all about the upcoming recession — but is there actually going to be one? On the other hand, the discussion is also about the inflation monster, which has seriously impacted all of our wallets.

But are there signs that the monster is finally getting tamed, or is that just an illusion? In either case, what is the best way to prepare for spending and investing in the year ahead? AARP reached out to certified financial planners for tips on what older investors need to consider for the coming year. Here are their 10 best tips for 2023.

Smart Money Moves

1. Supersize your retirement plan contribution

If you are still working and have the cash flow, 2023 could be a terrific time to max out your tax deferrals, says Rachel Elson, a certified financial planner in San Francisco, California. Federal limits have jumped sharply, so with catch-up contributions, workers age 50 and up will be able to put $30,000 into workplace retirement plans like a 401(k) or 403(b).

You’ll need to have sufficient income to allow this kind of saving because you could be tying up those dollars for several years, she says. But if you’re in your peak earning stage — and especially if you’re living in a high-tax state — the tax break from maximizing your deferrals can be meaningful.

2. Double-check charitable contributions

The one place that’s most obvious for tax deductions — charitable contributions — is also the place where many folks fail to get their full deductions, says Mitchell Kraus, a certified financial planner in Santa Monica, California. In reviewing his clients’ tax returns, Kraus discovered that most of them weren’t getting the full deduction from their charitable contributions because they either took the standard deduction or they were giving from the wrong pool of money.

More than 80 percent of Americans take the standard deduction, he says. There are other options. People over age 70½ can donate up to $100,000 from their IRA. (The contribution will not count as income.) Also, donating appreciated assets, such as stocks, might not create an extra deduction, but can avoid the capital gains taxes you would have to pay if you simply sold the asset, he notes.

3. Create a business owner retirement plan

More than 54 percent of America’s small business owners are age 50 and over, according to the Service Corps of Retired Executives. Those who are self-employed can still have access to a retirement plan although many don’t realize it, says Marguerita M. Cheng, a certified financial planner in Gaithersburg, Maryland. The benefit to them is additional savings for retirement and tax savings either today or in the future. For those who have employees, the options include Simple IRA, SEP IRA or 401(k).

4. Invest in U.S. Treasury bills

Few investments offer the safety and security of U.S. Treasury bills, says Jordan Benold, a certified financial planner in Frisco, Texas. These are U.S. securities that mature in one year or less. Currently, a two- to six-month treasury bill will pay more than 4 percent, Jordan says.

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10 Things You Need to Know About Social Security

Posted on December 29, 2022December 28, 2022 by Shield Insurance Agency

Answers to frequently asked questions about your retirement benefits

AARP | Andy Markowitz | Updated June 21, 2022 | Social Security | Life Insurance

Social Security provides benefits to more than 65 million people, and those monthly payments have an enormous impact on older Americans’ financial health. According to Census Bureau data:

Social Security accounts for at least 50 percent of income for more than half of households headed by someone 65 or older.
It provides nearly 80 percent of income for 1 in 5 such households.
It keeps more than 26.5 million people from falling below the poverty line.

An institution that looms so large in American life is bound to generate questions about what it does and how it works. Here are the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about Social Security. You’ll find more detailed information on these issues in AARP’s Social Security Resource Center.

1. Is Social Security just for retired workers?

No. As of April 2022, 72.7 percent of beneficiaries were retirees. The remainder were spouses, ex-spouses and children of retirees (4.3 percent); disabled workers and their families (14 percent); and survivors of deceased beneficiaries (9 percent).

2. At what age can I start collecting Social Security benefits?

You can begin receiving retirement benefits at age 62, but your payments will be more significant if you wait until your full retirement age (66 years and 4 months for people born in 1956, gradually rising over the next few years to 67). If you are eligible for survivor benefits or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), you can start collecting earlier.

3. How do I sign up for Social Security?

You can apply for retirement, spousal or disability benefits online, by phone at 800-772-1213, or at your local Social Security office. For survivor benefits, you can apply by phone or in person. Local offices reopened to walk-in traffic in April after being largely closed to visitors for more than two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Still, the Social Security Administration (SSA) strongly recommends calling ahead to make an appointment.

4. How long do I need to work to become eligible for benefits?

For retirement benefits, at least 10 years. Social Security uses a system of credits, which you collect by working and paying Social Security taxes. You can earn up to four credits a year, and you need 40 credits to qualify for retirement benefits. The credit threshold may be lower for disability benefits.

No, you can receive benefits while working. But if you are below full retirement age and earn more than a certain amount, your monthly benefits will be temporarily reduced. Once you reach full retirement age, the reduction is eliminated, and your benefits will be increased to make up for what was lost over time.

5. Must I stop working to collect retirement benefits?

6. How much will I get from Social Security?

That depends on a number of factors, most crucially your lifetime earnings from work in which you paid Social Security taxes. Social Security takes your 35 highest-earnings years, calculates an inflation-adjusted average, and plugs that into a progressive formula that determines your “basic” benefit. The amount will also be affected by how old you are when you claim benefits. You won’t know it for sure until you file, but you can use the AARP Social Security Calculator to get an estimate.

7. What’s the maximum monthly Social Security benefit?

RV Insurance Requirements in Michigan

Posted on April 29, 2022May 11, 2023 by admin

Shield Insurance Blog | RV Insurance | Start a quote today!

Driving an RV in Michigan can provide many a memorable vacation for you and your family, but your state government requires you to carry the same minimum level of insurance on your RV as on your car or truck.

Shield Insurance Agency wants you to understand that there’s no getting around this law. If you get caught driving without auto/RV insurance in the state, you’ll get hit with a costly fine and potentially lose your license, although perhaps temporarily.

RV Insurance Requirements in Michigan

As a no-fault state, Michigan requires every driver on its roads to carry insurance that would cover their own damages or those incurred to another party’s vehicle. You’ll need to purchase at least the following coverage levels:

bodily injury coverage in the amount of $20,000 per person per accident,
bodily injury coverage in the amount of $40,000 per accident for all persons injured or killed,
property damage in the amount of $10,000 per accident,
personal injury protection (PIP) with no limits,
property protection insurance (PPI) in the amount of $1 million per accident.

You can and should add to your RV insurance coverage by tacking on collision and comprehensive coverage. Your collision coverage provides reimbursement for damages when you incur a single-vehicle accident. Comprehensive coverage protects you from theft and other unavoidable perils. Roadside assistance coverage can help you obtain quick service when your RV breaks down on the road. Car rental insurance can mean you have a vehicle while your RV undergoes repairs.

Contact Shield Insurance Agency to discuss the state minimum requirements and add-ons that would provide full coverage for your RV. Don’t drive without insurance in Michigan.