When it comes to retirement planning, one critical aspect that’s often overlooked is the designation of beneficiaries. It's not just about who you want to inherit your assets; it's about making sure that your wishes are carried out smoothly and without legal complications. Let’s talk about some of the common mistakes we see people make when it comes to the beneficiaries of their accounts…

Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:

• Naming minors as beneficiaries
• Not coordinating your beneficiary designations and your will
• Not naming alternative or successor beneficiaries
• Naming your estate as a beneficiary
• Making errors on the application

Want to get in touch with Mark?

https://retirementhuddle.com/
mark@howardfinancialgroup.com
888-511-7526

Conventional wisdom says you can’t put toothpaste back in the tube. That is to say, once the deed is done, there’s no taking it back. There are many decisions in retirement planning that can’t be undone, and in today’s episode, we’re going to explore some of them.

Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:

• Choosing the right time to take Social Security
• The irreversible nature of decisions regarding spousal benefits on pensions
• The increasing cost and potential unavailability of life insurance as you age
• Retiring too soon without a well-conceived plan in place

Want to get in touch with Mark?

https://retirementhuddle.com/
mark@howardfinancialgroup.com
888-511-7526

Have you ever faced the daunting task of moving to a new home? The careful packing, the labeling of boxes, and the strategic loading of the moving truck are all important parts of a smooth transition. What if we told you similar principles apply to planning for your retirement? Listen in as Mark and Ron share some of the unexpected similarities between moving houses and financial planning in today's episode.

Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:

• Like labeling boxes in a move, having a plan for your investment accounts can help you stay on track
• Certain financial assets, like emergency funds or retirement savings, require extra care and protection
• Similar to securing items in a moving truck, a well-designed financial plan protects assets from market volatility
• Rollovers act as the hand trucks of retirement accounts
• Hiring a professional to alleviate stress and ensure a successful transition

Want to get in touch with Mark?

https://retirementhuddle.com/
mark@howardfinancialgroup.com
888-511-7526

There are certain rules of thumb in the financial industry, many of which you might’ve heard of. For example, the “Rule of 100” or the “4% Rule” might sound familiar to you. But how helpful are these rules of thumb in real-life planning?

In this episode, Mark walks through 5 common financial rules and shares his thoughts as a financial advisor.

Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:

• The Rule of 100 is a helpful way to think about risk and savings as you approach retirement
• Why Mark generally disagrees with the 75% Rule
• The 6-Month Savings Rule is a reasonable guideline for emergency funds
• The accuracy of Wall Street’s Rule of 5
• The danger of the 4% Rule + the importance of comprehensive withdrawal strategies

Want to get in touch with Mark?

https://retirementhuddle.com/
mark@howardfinancialgroup.com
888-511-7526

Welcome back to the Retirement Huddle podcast! In today’s episode, we’re exploring the timeless wisdom of Oscar Wilde. Celebrated as one of the English language's most quotable figures, he offers us a unique lens to explore financial wisdom.

Here are the quotes we discuss in this episode:

• “I have the simplest tastes. I am always satisfied with the best.”
• “Education is an admirable thing, but it is well to remember from time to time that nothing that is worth knowing can be taught.”
• “To expect the unexpected shows a thoroughly modern intellect.”
• “Experience is simply the name we give our mistakes.”

Want to get in touch with Mark?

https://retirementhuddle.com/
mark@howardfinancialgroup.com
888-511-7526

One of the topics we discuss pretty frequently here on the show is life insurance. While it may not be the most exciting subject, there are several reasons why life insurance might be useful as part of your retirement plan. Stay tuned as we explore the diverse benefits of life insurance in this episode.

Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:

• The importance of life insurance in providing income replacement for surviving spouses
• The role of life insurance in settling an estate + building a legacy for beneficiaries
• The power of buying life insurance when you’re young
• How life insurance can make transferring family wealth easier and more tax-efficient
• The benefits of life insurance for small business owners + high-income earners
• How the life insurance industry is helping people who can’t afford long-term care

Want to get in touch with Mark?

https://retirementhuddle.com/
mark@howardfinancialgroup.com
888-511-7526

Today we’re diving into the world of retirement planning through the lens of one of history’s most iconic figures, Winston Churchill. While many of us know Churchill for his leadership during World War II, you might be surprised at how much his quotes resonate in the world of retirement strategy. Stay tuned as Mark shares his insights on some of Churchill’s most iconic quotes and how they apply to the landscape of financial planning.

Here are the quotes that we discuss in today’s show:

• “We shape our dwellings, and afterwards our dwellings shape us.”
• “We must be aware of needless innovations, especially when guided by logic.”
• “The problems of victory are more agreeable than those of defeat, but they are no less difficult won in the world.”
• “The farther backward you can look, the farther forward you’re likely to see.”
• ''To build may have to be the slow and laborious task of years. To destroy can be the thoughtless act of a single day. ''

Want to get in touch with Mark? 

https://retirementhuddle.com/
mark@howardfinancialgroup.com
888-511-7526

Far too often, people aren’t receiving the advice they truly need from their financial advisors. It's not uncommon for financial professionals to focus solely on managing investments, overlooking the broader context of clients' aspirations, dreams, and lifestyle goals. Tune in to discover what your advisor might be missing…

Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:

• Does your advisor talk to you about taxes?
• Is your advisor evaluating the fees and costs of your investments?
• Are you having conversations about your retirement income?
• Is your advisor helping you understand the target and goal for each of your invested dollars?
• Are you talking about and planning for your legacy goals?

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People:

https://www.amazon.com/Habits-Highly-Effective-People-Powerful/dp/0743269519

Want to get in touch with Mark? 

https://retirementhuddle.com/
mark@howardfinancialgroup.com
888-511-7526