News & Updates

ROBERT POWELL, CFP| September 14, 2021; Retirement Daily| On the Street A reader would like to determine what his wife’s benefit will be since she’s claiming on his work record. He claimed Social Security early – how does that impact his wife? Adviser Joe Alfonso explains. Question I would like...

A reader wonders if he qualifies for a restricted application as well as an increased benefit from claiming Social Security under his ex-wife’s earnings record. ROBERT POWELL, CFP®| Apr 29, 2021 Question I live in Costa Rica. I’m 68 years old (born 1952), my ex-wife is 75. We were married...

Retirement Daily| On The Street Robert Powell, CFP® | Oct 27, 2020 Question When a spouse passes on in his/her early years, the marriage was over 10 years and they have kids, can the widow utilize the Social Security survivor benefits? And at what age? Answer If the decedent spouse...

The financial fallout from the COVID-19 crisis has been difficult for many and its effects will likely be felt for some time. On the bright side, it has created a wonderful opportunity to do Roth conversions at an affordable tax cost and gain insurance against future tax rate increases....

I will be presenting a Zoom virtual workshop on Social Security on May 11, 2020 from 6PM-8PM PST. We will discuss the basic rules of the Social Security system and ways that individuals and couples can use these rules to maximize benefits. The workshop is free and is being hosted...

US News and World Report | Annalyn Kurtz| Dec. 4, 2017 The end of the year is always a good time to do some financial housekeeping, but this year in particular, uncertainty about tax reform may mean investors should throw a few more tricks onto their to-do lists. Here are...

Lake Oswego, OR (PRWeb) March 26, 2017 Vanguard Founder John C. (Jack) Bogle, Personal Finance Writer, Jane Bryant Quinn endorse Best Practices, speak on importance of fiduciary standard to investors Lake Oswego, OR, March 26, 2017 — Joseph Alfonso, CFP®, ChFC®, EA, RICP®, Fee-Only financial planner and principal of AEGIS...

By Donald Jay Korn Financial-Planning.com December, 30 2016, 1∶22pm EST Not so long ago, Terry Prather was advising clients to submit restricted applications for Social Security retirement benefits. Similarly, Timothy Hayes was explaining the file-and-suspend plan to his clients. However, the federal budget legislation signed into law in November 2015...

Master limited partnership is exploring a change to corporate structure that could shield investors from the fallout of a likely debt restructuring The Wall Street Journal | Liz Hoffman, Matt Jarzemsky and Laura Saunders| March 9, 2016 For some energy investors, there are worse things than going to zero. A...

Kerri Anne Renzulli |Time.com | March 01, 2016 You might be making it too. This is part of an occasional series of articles looking at the presidential candidates’ own finances. The first examined Jeb Bush’s portfolio. Republican presidential hopeful and Texas Senator Ted Cruz is sticking too close to his...

Kerri Anne Renzulli | Time.com | February 19, 2016 Too many funds, too little clarity, and too high fees. This is the first of an occasional series of articles looking at the presidential candidates’ own finances. It was published the day before former Florida Governor Jeb Bush formally ended his...

February 1, 2016|Donald Jay Korn, Financial Planning Magazine Not so long ago, Terry Prather was advising clients to submit restricted applications for Social Security retirement benefits. Similarly, Timothy Hayes was explaining the file-and-suspend plan to his clients. However, the federal budget legislation signed into law in November reined in those...

Jan  27, 2016|Barbara Marquand, Forbes The question of whether to buy life insurance for children sparks strong debate about the value of such policies. Life insurance for children is often marketed to parents or grandparents as a way to save money for kids and to “protect their insurability,” meaning their...

A reader asks: “If I elect to start receiving my Social Security benefit at 62, can I then apply for and switch to an ex spouse benefit at 66? My projected retirement benefit at FRA is $1700, his is $2700. At 62 my reduced benefit will be about $1200.” This...

Alliance of Comprehensive Planners (ACP) member Joseph Alfonso, CFP®, ChFC, EA, founder and principal of Aegis Financial Advisory, will be a featured guest on “Your Money” on Tuesday, May 26, 2015, at 5:30 PM EDT. The show is broadcast on SirusXM Business Radio Channel 111, powered by the University of...