For many of our neighbors in Kalamazoo, Battle Creek, and Marshall, your 65th birthday isn’t the “finish line” it used to be. Many of you are choosing to stay in the workforce, which brings up a critical—and often expensive—question: Do I actually need to sign up for Medicare if I still have health insurance through my job?
If you’ve spent a lifetime building a sizable 401(k) or IRA, you likely have a specific vision for that money. You see it providing for your children or grandchildren long after you’re gone. But under current laws, that “pool of money” might actually be a “tax bill in disguise” for your heirs.
After more than a decade without an official definition, U.S. regulators have finally provided clearer guidance on how cryptocurrencies are classified and treated under existing laws.
The legal definition of who must act in your best interest has shifted again. According to a recent report by InsuranceNewsNet, authored by John Hilton, the Department of Labor (DOL) has joined industry groups in a motion to vacate the 2024 Retirement Security Rule (RSR).
Over the past year, financial headlines have been overwhelmingly positive. Major stock indexes have reached record highs. Inflation has cooled from its peak. Unemployment remains relatively low. Yet beneath the surface, many Americans are quietly pulling back.
As retirement approaches, one of the most consequential financial decisions you’ll face is when to start your Social Security benefits. While you can begin as early as age 62, this choice has a permanent impact on the amount of income you and your spouse will receive for the rest of your lives.
As retirement approaches, one of the most consequential financial decisions you’ll face is when to start your Social Security benefits. While you can begin as early as age 62, this choice has a permanent impact on the amount of income you and your spouse will receive for the rest of your lives. The key is understanding the financial trade-offs at every age, and being aware of the latest rules and projections, which we’ve updated for 2026.
Southwest Michigan Financial, LLC
4341 S Westnedge Ave, Ste. 1201
Kalamazoo, MI 49008
Phone: (269) 323-7964
Southwest Michigan Financial, LLC
830 W Michigan Ave
Marshall, MI 49068
Phone: (269) 323-7964
