A long-term financial planning strategy is a way we can help your hard work today protect and build your future. During your working years you will want to start building a secure foundation for retirement income. It is important to start saving now so you can enjoy your retirement dreams. Long-term plans need to be flexible and allow for changes to be made for unexpected curve balls that get thrown in along the journey.

Pathway Financial’s retirement planners can guide your path by using specialized software that projects how much you need to save now to have the desired income you want in retirement. We also consider inflation, social security income, and your current investments. With the information provided we will be able to see if you are on the right track and adjust it accordingly.

Short-term planning strategies are for those who are closer to retirement and need to get a plan in place for when they need to start taking income distributions. You will want to look at all your retirement instruments and decide when and where to pull money from based on taxable consequences or advantages.

Pathway Financial's team of retirement planners can help calculate how long your money will last by maximizing social security timing, pension benefit options and the best distribution strategies. Contact us to let one of our professionals help you.

Planning for one’s own demise is a difficult, but necessary step in the retirement planning process. Walking through these fine details is never easy and can often be overlooked. When these concerns are not incorporated properly into your plan an untimely illness or death can place a great burden on your family and loved ones. Protect your assets from taxes, minimize the effects of long-term care, and create a lasting legacy by developing a plan for your estate.

We can help you have safeguards in place so there are assets allocated when the time arises for such needs.

A Traditional IRA is a type of personal retirement account used to save money with long term tax deferred growth advantages. Anyone can open a Traditional IRA if they meet the minimum $250 funding limit. With this type of account, you may receive tax breaks now, depending on your situation. Contributions will grow tax-deferred but will be taxed when you take money out in retirement. Traditional IRAs can be a smart solution to increase your tax-deferred savings and save on your current income tax bill.

Here at Pathway we can help you; decide if this is a good fit in your overall retirement plan, choose which investments match your risk tolerance and get an account started.

A Roth IRA is a type of personal retirement account used to save money tax-deferred, with long term growth advantages. Anyone can open a Roth IRA if they meet the minimum $250 funding limit. While you generally will not receive immediate tax breaks, your money will still grow tax deferred, and your qualified withdrawals are tax-free. Roth IRAs can be a smart solution if you expect to be taxed at a higher rate when you begin making withdrawals.

Pathway’s Financial professionals can help you; decide if this is a good fit in your overall retirement plan, choose which investments match your risk tolerance and get an account started.

A mutual Fund Account (also called a non-qualified individual or joint account) is an account that allows you to save money with the same returns you would get from your favorite investments. This type of account can be opened by anyone and for anyone. UTMA and UGMA accounts are non-qualified accounts that can be opened for the benefit of your children, grandchildren, or other beneficiary. A non-qualified investment does not qualify for any level of tax-deferred or tax-exempt status. Investments of this sort are made with after-tax money. Capital gains and dividends on these investments are taxed on an annual basis.

We would love to talk with you to see if this type of account will meet your needs, contact us today.

A simple IRA is a type of employer sponsored retirement plan where the employer can match a certain percentage of their employee’s earnings. This type of plan is for smaller businesses with 100 or less employees and is a great alternative to larger plans like 401(k)s. Simple IRA’s are only available to those whose employers choose to start a plan. The employer then sets the eligibility guidelines which are contingent on income and how long the employee has been working for them.

The benefit of participating in a Simple IRA plan is that, unlike a 401(k), you can choose which institution and funds you desire to be in. In other words, there is no restrictive list of funds you must choose from. The options are numerous.

If you are a business owner and would like to set up a Simple IRA plan we can help you get one started. We will also show you what other types of retirement sponsored plans are options to you, so you feel confident with your choice.

If you would like your employer to start a plan let us know and we can reach out to them with more information.

A Simplified Employee Pension (SEP IRA) is a retirement plan that can be established by a Self-Employed individual that wants to have a retirement plan for their company. Similar to other retirement plans, SEP IRA contributions are tax deferred and can reduce your current year’s tax burden while saving for retirement. The investment opportunities are like the ones available within Roth and Traditional IRAs. Unlike Traditional and Roth IRAs, SEP IRAs have much higher contribution limits and can have “employer contributions” added as well.

If you are a self-employed business owner talk to one of our professionals to find out if a SEP IRA plan is right for you and your business.

A 401(k) plan is an employer based retirement plan. Many businesses offer their employees 401(k) options which is a great advantage to have. Within the plans are a set of investments that you can choose from, which may be difficult to figure out for some people.

Pathway’s team would be happy to help guide you in choosing the best investments for your 401(k). The financial professionals at Pathway Financial can also assist you if you have left your job and had a 401(k) there. 401(k)s can be rolled over into a Traditional IRA which in some cases will be more advantageous to investors rather than keeping it within the current plan.

Insurance products are very versatile. There are many uses and reasons to incorporate these products into your plan. Our expert insurance agents and planners can help navigate the maze of products to determine which ones will help complete your overall financial plan.

We can explain the advantages and disadvantages and present all the options to you. Below is a list of common types of products that we use regularly.

• Life Insurance
• Annuities
• Individual Disability Income
• Group Long-Term and Short-Term Disability
• Individual and Group Long-Term Care
• Health Insurance
• Business Planning: Key-Man Insurance, Buy-Sell Funding Arrangement

When looking at the scope of your entire financial plan, it is best to consider all the ways to save- especially where taxes are concerned. Taxes play a large role in your finances and are a key factor in choosing which, out of the many retirement and saving vessels, are best suited for you. Our team has the knowledge and experience to identify what role taxes play for each product and account type.

If you are a business owner there may be tax savings you are missing out on that we can give you more information about.

Please contact us for more information, we are happy to assist you!

Today, more than ever, Health Insurance has become a necessary and strategic piece of retirement planning strategies. With the ever-increasing cost of healthcare plans it can be overwhelming and burdensome to your budget and retirement savings. Pathway has professionals who are certified to help walk you through ALL the options available. Healthcare.gov can be confusing and difficult, we will walk you through the application process to get you signed up for a plan that best meets your needs.

We can also assist employers in setting up group health insurance coverage for them and their employees.

If you are a business owner, you know valuable employees are extremely important to keeping your business operating efficiently. Consider offering benefits to your employees- it may be the difference that makes them stay instead of looking elsewhere for work. There are multiple kinds of group benefits available to offer your employees that are extremely beneficial. Group Health or Life Insurance, Simple IRA Plan, 401(k), Long or Short-Term disability and Long-Term Care are just a few that we can answer questions about and get started for you. Our small business financial advisors are here to help.

Contact us to speak with one of our representatives who specialize in Group Benefits today.