Today, life insurance is a crucial part of many estate plans.  Life Insurance can provide much-needed income to your survivors, help fund your children’s education, and pay off your mortgage and other debts.  Proceeds from life insurance will help you to ensure that your family has access to funds to meet both short and long term needs that may arise.  By purchasing life insurance, you’ll be taking the initiative and planning ahead; knowing that you’ll be leaving an established amount for your survivors.  Should you buy term or permanent life insurance? How much life insurance do you need?  We can help you answer those questions.  Contact our office today at 615-216-1340, and let us show you how purchasing life insurance could be beneficial to you and your family.

Written by: Megan B. Bynum, Licensed Life & Health Insurance Agent

A short-term health insurance policy is a temporary policy that provides inexpensive coverage for a short period of time.  Short-term health insurance works best for people whose main goal is to avoid the high costs associated with a major medical emergency.  Short-term policies provide coverage for a maximum of twelve months, are not automatically renewable, and do not cover pre-existing conditions.  Although not a long-term option, short-term health insurance is typically more affordable and less comprehensive than a major medical plan.  It might be right for you and your situation.  Contact our office today to determine if a short-term health insurance policy is right for you. 

Written by: Megan B. Bynum, Licensed Life & Health Insurance Agent

A high-deductible health insurance plan should be considered by those individuals or families that are healthy and have adequate funds in the bank.  Providing protection from catastrophic events, these plans typically offer cost savings over other plans because of the high deductible.  A high deductible plan should be considered if you are in good health, rarely need prescription drugs, do not have pre-existing conditions, and no intentions of becoming pregnant.  Therefore, minimal out-of-pocket expenses occur.  However, this will provide assurance and ability to enjoy the comfort of having protection against unexpected and expensive medical costs.

 Authored by: Megan B. Bynum, Licensed Life & Health Insurance Agent

One advantage of purchasing life insurance when you’re young and healthy includes likely being able to obtain low cost coverage.  Insurance premiums typically increase as life expectancy decreases.  Whether considering buying term or whole life insurance, the costs will likely be less now than in the future.  If you have dependents in the future, you will have locked in the lowest rates and you will have guaranteed you insurability.  Therefore, you will not have to be concerned about higher rates as you age and possibly experience declining health.  Contact our office today and let us help you find the most viable life insurance options.

Written by: Megan B. Bynum, Licensed Life & Health Insurance Agent

*All performance referenced is historical and is no guarantee of future results.  All indices are unmanaged and may not be invested into directly.

*There is no guarantee that a diversified portfolio will enhance overall returns or outperform a non-diversified portfolio.  Diversification does not protect against market risk.

Authored by: Scott Flowers, LPL Wealth Advisor

Authored by: Scott Flowers, LPL Wealth Advisor

Written by: Scott Flowers, LPL Wealth Advisor

The simple answer is to not draw more out than you are earning on your portfolio.  However for most people, it is not so simple.  Market volatility, increased longevity, and inflation risk all have an impact on a portfolio’s ability to supply adequate retirement income.  Ideally, your withdrawal rate is below the average annual rate of return on the portfolio minus inflation.  If inflation is at 3% and your annual portfolio returns are 8%, then your withdrawal rate should be below 5% to ensure your portfolio keeps up.  The sequence of returns is extremely important: withdrawing too much early in retirement can have a lasting negative impact in your twilight years.

Authored by: Ben Leyhew, MBA, LPL Wealth Advisor

Go directly to www.finra.org (Financial Industry Regulatory Authority).  This is the independent regulator for all securities firms doing business in the United States.  Under the “Investor” link, you can perform a Broker Check to verify that your financial professional is fully licensed and see his or her employment history.  More importantly, you can check to see if they have any customer complaints, criminal charges, bankruptcies or ongoing litigation.  This is one important tool for evaluating your financial professional.

Written by: Ben Leyhew, MBA, LPL Wealth Advisor

Annuities are financial products that generally provide a regular stream of income. Some annuities pay a fixed amount of interest.  Others are attached to a “market index”, such as the S & P 500.  You want to make sure that you understand the costs associated with the annuity contract and any period your funds will be restricted (called a surrender period).  Be sure to review the investment options within the contract.  Also important is to consider the way you access the funds – how do I get my money out?  Can I get it out in a lump sum if I want to?  Or do I have to access the funds in a series of payments over a period of years.  Give us a call and let us help you determine if an annuity would benefit you.

Authored by: Jeffrey O. Brown, CPA, CFP and LPL Registered Principal