The Meakem Group

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Financial planning doesn't have to be a big deal. Our approach starts with a conversation.

Securities offered through Raymond James Financial Services, Inc., member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advisory services offered through Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. Important Disclosure Information: http://raymondjames.com/smicd.htm

The Meakem Group is not a registered broker/dealer and is independent of Raymond James Financial Services

10/29/2026

Many people assume they’ll automatically move into a much lower tax bracket after retirement.

That may happen, but what if it doesn’t?

Withdrawals from tax-deferred accounts are generally treated as ordinary income, and required minimum distributions may create taxable income whether you need the money or not. That can affect other parts of your financial picture, including Medicare premiums and eligibility for certain tax benefits.

Having money in different tax buckets may give you more options when deciding where retirement income should come from.

Roth contributions and conversions can have important tax consequences, so they should be reviewed with your tax professional.

The key is to think about tax flexibility before your choices become more limited.

Click the link to watch our video on 4 ways to create more financial flexibility in retirement.

https://themeakemgroup.com/4-ways-to-build-more-financial-flexibility-in-retirement/

10/28/2026

The holidays are on the horizon, and your winter clothes are getting ready to migrate out of storage. There’s no better time than now to solve the great clutter conundrum!

We all have that one closet that takes a bit too much finagling to get shut, and it tends to stay that way. Decluttering is an all-consuming nightmare of a project. Or is it?

Our latest blog is full of easy, meaningful, and realistic ways to kick clutter to the curb while enlisting help and input from family. If you’re preparing to downsize in retirement, wondering what’s worth passing down to the kids, or just ready to reclaim some organization in your home, get started here:

https://themeakemgroup.com/downsizing-and-decluttering-a-family-affair/

10/22/2026

Market volatility affects you differently if you are taking regular withdrawals from your portfolio.

When you’re still working and contributing, lower prices may allow your contributions to purchase more shares.

In retirement, a downturn may coincide with an unexpected home repair, medical expense, or family need. If the portfolio is your only available source of cash, you may have to sell investments at an unfavorable time.

That’s why having more than one potential source of liquidity can matter.

An emergency fund, available credit, or another source of accessible funds may give you time to evaluate your choices with your financial and tax professionals.

The goal is not to predict every surprise. It’s to avoid having only one way to respond.

Click the link to learn about three other ways to build more flexibility into your retirement plan.

https://themeakemgroup.com/4-ways-to-build-more-financial-flexibility-in-retirement/

10/21/2026

Are you on track to meet your RMDs this year?

Once you reach the required age, you'll need to withdraw a required minimum distribution (RMD) from your retirement accounts each year before December 31st. Missing the deadline means you may owe up to 25% of the amount you forgot to withdraw.

So, how much are your RMDs? It depends on when you were born. Calculate your RMDs using this IRS worksheet:

https://www.irs.gov/retirement-plans/plan-participant-employee/required-minimum-distribution-worksheets

If you haven't reached RMD age yet, this is a great time to track down and consolidate any forgotten 401(k)s from previous jobs. Getting those accounts organized ahead of time makes calculating and satisfying your RMD requirements simpler down the road.

10/20/2026

Keeping our brains active and healthy is especially important as we age, but that doesn’t mean it has to be complicated.

Last month, we shared a few tips for keeping your brain sharp. Shannon has a few more to add that you may not have thought of yet–like exercise that doesn’t feel like a chore!

Swipe through to see how easy it can be to keep your noggin in shape, and don’t forget to check out the Alzheimer's Association for more useful information.

10/15/2026

A remodel, new vehicle, or major home project may already be part of your retirement plans.

The question is when those expenses should happen.

Using the final working years to plan for known purchases may help you avoid placing too much pressure on your portfolio early in retirement.

That doesn’t mean you should rush into spending or delay everything you’re looking forward to. It means thinking ahead about which expenses are predictable and which may arrive later without warning.

Health changes, family needs, taxes, and market volatility can all affect your plans.
Leaving room for the unknown may help you preserve more choices later.

Click the link for more ways to create greater flexibility in your retirement spending plan.

https://themeakemgroup.com/4-ways-to-build-more-financial-flexibility-in-retirement/

10/14/2026

to Graham’s garden from a few years ago. This year’s yield might not be what it once was, but that’s not the only harvest worth looking for.

Tax-loss harvesting sounds complicated, but it's really just a smart way to make a dip in the market work in your favor. By selling investments that have lost value, you may be able to offset gains elsewhere and lower your tax bill for the year. Even in a year where the markets have mostly climbed, if you have shares sitting below what you paid, you may have tax-loss harvesting opportunities. Check with your tax preparer to see if any savings opportunities are ripe for the picking.

Can’t “beet” that!

10/12/2026

Do you have a teen driver at home (or a college kid with a car)?

Making sure you have adequate insurance for a new driver is a given. However, it’s easy to forget that those same coverage needs apply to college students or young adults who have moved out but are still driving on your insurance.

If something happens, it doesn’t matter whether or not your child is the one behind the wheel. If that car is titled in your name or kept at your house, or if you're helping support their lifestyle, its coverage levels should line up with your own. That includes cars that live with your college-age kids in another city, as long as they're still tied to you.

Keep in mind that having the minimum coverage is rarely a bargain, even if the car was. If something happens, the other party isn't just looking at your child's assets–they can pursue yours too.

Being starts with the small stuff, like double-checking your kid's car insurance before you hand them the keys.

10/08/2026

Retirement can feel very different when a work paycheck is no longer covering the monthly bills.

That’s why fixed expenses deserve attention before you retire.

A mortgage, car payment, or other large obligation may be manageable while you’re working, but it can put more pressure on your cash flow later.

That doesn’t mean every debt has to be gone before retirement. It means understanding how much of your future income is already committed before you get to choose how the rest is spent.

Lower overhead may give you more room to handle unexpected expenses without immediately increasing portfolio withdrawals.

Click the link to watch my video about building more financial flexibility before and during retirement.

https://themeakemgroup.com/4-ways-to-build-more-financial-flexibility-in-retirement/

09/30/2026

November and December are “blink, and you’ll miss it” months, so if you have any unused preventive care services, maximums, or FSA funds, think about using them before the holidays hit. And if you’ve already hit your deductible and have pending visits or procedures, get them scheduled now.

Here’s another reason to get in early: everyone else is working with the same deadlines, which means getting a dental or healthcare appointment toward the end of the year may be challenging. Don’t wait, especially if you have “use it or lose it” credits!

Address

4800 Hampden Lane, Suite 810
Bethesda, MD
20814

Telephone

+12407434971

Website

http://themeakemgroup.com/

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