Lighthouse Financial Advisory

04/09/2026

AI is changing how people approach retirement planning, but it has limits. It can explain strategies and spark ideas, but it can’t understand your full financial picture, emotions, or long-term goals. That’s where real advice still matters most.

AI can explain retirement planning basics in seconds, but financial pros say there are key factors it may miss when the stakes are high.

03/27/2026

The most devastating financial shock a surviving spouse faces isn't the funeral costs. It’s the sudden disappearance of a Social Security check they were counting on. 🛑

In 2026, the rules around Survivor Benefits are specific, and timing is everything. If you don't have a plan for the "Higher-Of" transition, you could be leaving thousands of dollars on the table. 💸

Here is the essential breakdown:

⚠️ The Golden Rule: You do NOT keep both checks. You keep the larger of the two, and the smaller one vanishes.

⏳ Timing Matters: Claiming at age 60 vs. your Full Retirement Age (FRA) can be the difference between receiving 71.5% or 100% of the benefit.

🔄 The "Switch" Play: If you have your own work record, you might be able to claim a survivor benefit early while letting your own retirement check grow by 8% per year until age 70.

Don't let a lack of transparency derail your financial security. Knowledge is the best hedge against uncertainty.

Check out the hand-drawn guide below for the critical numbers you need to know. 👇

03/25/2026

The market is down nearly 19% this year.

And yet — it’s still up over 13% for the year.

That’s not a typo.

This is how markets actually work. They don’t deliver 10% returns in neat 0.8% monthly increments. They drop hard, recover, and often finish the year in positive territory.

The data backs this up:

∙ Since 1980, the S&P 500 has averaged a 14%+ intra-year drawdown every single year
∙ Yet the average annual return over that same period? +10.7%

The investors who got hurt weren’t the ones who stayed in.

They were the ones who saw -19% and sold.

Here’s the other thing worth remembering: most people nearing retirement don’t have 100% of their money in the S&P 500. A well-built plan has bonds, cash reserves, and other assets specifically designed so you’re not forced to sell stocks at the worst moment.

Volatility isn’t a sign something is broken.

It’s the price of admission for long-term gains.

03/23/2026

Tax season is right around the corner, are you ready? If you are a W-2 employee your taxes may not be as big of an issue to file, but for business owners I always highly suggest to talk with a CPA! Please reach out if you need any referrals!

A number of tax audits result from preventable mistakes. Here are the five most common audit red flags—and what to do to avoid them.

03/18/2026

Money and Divorce: 6 Financial Mistakes to Avoid

1. Delaying financial planning until after the divorce is final
2. Agreeing to a settlement just to get it over with
3. Overlooking future expenses
4. Attempting to devalue assets prior to divorce
5. Not updating your beneficiaries and estate plan
6. Not seeking all the help you may need

03/13/2026

Many clients find themselves in a financial pickle. “Should I cash out funds from a QDRO or should I roll it into my own IRA?”. The answer to this truly depends on your specific financial situation.

There is no one size fits all retirement strategy, I’d be more than happy to help you take a look at your options and come up with a strategy that fits your needs!

What Is a Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO)?

In a divorce, a qualified domestic relations order (QDRO) requires that a portion of retirement account assets be paid to a former spouse to ensure a fair split.

02/23/2026

I keep hearing that AI is going to replace financial advisors and other knowledge professionals.

Here’s the reality.

The information has always been out there.

You could Google how to build a financial plan 15 years ago. You can ask ChatGPT today. That doesn’t mean you have one.

Six-pack abs are the perfect analogy.
The workouts are free. The nutrition plans are free. The science is clear.

And yet most people don’t have them.

Not because they lack information.
Because they lack ex*****on and accountability.

Financial planning is no different.

The real value isn’t in generating ideas. It’s in:

• Structuring them correctly
• Catching the mistakes before they become expensive
• Keeping you from stepping on landmines
• And helping you execute when emotions get loud

AI is a tool. A powerful one.

But tools don’t replace judgment, context, or behavioral coaching.

And they certainly don’t sit across the table when markets drop 20% and remind you why you built the plan in the first place.

02/11/2026

Thinking about a Roth IRA conversion this year, but not sure if it makes sense?

Here are a few key points to keep in mind ✅

What a Roth conversion is:
🔹 Moving money from a pre-tax account, such as a traditional IRA, into a Roth IRA
🔹 The amount converted is typically taxable as ordinary income in the year of conversion

Why investors consider it:
🔹 May allow for tax-free growth and tax-free qualified withdrawals in retirement if certain requirements are met
🔹 Currently, there are no required minimum distributions for the original Roth owner under existing law
🔹 May provide more flexibility for heirs than a traditional IRA, depending on individual circumstances

How to potentially approach it:
🔹 Consider smaller, multi-year conversions instead of one large move
🔹 Monitor how added income may affect Adjusted Gross Income, tax brackets, and future Medicare premiums
🔹 Once converted, it generally cannot be reversed under current rules

Key considerations:
🔹 With a Roth IRA, to qualify for the tax-free and penalty-free withdrawal of earnings, Roth IRA distributions must meet a five-year holding requirement and occur after age 59½. Tax-free and penalty-free withdrawals can also be taken under certain other circumstances.
🔹 With a traditional IRA, once you turn 73, you must take the required minimum distribution. Withdrawals are taxed as ordinary income and may be subject to a 10 percent federal income tax penalty if taken before age 59½.

Roth conversions may be a useful strategy when they align with an overall, personalized tax and retirement strategy. As always, consult a tax and financial professional before making any decisions.

01/30/2026

Is “Waiting Until 70” a smart Social Security move? ⏳

An October 2025 piece in “The Wall Street Journal” titled “Why Delaying Your Social Security Benefits May Not Make Sense” pointed out that delaying may not be the best fit for every household. Four angles to consider:

1️⃣ Behavior & Cash-Flow: Many retirees spend income but hesitate to draw principal. Delaying can unintentionally pinch lifestyle early on.
2️⃣ Market/Sequence Risk: “Bridging” with larger portfolio withdrawals while you wait can raise exposure to early-retirement downturns.
3️⃣ Timing & Medicare: Timing can affect how you sequence retirement plan withdrawals and handle Medicare payments.
4️⃣ Longevity & Survivor Needs: Health outlook, age gap, and survivor benefit priorities can tilt the math toward earlier—or later—claiming.

Takeaway: There’s no one-size-fits-all rule. A tailored strategy that models cash-flows, risk, and household goals beats a one-size-fits-all solution.

01/28/2026

A quick tip for my service members:

Combat pay isn’t taxed by the IRS.

If you can contribute that income into a Roth IRA, you’re essentially putting in tax-free dollars, letting them grow tax-free, and withdrawing them in retirement tax-free.

No tax going in.
No tax while it grows.
No tax coming out in retirement.

Thank you all for your service!

01/26/2026

There’s a lot of buzz around retirement planning and home ownership. Those who are considering either or may need to choose to focus on living below their means in order to make one or both a reality!

Millennial Investors Feel Forced to Choose Between Retirement and Homeownership

Columbus, Ohio – Millennials are facing an unprecedented financial squeeze: a staggering 58% feel like they have to choose between homeownership and retirement security, according to a new Advisor Authority study, powered by the Nationwide Retirement Institute. As housing prices accelerate ahead o...

01/25/2026

Most people aren’t underinsured — they’re insured incorrectly. They buy what’s easy to sell, not what actually protects their family. Good planning asks:
• What risk would be financially devastating?
• What risks can we self-insure?
• What coverage is temporary vs permanent? Insurance should support your plan — not replace it.

If you'd like to have someone look over your current Life insurance, Disability Insurance, Long Term Care insurance or even Health insurance, please reach out for a free consultation!