Cardinal Advisors

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Cardinal Advisors Investment advisory services offered through Brookstone Capital Management, LLC (BCM), a registered investment advisor.

BCM and Cardinal Advisors are independent of each other. Cardinal serves clients in all 50 states and D.C.! Family owned and operated with very personal service by telephone

10/15/2026

Why did Social Security send two different benefit amounts? When claiming Social Security spousal benefits, SSA often sends an initial award letter showing only your own worker benefit first. A second letter or top-off amount ($1,140.70 in Chelsea’s case) follows to bring your total monthly payment up to your full spousal benefit ($2,014.80 total). Watch Hans Schell explain how spousal benefit calculations work and why initial award letters can be confusing.

Subscribe to Cardinal Advisors for clear, practical retirement planning strategies!

Questions? Email us at [email protected], call us at (919) 535-8261, or visit our website at https://cardinalguide.com/

10/14/2026

Can you claim Social Security survivor benefits on a deceased ex-spouse? Yes, if you were married for at least 10 years and did not remarry before age 60, you may be eligible to claim benefits on your ex-spouse's record. In this Short, Tom Griffith discusses Myrtle’s real-life case and how filing a restricted application strategy allowed her to maximize her retirement income.

Questions? Email us at [email protected], call us at (919) 535-8261, or visit our website at https://cardinalguide.com/

10/13/2026

If you're married and getting close to retirement, you might open a letter from Social Security one day and see a check far smaller than you were counting on.

That happened to one of our clients. She called me and said, "Hans, my letter says $874. You told me it would be about $2,000." I figured they'd turned her down.

A couple of days later, a second letter came. Social Security pays the spousal benefit in two pieces, your own benefit plus the spousal amount, and together she got right around the $2,000 we'd planned for.

Spousal benefits are one of the most confusing parts of retirement, and some of these decisions you can't undo. Tom, Drew, and I just made a video walking through three real client stories. Give it a watch to learn more.

10/07/2026

Your IRA isn’t just a retirement account. It may also play a role in creating the income you need after your paycheck stops.

In this example, we look at how retirement savings can be structured around an income gap and long-term needs.

Learn more about retirement planning with Cardinal Advisors.

Questions? Email us at [email protected], call us at (919) 535-8261, or visit our website at https://cardinalguide.com/

10/06/2026

You sit down at the kitchen table with your tax return, and the number at the bottom is bigger than you expected. You're retired now. Weren't your taxes supposed to go down?

Here's what most people don't realize: once you stop working, you have more control over your taxes than you ever had. But only if you use it.

We see it all the time. Someone turns 73, their first required IRA withdrawal kicks in, and suddenly they're in a higher tax bracket and paying more for Medicare. Nobody warned them.

In our newest video, Tom, Drew, and I walk through how Social Security is taxed, how to avoid surprise Medicare charges, when Roth conversions make sense, and the "widow's tax" that can catch a surviving spouse off guard. I also share how one couple I met with ended up with a raise in retirement just by planning around taxes.

If you've got money in an IRA or 401(k), this one is worth your time.

10/02/2026

Open enrollment is coming up. Here's how to check your Medicare drug plan or sign up for one, step by step.

10/02/2026

Are you earning enough interest on your savings? 📈 Fixed annuities offer guaranteed high-yield interest rates that beat traditional bank savings accounts—without adding hidden fees or reducing your account balance 🏦✨

If you have money set aside for safety and liquidity, learn how simple fixed annuities can work alongside your other funds to help grow your retirement savings risk-free 🛡️💵

Questions? Email us at [email protected], call us at (919) 535-8261, or visit our website at https://cardinalguide.com/

09/30/2026

What is a MYGA annuity, and how does it compare to a bank CD? 🏦 In this video, we explain Multi-Year Guaranteed Annuities (MYGAs) and how they offer fixed interest rates for a set period of time—making them simple, predictable, and easy to understand 📈✨

We share top A-rated insurance companies offering competitive MYGA rates, and discuss why these straightforward financial tools can be a reliable part of your retirement plan 🛡️💵

Questions? Email us at [email protected], call us at (919) 535-8261, or visit our website at https://cardinalguide.com/

09/29/2026

You open your bank statement, look at the interest you earned last month, and think, "That's it?"

You know you've got too much money sitting in the bank. But you've also watched the market go up and down, and you're not about to risk money you worked your whole life for. I hear this from folks every week. Many of them almost apologize for it.

There's a middle ground a lot of people have never heard of. It's called a Multi-Year Guaranteed Annuity, or MYGA. It works much like a CD: you pick a term, you get a fixed rate, and it doesn't move with the market. The rates are often higher than what the bank is paying.

Tom, Drew, and I put together a video explaining how MYGAs work, how they compare to CDs, and how to use one without tying up money you might need.

09/28/2026

Can kids have a Roth IRA? 👧📈 In this video, we break down how Roth IRAs for minors work, including tax-free growth, contribution rules, and withdrawal guidelines for their long-term financial future!

Key Takeaways 💡
- Traditional IRA Rules Apply: Roth IRAs for minors follow fundamental IRA rules regarding growth, tracking, and distributions. 📜

- Post-Tax Contributions: Contributions are made with post-tax money, meaning you don't pay taxes on those contributions again upon withdrawal. 💵

- Retirement Timeline: Funds are generally designed to stay in the account until age 59½ to grow tax-free (though specific exceptions exist). ⏳

- No Earned Income Required for 530A: Unlike traditional Roth IRAs that require earned income, certain children's accounts (like 530A Trump Accounts) allow parents to build retirement savings from birth! 👶

Frequently Asked Questions ❓

Q: Does a child need earned income to start a Roth IRA vs a 530A account?
A: Standard Roth IRAs require the child to have earned income (like a job or household chores/babysitting), whereas IRC Section 530A accounts allow contributions right from birth without income requirements. 💼👶

Q: When can money be withdrawn from a child's Roth IRA tax-free?
A: Contributions can generally be withdrawn anytime tax-free, but earnings are typically subject to taxes and penalties if taken out before age 59½ unless an exception applies. ⏳

Q: How does tax-free growth benefit a minor over time?
A: Starting an account early gives the funds decades of tax-free compound growth, providing a massive head start on retirement savings. 📊

Questions? Email us at [email protected], call us at (919) 535-8261, or visit our website at https://cardinalguide.com/

Address

2530 Meridian Parkway, Suite 100
Durham, NC
27713

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 6pm
Tuesday 9am - 6pm
Wednesday 9am - 6pm
Thursday 9am - 6pm
Friday 9am - 6pm

Telephone

+19195358261

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