Cardinal Advisors

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

09/03/2026

How do you maximize your spouse’s Social Security benefit? 💡 In this video, financial advisor Tom Griffith explains why waiting past age 62 to file for Social Security isn't just about increasing your own monthly check—it's also about protecting your surviving spouse. 🛡️

Key Takeaways:

💵 Spousal Benefit: Spouses can receive up to 50% of the primary earner's benefit amount.

🛑 Survivor Protection: When one spouse passes away, the lower Social Security check stops, and the surviving spouse continues receiving the higher check.

⏰ Delaying Increases Payouts: Waiting until age 67 or 70 locks in a higher monthly payment for you now and ensures maximum financial protection for your spouse later.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What happens to Social Security when one spouse dies? ❓
When a spouse passes away, the smaller of the two Social Security checks stops. The surviving spouse keeps the higher monthly benefit amount for the remainder of their life. 🕊️

Can a spouse get 50% of Social Security? ❓
Yes, a eligible spouse can receive up to 50% of the higher-earning spouse's Full Retirement Age (FRA) benefit amount. 📈

Why should high earners delay Social Security for their spouse? ❓
Delaying Social Security past age 62 earns delayed retirement credits. This increases the primary check and locks in a larger survivor benefit for the surviving spouse if the higher earner passes away first. 🛡️

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

09/02/2026

What is the maximum Social Security benefit you can receive? 📈 In this video, Hans Scheil explains how high earners filing at age 70 can qualify for up to $5,181 per month based on 35 years of maximum earnings and Cost-of-Living Adjustments (COLA). 💵

Key Takeaways:

💵 Maximum Monthly Benefit: The maximum Social Security check reaches $5,181 per month for top earners.

⏰ Filing Age Matters: To reach the maximum payout, benefits must be claimed at age 70.

📊 35-Year Calculation: Social Security calculates benefits using your highest 35 earning years.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How do you get the maximum Social Security benefit? ❓
To get the maximum Social Security check ($5,181/month), you must earn at or above the Social Security maximum taxable wage base for at least 35 years and delay filing for benefits until age 70. 🎯

What is the maximum Social Security check at age 70? ❓
The maximum monthly benefit at age 70 reaches $5,181, which includes delayed retirement credits and annual cost-of-living adjustments (COLA). 🏛️

Does Social Security increase if you wait until age 70? ❓
Yes, waiting until age 70 maximizes your benefit by adding delayed retirement credits to your baseline amount, resulting in the highest possible monthly check. 🚀

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

09/01/2026

You open your Social Security statement and see three numbers staring back at you: what you'd get at 62, at 67, and at 70. Thousands of dollars apart, and you have to pick one.

That decision is permanent — and I see people get it wrong all the time, not because they're careless, but because nobody walked them through it.

In my new video, Tom, Drew, and I break down the 7 things you need to know before you file: the real cost of filing too early, the spousal benefit most people miss entirely, and what happens to your check (and your spouse's) when taxes and inflation come into play.

Social Security is the foundation of your retirement income. It's worth getting right.

08/31/2026

Inheriting a Traditional IRA comes with a big tax catch under the 10-year rule! ⚠️ Taking out a lump sum in year one can launch you into a massive tax bracket, while waiting until year ten to withdraw everything can create an even larger tax hit after account growth. Spreading distributions intentionally over the 10-year window is key to managing your tax burden. 📈💸

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Why is taking a lump sum from an inherited Traditional IRA risky?
Withdrawing a large sum all at once adds that entire amount directly to your taxable income for that year, potentially pushing you into a significantly higher tax bracket and causing a massive tax bill.

❓ How should distributions be structured under the 10-year rule for traditional IRAs?
Instead of withdrawing everything at once or waiting until the tenth year, beneficiaries often benefit from spreading distributions strategically across multiple years to optimize their annual tax brackets.

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

08/30/2026

Paying upfront tax on a Roth conversion can feel painful, but putting it off often leads to a much bigger tax bill down the road. 📈 Strategic tax planning is all about identifying your lowest possible tax rate—whether that is today or in the future—and acting before rates increase. 💸

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Why is paying taxes on a Roth conversion upfront worth it?
Paying taxes upfront allows your funds to move into a Roth IRA where they grow tax-free and can be withdrawn completely tax-free later, shielding your money from higher tax brackets in retirement.

❓ How do I know when to execute a Roth conversion?
The optimal time for a Roth conversion is during years when your taxable income is lower—such as between retirement and the start of Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs)—to lock in the lowest possible tax rate.

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

08/28/2026

With current federal tax rates at historic lows, many retirees are asking: will income taxes increase over the next decade? 📈 Taking advantage of today’s 24% tax bracket by converting pre-tax IRA funds into a Roth IRA can lock in current low rates and protect your retirement income from future tax hikes! 🛡️💰

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Why are current tax rates considered historically low?
Under current tax laws, top income thresholds for brackets like the 24% rate remain generous, allowing taxpayers to convert substantial amounts from traditional IRAs to Roth IRAs at relatively low federal tax rates.

❓ How does a Roth conversion protect against future tax rate increases?
When you complete a Roth conversion, you pay income tax on the converted amount today. Once in the Roth IRA, the money grows tax-free, and future qualified distributions are completely tax-free—shielding you if tax brackets rise in the future.

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

08/27/2026

Will passing down your retirement accounts create an unexpected tax burden for your children? 💼 Non-spouse beneficiaries are subject to the 10-year rule for inherited IRAs. Understanding how distributions work across both Traditional and Roth IRAs is crucial for minimizing taxes and protecting your legacy. 📊

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ What is the 10-year rule for inherited IRAs?
The 10-year rule requires non-spouse beneficiaries (such as children) to fully empty an inherited Traditional or Roth IRA account by the end of the tenth year following the original account owner's death.

❓ Do heirs have to pay taxes on an inherited Roth IRA under the 10-year rule?
While the 10-year rule still applies to inherited Roth IRAs, distributions taken by the beneficiary are generally tax-free, allowing the funds to continue growing tax-free until the end of the 10-year period.

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

08/26/2026

Are Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) threatening to push you into a higher tax bracket? 📉 By strategically implementing a Roth Conversion plan in the years leading up to age 73, you can convert pre-tax IRA funds into tax-free Roth growth—significantly lowering your future RMD obligations! 💸

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Why should I convert to a Roth IRA before age 73?
Converting money to a Roth IRA before age 73 allows your investments to grow tax-free and minimizes the total account balance subject to mandatory RMDs, keeping your future taxable income lower.

❓ How much of my traditional IRA should I convert to a Roth?
There is no fixed percentage. The ideal strategy involves analyzing your current tax bracket, future growth projections, and spreading conversions over several years to reach a comfortable tax balance.

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

08/25/2026

"Do you know how big of a tax bill your kids will inherit along with your IRA?" This is a question I ask almost every new client.

Most people don't. And when we run the numbers together, the answer is usually bigger than they ever imagined. IRAs and 401(k)s feel like a gift while you're building them — but for whoever inherits them, they can turn into a real headache if there's no plan in place.

In my newest video, Tom, Drew, and I break down 8 questions (borrowed from Ed Slott, "America's IRA Expert") that every retiree — or soon-to-be retiree — should be asking themselves now.

08/24/2026

Why should the higher earner delay claiming Social Security? If the higher earner delays claiming until age 70, they unlock delayed retirement credits that maximize their monthly check. When one spouse passes away, the surviving spouse inherits the larger of the two Social Security payments. Delaying the higher earner's benefit creates a stronger, lifelong safety net and maximizes survivor benefits for the remaining spouse. 📈💵

Frequently Asked Questions ❓

- Why should the higher-earning spouse delay Social Security until age 70?
Delaying benefits past Full Retirement Age increases the payout by up to 8% per year until age 70. This ensures the highest possible benefit for the higher earner's lifetime and maximizes the survivor benefit for the living spouse. 📌

- What happens to Social Security payments when a spouse dies?
When one spouse passes away, the smaller of the two Social Security checks stops, and the surviving spouse continues receiving the larger monthly payment. 📊

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

Website

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