Millard Financial Group

05/27/2026

A 401(k) can be one of your most powerful retirement tools, but timing those withdrawals matters more than most people realize. As Josh Millard with Millard Financial Group explains to Erin Kennedy, if you take money out too early, you could face penalties. But on the other hand, if you wait too long, required minimum distributions could push you into a higher tax bracket.
So how do you strike the right balance?

In this interview, we break down:
✔️ Why tax-deferred savings matter
✔️ The rules around early withdrawals (and what they cost you)
✔️ How withdrawals are taxed after 59½
✔️ What you need to know about RMDs
✔️ Strategies to create income without creating a tax headache

The goal isn’t just to save, it's to shoot for higher returns by being "tax smart." If you'd like to determine your withdrawal strategy and how it affects when you claim Social Security and what you'll pay for Medicare, please give Josh a call at 260.488.8300 or visit www.MillardFG.com

05/20/2026

💡 In-Service Rollovers at 59½: Is Moving Your 401(k) a Smarter Move?

Turning 59½ can unlock a powerful (and often misunderstood) retirement planning option: the in-service rollover.

Many workplace plans allow you to move part of your 401(k) into an IRA while you’re still working, under rules set by the Internal Revenue Service.
But is it actually better than staying in your employer plan?

In this video, Drew with Millard Financial Group and Erin Kennedy break down:
👉 What an in-service rollover really is
👉 When it makes sense — and when it doesn’t
👉 What to compare before making a move (hint: fees, investments, advice, and protections)

If you’re approaching (or already past) 59½, the in-service rollover can be a powerful strategy to help you prepare for retirement. To talk through the pros and cons with Drew, please call 260.488.8300 or visit www.MillardFG.com

05/14/2026

Huge congratulations to one of our favorite people, Mikhayla Palicte, on graduating from Purdue University Fort Wayne! 🎓✨

Balancing work, classes, and life is no small task, but you handled it with so much grace and dedication. We are incredibly proud of everything you have accomplished, and our entire team is so lucky to have you!

05/13/2026

We held our annual Client Referral Event last night at Country Heritage Winery! This event is our way of expressing sincere gratitude to the clients who so generously refer their friends and family to us throughout the year. That kind of confidence and support means the world to us. Thank you to everyone who joined us and helped make it such a great evening!

Will you be at our event in 2027?

05/08/2026

Stocks surged in April, delivering their strongest monthly gains in five years as solid economic data, easing geopolitical tensions, and upbeat first-quarter earnings lifted investor sentiment. The Nasdaq climbed 15.29%, the S&P 500 rose 10.42%, and the Dow gained 7.14%, while Canada’s S&P/TSX Composite added 3.65%. With no Fed meeting in May, attention turns to remarks from Fed officials and how evolving economic data may shape expectations moving forward. From \$34.1 billion in U.S. spending to the popularity of Mother’s Day dining and gifts, this month’s By the Numbers highlights how families celebrate the occasion.

Monthly Market Insights | May 2026 U.S. and Canadian Markets Stocks surged in April, notching their best month in five years as investors cheered upbeat economic news, efforts to lower tensions in the Middle East, and first-quarter results. The Nasdaq Composite rose an eye-catching 15.29 percent, wh...

05/05/2026

🛡️💼 How Do You Know If Your Advisor Is Really Working for You?

A recent case involving a Georgia advisor who pleaded guilty to a $380 million Ponzi scheme is a scary reminder: trust matters... and so does transparency. ⚠️

In this interview, Drew with Millard Financial Group and Erin Kennedy walk through how investors can evaluate whether their advisor is truly acting in their best interest, what red flags to watch for 🚩, and what questions every client should feel comfortable asking.

Because protecting your financial future starts with choosing the right advisor. 🔐If you'd like a second opinion, or if you'd simply like to work with an advisor who values transparency and making sure clients feel educated and empowered, please call Drew at 260.488.8300 or visit www.MillardFG.com

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04/29/2026

Social media platforms like TikTok are changing how people learn about money, but not always for the better. According to the FINRA Investor Education Foundation, 25% of adults now turn to social media for investing advice, and that number jumps to 61% for people age 35 and under.

In this interview, Josh Millard with Millard Financial Group and Erin Kennedy break down why short, viral money tips can oversimplify risk and blur the line between education and advertising. Keep in mind, building wealth and disciplined investing rarely isn't all that exciting; it's built on discipline, diversification, and time.

If you (or your kids) are getting financial advice from social feeds, and you'd like to talk to a real human who understands your unique goals and risk tolerance, please call Josh at 260.488.8300 or visit www.millardfg.com

04/21/2026

4 Things Federal Employees Should Know About the New TSP Roth Conversion Option

Big changes are here for federal employees… and they could have a major impact on your retirement strategy.

For the first time, the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) now allows Roth conversions, giving you the opportunity to move pre-tax savings into tax-free growth. But as Drew with Millard Financial Group and Erin Kennedy discuss, with that opportunity comes some important tax rules and potential pitfalls. In this interview, Drew breaks down:

✔️ Why a Roth conversion might make sense right now
✔️ How (and when) you’ll owe taxes
✔️ What “bracket bumping” means—and why it matters
✔️ The myth of being in a lower tax bracket in retirement
✔️ Key factors federal employees should consider before converting

A Roth conversion can be a powerful planning tool, but only when done strategically. If you'd like to talk to Drew about how a Roth Conversion could fit into your retirement plan, please give him a call at 260.488.8300 or visit www.MillardFG.com

04/14/2026

Global tensions can rattle markets, but history shows the impact is often temporary. In this video, Josh Millard with Millard Financial Group and Erin Kennedy take a closer look at decades of data to put current headlines into context. Even though the conflict in Iran has pushed oil prices higher and caused short-term volatility, historically, the market has shown remarkable resilience after geopolitical shocks.

In this interview, we break down:
✔️ Why stocks often drop first when global tensions rise
✔️ What past geopolitical events can teach us about market recoveries
✔️ Why emotional investing can lead to costly mistakes
✔️ The perspective long-term investors should keep during uncertain times

📊 When working with an experienced financial advisor, you should feel confident knowing that volatility has already been built into your portfolio, not only to weather these geopolitical events, but to capitalize on them. If you have any questions, please feel free to call Josh at 260.488.8300 or visit www.MillardFG.com

04/07/2026

U.S. stocks slipped in Q1 as AI disruption fears and Middle East tensions rattled investors. The S&P 500 fell 4.63%, the Nasdaq dropped 7.11%, and the Dow lost 3.58% — though six of eleven S&P 500 sectors still finished in the green, led by Energy's standout 37.91% gain. As the weather warms up and spring gets us outside, it turns out Americans are right there with you — over 181 million U.S. residents participated in outdoor recreation in 2024. Check out this month's by-the-numbers for more on the outdoor recreation economy.

Quarterly Market Insights | April 2026 U.S. and Canadian Markets Stocks fell in the first quarter amid concerns that artificial intelligence (AI) could disrupt certain industries and geopolitical issues that unsettled investors. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 3.58 percent while the Standard &...