Fontaine Retirement Group

09/01/2026

Join us TOMORROW at 4:00 p.m. ET for a free webinar on Social Security timing and taxes.

Knowing when to claim Social Security isn’t as simple as signing some paperwork and starting your checks. Your timing, taxes, other income sources, and overall retirement strategy can all play a role in the decision.

Register today to learn the ins and outs of Social Security, including what to consider before deciding when and how to claim your benefits.

Save your spot today: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN__YiuxgtjTRK-JkZQhTky9w #/registration

08/31/2026

Are you worried that stopping work means your retirement savings will stop growing too?

With a retirement that could easily span 20 to 30 years, sitting completely on the sidelines can put your long-term purchasing power at risk. Fortunately, there’s a simple math trick to see how your money can keep working for you: The Rule of 72.

It’s a simple way to estimate how long it may take your money to double without pulling out a calculator.

Here’s how it works: Divide 72 by your expected rate of return. The result is roughly the number of years it could take your money to double.

At a 7% annual return, 72 divided by 7 is about 10. That means your money could double roughly every 10 years.

At a 9% return, it could double closer to every 8 years.

Why does this matter in retirement?

Many people reach their 60s and assume their money’s growing years are behind them. But someone retiring at 62 may still have 25 years or more ahead of them.

Like many financial rules of thumb, the Rule of 72 is a shortcut. It takes something complicated and gives you a simple number you can hold in your head.

It doesn’t tell you what to do; it reminds you that your money doesn’t stop working the day you do.

08/28/2026

Special Free Webinar, Wednesday, September 2nd at 4:00 p.m. EST

“Social Security is going to run out. I might as well start at 62.”

It’s a concern we hear a lot from pre-retirees. But claiming early because you’re worried about the future of Social Security may not be the best decision for your retirement.

For some people, health, cash flow needs, or other circumstances may make claiming early a necessary choice. For others, starting benefits too soon could mean leaving significant money on the table, especially when you consider the higher monthly benefit by waiting.

The when, how, and why behind your Social Security decision matter.

Join us for our free Social Security webinar, where we’ll cover:

- Understanding your Social Security claiming options
- When it may make sense to claim benefits and when waiting may be beneficial
- Strategies that may help you maximize your Social Security benefits

Social Security can play an important role in your retirement income strategy. Before you decide when to claim, it’s important to understand the tradeoffs.

Register for the free webinar today: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN__YiuxgtjTRK-JkZQhTky9w #/registration

08/28/2026

Your retirement plan should reflect your goals, values, and vision for the future.

At Fontaine Retirement Group, we take a holistic approach by reviewing your retirement, investments, taxes, insurance, and estate planning. From there, we create clear recommendations and a personalized action plan.

Schedule your complimentary Financial Check-Up to get started: https://app.greminders.com/c/david5/30minutecall

08/26/2026

What happens to the taxes when you inherit appreciated stock or real estate?

In many cases, inherited assets receive a 𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗽-𝘂𝗽 𝗶𝗻 𝗯𝗮𝘀𝗶𝘀. That means the asset’s cost basis is generally adjusted to its fair market value on the owner’s date of death.

For example, imagine a parent purchased stock for $50,000 and it was worth $200,000 when they passed away. The beneficiary’s new basis may be $200,000. If the stock is then sold for $210,000, the potential taxable gain would generally be based on the $10,000 increase, not the entire $160,000 increase since the original purchase.

The same basic concept may apply to inherited real estate.

A step-up in basis can significantly affect the capital gains taxes associated with an inheritance, which is why tax considerations should be part of the estate planning conversation.

08/19/2026

Women tend to live longer than men, which can mean more years in retirement and more pressure on savings.

Career breaks for caregiving, lower lifetime earnings, healthcare costs, and the possibility of managing finances alone later in life can all affect retirement readiness.

A financial plan can account for these challenges and chart a clearer path forward.

08/17/2026

Withdrawing money from your IRA before age 59½ should generally be a last resort.

In addition to reducing the money set aside for retirement, an early withdrawal may be subject to ordinary income taxes and a 10% additional tax penalty.

However, certain exceptions may allow you to access IRA funds without the 10% penalty, including qualifying medical expenses, higher education costs, disability, and a first-time home purchase. Income taxes may still apply.

Before taking money from your retirement account, let’s talk: https://app.greminders.com/c/david5/30minutecall

08/14/2026

Does your child have a part-time job this summer and receive a W-2?

That first paycheck can teach more than responsibility. It can also open the door to conversations about disciplined saving, spending, and planning for retirement.

Because a child with earned income may be eligible to contribute to a Roth IRA, even small contributions could have decades to grow. A parent or grandparent may also help fund the account, as long as contributions do not exceed the child’s earned income or the annual limit.

A Roth IRA for a child is an opportunity to build financial habits that can last a lifetime.

08/12/2026

Would you want your coworker, neighbor, or doctor knowing every detail of your financial life?

Probate takes place in public court, which means information about your estate may become part of the public record, including what you owned, what you owed, and what your heirs received.

The probate process can also take time and add expenses for the people you leave behind.

Estate planning may help guard your family’s privacy and make the transfer of assets more efficient.

08/10/2026

Are you accidentally building a tax time bomb in your retirement accounts?

From standard brokerage accounts to traditional IRAs and Roths, every bucket comes with its own set of tax rules. Watch this quick video to learn how different accounts are taxed so you can build a more tax-efficient income plan!

Not all retirement accounts are taxed the same way. Traditional IRA...