Patten Financial Group

06/02/2026

🚀 Weekly Market Insights – June 1st, 2026 🚀

📊 Fresh trends, market moves, and clear-eyed analysis delivered straight to you.

💡 Stay sharp. Stay strategic. Stay ahead of the market. 💡

05/29/2026

📚 Term of the Week: RMDs (Required Minimum Distributions)

Once you turn a certain age(Age 73 as of right now), the IRS requires you to start taking money out of your tax-deferred retirement accounts — whether you need it or not.

Without a plan, RMDs can mean higher taxes, increased Medicare premiums, and less left for your heirs.

The good news? With the right strategy, you can get ahead of them.

💡 Curious how RMDs fit into your retirement income plan? Let’s talk.

🔗 https://link.agent-crm.com/widget/bookings/patten-financial-aaron-patten

05/28/2026

Two retirees. Same savings. Same retirement year.

One ran out of money at 79.
One never touched principal and still had a growing balance at 88.

The difference wasn’t luck. It wasn’t even returns.

It was structure.

One had an income floor. The other didn’t.

If you’re within 10 years of retirement, this week’s article is worth five minutes of your time. Link below.

https://www.pattenfinancial.com/pfg-blog/retirement-income-floor-fixed-solutions

05/25/2026

To the fallen heroes who gave their lives in service to this country — and to the families of Northwest Indiana and Chicagoland who carry that loss — we honor you today.

Freedom is the foundation everything else is built on. We don’t take that lightly.

From our family at Patten Financial Group, thank you. 🇺🇸

05/22/2026

The 4% Rule: A simple retirement guideline that says you can withdraw 4% of your portfolio in year one, adjust for inflation each year after, and historically not outlive your money over 30 years.

It’s a great starting point — but every retirement is different and your plan should be tailored to your personal financial situation — NOT a general assumption!

Want a personalized income strategy? Let’s talk. 📞

05/21/2026

Most people don’t think about RMDs until they have to take one.

By then, the best planning opportunities are gone.

Required Minimum Distributions begin at age 73 — and they’re taxable income. For many retirees, they’re the single biggest surprise in retirement.

What most people don’t realize:
→ RMDs can bump you into a higher tax bracket
→ Higher income in retirement can trigger Medicare IRMAA surcharges
→ More of your Social Security may become taxable
→ Miss your RMD deadline and the IRS keeps 25%

The window to plan is before 73 — not after.

We work with pre-retirees across Northwest Indiana and the Greater Chicagoland area to build tax-efficient retirement income strategies that account for RMDs from day one.

Read this week’s article to learn how RMDs are calculated, which accounts are affected, and the strategies that can reduce their tax impact.

🔗https://www.pattenfinancial.com/pfg-blog/required-minimum-distributions-what-you-need-to-know-before-age-73

📩 Ready to review your situation? A complimentary retirement income review is just one message away.

If you’ve spent decades diligently saving in a traditional IRA or 401(k), you may be surprised to learn the IRS eventually requires you to start taking money out — whether you need it or not. These mandatory withdrawals are called Required Minimum Distributions, or RMDs, and for most people, the...

05/15/2026

Did you know that certain inherited assets may get a tax reset?

The step-up in basis eliminates capital gains tax on a lifetime of growth — one of the most powerful (and overlooked) benefits in estate planning.

Want to know how this applies to your plan? Let’s talk. 📞

05/14/2026

Quick question: when did you last review your beneficiary designations?

If the answer is “I’m not sure” — you’re not alone. It’s one of the most common estate planning gaps we see with pre-retirees, and it’s one of the easiest to fix.

We just published a checklist walking through 9 estate planning essentials for pre-retirees here in Northwest Indiana — from wills and trusts to long-term care planning and retirement account strategy.

Read it at the link below. And if you’d like a complimentary review of your own plan, reach out anytime.

You’ve spent decades building your wealth. Now, as retirement approaches, one of the most important — and most often overlooked — steps you can take is making sure that wealth goes where you intend it to go.

05/12/2026

🚀 Weekly Market Insights – May 11th, 2026 🚀

📊 Fresh trends, market moves, and clear-eyed analysis delivered straight to you.

💡 Stay sharp. Stay strategic. Stay ahead of the market. 💡

05/09/2026

Your Social Security benefits aren’t one‑size‑fits‑all. The right timing can boost your monthly income.