The Tri-Cities have long been a youngster among state metro areas.With an estimated median age of 34.5 in 2019, the two counties sport the youngest population of all, except for Yakima County. Among counties, Franklin County currently claims the title of youngest, with an estimated median age in 2019 at...
One of the biggest areas that is often overlooked in an estate plan are the seemingly innocuous beneficiary designations tied to assets, like retirement accounts and life insurance.The beneficiary designation seems of limited importance – you just put down the names of the people who get the retirement account at...
The Washington State Department of Commerce announced Feb. 12 that it has launched the new Retirement Marketplace, a one-stop website that helps owners of small businesses and individuals comparison shop for retirement savings plans.All plans on the marketplace are from private financial firms that have been verified by the state...
Age discriminationagainst people age 50 and older robbed the economy of $850 billion in 2018,according to a new AARP report.Research shows thatthe 50-plus population contributed 40 percent of the U.S. Gross DomesticProduct, or GDP, in 2018, creating 88.6 million jobs and generating $5.7trillion in wages and salaries through jobs held...
By Beau RuffSometimes theconcept of financial planning is considered distinct from the more laboriousand esoteric task of estate planning.The financial planis the “low hanging fruit” that is first to be addressed. However, in manyimportant respects, the two should be considered contemporaneously to establisha more robust, holistic plan.A brief review ofeach...
By Ben MessingerFor many of us, retirement funding is acentral fixture of our financial plan and one of the most importantconsiderations is determining the income necessary to sustain a desiredlifestyle. Knowing the true income need for yourlifestyle is the foundation of determining what capital resources must beacquired, which is then...
AARP Washington ischampioning a bill to require employers that do not offer retirement plans tomake an “automatic enrollment” Individual Retirement Account available to theirworkers.House Bill 2516, the“Secure Choice Retirement Savings Program,” was pending in the House ofRepresentatives in mid-February.AARP says the bill isa necessary antidote to a retirement crisis that...
By Shelley KennedyIt might not have made the headlines but a recently passed piece of legislation could affect the individual retirement accounts and 401(k)s of millions of Americans beginning in 2020. So, if you have either of these accounts or if you run a business, you’ll want to learn more.The...
Practitioner to retire, return to first career as welderWhen Bob Tollison, aTri-City chiropractor, wants a workout, he doesn’t head to the gym. Instead, hispreferred fitness routine is a visit to the Plumbers and Steamfitters LocalUnion 598 in Pasco, where he dons his gear and perfects his welding skills.The skills needed...
Forever Friends plan aids pets after their owners dieMany seniors’ wills include provisions for who gets their dog,cat, horse, guinea pig or other furry or feathered friend when they die.But what if the appointed guardian for the surviving pets can’t orwon’t take them? What if the pets unintentionally end up...
