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What is Phishing and How to Protect Yourself

Everyone wants a piece of your pocketbook, especially cyber swindlers who send enticing or threatening messages hoping you’ll go along with their scam. It’s called phishing, and Internet hucksters use the tactic to persuade their victims to hand over personal or financial information. The information is then used to steal victims’ identities.

The IRS periodically issues taxpayer alerts on phishing schemes, which often use the agency’s logo and link to a website clone. The agency also provides a list (https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/phishing-and-other-schemes-using-the-irs-name) of scams and news releases on recent ones.

Taxpayers who receive suspicious emails that claim to originate from the IRS may forward them to the agency’s scam mailbox, phishing@irs.gov.

You can obtain additional information about reporting phishing emails to the IRS at https://www.irs.gov/privacy-disclosure/report-phishing.

Other details may apply, and you can find more information on the IRS website.

Tip adapted from the IRS.gov[I]

Investment advisory services are offered through CapSouth Partners, Inc., dba CapSouth Wealth Management, an independent registered Investment Advisory firm. Information provided by sources deemed to be reliable. CapSouth does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information.  This material has been prepared for planning purposes only and is not intended as specific tax or legal advice.  Tax and legal laws are often complex and frequently change.  Please consult your tax or legal advisor to discuss your specific situation before making any decisions that may have tax or legal consequences.

This article contains external links to third party content (content hosted on sites unaffiliated with CapSouth Partners). The policies and procedures governing these third party sites may differ from those effective on the CapSouth company website, as outlined in these Disclaimers. As such, CapSouth makes no representations whatsoever regarding any third party content/sites that may be accessible directly or indirectly from the CapSouth website. Linking to these third party sites in no way implies an endorsement or affiliation of any kind between CapSouth and any third party, including legal authorization to use any trademark, trade name, logo, or copyrighted materials belonging to either entity.

[i] https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/suspicious-e-mails-and-identity-theft

How Should you Prepare for Military Retirement?

Around 1.3 million people serve in the U.S. military; more than 800,000 are part of the reserves.[i] More than 2 million Americans are considered military retirees.[ii]

Upon retirement, many military retirees will receive 50% of their final salary for the rest of their lives, and the system allows various service members to retire around the age of 40. The U.S. military’s pension system is considered one of the most generous in the nation.[iii]

In its 2015 fiscal year, the U.S. military paid veterans $57 billion in pension benefits, which is nearly 10% of the service’s annual budget.[iv] Even though military pensions are generous, meeting the requirements to qualify for benefits can be challenging. Only 17% of service members stay long enough to qualify for retirement benefits.[v]

Service members are eligible for pensions after serving active duty in the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marine Corps for at least 20 years. They may also qualify for pension benefits if they retire for medical reasons from the service.[vi]

While the commitment to the military’s mission, the service’s professional training, and the more regimented workplaces may differ from the civilian world, everyday life is similar.

Service members sleep in regular beds, shop at the same stores, and conduct business at the same banks (or credit unions) as civilian workers. However, the transition to civilian life can be trying.

If you or someone you know expects to retire soon from the military, read these four financial tips to prepare for the transition.

Look at your budget.

Life in the military provides a level of financial stability. If you lived on base, you may have taken some expenses, such as for clothing, health care, and housing, for granted.

While pension checks may fill some of the void, you still have to monitor expenses you may have ignored while in the service. Car payments, rent or mortgage payments, and clothing costs may place an unanticipated burden on your budget.

Veterans are also eligible to receive savings and discounts on services, but few take advantage of the opportunities. Using some of the veterans’ discounts can save you money and put more cushion in your budget. Go to https://militarybenefits.info/military-discounts/ to learn more.

What about taxes?

You paid taxes on your military income while you were in the service, and your pension payments are also taxable as income on the federal level.[vii] States have their own taxation rules; some don’t tax pension benefits while others do. The tendency for many retirees is to move to a state that doesn’t tax military pensions, which might be a mistake, analysts warn.[viii]

You should consider other factors, such as cost of living and other taxes and fees, before making your decision. By doing the math you can find a place to live (and work) to fit your needs and budget during your retirement.

Filling the life insurance gap.

Once you leave active duty, you and your family members lose the Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (SGLI).[ix] You have one year and 120 days to apply for Veterans’ Group Life Insurance (VGLI), which doesn’t require medical exams. However, if you apply after 240 days, you’ll be required to respond to health questions and may be subject to a medical examination. Your maximum coverage equals the SGLI coverage amount you had during your service. You may apply for lower amounts in $10,000 increments. You may also increase your coverage by $25,000 every five years to a maximum of $400,000, until age 60.[x]

Learn about retirement benefits.

While the military’s pension benefit is an attractive incentive, service members should learn the specific retirement plan that’s available to them. Eligibility depends on your enlistment date.

Service members who entered the military:

  • Before September 8, 1980 are eligible for the military’s Final Pay retirement system.
  • Between September 9, 1980 and July 31, 1986 may receive the High 36 system.
  • Between August 1, 1986 and December 31, 2017 are eligible for the REDUX system.[xi]

To learn more about developing a financial strategy to suit your retirement needs, contact us at 800.929.1001.

Investment advisory services are offered through CapSouth Partners, Inc., dba CapSouth Wealth Management, an independent registered Investment Advisory firm. Information provided by sources deemed to be reliable. CapSouth does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information.  This material has been prepared for planning purposes only and is not intended as specific tax or legal advice.  Tax and legal laws are often complex and frequently change.  Please consult your tax or legal advisor to discuss your specific situation before making any decisions that may have tax or legal consequences.

This article contains external links to third party content (content hosted on sites unaffiliated with CapSouth Partners). The policies and procedures governing these third-party sites may differ from those effective on the CapSouth company website, as outlined in these Disclaimers. As such, CapSouth makes no representations whatsoever regarding any third-party content/sites that may be accessible directly or indirectly from the CapSouth website. Linking to these third-party sites in no way implies an endorsement or affiliation of any kind between CapSouth and any third party, including legal authorization to use any trademark, trade name, logo, or copyrighted materials belonging to either entity.

[i] http://www.governing.com/gov-data/military-civilian-active-duty-employee-workforce-numbers-by-state.html

 

[ii] https://www.statista.com/statistics/217354/forecast-number-of-military-retirees-in-the-us/

 

[iii] https://qz.com/929153/only-one-in-five-people-take-up-this-incredibly-generous-pension-to-retire-at-40/

 

[iv]https://comptroller.defense.gov/Portals/45/documents/cfs/fy2015/13_Military_Retirement_Fund/2015_MRF_AFR_Final_20151110.pdf

 

[v] https://qz.com/929153/only-one-in-five-people-take-up-this-incredibly-generous-pension-to-retire-at-40/

 

[vi] https://www.dfas.mil/retiredmilitary/plan/eligibility.html

 

[vii] https://www.military.com/money/personal-finance/taxes/taxes-on-military-disability-and-retirement.html

 

[viii] https://www.kiplinger.com/article/saving/T065-C000-S003-smart-money-moves-if-you-are-leaving-the-military.html

 

[ix] https://www.benefits.va.gov/insurance/sgli.asp

 

[x] https://www.benefits.va.gov/insurance/vgli.asp

 

[xi] http://www.military.com/benefits/military-pay/the-military-retirement-system.html

Two Ways to Trim Your Spending in Retirement

Two Ways to Trim Your Spending in Retirement

Saving money before and during retirement so their standard of living doesn’t suffer is important for many retirees. Unfortunately, many Americans aren’t saving nearly enough and are falling short of setting aside adequate funds to support their retirement needs. The average retirement savings for people aged 56-61 is only $163,577.[i] Meanwhile, one estimate of what retirees can expect, on average, to spend on healthcare is nearly $275,000.[ii] The National Institute for Retirement Security estimates that America has up to a $14 trillion gap in retirement savings.[iii]

If you are retired and find that balancing your savings and spending is an ongoing challenge, follow these tips for ways to trim your expenses and save more.

  1. Cut Your ‘Time-Saving’ Costs

When you’re employed and busy managing your career and family, spending money on time-saving items—like professional house cleaning or monthly food-subscription services—can be helpful. Once you retire, however, you typically have more time on your hands. You may be paying for items that are no longer necessary. You can save money each month by trimming or eliminating any time-saving resources you don’t need to support your retirement lifestyle.

  • Actions to take:
  • List all the monthly, quarterly, and annual subscriptions and services you have. Identify which ones aren’t necessary.
  • Consider taking over household chores you pay someone else to manage.
  • Assess how much you spend on eating out, and switch to eating in for some of those meals.

2. Reduce Your Health-Care Costs

Actions to take:

Retirees typically spend a large amount on health care, often siphoning income that could be used for other expenses. Unless you have the money to pay these bills, they could leave you in a financial bind. You can help reduce some of your medical costs by learning to shop around. For example, changes like getting an MRI at a radiologist instead of a hospital can make a difference in your medical bills, as the radiologist is typically less expensive.[iv]

  • Get comparative quotes from hospitals and other medical professionals.
  • Check prescription costs at different pharmacies and consider buying generic.
  • Revisit your insurance plans to help identify if you’re receiving the best value.

Every retiree’s financial life and needs are different, so knowing a true breakdown of your daily, monthly, and yearly costs (your budget) is important for finding ways to save. By taking time to assess what may be unnecessary spending in your life, and reducing or eliminating these expenses, you may have more money on hand for other lifestyle needs.

To learn more about how you can trim your spending or pursue other financial goals in retirement, please contact us at 800.929.1001 or visit our site at http://capsouthwm.com/services/financial-estate-planning/ We’re happy to help you explore strategies for your unique needs.

Investment advisory services are offered through CapSouth Partners, Inc., dba CapSouth Wealth Management, an independent registered Investment Advisory firm. Information provided by sources deemed to be reliable. CapSouth does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information.  This material has been prepared for planning purposes only and is not intended as specific tax or legal advice.  Tax and legal laws are often complex and frequently change.  Please consult your tax or legal advisor to discuss your specific situation before making any decisions that may have tax or legal consequences.

This article contains external links to third party content (content hosted on sites unaffiliated with CapSouth Partners). The policies and procedures governing these third-party sites may differ from those effective on the CapSouth company website, as outlined in these Disclaimers. As such, CapSouth makes no representations whatsoever regarding any third-party content/sites that may be accessible directly or indirectly from the CapSouth website. Linking to these third-party sites in no way implies an endorsement or affiliation of any kind between CapSouth and any third party, including legal authorization to use any trademark, trade name, logo, or copyrighted materials belonging to either entity.

[i] https://www.thebalance.com/average-retirement-savings-by-age-4155888

[ii] https://www.cnbc.com/2017/08/24/average-couple-will-spend-275000-on-health-care-in-retirement.html

[iii] https://www.forbes.com/sites/andrewbiggs/2016/07/21/how-much-retirement/#1c4486b94d28

[iv] http://www.investopedia.com/articles/personal-finance/091615/7-ways-reduce-healthcare-costs-retirement.asp

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