For many retirees, the biggest concern is simple and practical: Will my money last as long as I do? Market ups and downs can create uncertainty, especially when you’re relying on your savings for monthly income. For individuals who prioritize stability and predictability, a fixed annuity specifically a Single Premium Immediate Fixed Annuity (SPIA) is often considered one of the most conservative options available for generating guaranteed lifetime income. A fixed annuity is an insurance...
When people think about retirement planning, they often focus on average returns. If a portfolio has historically averaged 6% or 7% per year, that sounds like a solid long-term outcome. But in retirement, the timing of returns can matter just as much than the average itself. This concept is called sequence of returns risk, and it can have a meaningful impact on how long retirement savings last. What Sequence Risk Really Means In simple terms...
When Elon Musk speaks, people tend to listen, especially when his comments involve the future of money, technology, or how society might function in the next decade. Recently, he made a statement that gained a lot of attention. In a January 2026 interview on the Moonshots with Peter Diamandis podcast, Musk said, “Don’t worry about squirreling money away for retirement in 10 or 20 years. It won’t matter.” It’s a provocative idea and, understandably, it...
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act ( OBBBA) introduces some of the most substantial federal tax and policy changes in recent years. Because these adjustments affect households differently depending on income, family structure, employment, and reliance on government programs, it is important to understand the general direction of the changes and discuss their implications with qualified tax and legal professionals. At Mirus Financial Partners, we help clients navigate these transitions within the context of their...
If you earn tips, your next tax season might look a little brighter. Thanks to the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed into law in July 2025, a brand-new “No Tax on Tips” deduction is rolling out. It’s the first of its kind—a benefit meant to recognize the millions of Americans whose paychecks rely on gratuities. This new rule applies to tax years 2025 through 2028, and it could make a meaningful difference in how...
“Risk” is one of the most used and most misunderstood words in personal finance. When the media or financial professionals talk about investment risk, they’re often referring to volatility: how much an investment’s price has gone up and down over time. An investment that has seen large price swings may be labeled aggressive or risky. One that moves more gradually is often called conservative. But volatility alone doesn’t define risk. True risk also includes the...
If you know exactly where your birth certificate is, you’re probably already pretty organized. If you don’t, you’re in good company. Many of us would have to search through drawers, boxes, or even call a family member to track it down. Asking "Where’s your birth certificate?" can be a surprisingly good test of how organized you are with life’s most important paperwork. From birth certificates and passports to wills, property deeds, and insurance policies, these...
The Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) have issued final regulations on catch-up contributions under the SECURE 2.0 Act of 2022. These rules apply to a wide range of retirement savings plans, including 401(k), 403(b), governmental 457(b), SARSEP, SIMPLE IRA, and SIMPLE 401(k) plans. What Are Catch-Up Contributions? Catch-up contributions are additional amounts that individuals age 50 or older may contribute to their retirement accounts, above the standard annual contribution limit...
As football season kicks off, millions of fans are finalizing their fantasy drafts. Drafting a strong fantasy team takes foresight, balance, and an eye for value. Interestingly, those same principles can also apply when you’re thinking about investing. At Mirus Financial Partners, we believe it’s helpful to look at your portfolio the same way you’d look at your fantasy roster: with the right mix of “players” that complement one another. This analogy isn’t about predicting...
Life circumstances sometimes create a need for funds sooner than expected. If most of your savings are in retirement accounts, you may wonder whether you can access them before age 59½ without facing penalties. The answer depends on the type of account, the source of the funds, and the circumstances surrounding the withdrawal. This article provides an overview of how early withdrawals from IRAs work, along with some common exceptions to the early withdrawal penalty...
Some individuals retire earlier than expected due to layoffs, health concerns, or job changes. Others may choose to leave the workforce early after meeting personal financial goals. In either case, the question often arises: Is it possible to access retirement funds before age 59½ without the IRS’s 10% early withdrawal penalty? In certain circumstances, yes. While the 10% penalty generally applies to early distributions from retirement accounts, the IRS provides specific exceptions. Even if a...
At Mirus Financial Partners, we stay on top of policy changes that may affect your financial future. One of the most important of these is the Annual Trustees Report, which gives Congress and the public a detailed look at the financial health of Social Security and Medicare. Released on June 18, 2025, this year's Trustees Reports confirm that both programs continue to face long-term funding challenges. The reports are prepared by the Boards of Trustees...
