by Joe Allaria CFP®, MBA | Aug 12, 2026 | Article, Estate Planning, Retirement Planning, Tax Planning
Illinois Capital Gains Tax: What It Means for Retirement Planning Key Takeaways Illinois taxes capital gains at one flat rate, in retirement or otherwise. Most taxable gains are taxed at the state’s 4.95% individual income tax rate, no matter your age or how...
by Joe Allaria CFP®, MBA | Aug 4, 2026 | Article, Retirement Planning, Social Security
Social Security Mistakes and Overlooked Decisions That Can Impact Your Retirement Key Takeaways Claiming early locks in the reduction for life. The lower monthly benefit that comes with filing at 62 doesn’t fade after a few years — it’s permanent, so the...
by Joe Allaria CFP®, MBA | Jul 15, 2026 | Article, Estate Planning, Retirement Planning, Tax Planning
Illinois Estate and Inheritance Taxes: What Retirees Should Know Key Takeaways Illinois can tax an estate that owes the federal government nothing. The state’s exclusion sits far below the federal one, so families who assume estate tax is someone else’s...
by Joe Allaria CFP®, MBA | Jul 8, 2026 | Article, Portfolio Management, Retirement Planning, Tax Planning
Should I Do a Roth Conversion? When It Makes Sense and When It Doesn’t Roth conversions can help reduce future taxes, but are not right for everyone. The best opportunities often occur after retirement but before Social Security and RMDs begin. Medicare premiums,...
by Joe Allaria CFP®, MBA | Jun 12, 2026 | Article, Portfolio Management, Retirement Planning
Retirement Planning for Pre-Retirees in the St. Louis Metro East: What to Focus on at 55+ Key Takeaways At 55+, retirement becomes a set of connected decisions. Income, taxes, healthcare, and housing are increasingly interconnected, so a fully integrated plan should...
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