Funding your 401k up to the amount of your company’s match is a no-brainer. Your contribution gets doubled, but should you contribute more? Today, John Walker, Regional Vice President, Mercer Advisors is joined by two Mercer colleagues, Christopher Blakely and Jason O’Meara, both CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professionals and Wealth Advisors. They discuss retirement savings options that go beyond simply fully finding your 401k account. Tax consequences, account flexibility, and overall value should also be considered.

Listening Time: 23 minutes

Listening Time: 23 minutes

Mercer Advisors is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice to clients. All estate planning document preparation and other legal advice are provided through Advanced Services Law Group, Inc.

When planning for your retirement, having money set aside for short, intermediate and long-term purposes can be a viable approach to securing your future. This process is sometimes called the “bucket approach.” Today, John Walker, Regional Vice President, Mercer Advisors, is joined by CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional Jason O’Meara, Wealth Advisor and Sr. Director, Mercer Advisors. They discuss the bucket approach and how it may help your financial resources last throughout your lifetime.

Mercer Advisors is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice to clients. All estate planning document preparation and other legal advice are provided through Advanced Services Law Group, Inc.

Debt is a 4-letter word many savers and investors may want to avoid. Today, John Walker, Regional Vice President, Mercer Advisors, is joined by CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional Jason O’Meara, Wealth Advisor and Sr. Director, Mercer Advisors. They discuss smart ways debt can be used to your advantage in financial planning.

Listening Time: 24 minutes

Mercer Advisors is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice to clients. All estate planning document preparation and other legal advice are provided through Advanced Services Law Group, Inc.

News stories about an impending retirement crisis have been published regularly over the past several decades. Today, John Walker, Regional Vice President, Mercer Advisors, is joined by CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional Jason O’Meara, Wealth Advisor and Sr. Director, Mercer Advisors. They discuss the prevalence of published doom and gloom stories, why they exist and whether or not they deserve your attention.

Listening Time: 23 minutes

Mercer Advisors is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice to clients. All estate planning document preparation and other legal advice are provided through Advanced Services Law Group, Inc.

The building blocks that we played with as children take on a whole new meaning when they are imagined, later in life, to be more than just toys. Building blocks exist throughout our lives, and if used wisely, can help lead us to a better life financially and otherwise. John Walker, Regional Vice President, Mercer Advisors, is joined by Fritz Gilbert author of the book “Keys To A Successful Retirement” and creator and writer of “The Retirement Manifesto” blog.

Listening Time: 25 minutes

Mercer Advisors is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice to clients. All estate planning document preparation and other legal advice are provided through Advanced Services Law Group, Inc.

For some, living on a budget is considered a disciplined plan for careful spending and saving. For others, having to adhere to a budget is an unwelcome restriction on enjoying life. Today, John Walker, Regional Vice President, Mercer Advisors, is joined by CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER ™ professional Jason O’Meara, Wealth Advisor and Sr. Director, Mercer Advisors. They discuss budgeting and the clear distinction between wants and needs as they relate to spending.

Listening Time: 23 minutes

Mercer Advisors is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice to clients. All estate planning document preparation and other legal advice are provided through Advanced Services Law Group, Inc.

Financial planning is about more than just numbers. It may be reflective of the values and priorities you hold dear. Today, John Walker, Regional Vice President, Mercer Advisors, discusses ways to help identify your guiding principles. He also discusses the financial benefits you, and your loved ones, may receive when you apply those principles.

Listening Time: 21 minutes

Mercer Advisors is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice to clients. All estate planning document preparation and other legal advice are provided through Advanced Services Law Group, Inc.

Spring cleaning our home or office is common for many of us, but have you considered spring cleaning for your finances? John Walker, Regional Vice President, Mercer Advisors, discusses why now may be the perfect time of year to look at your financial plan, investments, debt and savings. Are all in line with your current needs and priorities?

Listening Time: 22 minutes

Mercer Advisors is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice to clients. All estate planning document preparation and other legal advice are provided through Advanced Services Law Group, Inc.

The very essence of this weekly podcast is about the inevitable intersection of Life and Wealth. Today, John Walker, Regional Vice President, Mercer Advisors, discusses how your personal finances and your lifestyle are intertwined. He talks about the need to assess, and sometimes reassess, your priorities as you plan for retirement. Will you have the financial capability to enjoy your retired years as you imagined?

Mercer Advisors is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice to clients. All estate planning document preparation and other legal advice are provided through Advanced Services Law Group, Inc.

Your 401k: Take It, Leave It, or Roll it into an IRA # 437

When you leave your employer, you have several options in dealing with your 401k. Today, John Walker, Regional Vice President, Mercer Advisors, is joined by his Mercer Advisors’ colleague Dennis Jablonoski, Certified Retirement Plan Specialist. They discuss several effective ways to deploy your existing retirement plan dollars when you leave an employer.

Listening Time: 25 minutes

Mercer Advisors is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice to clients. All estate planning document preparation and other legal advice are provided through Advanced Services Law Group, Inc.

There have been reports that the IRS has strengthened its enforcement efforts. With this year’s tax filing deadline quickly approaching, John Walker, Regional Vice President, Mercer Advisors, is joined by Mercer Advisors’ Tim Joseph CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER ™  professional and CPA. They address several frequently asked questions about IRS audits. Plus, Tim shares a few tax filing tips to keep in mind.

Listening Time: 21 minutes

Mercer Advisors is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice to clients. All estate planning document preparation and other legal advice are provided through Advanced Services Law Group, Inc.

Accomplishing things in a straight-forward and uncomplicated manor has a way of making life easier. Today, John Walker, Regional Vice President, Mercer Advisors, discusses how to apply this philosophy to your financial and retirement planning to help increase your probability of success.

Mercer Advisors is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice to clients. All estate planning document preparation and other legal advice are provided through Advanced Services Law Group, Inc.

Psychologists remind us that our thinking and reasoning are often influenced by our preconceived notions or ideas. Today, John Walker, Regional Vice President, Mercer Advisors, discusses ways to identify, as well as work with and around, biases we may have relating to money and investing.

Listening Time: 28 minutes

Mercer Advisors is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice to clients. All estate planning document preparation and other legal advice are provided through Advanced Services Law Group, Inc.

There are several reasons why you should consider putting your financial affairs in order before you die. Among them, is that estate planning can help clear your own mind and help give your heirs direction in fulfilling your wishes in their time of grief. Today, John Walker, Regional Vice President, Mercer Advisors is joined by colleague Ryan Flurer, Financial Planner at Mercer Advisors. They discuss the benefits of proper estate planning.

Listening Time: 19 minutes

Mercer Advisors is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice to clients. All estate planning document preparation and other legal advice are provided through Advanced Services Law Group, Inc.

Did you know that you may have a spirit animal when it comes to your finances? Your spirit animal represents you, your personality, and your attitudes toward investing. Having a little fun today, John Walker, Regional Vice President, Mercer Advisors, will help you determine which spirit animal best describes you. This discussion may help you better understand how and why you make your decisions about money.

Listening Time: 17 minutes

Mercer Advisors is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice to clients. All estate planning document preparation and other legal advice are provided through Advanced Services Law Group, Inc.

Maximizing Social Security benefits for you and your spouse can be tricky since there are several different options to consider. Today, John Walker, Regional Vice President, Mercer Advisors, is joined by colleague Ryan Flurer, Financial Planner at Mercer Advisors. They discuss Social Security for individuals and married couples and explore several options to help you get the most from this important cashflow source.

Listening Time: 29 minutes

Mercer Advisors is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice to clients. All estate planning document preparation and other legal advice are provided through Advanced Services Law Group, Inc.

If your retirement is a year or two away, you should be mindful of changes to the current retirement landscape. The changes result from legislative action and the forthcoming sunsetting of some previously enacted tax laws. Today, John Walker, Regional Vice President, Mercer Advisors, discusses the changes that you, and your financial planning team, may consider for you to be appropriately prepared.

Listening Time: 21 minutes

Mercer Advisors is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice to clients. All estate planning document preparation and other legal advice are provided through Advanced Services Law Group, Inc.

In today’s economy, there’s seems to be no shortage of financial advice offered. It may come from friends, family members, co-workers, or even journalists. The problem is that the advice you receive may not be good advice. Today, John Walker, Regional Vice President, Mercer Advisors, discusses some not-so-good advice to avoid, and the value of listening to credentialed professionals.

Listening Time: 21 minutes

Mercer Advisors is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice to clients. All estate planning document preparation and other legal advice are provided through Advanced Services Law Group, Inc.

Managing risk and yield within your portfolio in today’s world, with higher interest rates that likely won’t last, can be a challenge. Today, John Walker, Regional Vice President, Mercer Advisors, is joined by Don Calcagni, Chief Investment Officer, Mercer Advisors. They discuss the importance of making the distinction between your short-term cash needs and long-term wealth planning needs.

Listening Time: 23 minutes

Mercer Advisors is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice to clients. All estate planning document preparation and other legal advice are provided through Advanced Services Law Group, Inc.

The modern concept of retirement was a long time in coming and will continue to evolve. Lifestyle changes and longevity have had a significant impact on how we plan for, and live in, retirement. Today, John Walker, Regional Vice President, Mercer Advisors, discusses the history of retirement and its probable future.

Listening Time: 25 minutes

Mercer Advisors is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice to clients. All estate planning document preparation and other legal advice are provided through Advanced Services Law Group, Inc.

Putting together a net worth statement may be a good starting point for a more accurate understanding of your financial health. Today, John Walker, Regional Vice President, Mercer Advisors, discusses what’s included in a net worth statement and the benefits of having one.

Listening Time: 23 minutes

Mercer Advisors is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice to clients. All estate planning document preparation and other legal advice are provided through Advanced Services Law Group, Inc.

Arrival of the New Year may be viewed as an opportunity for a fresh start, a new beginning, or at very least a chance to put your best foot forward. John Walker, Regional Vice President, Mercer Advisors, discusses the importance of placing investment and retirement planning high on your list of “to-dos” for early 2024.

Listening Time: 23 minutes

Mercer Advisors is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice to clients. All estate planning document preparation and other legal advice are provided through Advanced Services Law Group, Inc.