Author: admin
-
“I Have an Annuity. Am I Paying Too Much in Fees?”
by Clint Kraft
If you already own an annuity, or are considering one, this article is for you. Annuities are often marketed as a safe, dependable way to generate retirement income. The promise of guarantees and protection can be appealing, especially for investors who value stability. But in many cases, the real story is buried deep in the…
-
The Hidden Retirement Tax: Your Guide to IRMAA
by Clint Kraft
When people picture taxes in retirement, they think about income taxes, capital gains, or maybe required minimum distributions. What almost no one sees coming is IRMAA: the Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount. This quiet surcharge can start to jack up your Medicare premiums once your income passes certain levels. IRMAA isn’t technically a tax, but it…
-
“I’ve saved $1,000,000 – Can I Retire?”
by Clint Kraft
You’ve finally crossed that seven-figure mark. After decades of saving, investing, and planning, your account balance now shows $1,000,000. It feels like the number everyone talks about, the point where work becomes optional. But here’s the real question: Does that mean you can retire? You’ve likely worked hard for decades, saved and invested carefully, and…
-
How a Small Fee Gap on $500,000 Can Cost You ~$150,000 Over 20 Years
by Clint Kraft
When people think about the value of a financial advisor, they often focus only on the fees. And while fees absolutely matter, the truth is you could always find someone cheaper if that’s all you’re looking for. The real question is: what are you getting for the fee you pay? For many families I meet,…
-
The Problem with Index Funds
by Clint Kraft
Index funds have become the go-to solution for millions of investors. Firms like Vanguard under Jack Bogle pioneered the strategy back in the 1970’s and saw huge success. They’re marketed as simple, low-cost, and “passive”, an easy way to get broad exposure to the stock market without trying to pick winners or time the market.…
-
Why You Shouldn’t Sit on a Lump Sum of Cash
by Clint Kraft
Every year I meet people who receive a lump sum of cash. Sometimes it’s from selling a business, sometimes it’s an inheritance, and sometimes it’s just the result of years of disciplined saving. Almost every time, I hear the same hesitation: “I don’t want to put all of this into the market right away. What…
-
What does Kraft Capital really do for Clients?
by Clint Kraft
“So, what do you actually do?” This is the most common question I get from people who have read a few of my articles or know that I’m an advisor. Over time, I’ve realized that most people have a limited understanding of what a financial advisor can actually help them with. This is at no…
-
The STR (Short-Term Rental) Loophole: What You Need to Know
by Clint Kraft
What if you could buy a rental property, claim a massive tax deduction in year one, and avoid the passive loss limitations that apply to most real estate investors? That’s one of the main benefits of the complex “STR Loophole”: a powerful strategy that allows some short-term rental owners to deduct real estate losses against…
-
How Your Annuity Could Be Costing You Thousands
by Clint Kraft
Annuities can seem like a safe way to secure guaranteed income for retirement, offering predictability and protection. But often when you dive into the fine print of the contract, you will find high fees, complex structures, and investment restrictions that are quietly destroying your long-term returns, sometimes costing you thousands of dollars annually without you…
-
What You Need to Know about the New Tax Bill (OBBB)
by Clint Kraft
The One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB) was officially signed into law on July 4th, and it brings a ton of tax changes that impact nearly everyone (870 pages to be exact). While most media headlines are focused on a few flashy points that get people on both political sides fired up, the real takeaways are…