Dear Followers,

What we once enjoyed and deeply loved can never leave us.  It not only becomes a part of us but it can bring joy to our minds with sweet remembrances that we can share with others. One of my memories is that my late husband, Jack, knew bird calls which are so prevalent this time of year.  When my first granddaughter was born, I bought her a book that had just been published with bevies of birds in this trifold book including the recordings of their calls and songs.  I wrote her a story telling her about this lovely memory of Jack.  There are always so many ways to include our persons in our lives.  They are always part of us and who we are.   

Sending love and hugs,

Carolyn

This Month’s Financial Tip

Please consult with a professional that understands the unique characteristics of annuities.  Every company can have different “flavors” and there are many different companies offering a variety of annuity products.  Always, beware of the sales people who want to sell you an annuity. They can be valuable and useful.  Understand your unique goals. 

What is an annuity inside a 401k Plan? 

Primarily, annuities are insurance products that can have varying functions.  They can be mutual fund products that are sponsored by an insurance company.  They can also be an option inside the 401k as an option to choose from along with other options.  Why is the big question? 

You can add money to the annuity that can provide lifetime income at retirement.   Please consult with a professional that understands the unique characteristics of annuities.  Every company can have different “flavors” and there are many different companies offering a variety of annuity products.  Always, beware of the sales people who want to sell you an annuity. They can be valuable and useful.  Understand your unique goals. 

Reach out to Carolyn if you want to understand how this could work for you if you have a 401k plan with this option.  ^{[email protected] or 877.328.4037 ×700}

How a Fixed Annuity Fits into a Retirement Plan

Our client Enid came to us for her year-end review and asked a very important question.  

She wanted to review retirement options and contributions since she was still working. Her company had many mutual fund options.  Recently, they had added a Fixed Annuity option to choose from.  Her annual contributions were $6,000/year and her company matched that with 50% of her contributions.   

Enid was recently widowed and was worried she might run out of money.  We discussed the pros and cons of her investment options.  We explained that if part of her money was put in the fixed annuity, she could have income from those contributions for the rest of her life at retirement based on the particular disclosures of that product.  She decided that she would put the $3,000 match from her company in that product and use her contribution to invest in the mutual funds available, based on her age, risk profile, and years to retirement.

Reach out to Carolyn if you have questions about Annuities.

Please call me 941-841-6564 or email me at [email protected]

More Insight on Annuities in 401k’s

Check out the article below for more information on Annuities and 401ks.

Books Worth Reading

This book is based on ground-breaking work by Joan at the Mind/Body Clinic at Harvard Medical School.  Joan is a trained biologist and psychologist. It blends holistic and integrative work without rejecting conventional medicine.  Grief can manifest itself in physical, emotional, and spiritual ways.  I hope this encouraging book can help you in your new beginnings. 

 Minding the Body, Mending the Mind by Joan Borysenko

This Month’s Recipe

This recipe is a favorite and a great addition for the many Spring and Summer meals we may eat.  It’s that time of year where we can start thinking of the Spring crop of strawberries.  Plant City, FL is the home of many of our strawberries including annual festivals in case you want to check it out. 

Strawberry Shortcake

1 quart of strawberries, hulled and quartered 

2 Tblsp of orange juice 

6 whole strawberries (for serving) 

Combine these 2 items and set aside 
 

Ingredients Shortcake

2 cups flour 

6 Tblsp sugar 

4 tsp baking powder 

¼ tsp salt 

4 Tblsp unsalted butter 

2/3 cup milk- whole or lowfat 

1 tsp sugar 

Whipped topping

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400 F.  Coat a large baking sheet with cooking spray or use parchment paper (my favorite). 

2. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, 6 tblsps sugar, baking powder and salt. 

3. Add butter and mix together with a fork until mixture resembles coarse cornmeal. 

4. Add 2/3 cup milk and mix until dough forms – do not overmix. 

5. Transfer to a lightly floured surface (again parchment paper) and roll out to 1 inch thickness using a 3 ½ inch round cookie cutter. Transfer to baking sheet.  Brush tops with milk and sprinkle with the 1 tsp sugar. 

6. Bake until puffed up and golden about 20-25 minutes. 

7. Remove from the oven and while still warm, split in half crosswise. 

8. Spoon 1/3 cup strawberries onto bottom half of each shortcake; top with second round.  Add whipped topping and garnish with a whole strawberry. 

9. Serves 6 

Happy Spring!  Enjoy! 

HYPOTHETICAL EXAMPLE DISCLOSURE

The client scenario presented above is hypothetical and intended for illustrative purposes only. It does not represent an actual client, and any resemblance to a real person or situation is coincidental. The assumptions used (contribution amounts, employer match, and product selection) are simplified for educational purposes and do not reflect all variables that may apply to your individual situation. Hypothetical illustrations have inherent limitations. They do not account for taxes, fees, market fluctuations, product-specific restrictions, or other factors that could materially affect outcomes. Past results are not indicative of future performance. This example should not be construed as a recommendation or guarantee of any specific financial result. Please consult with a qualified financial professional before making any investment decisions.

TESTIMONIALS & ENDORSEMENTS DISCLOSURE

Any testimonials or endorsements featured in Accurate Advisory Group's marketing materials are provided by current clients of Accurate Advisory Group, Inc. and/or Accurate Wealth Management LLC. Clients were not compensated, directly or indirectly, for providing their testimonial or endorsement. Testimonials reflect the individual experiences of those clients and may not be representative of the experience of all clients. Testimonials are not a guarantee of future performance or success. Accurate Advisory Group and its affiliates have a material conflict of interest in presenting client testimonials, as positive testimonials may encourage prospective clients to engage the firm's services. Clients providing testimonials may have a pre-existing personal or professional relationship with firm personnel.

ANNUITY RISK DISCLOSURE

Any reference to lifetime income, guaranteed payments, or other financial benefits associated with annuity products is subject to the claims-paying ability of the issuing insurance company. Annuities are insurance products and are not insured by the FDIC or any federal government agency. Annuity products vary significantly by issuer and contract terms. Surrender charges, fees, and withdrawal restrictions may apply. Tax-deferred growth does not imply tax-free withdrawal; distributions are generally subject to ordinary income tax and, if taken before age 59½, may be subject to a 10% IRS early withdrawal penalty. Fixed annuities carry inflation risk, as fixed payments may lose purchasing power over time. The discussion of annuities in this newsletter is for educational purposes only and does not constitute a recommendation to purchase any specific product. Individual suitability depends on your financial situation, goals, time horizon, and risk tolerance. Please consult with a qualified financial and tax professional before making any annuity-related decisions.

Important Disclosures

This material is for informational purposes only and is not intended as tax or legal advice. Accurate Advisory Group, LLC does not provide tax preparation or legal services. Individuals should consult with a qualified tax professional regarding their specific situation before making any tax-related decisions.

Examples provided are hypothetical and for illustrative purposes only. They do not reflect actual client experiences or guarantee future outcomes. Tax rules and IRS penalty rates are subject to change and may vary based on individual circumstances.