MI Perspective Articles
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Understanding IRMAA: Why Income Planning Matters in Retirement
What Is IRMAA? IRMAA is one of those things that can catch people off guard in retirement. It’s an additional premium added to Medicare Part B and Part D when your Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) exceeds certain thresholds. What makes it tricky is the timing. IRMAA is based on your income from two years […]
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Investment Research: Why I Rely on Data, Not Predictions
One thing I’ve learned over the years is that the investment world is full of predictions. Every day there’s a new forecast about where the market is headed, whether a recession is coming, or which investment will outperform next. Some of those predictions will inevitably be right, but many of them won’t be. That’s one […]
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Core Investing Values
Over our years of investing we have discovered a set of principles by which to invest. We have finally unveiled these as our “Investment Core Values”
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Understanding Taxes on Social Security Income
Understanding your tax responsibilities helps you manage your retirement income more effectively. Social Security is an important component of many retirees’ income, and most recipients will pay at least some tax on those benefits. How the IRS Taxes Social Security Benefits The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) determines your tax responsibilities using your combined income. This […]
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2026 Market Themes
2026 Themes Bull market is long is “Long in the Tooth”, but environment remains positive. Midterm elections bring politics back into the forefront. AI infrastructure is old news, what is the next iteration? Speaking of the next iteration… Natural gas is trouncing oil and no one has noticed. After years of underperformance, international investments are […]
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The Impact of Interest Rates on Your Retirement Plans
Interest rates are constantly in flux, and many don’t realize that this impacts their personal finances and retirement plans in significant ways. If you have a savings account, loans, investments, or retirement accounts, the decisions you make when interest rates rise or fall directly affect your financial security. Here’s what you need to know. Key […]
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How Charitable Giving Can Affect Your Taxes and Retirement Planning
Whether it’s the holidays or a birthday, giving is a wonderful way to express feelings and make people smile. While it’s common to give gifts to loved ones, giving to those you don’t know can be as rewarding. Making charitable donations to those in need doesn’t just fill you with a sense of purpose and […]
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How To Survive Holiday Expenses
What the Holidays Can Teach Us About Budgeting for Long-Term Goals The holidays are a magical time when family and friends gather together and make new memories. Unfortunately, the fun sometimes comes with a hefty price tag that can devastate your bank account if you’re not careful. Putting the time in beforehand to plan out […]
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Keurig Dr Pepper’s Big Move: Brewing Up Change in the Beverage World
Keurig Dr Pepper (KDP) is brewing up changes again. The company behind both morning coffee pods and afternoon sodas announced it’s acquiring JDE Peet’s and plans to split into two independent businesses. It’s a brave move that changes the way KDP does business in two very different markets: coffee and soft drinks. It could also […]
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Why Your Budget May Not Be Working – And How to Fix It
Budgets are tough. You make them with the best of intentions, listing your expenses and setting spending limits for each category. But then life happens, and you go over those limits more than you’d like. You’re not alone — not by a long shot. Budgeters miss their targets all the time, and the reasons are […]