What Is Dry Powder In Investing? How Much Cash Retirees May Need To Weather Market Downturns
What Is Dry Powder? A Simple Definition For Retirees: three years of spending needs not covered by reliable income sources like Social Security or pensions.
Can I Use My Retirement Account to Help My Child Buy a House?
A common question in retirement planning is how to help adult children with a home down payment when most savings are in 401(k)s or other retirement accounts. The key issue is simple: withdrawals from traditional retirement accounts are generally taxed as ordinary income. That means money typically must pass through the Internal Revenue Service before it can be gifted.
Adventure After Retirement: Hiking the Tour du Mont Blanc
Some retirement dreams take shape over decades. For one of our clients, David Scott, his lifelong love of backpacking led to a 100-mile trek through the Alps and an unforgettable journey around Western Europe’s highest mountain: Mont Blanc.
Are Covered Call Income ETFs Worth It? What Investors Should Know
You’ve probably noticed a surge in Covered Call Income ETFs lately. Here’s why it matters. The strategy has gone from niche to mainstream, with assets in options-based income strategies growing from roughly $7 billion in 2020 to around $150 billion by 2025, alongside record investor inflows and increasing institutional adoption. They’re often marketed as a way to generate additional income beyond dividends without selling shares, and who wouldn’t like that? But how do they work, and are they a practical strategy for retirement planning?
Should You Cancel Life Insurance Before Retirement? What to Consider First
As retirement approaches, many households face a question: Is it still worth paying for life insurance? If the kids are grown and retirement savings are accumulating, folks may begin to wonder whether the money allocated to insurance premiums could go elsewhere—like a 401(k). However, deciding whether to cancel a policy isn’t always straightforward.
Should You Switch to a Roth 401(k) Right Before Retirement?
Future retirees often wonder when it’s worth moving money into a Roth IRA from some other type of account. After all, Roth IRAs are after-tax money, meaning the funds can eventually be withdrawn tax-free. All things equal, that may sound like an optimal situation, but it often depends on taxes today vs. taxes tomorrow. Should You Switch to a Roth 401(k) Right Before Retirement? The decision really comes down to what tax bracket you’re in today versus what you’re likely to face in retirement.
Client Spotlight: They Almost Didn’t Retire, Now They’re Exploring Scotland
Charles and Dawn Norfolk were originally hesitant to retire, but because they had the means and the desire, Jason Gove, one of our Phoenix team members, encouraged them to make the leap. One of their customers purchased their business, providing a clear path to step away. They stayed on for four years to help ease the transition, then moved from Texas to Tennessee.
Client Spotlight: From Fords to Ferraris- Frank Harms’ Guide to Driving Your Retirement Dreams
With each opportunity to spotlight a client’s achievements, we inevitably learn something valuable. The hope is to spread that knowledge and joy to inspire others in their own retirement journeys. Today, the spotlight shines upon Frank Harms and his love for cars.
Client Spotlight: A Nordic Journey with Bonnie & Joe
Of course, some people go to work every day without ever feeling inspired by the families they serve. To us, that’s almost unimaginable, and clients like Bonnie and Joe make that inspiration abundantly clear. Joe retired from AT&T Bell Labs in 2007 after 35 years of dedicated service. Bonnie joined him two years later after being SE division manager for Cigna—presiding over the call center, case management, and physical building operations. And not for nothing, but she was also a crackerjack tennis player, winning more than her share of ALTA city championships.
On September 12, 2025, Barron’s listed Capital Investment Advisors, LLC (“CIA”) as #77 of Top 100 RIA Firms
Capital Investment Advisors is proud to announce that Barron’s has named Capital Investment Advisors, LLC as one of the 2025 top 100 RIA Firms. On September 12, 2025, Barron’s listed Capital Investment Advisors, LLC (“CIA”) as #77 of Top 100 RIA Firms. Rankings were based on assets managed by the firms, growth, technology spending, succession […]
