Planning for retirement can feel a bit like planning a cross-country road trip. You might know the general direction you want to head, but without a clear roadmap, it’s easy to get lost, take costly detours, or end up nowhere near your intended destination. At McIntosh & Associates, we believe a retirement plan should be…

We plan for vacations. We plan for retirement. We even plan our grocery lists. But when it comes to planning for the unexpected, too many families find themselves unprepared—and overwhelmed. At McIntosh & Associates, we’ve seen firsthand how documenting your healthcare and financial wishes can potentially ease stress, avoid conflict, and bring clarity in times…

In today’s fast-moving world of digital payments, rising living costs, and student loan debt, one thing has never been more essential, or more overlooked: financial literacy. At McIntosh & Associates, we believe that teaching kids, teens, and young adults how to manage money isn’t just practical, it’s powerful. It’s one of the greatest gifts we…

We often think of financial independence as a finish line—something we pursue when we retire early or accumulate significant wealth. But at McIntosh & Associates, we believe financial independence isn’t just about a bank account balance or a retirement date. It’s about freedom: the freedom to make choices without fear, to support the people and…

If you’ve been considering a Roth conversion, the next year may offer a key opportunity. With the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) set to expire at the end of 2025, many Americans—especially those approaching retirement—could see their federal income tax rates revert to pre‑2018 levels beginning in 2026 (York, 2024). For some, that makes…

The year 2024 marked the beginning of “Peak 65”—the largest wave of Americans turning age 65 in history—averaging over 11,200 new retirees per day through 2027 (Fichtner, 2024). That’s more than 4.1 million people a year entering traditional retirement age. So, what does this mean for you? Whether you’re approaching 65 or already there, this…

When it comes to building wealth for retirement, one principle stands out for its quiet but impressive impact: compound interest. Often called the “eighth wonder of the world,” compound interest works effectively with one simple ingredient: time. Whether you’re in your 30s just getting started or in your 50s wondering if it’s too late, understanding…

Legacy planning can be complex for blended families, where you may need to account for multiple family members, previous marriages, and different financial needs. Blended families are becoming increasingly common in the United States, requiring careful financial and estate planning to ensure fairness and clarity. Studies show that nearly 40% of families in the U.S….

Losing a spouse is both an emotional and financial challenge that requires careful planning. Recent studies indicate that widowed individuals often face significant financial hardships compared to their married counterparts. For instance, 39% of widowed women carried over $25,000 in debt following their spouse’s death, with 10% shouldering more than $100,000 (InvestmentNews, 2023). Additionally, nearly…

Planning for long-term care (LTC) is a crucial step in retirement planning that many overlook. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, approximately 70% of Americans aged 65 and older will require some form of long-term care during their lifetime.(HHS, 2025)  With…