If offered an early retirement buyout by your employer, should you sign up or run away? At first glance, you might think the answer is pretty obvious; but each situation is different and, more often than not, early buyout options are complex and should be thoughtfully analyzed. Here are three crucial questions to ask yourself when considering a buyout option.

It’s officially the holiday season – a time of family, friends, and recognition of our blessings. It’s also a time that many generously choose to donate to their favorite charities. Unfortunately, this is also the time when those with unscrupulous motives prey on the unsuspecting. While we would hope we could spot a charity scam, sometimes it’s difficult especially when it’s one that pulls at our heart strings. Here are three crucial tips to ensure you don't get duped by a charity scam.

The risk of disability some time in your lifetime is out there for everyone, so should you do anything differently in your financial planning to address it? Because everyone’s individual financial situation is unique, there is no “one size fits all” answer here. But we can offer guidance on the right questions to ask when you have those important planning conversations with your trusted financial advisor.

While very few of us can give at the levels of famous philanthropists Bill Gates and Oprah Winfrey, we still have more financial resources to make a difference in our communities than we may realize. Here are some important factors to consider when you wish to leave a lasting legacy.

When you’re asked about your financial assets , where does your mind go? You might consider your savings account balance, a 401K, your investment portfolio, perhaps a second home. But did you ever stop and consider your CAREER as a financial asset? Most people don’t. But they should. Learn more.

Effective January 1, 2019, there are new changes to the Hardship Withdrawal provisions for retirement plans, thanks to The Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018. The new regulation brings about three significant changes that you should be aware of as you consider early withdrawals from your retirement plan.

For many of our clients, the great unknown is whether they will have a long-term care event, and if they should consider long term care insurance to help offset the cost. Like forecasting investment returns, we don’t have a crystal ball and can’t predict the future. However, we can use statistics to ground our thought process and make a more well-informed decision. Whether you need insurance or not, you most certainly should take the time to explore the options available to you and what might be right for your situation.

In mid-October 2018, the financial markets experienced significant volatility. We advised our clients to "stay the course" and put the numbers into historical perspective to calm any fears. Read more about our best thinking here.

After a third quarter (2018) that saw U.S. stock prices, as represented by the all-inclusive Russell 3000 Index, rise 7.13%, the index is now up 10.57% for 2018 following a 21.13% increase in 2017. Investors have now begun to question the staying power of this bull market in light of numerous concerns. Learn more.

McKinley Carter is proud to announce that after much work and dedication, we have been Certified by CEFEX -- the Centre for Fiduciary Excellence. This quality assurance confirms that McKinley Carter’s Retirement Plan Services team has been adhering to the best practices in the industry and always seeks to put clients’ needs ahead of their own. Read more about why working with a CEFEX-certified advisor is so important.