Understanding Today’s Financial Environment
Welcome, I’m Michael Hammen, a financial professional and owner of Advantage Financial & Tax Services in West Des Moines, IA. We understand that individuals and households face increasingly complex financial challenges as we navigate our way through life.
A few questions you may have. For example:
Are we saving enough for retirement? How does retirement savings impact my tax situation? How much can I save each year? What can I expect to receive at retirment in the form of income? How can I save on my income taxes each year? Can I save for my kids/grandkids college expenses? How much life insurance do I need? and other simular questions.
Our professionals have years of experience in financial services. We can help answer many of those questions, and assist you moving forward.
Helpful Content
Four Great, Unexpected Places to Raise a Family
Here are 4 great, and sometimes unexpected, places to raise a family.
Yours, Mine and Ours: Estate Strategies for Second Marriages
Second marriages are a trigger event to revisit any existing estate strategies.
Surprises
Making the most of surprises is a great reason to work with us.
A House Divided
By understanding a few key concepts during a divorce, you may be able to avoid common pitfalls.
What Is a Stretch IRA?
If you have a traditional IRA, you may have the opportunity to extend its tax-deferred status across multiple generations.
Insurance Needs Assessment: For Empty Nesters and Retirees
Do your insurance needs stay the same when the nest empties?
Life and Death of a Twenty Dollar Bill
How long does a $20 bill last?
Asset Allocation
Consider how your assets are allocated and if that allocation is consistent with your time frame and risk tolerance.
When Should You Take Social Security
Monthly Social Security payments differ substantially depending on when you start receiving benefits.
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Impact of Taxes and Inflation
Estimate the potential impact taxes and inflation can have on the purchasing power of an investment.
What Is My Risk Tolerance?
This questionnaire will help determine your tolerance for investment risk.
What's My Potential Estate Tax?
This calculator helps estimate your federal estate tax liability.
Can I Refinance My Mortgage?
This calculator can help determine whether it makes sense to refinance your mortgage.
Social Security Taxes
Estimate how much of your Social Security benefit may be considered taxable.
Saving for Retirement
This calculator can help you estimate how much you may need to save for retirement.
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Retirement Plan Distributions
There are a number of ways to withdraw money from a qualified retirement plan.
Investment Strategies for Retirement
Investment tools and strategies that can enable you to pursue your retirement goals.
Managing Your Lifestyle
Using smart management to get more of what you want and free up assets to invest.
Principles of Preserving Wealth
How federal estate taxes work, plus estate management documents and tactics.
Protecting Those Who Matter Most
The importance of life insurance, how it works, and how much coverage you need.
Your Cash Flow Statement
A presentation about managing money: using it, saving it, and even getting credit.
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Don't Buy The Hype
There are a lot of misconceptions about Social Security. Here’s the truth about three of them.
Perception vs. Reality
There’s an alarming difference between perception and reality for current and future retirees.
The Rule of 72
Do you know how long it may take for your investments to double in value? The Rule of 72 is a quick way to figure it out.
An Arm and a Leg
A visit to the hospital can be painful, for both your body and your wallet. Don’t let it be more painful than it has to be.
18 Years Worth of Days
The average retirement lasts for 18 years. Are you prepared to fill that many days?
The Cost of Procrastination
Procrastination can be costly. When you get a late start, it may be difficult to make up for lost time.