Taxes

• Tax Services
  T’is the season – tax season, that is. That means it’s time to get your records in order and map out a plan to hit the filing deadline. The good news for military families is that they are entitled to free tax preparation services offered by a number of well-known organizations.
• Roth IRA
  Contributions to a Roth IRA are not tax deductible, but if you meet certain requirements all earnings are tax-free when you, or a beneficiary, withdraw them.
• Income Tax
  Making the best decision for your particular situation depends on a number of factors, including the interest rate on your loan and the rate of return you would expect to earn if you chose to invest your money instead of using it to pay off your mortgage. In theory at least, the lower your interest rate, the more likely it is that you could earn a higher return by investing your money. There’s one additional factor to keep in mind: if you’re claiming itemized deductions when you file your income tax return, paying off your mortgage means that you would no longer be able to claim the interest on your mortgage payments.
• Tax Deferral
  Provided you meet the eligibility requirements, a traditional IRA offers the immediate benefit of tax-deferred contributions. It also provides the long-term benefit of a tax deferral on earnings. This means you pay no taxes on your investment earnings until you begin making withdrawals, which is usually after you retire and are in a lower tax bracket.

Investment

• Investment Management
  The information in this report was prepared by John Weitzer, Chief Investment Officer, Matt Wiley, Director Investment Management, and Matt Conner, Investment Advisory Consultant of First Command. Opinions represent First Command’s opinion as of the date of this report and are for general informational purposes only and are not intended to predict or guarantee the future performance of any individual advisor. All statistics quoted are as of the date of this publication, unless otherwise noted. First Command does not undertake to advise you of any change in its opinions or the information contained in this report. This report is not intended to be a client specific suitability analysis or recommendation, an offer to participate in any investment, or a recommendation to buy, hold or sell securities. Do not use this report as the sole basis for investment decisions. Do not select an asset class or investment product based on performance alone. Consider all relevant information, including your existing portfolio, investment objectives, risk tolerance, liquidity needs and investment time horizon. Should you require investment advice, please consult with your financial advisor. Risk is inherent in the market. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Your investment may be worth more or less than its original cost. Your investment returns will be affected by investment expenses, fees, taxes and other costs.
• Mutual Funds
  This strategy involves selling stocks, mutual funds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), and other investments carrying a loss to offset realized gains from other investments. If, for example, your Tesla stock is trading 35 percent lower than when you purchased it, you could sell it – thereby “realizing” your loss – and then use that loss to cancel out the capital gains distributed by your mutual funds. Better yet, capital losses that exceed capital gains in a year may be “carried forward” to offset gains or income of up to $3,000 in any future tax year, indefinitely, until exhausted.
• Bonds
• Wealth Management
  Our Wealth Management & Trust Services Group can protect your financial legacy and your family’s financial future. Learn More

Planning

• Financial Planning
  Most of our Financial Advisors are veterans or military spouses who have walked where you walk. We have a deep understanding of military life, and can coach you through the specific financial planning strategies that each life stage requires. We help young clients develop a core savings regimen to lay the groundwork for future financial independence. We guide growing families through the process of college savings and insurance planning. And we help those nearing the end of their working years establish a retirement income plan.
• Retirement Planning
  Let’s take a closer look at one financial tool that could play a useful role in your retirement planning challenge. An annuity is a contract between you and an insurance company in which you make a lump-sum payment (or series of payments) and in return begin receiving regular disbursements, beginning immediately or at some point in the future.
• Annuities
  Immediate annuities are purchased with a one-time lump sum payment and start distributing guaranteed income either now or up to a year from now. If you are planning to retire soon and need an additional stream of guaranteed income to supplement your pension or Social Security, an immediate annuity might be right for you. As the annuitant – or recipient of the income – you can choose from a variety of payout options, including lifetime income and joint lifetime income.  It is also possible to choose “period certain” payments, which are provided for a specific number of years.
• Long Term Care
  The soaring cost of long-term care means that, for some, a lifetime of savings could be wiped out in just a few years. To avoid that outcome, your family needs to have a plan.
• Asset Management
  Time is a precious commodity. Researching investments in ever-changing markets and handling investment transactions are more than most people have time for. First Command’s Asset Management Solutions™ program allows you to delegate the daily management of your assets and invest with confidence, knowing that your portfolio is in the hands of experienced professionals.
• College Funding
  Our First Command Advisors have an array of savings products designed for your education planning success and reaching your financial goals.