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New Retirement Account

February 7, 2025

New Retirement Account and HSA Contribution Limits for 2025: What You Need to Know

For 2025, employees can contribute up to $23,500 to 401(k)s (with higher catch-up provisions for those over 50 and new extended catch-ups for ages 60–63). IRA limits remain at $7,000 ($8,000 with catch-up), though income phaseouts have shifted. HSA limits rose to $4,300 for individuals and $8,550 for families, while SIMPLE and SEP IRA limits also increased. These adjustments provide an opportunity to boost retirement and healthcare savings while maximizing tax benefits.

October 9, 2024

What happens when the Fed cuts interest rates?

Fed rate cuts in 2024 have lowered borrowing costs for consumers and businesses, encouraged spending, and boosted stock market performance, particularly in housing and discretionary sectors. While borrowers benefit, savers face reduced returns on cash-based investments. The Fed’s challenge is to support growth without reigniting inflation, making future policy shifts a critical focus for investors.

Does the Stock Market Historically Care About Which Party is in Office? The Answer Might Surprise You

Market performance around elections has varied across political scenarios, yet long-term results have shown limited link to the party in power. Short-term swings are common before voting day, but fundamentals typically reassert themselves over time. Staying diversified, disciplined, and focused on long-term goals can help investors navigate election-year noise.

Why Investment Diversification Matters

A diversified portfolio balances growth potential with risk management by combining different types of investments. This approach helps reduce exposure to company- or industry-specific risks, adapts to changing economic conditions, and supports long-term wealth preservation. While diversification cannot eliminate broad market risks, when managed thoughtfully it can improve risk-adjusted returns and provide stability for both younger investors building wealth and retirees seeking to protect it.

November 28, 2023

6 Financial Strategies to Consider Before Year-End

Key strategies to review at year-end include maximizing 401(k) or IRA contributions, considering tax loss harvesting, exploring gifting or charitable giving opportunities, evaluating Roth conversions, and ensuring required minimum distributions are taken if applicable. Reviewing these areas with the help of a financial advisor and tax professional can provide clarity, reduce potential tax burdens, and help position your plan for long-term success.

September 28, 2023

Should I Use a Target Date Fund in My Retirement Account?

Target date funds provide built-in diversification, automatic rebalancing, and a glide path that becomes more conservative over time. Potential trade-offs include limited customization, varied fees, and a one-size-fits-all design that may not match every investor’s situation. If you value simplicity and low maintenance they can be useful. If you want tighter control, specific tilts, or lower costs through individual index funds or ETFs, a custom portfolio may be a better fit.

August 15, 2023

Why Should You Consider a Formal Financial Plan?

A financial plan helps define clear goals, manage spending, guide savings and investments, prepare for emergencies, and address debt and risk management. It also provides strategies for retirement readiness and tax efficiency, all while supporting long-term wealth building. Beyond the numbers, a plan offers peace of mind, reducing financial stress and giving you confidence that your money is working toward your priorities.

Protecting Loved Ones Against Financial Scams

Families can protect aging parents and relatives from scams by combining open communication, fraud-prevention tools, and legal measures such as durable powers of attorney or revocable trusts. Monitoring for unusual financial behavior, reporting suspected fraud quickly, and offering empathy if a scam occurs are also key steps. With planning and vigilance, caregivers and loved ones can create a stronger defense against financial exploitation and help ensure greater financial security in later years.

When Should I Take Social Security?

Social Security offers flexibility in when you begin receiving benefits, but each choice carries implications for the amount you receive over your lifetime. Key considerations include your full retirement age, income needs, spousal benefits, health, and tax impact. Delaying benefits can increase monthly payments, while claiming earlier may provide needed income sooner. Because every situation is unique, weighing these factors carefully and seeking personalized guidance can help ensure you make the most of your Social Security benefits.

Aspen Investment Management Implements Pontera Integration

Through Pontera’s platform, Aspen can integrate employer-sponsored retirement accounts into a client’s broader financial plan, ensuring asset allocations remain aligned with long-term goals. The partnership allows for more effective asset location strategies, consolidated reporting across multiple accounts, and ongoing professional management of retirement savings. Clients benefit from a more holistic investment approach and the peace of mind that comes with having retirement assets actively monitored and managed.

401K Options When Changing Jobs

Employees leaving a job typically have three choices for handling their retirement savings: keeping funds in the former employer’s plan, consolidating into a new employer’s plan, or rolling over into an IRA. Each option offers trade-offs in terms of investment flexibility, fees, and contribution opportunities. Direct transfers usually provide the smoothest process, while indirect transfers come with strict deadlines to avoid taxes and penalties. Reviewing these options carefully ensures retirement savings remain on track through career transitions.

Q1 Economic & Market Commentary 2023

Markets posted gains in Q1 as easing inflation, solid labor data, and decisive government intervention in response to bank failures bolstered investor confidence. The S&P 500 advanced 7.46 percent, international equities also moved higher, and bonds delivered positive returns as investors anticipated a potential end to the Fed’s rate-hiking cycle. However, concerns about financial stability and the path of monetary policy suggest that volatility is likely to persist in the months ahead.

February 22, 2023

The Secure Act 2.0 introduces a variety of changes, including raising the age for required minimum distributions, expanding catch-up contribution limits, linking emergency savings to retirement accounts, and allowing employers to match student loan payments with retirement contributions. For those near retirement, these adjustments create more flexibility in timing withdrawals and saving additional funds. For younger workers, automatic enrollment, portability of accounts, and new savings incentives make it easier to begin and maintain retirement planning early in their careers.

October 25, 2022

How Much Should You Contribute to Your 401(k) Plan?

Contributing consistently to a 401(k) allows investors to take advantage of tax benefits, employer matching programs, and the power of compound growth over time. Both Traditional and Roth 401(k) options offer unique advantages depending on an individual’s financial situation, while contribution limits provide structure for long-term planning. By starting early and staying invested, employees can use a 401(k) to help fund retirement with greater confidence.

October 11, 2022

Q3 Economic & Market Commentary 2022

Markets faced renewed declines in Q3 as rising rates and persistent inflation weighed on equities and bonds alike. U.S. and international equities both ended the quarter in negative territory, and fixed income continued to struggle with falling bond prices. Despite ongoing uncertainty, higher yields have started to create new opportunities in parts of the bond market. Volatility is expected to continue as investors await clearer signs of progress on inflation and the Fed’s policy path.

September 15, 2022

Am I Saving Enough for Retirement?

Retirement planning involves more than setting aside savings. It requires understanding income needs, tax considerations, investment strategies, and timing withdrawals to preserve assets and minimize costs. Aspen uses advanced tools, including MoneyGuidePro, to create detailed projections and provide recommendations that keep clients on track toward their goals. By developing strategies early and reviewing them regularly, we help ensure retirement plans remain aligned with changing circumstances and evolving lifestyles.

August 26, 2022

What Is a Fiduciary Advisor & How Can They Help You?

Fiduciary advisors offer clients customized strategies, transparent fee structures, and independent advice free from product commissions. By focusing on relationships and using outside custodians to safeguard assets, fiduciaries provide peace of mind that decisions are made with the client’s needs at the center. Working with a fiduciary like Aspen Investment Management helps ensure your financial plan is designed with care, clarity, and your long-term goals in mind.

Q2 Economic & Market Commentary 2022

Markets faced another challenging quarter as inflation, rising interest rates, and recession fears weighed heavily on equities and fixed income. The S&P 500 declined 16.4 percent in Q2, international markets also fell, and bonds posted one of their worst periods on record. Volatility is expected to persist until the Federal Reserve slows or ends its rate hiking cycle and markets gain more clarity on the economic outlook.

Q1 Economic & Market Commentary 2022

Markets faced headwinds in the first quarter with U.S. and international equities declining and bonds experiencing rare weakness. Inflation, Fed policy changes, and geopolitical conflict all contributed to volatility, although U.S. stocks showed signs of recovery in March. The months ahead are likely to remain uncertain as investors adjust to higher rates, persistent inflation, and ongoing global challenges.

How Inflation Affects Stocks And Bonds

Inflation impacts both consumers and investors by reducing the purchasing power of money. While stocks are often viewed as a hedge against inflation, not all sectors perform the same. Growth stocks tend to struggle when prices rise, while value-oriented sectors such as financials and energy often hold up better. Bonds, on the other hand, can be negatively affected as rising interest rates lower bond prices and inflation reduces real returns. Diversification remains the key to navigating uncertain inflationary periods.

Large Company Q4 Earnings Results

The fourth quarter of 2021 delivered a wide range of results across major companies. Some firms, such as Marathon Petroleum and Google, exceeded expectations with strong earnings and revenue growth, while others, including Chevron and PepsiCo, reported mixed outcomes. Several companies highlighted ongoing challenges from inflation and supply chain disruptions, yet many continued to return capital to shareholders through dividends and buybacks.

Aspen Investment Management Inc. is an independent registered investment adviser located in Grand Rapids, Michigan. We may only conduct business in states where we are notice filed, or qualify for an exemption or exclusion from registration requirements. The information provided on this website is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered legal, accounting, tax, or investment advice. Investment advice can only be provided after the delivery of our Form ADV Part 2 and the execution of an Investment Advisory Agreement. A copy of our Form ADV Part 2 is available upon request at 616-361-2500.