Learning Center

What makes a retirement plan succeed? What makes a plan fail?

Retirement opens the door to rediscovery. From hobbies to passions old and new, explore how to create purpose, joy, and connection in this exciting next chapter of life.

Discover common myths that many people believe about retirement.

Don’t let Social Security myths derail your retirement. Learn the truth behind five common misconceptions and gain confidence in your financial future.

Navigating the retirement of your financial advisor can be overwhelming, especially when working with someone who runs a one-person operation.

Explore why social connections matter in retirement and how to build and maintain a vibrant, supportive circle.

We are committed to helping you protect your financial assets. In this article, we will explore why identity theft is a growing risk and provide you with proactive steps you can take to defend against it.

There seems to be a direct correlation between retirement and the “end” of something. But what about the beginning of something new?

Wondering how to measure the success of your investments? Here are some key questions to ask your financial advisor.

Avoid 7 common retirement mistakes—from poor planning to debt—to build confidence and enjoy financial freedom.

When thinking about the idea of entering retirement, many people experience a combination of emotions - some excitement, but also some fear.

COVID-19 put a crimp in all of our short-term plans. But why should it change our long-term goal of being able to retire (or not) as we've always dreamed?

If you're one of the millions of pre-retirees who is heading solo into retirement, you’re definitely not alone.

There seems to be a direct correlation between retirement and the “end” of something. But what about the beginning of something new?

If you’re a homeowner looking ahead to retirement, you’re probably hearing a lot about downsizing these days. And depending on your local real estate market, the decision may even feel more urgent.

The start of 2020 ushered in a new federal law that affects your retirement savings and retirement planning.

Do you know that old saying, “don’t put all your eggs in one basket”? It’s the same when it comes to investing.

It's one of the most commonly asked questions we hear from people nearing retirement age. When nearly half of Americans don’t feel confident they'll have enough saved for retirement*, it's no wonder pre-retirees are wondering if they'll have enough to live on.

When it comes to understanding when you can retire, there are a variety of questions to consider before determining the date.

The decision of how and when to take Social Security is a much bigger decision than most people realize.

There are few things more despised in the financial world than a budget.

Chances are you and your partner might be thinking differently about retirement.

In order to get clarity on how much you need for retirement, you’ll first want to consider these 3 questions that can help you answer that question. ‍

There’s a lot of talk in the news that the Social Security trust fund is set to deplete in 2035.

Yes, it is. On average, Social Security beneficiaries receive between $500,000-$1,000,000 in benefits.

The charitable contribution tax deduction is a powerful way to fund your favorite charity and receive a tax break.

After working with thousands of people, we discovered that too many people limit themselves by over-focusing on the numbers.

There are a number of factors that need to be considered when considering the best way to pay off debt.

There is more to self-care than meditating or creating “me time”. Our physical health is connected to our financial health!

There are a lot of moving pieces to taking money out of your accounts. We broke things down to help you navigate the process.

Paying for medical expenses in retirement continues to be a top concern for Americans. Are there ways to maximize the benefits you receive from your employer?

You may be familiar with risk tolerance, however using tolerance as the only measurement of risk may actually be a disservice to you.

If you don’t know the specific fees in your investments you’re not alone.

If you’re preparing to retire, the quality of the relationship you have with your advising team could determine how successful your retirement journey is.

It’s easy to think of retirement as the perfect escape. However, what would you think if we told you the switch to retirement can be difficult?

Few people realize that your greatest opportunity to securing a long, prosperous retirement is not your Social Security planning or even a medical expense.

The idea of legacy planning goes far beyond documents and account values. How are you going to pass on your legacy?

There are hundreds of articles on how to increase your income in retirement, But what about making the most of things that are beyond money?

When the market drops, it’s important to not lose perspective and understand that downtrends and uptrends are part of the investing cycle.

Money can’t buy love, but it can sure put an end to it!

Money can make people do crazy things. Here is how your estate plan could effect the relationships in your family.

That 401(k) you’ve been counting on for retirement might just have an unwanted feature: excessive fees. Often 401(k) plan participants are unaware of fees...

An estate plan helps direct your assets upon your death, but it also plays an important role while you’re still alive.

Developing a cost assessment will give you insight into what it might look like to have to pay for care.

If you find yourself in the majority that needs this type of care at some point in your life, how will it look?

For a lot of people, one of the unspoken reasons they hold off on retiring relates to their fear of being lonely. Here are some tips to become more connected.

Budgeting, social security, and risk management are three key areas to review as you prepare for retirement, but that is just the tip of the iceberg.

Stay on top of your finances with our monthly budget worksheet. Easily track expenses and plan ahead.

Uncover hidden advisor fees that may drain your retirement savings and learn how to protect your financial future.

Evaluate financial advisors with key questions and a checklist to choose the right partner for your retirement success.

Organize vital records, finances, and estate plans with our Legacy Checklist. Ensure peace of mind for you and your loved ones.

Learn how Net Unrealized Appreciation (NUA) can reduce taxes on company stock and boost your retirement savings.

Plan your legacy with ease. Use our checklist to organize vital documents and give your loved ones peace of mind.

Retirement Ready Checklist: Organize income, healthcare, taxes, and estate plans with clear steps for a confident future.

Prepare for retirement with our 15-question Social Security Readiness Checklist. Download to plan benefits, taxes, and income wisely.

Plan your retirement with confidence. Use our timeline checklist to prepare finances, taxes, health, and lifestyle goals.

Nick Foulks of Great Waters Financial shares smart money tips to budget, save, and enjoy the Minnesota State Fair stress-free.

Raising kids costs nearly $30K a year in MN. Justin Halverson shares tips to budget, save, and plan for the future.

Nick Foulks of Great Waters Financial shares why teamwork and the right system matter in managing money wisely.

Pioneer Press: Justin Halverson of Great Waters Financial explains tax perks for seniors, families in Trump’s new bill.

Facing inflation? Justin Halverson offers practical advice to protect your income and lifestyle.

Worried about layoffs before retirement? Great Waters’ Nick Foulks shares proactive steps to protect your plan.

Nearing retirement amid market swings? Learn why a solid plan and diversification can safeguard your golden years.

Great Waters’ Justin Halverson on FOX9 explains “doom spending” and how smart planning can ease financial fears.

Should you rely on Social Security for retirement? FOX9 and Great Waters’ Justin Halverson share insights and advice.

Recession worries grow as markets shift; Great Waters’ Nick Foulks offers smart investment strategies.