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FAQS
For your benefit, we’ve answered some commonly asked financial questions. For more clarification, or if you have other questions, please contact us.
For many investors, a Roth IRA offers more long-term benefits than a tax-deferred account. Although you contribute after-tax dollars to a Roth, your investment grows tax-free and qualified withdrawals in retirement are also tax-free. This can result in more predictable and potentially greater after-tax income in the future.
Key advantages of a Roth IRA:
- Tax-free growth and withdrawals in retirement
- No required minimum distributions (RMDs) during your lifetime
- Greater flexibility in managing taxes during retirement
- More favorable treatment for heirs, since withdrawals remain tax-free for them (within 10 years)
A tax-deferred account, like a traditional IRA or 401(k), may be preferable if you expect to be in a significantly lower tax bracket in retirement, as it provides an upfront tax deduction and defers taxes until you withdraw the funds.
Bottom line: If long-term tax efficiency, flexibility, and legacy planning are priorities, the Roth IRA is often the better choice.
Survivor planning prepares for the financial, legal, and practical changes that occur when one spouse passes away. Without a clear plan, the surviving spouse may face confusion, delays in access to assets, increased taxes, or unintended consequences.
- Because taxes are one of your largest lifetime expenses (often more than the cost of food, clothing, & housing combined). Effective tax planning can help you:
- Keep more of what you earn
- Avoid costly mistakes or penalties
- Time income and deductions more efficiently
- Optimize retirement withdrawals (like Roth conversions, RMD strategies)
- Reduce estate and inheritance taxes
- Increase charitable impact while lowering taxes (via QCDs, DAFs)
Not necessarily. Annuities have gotten a bad reputation — and in some cases, it’s been earned. High fees, complex terms, and aggressive sales tactics have caused many people to be cautious. But like most financial tools, annuities aren’t inherently good or bad — it depends on how they’re used, why they’re used, and what type you choose.
Here’s the truth:
There are many types of annuities, and they serve different purposes:
- Immediate annuities can provide guaranteed income for life — like a personal pension.
- Fixed annuities offer principal protection and predictable returns.
- Fixed indexed annuities tie growth to a market index but protect against losses.
- Variable annuities allow market-based growth but often come with higher fees and risks.
Some can be useful for retirement income, longevity protection, or tax deferral — especially when integrated properly into a broader plan.
At Grady Financial Network, you can rest assured that your assets are safe and secure. When you work with us, your accounts will be held at a reputable third-party custodian with SIPC protection. Our firm never takes custody of your assets.