Financial Advisor, Darcy Bergen, Shares Social Security Options for Couples
Darcy Bergen explains how proper planning can help married couples make the most of their Social Security benefits.
Most people start saving for retirement at a reasonably young age and count on the benefits promised through Social Security. However, there are many different ways to claim those benefits. Using the wrong claiming strategy can cost thousands of dollars, which is why Darcy Bergen shares his insight on Social Security options for married couples.
Get Estimates
To maximize Social Security benefits, Darcy Bergen suggests visiting the Social Security Administration (SSA) website. There, you can get an estimate of how much you’ll be able to start collecting at any age between 62 and 70. Click here to get your estimate now!
Identify the Higher Earner
It’s essential to compare the estimates between spouses very carefully. The individual with a higher income will be the one with the larger primary insurance amount (PIA). Darcy Bergen suggests having the lower earner collect first because the higher earner’s increases will be worth more!
In the instance where one spouse earns twice as much as the other, Darcy Bergen explains that it might be best for both to collect on the same spouse’s earning record. The longer the higher earner waits to collect, the higher the benefits will be for the couple. This will also reflect a higher survivor benefit, at the death of the first spouse.
Reduce Payments
Many factors can impact the payout of Social Security benefits. Darcy Bergen believes it’s important to have the help of a professional when navigating all the possibilities looking for the best strategy.
Many people don’t realize that working while collecting Social Security payments can reduce their benefits. In addition, government pensions, federal & state taxes, and Medicare premiums can decrease benefits.
62 by 2015?
An advanced Social Security claiming strategy may be available if you or your spouse became 62 years old by the end of 2015. Darcy Bergen explains how it works.
If one spouse is younger, and under the age of 62, they can claim benefits on their personal earnings record. The spouse who is 62 or older waits to reach full retirement age, and files an application intended only for spousal benefits. This allows the couple to temporarily claim benefits based on the younger spouses earning record. (*note, the younger spouse must have claimed their benefit, opened their record for the older spouse to be able to claim spousal benefits on their record).
Darcy Bergen notes that the real savings happen when the older spouse then turns 70. They can now claim benefits based on their earnings record, which will have increased by approximately 132% of what they would have been qualified for at FRA.
For more information on your retirement strategy, contact Darcy Bergen at Bergen Financial today!
Social Security Benefits Are Confusing, Darcy Bergen Explains the Ins and Outs
The Social Security benefits act was established in 1935. Back then a lump sum was allocated to recipients until the law was changed in 1940. A lot of things have changed over the last 84 years, and many individuals are not as up to date on the basics of Social Security as they might need to be.
Darcy Bergen, the owner of Bergen Financial Group, offers conservative retirement planning strategies and products designed to provide guaranteed income for life while protecting their client’s principal from the fluctuations of the stock market with fixed annuity options. Did you know that every month, 59 million people receive a Social Security Benefit? More often than not, Darcy Bergen sees some confusion from his clients when it comes to Social Security, and he sheds light on the basics of the plan and benefits.
The Social Security trust fund reserves are 2.9 trillion. Most workers are eligible for Social Security benefits, but not all. For example, until 1984, federal government employees were part of the Civil Service Retirement System and were not covered by Social Security.² For a retiree, at their full retirement age, the maximum yearly benefit is upwards of $33,000, which is around $2,780 per month, but this depends on how much you made and contributed over the years of your employment.
Benefits are based on an individual’s average earnings during a lifetime of work under the Social Security system. The calculation is based on the 35 highest years of earnings. If an individual has years of low earnings or no earnings, Social Security may count those years to bring the total years to 35.⁴ Eligibility is contingent upon your work length and history. If you were born after 1929, you’d need to have worked for at least ten years to be eligible.
There haven’t always been cost-of-living adjustments (COLA) in Social Security benefits. Before 1975, increasing benefits required an act of Congress; now increases happen automatically, based on the Consumer Price Index. There was a COLA increase of 2.0% in 2018, but there was only an increase of 0.3% in 2017.⁵
Darcy Bergen helps people plan for retirement. He also offers courses for seniors, which provides sound advice on maximizing social security, life insurance, and retirement planning comprehensively.
For more information, you can check your Social Security earnings and see an estimate of your benefits on the website, www.ssa.gov.
Social Security Administration Sources:
2-5, 7-9. Social Security Administration, 2018
Darcy Bergen, CRFA
AZ License #: 7714485
The Bergen Financial Group Headquarters
20542 N. Lake Pleasant Rd. Suite 111
Peoria, AZ 85382
602-652-2665
info@bergenfinancialgroup.com
bergenfinancialgroup.com
Fixed Index Annuities for Retirement: Financial Advisor, Darcy Bergen’s Approach
In exchange for purchasing annuity contracts, the insurance company makes regular payments to the purchaser either immediately in a single lump-sum or on scheduled times during the future. Usually, deferred payments are made monthly, quarterly, annually.
Darcy Bergen owner of Bergen Financial Group offers conservative retirement planning strategies and products designed to provide guaranteed income for life while protecting their client from the fluctuations of the stock market with fixed annuity options. Darcy explained, “Annuity contract holders can opt to receive payments for the rest of their lives or over a set number of years.”
Darcy Bergen continued, “The money paid toward an annuity grows tax-deferred1. When the money is withdrawn, the amount paid into the annuity will not be taxed, but earnings will be taxed as regular income. Darcy explained further, “There are two main types of annuities, fixed and variable. Fixed annuities offer a guaranteed rate. Variable annuities offer the possibility to allocate premiums between various subaccounts. This gives annuity owners the ability to participate in the potentially higher returns these sub-accounts have to offer. It also means that the annuity account may fluctuate in value. Fixed Index Annuities operate in the same manner as fixed annuities except that the yearly interest is based in part on a stock market index as opposed to an interest rate.”
Managing Partner and Financial Advisor, Darcy Bergen started Bergen Financial Group in 2003 and has been recognized as one of the top 20 advisors in sales with Midland National Life Insurance Company annuity division year after year. In 2015, after many years of successful investment and financial development for his clients, Darcy Bergen became a fiduciary (Exam 65), offering even further reliance between trustees and beneficiaries.
Bergen Financial Group shows clients that there is a way to have guaranteed income for the rest of their lives with annuity-based products. Darcy Bergen’s team of advisors has over 100 years of experience assisting clients. There is no longer a need to guess; they will set up a customized plan and help you implement a personalized strategy depending on your specific needs.
Darcy Bergen, CRFA
AZ License #: 7714485
The Bergen Financial Group Headquarters
20542 N. Lake Pleasant Rd. Suite 111
Peoria, AZ 85382
602-652-2665
info@bergenfinancialgroup.com
bergenfinancialgroup.com
1. The tax-deferred feature of the annuity is not necessary for a tax-qualified plan. Before purchasing this product, you should obtain competent tax advice as to the tax treatment of the annuity and the suitability of the purchase. Under current law, annuities grow tax-deferred. Annuities may be subject to taxation during the income or withdrawal phase. There is no additional tax benefit to investing in a variable annuity within a tax-qualified account (such as an IRA).
Variable Annuities are designed for long-term investing, such as retirement investing and are subject to market risk including loss of principal.
Midland National variable products distributed by Sammons Financial Network® LLC, member FINRA. Midland National and Sammons Financial Network® LLC are not affiliated with Bergen Financial Group.
Fixed index annuities are not a direct investment in the stock market. They are long term insurance products with guarantees backed by the issuing company. They provide the potential for interest to be credited based in part on the performance of specific indices, without the risk of loss of premium due to market downturns or fluctuation. Although fixed index annuities guarantee no loss of premium due to market downturns, deductions from your accumulation value for additional optional benefit riders could under certain scenarios exceed interest credited to the accumulation value, which would result in loss of premium. They may not be appropriate for all clients. Interest credits to a fixed index annuity will not mirror the actual performance of the relevant index.
Insurance products issued by Midland National® Life Insurance Company, West Des Moines, Iowa. Product and features/options may not be available in all states or appropriate for all clients. See product materials for further details, specific features/options, and limitations by product and state.
Financial Advisor, Darcy Bergen’s Long Term Investment Management Advice
Darcy Bergen has over two decades of financial investing. On the heels of founding Clear Solutions for Seniors, LLC, Darcy Bergen started Bergen Financial Group in 2003, and was recognized as one of the top 20 advisors in sales with Midland National life annuity division year after year. In 2015, after many years of successful investment and financial development for his clients, Darcy Bergen became a fiduciary (exam 65), offering even further reliance between trustees and beneficiaries. Darcy shares his long term investing tips.
Darcy Bergen continued, “Investing should be simple. We all know to buy low and sell high, but most of us have trouble following that advice. Some principles and strategies may enable you to put together an investment portfolio that reflects your risk tolerance, time horizon, and goals. Understanding these principles and strategies can help you avoid some of the pitfalls that snare some investors.”
Knowing how long to holding securities isn’t always so cut and dry. An investment strategy that advocates holding securities for the long term and ignoring short-term price fluctuations in the market is not always a leisurely feat to interpret or achieve. Knowing where the market is heading is not always easy to figure out, and it certainly takes an expert to know what’s next in line for the financial markets.
He further explains, “Bergen Financial Group Strives To Help You Achieve Financial Peace Of Mind. In today’s uncertain economic conditions, you need financial advisors who strive to look beyond current paradigms for strategies that will help guide you toward your retirement dreams. Don’t retire alone and uncertain. With over 100 years of combined experience, our financial advisors can help you rest easy in the knowledge that we strive to keep your financial well-being safe. We are always working hard to help you with the future you desire.”
Bergen Financial Group offers conservative retirement planning strategies and products designed to provide guaranteed income for life while protecting their client’s principal from the fluctuations of the stock market with fixed annuity options. To find out more, contact them today.
Insurance and annuity products are not sold through Horter Investment Management, LLC (“Horter”). Horter does not endorse any annuity or insurance products nor does it guarantee their performance. Owners of these products are subject to the terms and conditions of the policies and contracts of the issuing companies. All product guarantees depend on the insurance company’s financial strength and claims-paying ability. : Investment advisory services offered through Horter Investment Management, LLC, a SEC-Registered Investment Advisor. Horter Investment Management does not provide legal or tax advice. Investment Advisor Representatives of Horter Investment Management may only conduct business with residents of the states and jurisdictions in which they are properly registered or exempt from registration requirements. Insurance and annuity products are sold separately through *Insert Name*. Securities transactions for Horter Investment Management clients are placed through E*TRADE Advisor Services, TD Ameritrade and Nationwide Advisory Solutions.
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Darcy Bergen, CRFA
AZ License #: 7714485
The Bergen Financial Group Headquarters
20542 N. Lake Pleasant Rd. Suite 111
Peoria, AZ 85382
602-652-2665
info@bergenfinancialgroup.com
Financial Advisor, Darcy Bergen Holds Retirement Planning Classes
Financial advisor Darcy Bergen has more than two decades of experience in financial planning. Designed to provide conservative retirement planning strategies and products guarantee income for life, Darcy Bergen’s group protects their client’s principal from the fluctuations of the stock market with fixed annuity options. He explains how these methods are best put into action.
Darcy Bergen explains, “Our financial group shows clients that there is a way to save and live with guaranteed income for the rest of their lives with annuity-based products. Bergen Financial is made up of a team of advisors that have over 100 years of combined experience assisting clients. There is no longer a need to guess; we set up a customized plan and help you implement a personalized strategy depending on your specific needs.”
Darcy Bergen founded Bergen Financial Group based on a simple philosophy; to teach their clients how to employ strategies to help protect them from incurring losses on their savings. Losing money in the stock market is not the way to save or live in retirement. His group aims to provide education, advice, and consulting to retirees and those planning for retirement.
Darcy Bergen explains, “Personalized retirement planning is critical. There are no cookie-cutter plans when it comes to personal investing. Everyone’s needs are different; their financial situations vary and understanding how to implement the most optimal strategy to get someone the most money out of their investing is critical. We look at every individual’s position as a unique opportunity to offer our specialized services.”
At Bergen Financial Group, they build long-term client relationships that span generations. They understand that financial products are often complicated and confusing, and that’s why Darcy Bergen’s team only implements strategies that their clients fully understand. Since they are an independent firm, they can present several different approaches and not merely a one-size-fits-all approach. Bergen Financial Group can customize your plan based on your needs, not the needs of one company.
With headquarters located in Peoria, Arizona, as well as offices in Tucson, Mesa & Scottsdale, Arizona, their expertise is on a wide-ranging level. They offer educational seminars throughout the valley to help guide individuals through their financial journey and into a vibrant retirement.
If you’re interested in optimizing your retirement planning, contact Bergen Financial today.
Financial Advisor, Darcy Bergen Discusses a Social Security Advantage for Those 66 and Older
Darcy Bergen owner of Bergen Financial Group offers conservative retirement planning strategies and products designed to provide guaranteed income for life while protecting their client’s principal investments.Darcy Bergen wants investors to know, if between now and December 31st, 2019, you will be full retirement age, 66, there is a little-known caveat to your benefit. The strategy is called “Restricted Application” and allows you to collect half your spouse’s full retirement age Social Security benefit without actually opening your own record. This means you can still earn an 8% delayed credit on your own full retirement age benefit up until age 70. Once you turn 70, you can switch to your own benefit, having received a 32% increase over a four-year period.
This strategy was eliminated in the 2015 bipartisan budget act unless you were born on or before January 1st, 1954, but it is available again under the current administration.
There are THREE additional items of importance to be aware of:
1. Your spouse must have already opened his or her own record and started claiming Social Security benefits.
2. You must be at full retirement age.
3. This strategy is also available if you are divorced. Your marriage must have lasted at least 10 years, and you
cannot have remarried.
Darcy Bergen explained further, “Considering you meet the age criteria; it is imperative you have the knowledge and see what you could possibly be missing. We have helped clients find additional income to their household by planning properly and knowing their options. Again, It’s imperative to make sure you know your options before you file. Once you file, it may be too late to take advantage of this strategy.”
Managing Partner and Financial Advisor, Darcy Bergen started Bergen Financial Group in 2003 and has been recognized as one of the top 20 advisors in sales with Midland National life annuity division year after year. In 2015, after many years of successful investment and financial development for his clients, Darcy Bergen became a fiduciary (exam 65), offering even further reliance between trustees and beneficiaries.
Bergen Financial Group shows clients that there is a way to save and live with guaranteed income for the rest of their lives with annuity-based products. Darcy Bergen’s team of advisors has over 100 years of experience assisting clients. There is no longer a need to guess; they will set up a customized plan and help you implement a personalized strategy depending on your specific needs.
Darcy Bergen, CRFA
AZ License #: 7714485
The Bergen Financial Group Headquarters
20542 N. Lake Pleasant Rd. Suite 111
Peoria, AZ 85382
602-652-2665
info@bergenfinancialgroup.com
bergenfinancialgroup.com
Investment advisory services offered through Horter Investment Management, LLC, a SEC-Registered Investment Advisor. Horter Investment Management does not provide legal or tax advice. Investment Advisor Representatives of Horter Investment Management may only conduct business with residents of the states and jurisdictions in which they are properly registered or exempt from registration requirements. Insurance and annuity products are sold separately through Bergen Financial Services. Securities transactions for Horter Investment Management clients are placed through E*TRADE Advisor Services, TD Ameritrade and Nationwide Advisory Solutions.
Caroline Hunter
Financial Advisor, Darcy Bergen Discusses Roth Conversion Strategies Financial Advisor, Darcy Bergen Discusses Roth Conversion Strategies
Financial Advisor, Darcy Bergen holds more than two decades of experience in financial planning. On the heels of founding Clear Solutions for Seniors, LLC, he started Bergen Financial Group in 2003. In 2015, after many years of successful investment and financial development for his clients, Darcy Bergen became an Investment Advisor Representative with Horter Investment Management LLC, offering even further reliance between trustees and beneficiaries.
Darcy Bergen explains the details of Roth Conversions, “The new Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) that was signed into place in 2017, is a great reason to take advantage of the IRA investments and Roth Conversion. These tax cuts are scheduled to stay in place until 2025, but that absolutely depends on the political administration during the next few years.
“The advantages of converting a traditional IRA into a Roth IRA Conversion are that it is essentially the shrewdest way to get the most substantial amount of funds into the account. The distribution of traditional IRA funds is treated as taxable but making the conversion before the end of the tax year will be the best way to take advantage of the federal and state income status.”
Between now and April 15, 2020, you can make the Roth conversion or contributions, but the sooner, the better, since the five year tax-free withdraw is effective only with Roth IRAs that were implemented five years prior. With Traditional IRAs, federal and state tax deductions can be made. When an individual is retired, withdrawals are taxed at ordinary rates.
“Other benefits of Roth conversions are stretching a Roth IRA. This follows similar rules to a traditional IRA but does not necessitate any Required Minimum Distributions. Stretching exists if you named another beneficiary to pass the IRA on to. All Roth IRA distributions are tax-free. Some advantages of stretching Roth IRAs include avoiding sizable tax brackets, paying taxes on a deferred basis, and that the preliminary decisions can be altered if needed.” Darcy Bergen added.
Traditional IRA withdrawals before the age of 59½ may incur a 10% penalty on top of federal and state taxes. At age 59½, you can withdraw funds from an IRA without penalty. Generally, once you reach age 70½, you must begin taking required minimum distributions. A tax professional can help assess your specific situation. Tax-free and penalty-free withdrawal also can be taken under certain other circumstances, such as a result of the owner’s death. The original Roth IRA owner is not required to make minimum annual withdrawals.
Darcy Bergen’s Investing for Retirement Tips
Darcy Bergen holds more than two decades of experience in financial planning. On the heels of founding Clear Solutions for Seniors, LLC, he started Bergen Financial Group in 2003 and was recognized as one of the top 20 advisors in sales with Midland National life annuity division year after year. In 2015, after many years of successful investment and financial development for his clients, Darcy Bergen became an investment advisor representative with Horter Investment Management, offering even further reliance between trustees and beneficiaries. He takes a particular interest in helping individuals plan for retirement.
Most individuals, no matter their income or occupation, want to retire as well as possible, but these goals require a lot of preparation and being proactive about making the right investments at the right time.
Darcy Bergen explains, “When it comes to saving for retirement, having a target amount in mind is critical. If you have no idea of your target, you’ll have no way of measuring your steps. And limited access to developing a strategy to pursue that target goal. If you have no retirement objective, there is a likelihood that you will not save enough or take too much risk.”
Knowing your annual or monthly desired target will help financial professionals work with you to reach those goals. Determining the amount and the time it will be needed can be challenging. Many people plan for 20 years, but with the aging population growing and living longer, that might not be enough.
Many people would prefer to make the money they have grow into the amount they prefer at their retirement age, but that isn’t always the optimal plan because financial conditions can change. Knowing how your assets are allotted is critical to understand how you can reach your objectives.
Bergen Financials’ Process
1. Personalized Discovery-Discuss your retirement goals and income requirements
2. Strategy-Present options and strategies for funding your retirement lifestyle that are specific to your needs
3. Implementation-Set up accounts and reporting
4. Monitoring-Review accounts quarterly and annually with your personal team member
Bergen Financial Group shows clients that there is a way to save and live with guaranteed income for the rest of their lives with fixed annuity products. Darcy Bergen’s team has over 100 years of experience assisting clients. There is no longer a need to guess; they will set up a customized plan and help you implement a personalized strategy depending on your specific needs.
At Bergen Financial Group, they are an independent firm; they can present several different strategies and not merely a one-size-fits-all approach. Bergen Financial Group can customize your plan based on your needs, not the needs of one company.
Darcy Bergen, CRFA
AZ License #: 7714485
The Bergen Financial Group Headquarters
20542 N. Lake Pleasant Rd. Suite 111
Peoria, AZ 85382
602-652-2665
info@bergenfinancialgroup.com
bergenfinancialgroup.com
Investment advisory services offered through Horter Investment Management, LLC, a SEC-Registered Investment Advisor. Horter Investment Management does not provide legal or tax advice. Investment Advisor Representatives of Horter Investment Management may only conduct business with residents of the states and jurisdictions in which they are properly registered or exempt from registration requirements. Insurance and annuity products are sold separately through Bergen Financial Group. Securities transactions for Horter Investment Management clients are placed through E*TRADE Advisor Services, TD Ameritrade and Nationwide Advisory Solutions. Insurance and annuity products are not sold through Horter Investment Management, LLC (“Horter”). Horter does not endorse any annuity or insurance products nor does it guarantee their performance. Owners of these products are subject to the terms and conditions of the policies and contracts of the issuing companies. All product guarantees depend on the insurance company’s financial strength and claims-paying ability.
Financial Advisor, Darcy Bergen Explains the Power of Compound Interest
Darcy Bergen owner of Bergen Financial Group offers conservative retirement planning strategies and products designed to provide guaranteed income for life while protecting their client’s principal.
Darcy Bergen sheds light on earning substantial interest upon interest with compounding interest investments.
Compound interest is when the interest that accrues on an investment is added to the principal, and then the future interest accrues on the total. If the investment is placed in a trust or is able to accumulate more interest over time, the end result can be quite substantial, as it’s essentially growing interested in interest on interest.
Darcy Bergen explains, “If you deposit money into an account that is compounded annually, this is where the money will proliferate at a higher rate. For example, if you place $10,000 into a compounded account at a 5% interest rate with an additional $1,000 investment annually added to the account, the money you’d accrue at the end of ten years would be $29,495.73. The same investment in a simple interest account would be $25,000 at the end of ten years. This type of compounded investing is where the longer the investment is in place, the better the interest accrued will be in the long-term.
“The one thing that might deter senior investors is the time factor, but that’s where professional investment advisors prevail; we can help individuals find higher percentage investments to hold their money and watch it accrue even more quickly. We can recommend higher yielding interest rate accounts depending on the individual’s goals. For example, if we obtain an account that yields 8% interest for a client, they will see their principal investment double within nine years, and that’s with no additional investments.”
Bergen Financial Group offers conservative retirement planning strategies and products designed to provide guaranteed income for life while protecting your principal from the fluctuations of the stock market with fixed annuity options.
Bergen Financial Group shows clients that there is a way to save and live with guaranteed income for the rest of their lives with annuity-based products. Darcy Bergen’s team of advisors has over 100 years of experience assisting clients. There is no longer a need to guess; they will set up a customized plan and help you implement a personalized strategy depending on your specific needs.
Financial Advisor, Darcy Bergen: Using Life Lessons To Make Sound Decisions for Others
Darcy Bergen has been in the financial field as an advisor for more than two decades. His knowledge, dedication, and interest in helping others achieve and understand financial planning is a genuine passion that Mr. Bergen continues to carry through his career with plans to reach more seniors in teaching them to understand optimal ways to maximize their earning potential throughout their retirement years.
Darcy Bergen, President, and CEO of Bergen Financial has received numerous awards and recognition throughout his career. He and his wife, Heather just completed a four-year radio show that they co-hosted called Safe Money & Income, which taught individuals how to amplify investment opportunities.
Growing up in Canada, Darcy Bergen moved to New Zealand with his parents for several years, while his father planted a church there. The Bergen family moved back to Canada, which allowed Darcy to complete both high school and college in their home country. His parents, both devout Christians, eventually took their passion for teaching others about God into the mission field full time.
Years later, Darcy Bergen’s parents went to Kenya as missionaries. The work was challenging, but his parents were dedicated and loved helping the locals drill for clean water, helping the orphanages and locals with food supplies, school supplies, teaching them life skills, mentoring, and spreading the love of the Lord.
One evening, Mr. Bergen’s parents were brutally attacked by 8 Kenyan men that beat them, cut them with machetes, broke their jaws, and raped his mother. Miraculously, Darcy’s parent’s withstood the torture, fled to the local hospital and received medical care. A true miracle, they did not face long-term injuries or lose limbs from the deep machete slices.
Darcy, like his parents understands forgiveness plays a huge role in life, and since his parent’s had a passion for the Kenyan people, they set a goal to return to their work there and to forgive these men, showing them the love of Christ. Darcy Bergen started www.bergensmission.com in 2008 to assist his parents in going back to Kenya and to spread the word of what happened, and what real love and forgiveness looks like in the face of hatred and despair.
Darcy Bergen is a highly-regarded Financial Advisor, but he also is a highly-moral human being that believes life teaches valuable lessons and draws individuals to a higher calling each and every day to stand firm and to live their best life by learning from each experience and sharing what you’ve discovered.
Darcy Bergen’s team of advisors has over 100 years of experience assisting clients. There is no longer a need to guess; they will set up a customized plan and help you implement a personalized strategy depending on your specific needs. Bergen Financial Group shows clients that there is a way to save and live with guaranteed income for the rest of their lives with annuity-based products.