Insights & Financial News | Oak Road Journal

Insights

Hey Real Estate Agents, You Need Your Own Retirement Plan!

According to the Congressional Research Service, only about half of full-time employees at small companies have access to a retirement plan—and even fewer part-time and 1099 workers do.

Goals Based Financial Planning

So, you want to retire? Having a plan—and knowing when you’re truly ready—is key.

Why it’s Important to Have an Investing Process

Clients are asking about market volatility and how it may affect their money. While uncertainty is high, it’s always part of the market.

What is goals based financial planning?

Many small business, part-time, and 1099 workers lack access to retirement plans.

Process saves us from the poverty from our intentions.

I recently heard a powerful quote from Seth Godin: “Process saves us from the poverty of our intentions.”

Will stocks increase forever?

With markets at all-time highs, many are asking: “Should we take some money off the table?”

Why We Put Our Assets At Risk

Yeah, there are some crazy things going on in the world right now! So, why should we put our money at risk by owning stocks? The reality is that there are many options for where to put your money and every one of them carries a risk!

Why You Should Have A Fiduciary Financial Advisor

It’s very important that you work with a financial advisor that pledges to act as a fiduciary. You should hire a financial advisor that pledges to make recommendations that are in your best interest. That’s why working with a fiduciary is so important.

Now is the time to start a retirement plan for your company

Starting a retirement plan can be simpler and more economical than you might think. There are several different types of retirement plans to choose from, we can help you decide which type is right for you based on your company’s specific needs.

Changing jobs? Here’s what to do with your old 401k

Changing jobs? Here’s what to do with your old 401k

Your 401k Plan Might Cost Way More Than You Think!

Your 401k Plan Might Cost Way More Than You Think!

Does Your Financial Advisor Really Have Your Best Interests In Mind?

Does Your Financial Advisor Really Have Your Best Interests In Mind?

Hey Real Estate Agents, You Need Your Own Retirement Plan!

Hey Real Estate Agents, You Need Your Own Retirement Plan!

Goals Based Financial Planning

Goals Based Financial Planning

Why it’s Important to Have an Investing Process

Why it’s Important to Have an Investing Process

What is goals based financial planning?

What is goals based financial planning?

Process saves us from the poverty from our intentions.

Process saves us from the poverty from our intentions.

Will stocks increase forever?

Will stocks increase forever?

A paper titled 'RMD — Required Minimum Distributions' resting on financial statements, with reading glasses and a pen — representing retirement account withdrawal rules.

Required Minimum Distributions: How They Work, How They're Taxed, and How to Lower Them

Required Minimum Distributions: How They Work, How They're Taxed, and How to Lower Them

Senior man working on a laptop at home, representing someone who continues working full time while collecting Social Security at age 70.

Can I Collect Social Security at 70 and Still Work Full Time?

Can I Collect Social Security at 70 and Still Work Full Time?

Yellow 'Retirement Ahead' road sign in a rural field, symbolizing the decision of when to claim Social Security at 62, 67, or 70

Is It Better to Take Social Security at 62 or 67 or 70?

Is It Better to Take Social Security at 62 or 67 or 70?

What Will Be the Social Security Increase in 2026?

What Will Be the Social Security Increase in 2026?

Roth IRA and 401(k) retirement account paperwork with a calculator and question mark note, representing the question: how can I avoid paying taxes on my retirement account

How Can I Avoid Paying Taxes on My Retirement Account?

How Can I Avoid Paying Taxes on My Retirement Account?

A ceramic jar labeled "Retirement Fund" surrounded by coins, dollar bills, and dice — illustrating the uncertainty and planning involved in retirement savings.

How Much Do I Need to Retire?

How Much Do I Need to Retire?

Two professionals meeting at a desk for a free financial advisor consultation in Lee's Summit, Missouri

Can You Speak to a Financial Advisor for Free?

Can You Speak to a Financial Advisor for Free?

A $10 bill representing the importance of financial planning — Oak Road Wealth Management, fee-only fiduciary advisors in Lee's Summit, Missouri

Is $500,000 Enough to Work With a Financial Advisor?

Is $500,000 Enough to Work With a Financial Advisor?

Calendar with a pen highlighting a date, alongside text reading "Why Parents, Not Grandparents, Should Own 529 Savings Plans"

Why parents, not grandparents, should own 529 savings plans!

Why parents, not grandparents, should own 529 savings plans!

Close-up of a "Latest Updates" file folder tab among other filed documents

What Are the New 2026 RMD Rules?

What Are the New 2026 RMD Rules?

Required Minimum Distributions binder next to a financial report with pie charts and a calendar, representing 401k RMD planning at age 73

How Much Do I Have to Withdraw From My 401k at Age 73?

How Much Do I Have to Withdraw From My 401k at Age 73?

A paper titled 'RMD — Required Minimum Distributions' resting on financial statements, with reading glasses and a pen — representing retirement account withdrawal rules.

Required Minimum Distributions: How They Work, How They're Taxed, and How to Lower Them

Required Minimum Distributions: How They Work, How They're Taxed, and How to Lower Them

Senior man working on a laptop at home, representing someone who continues working full time while collecting Social Security at age 70.

Can I Collect Social Security at 70 and Still Work Full Time?

Can I Collect Social Security at 70 and Still Work Full Time?

Empty leather wallet held open by two hands, symbolizing reduced income from claiming Social Security at age 62

How Much Do I Lose If I Take Social Security at 62?

How Much Do I Lose If I Take Social Security at 62?

Calculator, glasses, and financial charts with rising line graph, illustrating the word 'Benefits' — representing analysis of potential Social Security benefit cuts and retirement planning.

Are Our Social Security Benefits Going to Be Cut?

Are Our Social Security Benefits Going to Be Cut?

Yellow 'Retirement Ahead' road sign in a rural field, symbolizing the decision of when to claim Social Security at 62, 67, or 70

Is It Better to Take Social Security at 62 or 67 or 70?

Is It Better to Take Social Security at 62 or 67 or 70?

What Will Be the Social Security Increase in 2026?

What Will Be the Social Security Increase in 2026?

Social Security Benefits Application form with a pen, calculator, and glasses, representing how to calculate the highest possible Social Security payment per month

How Much Is the Highest Social Security Per Month?

How Much Is the Highest Social Security Per Month?

Accepting market cycles and focusing on the process

Accepting market cycles and focusing on the process

Who really benefits from complex financial products?

Who really benefits from complex financial products?

Physical gold Bitcoin coins scattered over a pile of US dollar bills, featuring a prominent green text box with the headline: "What Happens When Too Few Own Too Much? Bitcoin, Intrinsic Value, and a Warning for the Average Investor."

What Happens When Too Few Own Too Much Bitcoin?

What Happens When Too Few Own Too Much Bitcoin?

Why Simple, Disciplined Investing Builds Real Wealth

Why Simple, Disciplined Investing Builds Real Wealth

Calendar with a pen highlighting a date, alongside text reading "Why Parents, Not Grandparents, Should Own 529 Savings Plans"

Why parents, not grandparents, should own 529 savings plans!

Why parents, not grandparents, should own 529 savings plans!

Hands holding a glass charity jar filled with coins. Text overlay: Gifting Appreciated Stock: The 2026 Tax Strategy for High-Net-Worth Portfolios.

2026 Stock Gifting: Avoid the 23.8% Tax Trap

2026 Stock Gifting: Avoid the 23.8% Tax Trap

Graphical overlay titled "Qualified Charitable Distribution: The Premier 2026 Tax Strategy for Retirees" next to a glass jar filled with coins labeled "IRA," representing a tax-efficient retirement donation strategy.

Tax Shortcuts: Why QCDs Are the Ultimate 2026 Strategy for Retirees

Tax Shortcuts: Why QCDs Are the Ultimate 2026 Strategy for Retirees

Title card: Wills for Retirees with $1 Million: The 2026 Guide to a Simple, Secure Legacy. Background shows blurred eyeglasses and legal documents.

Is Your Will Heading for the $50,000 Probate Trap? (2026 Guide)

Is Your Will Heading for the $50,000 Probate Trap? (2026 Guide)

What is the biggest mistake with wills? A judge's gavel resting on a Last Will and Testament document, representing estate planning errors and probate risk.

What Is the Biggest Mistake with Wills?

What Is the Biggest Mistake with Wills?

Why Does Everyone Want to Avoid Probate?

Why Does Everyone Want to Avoid Probate?

What assets should not be in a will — financial documents, gold coins, and an umbrella representing estate planning and asset protection — Oak Road Wealth Management

What Assets Should Not Be in a Will?

What Assets Should Not Be in a Will?

Living trust and estate planning form on a clipboard — what is the major disadvantage of a trust | Oak Road Wealth Management

What Is the Major Disadvantage of a Trust?

What Is the Major Disadvantage of a Trust?

A gavel, scales of justice, and legal document on a desk — illustrating the main purpose of having a trust in estate planning.

What Is the Main Purpose of Having a Trust?

What Is the Main Purpose of Having a Trust?

Financial advisor signing retirement tax planning documents, representing Big Beautiful Bill Social Security tax changes

What Does the Big Beautiful Bill Do for Social Security?

What Does the Big Beautiful Bill Do for Social Security?

Roth IRA and 401(k) retirement account paperwork with a calculator and question mark note, representing the question: how can I avoid paying taxes on my retirement account

How Can I Avoid Paying Taxes on My Retirement Account?

How Can I Avoid Paying Taxes on My Retirement Account?

Tax rate schedules highlighted on IRS tax table, illustrating federal tax brackets for retirement income

What Tax Rate Do You Pay in Retirement?

What Tax Rate Do You Pay in Retirement?

Social Security cards representing how Social Security benefits are taxed in 2026

How Is Social Security Taxed?

How Is Social Security Taxed?

Hand dropping a coin into a glass jar labeled "Pension," illustrating how pension income is taxed

How Is My Pension Taxed?

How Is My Pension Taxed?

Wooden dice spelling "TAXES" stacked on rising piles of coins, representing retirement tax planning

What Taxes Go Away When I Retire?

What Taxes Go Away When I Retire?

Person reviewing tax documents and using a calculator to calculate the new $6,000 senior tax deduction

What Is the New $6,000 Tax Break for Seniors?

What Is the New $6,000 Tax Break for Seniors?

IRS Form 1040 tax documents — understanding federal taxes on retirement income

Do I Have to Pay Federal Taxes on My Retirement?

Do I Have to Pay Federal Taxes on My Retirement?

A flat-lay photograph of a leather briefcase, a notebook with the handwritten words "Roth IRA Conversions," a pair of glasses, and a leather journal on a wooden desk.

You Should Want to Pay More Taxes — Here’s Why Roth Conversions Can Save You a Fortune

You Should Want to Pay More Taxes — Here’s Why Roth Conversions Can Save You a Fortune