Clayton K. Shum CFP RFC MSFP

09/17/2025

✨ Exciting news! I’m honored to be featured in the article “Original Shark Kevin Harrington Spotlights 10 Entrepreneurs To Look Out For.”

I’m so grateful for this recognition and for the amazing support from my friends, colleagues, and community. 🚀 As I continue to grow, I’d love your encouragement—whether through connections, introductions, or simply sharing ideas. Together, we can make a real impact.

09/06/2025

GRANDPARENTS
We have holidays for Mom and Dad, which makes perfect sense. We also have holidays celebrating political figures (Presidents’ Day), a 500-year-old naval explorer (Columbus Day), and a weather-predicting rodent (Groundhog Day). All get more press than a holiday we should be observing every September.

I’m referring, of course, to National Grandparents’ Day.

Grandparents’ Day falls on the first Sunday after Labor Day. It’s a great holiday because it wasn’t created to sell cards or flowers. It was initiated at the grassroots level by a woman named Marian McQuade. Born in 1917, McQuade saw the nation overcome the Great Depression, win World War II, end segregation, and land on the moon. Later in life, she would work for the generations of Americans who helped our country do all those things by caring for them in hospitals and nursing homes. In fact, she made caring for seniors her life’s calling, advocating for them at both the state and federal levels.

What McQuade wanted most, though, was a chance to educate youth about the contributions of seniors throughout history. She also urged young people to cherish their grandparents. Thanks to her efforts, President Carter signed a proclamation recognizing National Grandparents Day in 1978. The day’s purpose is:

“To honor grandparents, to give grandparents an opportunity to show love for their children’s children, and to help children become aware of the strength, information, and guidance older people can offer.”[1]

As Carter himself said in the proclamation:
Grandparents are our continuing tie to the near-past, to the events and beliefs and experiences that so strongly affect our lives and the world around us. Whether they are our own or surrogate grandparents who fill some of the gaps in our mobile society, our senior generation also provides our society with a link to our national heritage and traditions.

We all know grandparents whose values transcend passing fads and pressures, and who possess the wisdom of distilled pain and joy. Because they are usually free to love and guide and befriend the young without having to take daily responsibility for them, they can often reach out past pride and fear of failure and close the space between generations.[1]

I think it’s a shame Grandparents’ Day doesn’t get more attention. After all, what’s better than a good grandparent? When we’re sad, they give us a shoulder to cry on. When we’re scared, they give us two arms and a soothing whisper to comfort us. When we’re uncertain, they give us a lifetime’s experience to guide us. They’re the source of the best holiday meals, the best Christmas presents, and the best birthday parties.

Their love is selfless, pure, and never-ending.

To my knowledge, there are no standard Grandparents’ Day traditions. No parades or festivals, no cards or costumes. But maybe there doesn’t need to be. Maybe the fact it continues to fly under the radar is an opportunity to celebrate grandparents the way Marian McQuade always wanted. A chance to simply spend time as a family. To enjoy small, private gatherings. To put our arms around our grandparents and say, “I love you.” To reminisce about them after they’re gone. To ensure their stories, their accomplishments, their lives are never forgotten.

This September, we celebrate our grandparents. It’s true, you won’t find Grandparents’ Day on many calendars. But maybe that’s okay. Because after all, whether our grandparents are still alive or have passed away, we can always find them in a much more important place.

We can find them in our hearts.

08/30/2025

Please check out my published article with International Business Times

"The Right Financial Guidance Matters: Clayton Shum Helps Retirees Navigate Crossroads"

Clayton Shum, a seasoned financial planner with over 20 years of experience in retirement planning and wealth management, brings thoughtful insight, expertise, and a steady hand during this critical life stage.

08/29/2025

Labor Day’s just around the corner. For most of us, this three-day weekend is a great opportunity to enjoy some of the last great weather for outdoor fun before the chill of winter sets in. But, is that what Labor Day should be about? To answer that question, let’s take a look at the history of this holiday.

Labor Day is a Federal holiday here in the U.S. that’s observed on the first Monday in September. Holidays are often a celebration of achievement, and this holiday is no exception. It’s a day for Americans to celebrate the economic and social success of workers, the people who give back to the community they’re in. It’s a national show of appreciation for the contributions they’ve made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country.

The U.S. Department of Labor says we should observe and celebrate Labor Day as it was outlined in the first proposal of the holiday. That proposal suggests celebrating with a street parade to exhibit “the strength and esprit de corps of the trade and labor organizations” of the community, followed by a festival for the recreation and amusement of the workers and their families.[1]

What I like most about the initial proposal for Labor Day is recognizing “strength and esprit de corps” (a common spirit of comradeship, enthusiasm, and devotion to a cause among the members of a group).

When I first learned the origin of this holiday, that part of the proposal stood out to me because it creates a greater feeling of patriotism. A common spirit of comradeship, enthusiasm, and devotion to a cause among the members of a group is exactly what our founding fathers created. Growing up, I didn’t know that Labor Day had anything to do with patriotism. I thought it was the last day to play at the pool before they closed for winter.

Celebrating the American worker’s contribution to our economy and way of life with parades and festivals was the original way to spend time on this holiday. As labor in the U.S. has changed over the last century, many have focused on the “recreation and amusement” activities more than creating esprit de corps. This Labor Day, I’d like to encourage you to share some of our history and the patriotism that coincides with this holiday with those you love. Sharing your knowledge is one way to create more comradeship and inspire others to have devotion to an important cause.

Going back to my initial question, should enjoying the warm weather be what Labor Day is all about?
Answer: YES!

Ok … well, not completely. But one way to appreciate the great American worker and celebrate your own contribution to our wonderful nation is to spend the day off enjoying all the pleasures of life. After all, isn’t that one of the reasons we work: to enjoy more time doing the things we love?

This Labor Day, I hope you’re able to hike, camp, barbecue, play at the pool, or spend time with your loved ones doing what makes you the happiest.

08/22/2025

Sometimes, all it takes to change your community is a glass of water and some hot dogs.
When it comes to changing your community, most people think you need a lot of money, fame, or power. However, after a colleague shared this story1 with me, I learned how mistaken that type of thinking was.
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It was a hot afternoon in Macon, Georgia when someone knocked on David Duncan’s door. When he went to see who it was, he found 8-year-old, Jaden, who lived in the neighborhood asking for a drink. He knew the boy lived nearby, but until that moment, they had never met. Naturally, David gave him a glass of water and figured that was the end of it.
Until the boy returned the following day.
And the day after that,
and the day after that.
Soon, David learned to expect Jaden almost every afternoon, often with several equally thirsty friends in tow. He began offering sodas in all sorts of flavors to them, which they gleefully guzzled down. But he realized quickly that –
The children were hungry.
As much as he wanted to help more, he himself felt helpless. A survivor of 18 surgeries, David has two prosthetic legs, multiple transplanted organs, and is blind in one eye.
“What can I do?” he would pray. “I have zero budget, and I’m losing my eyesight.”
He had to do something. None of his personal challenges ever stopped him from finding ways to help others, and he wasn’t about to let them start now. It was up to him to feed them, so he went and bought hot dogs.
“Hot dogs were easy,” David said. “Every kid likes a hot dog.”

He had an idea, but he needed help. Going onto social media he asked if anyone had a hot dog stand he could use – preferably the old-fashioned kind with the classic red umbrella. Inspired, a friend joined in helping by raising money on David’s behalf and surprised him with the hot dog stand in his driveway!

“The Hot Dog Club” was born.
Every week, he served the local children, free hot dogs and drinks and would sometimes show movies. Gradually, his club grew and grew. When businesses got wind of David’s club, they pitched in and donated food – so much that The Hot Dog Club, no longer serves hot dogs! Others began donating as well - money, clothes, school supplies, their time, you name it!
The club expanded where its focus is filling children’s minds as well as their stomachs. David has transformed his community, with a glass of water and a few dogs.
David’s story inspired me to ponder how we can transform our communities. I’m willing to bet opportunities are a lot closer than we think. Just around the corner, perhaps – or even right on our doorsteps.

08/21/2025

🚨 Mental Money Mistake #3: Following the Crowd 🚨

We’ve all seen it… A stock gets hyped, everyone piles in, and you start thinking, “I don’t want to miss out!” So you buy. Then the hype fades, prices crash, and suddenly you’ve lost money.

That’s herd mentality at work. Even smart people get caught in it.

👉 How to beat it?

If it feels “too good to be true,” it usually is.

Give yourself time before jumping in.

Follow YOUR rules, not the crowd’s.

Get a second opinion before big decisions.

It’s easy to follow the herd. It’s smarter to think for yourself.

Next week → Pride Goeth Before the Fall. Stay tuned!

08/14/2025

🚨 Mental Money Mistake #2: Irrational Accounting 🚨
When you get unexpected money—bonus, refund, gift—do you:
A) Spend it right away 🛍️
B) Save or invest it 📈

Your answer says a lot about your money mindset. Treating “found money” like extra spending cash can keep you from getting ahead financially. Treating it like part of your plan can change your future.

So… what’s the smartest thing you’ve ever done with unexpected money? 💬

08/11/2025

“Why can’t I ever seem to get ahead financially?”

That’s what “Sam” asked me a few years ago.
He had a good job, paid his bills on time, and didn’t waste money — yet still felt stuck.

It turns out the problem wasn’t spending too much… it was forgetting to plan for life’s curveballs.

In my latest article, I share the 5 most common “mental money mistakes” that keep even smart, responsible people from getting ahead — and how to avoid them.

[Comment below and I will be happy to send you the information]

If you’ve had a surprise expense throw off your plans, share your story below.

08/05/2025

This infographic is the latest installment of our A Quick Primer On… series. This infographic is about understanding the basics of Medicare, including how the various parts work, as well as what Medicare does and does not cover.

07/11/2025

🏁 What's Around the Bend: Social Security Taxes
🗻 What's Over the Next Hill: When to Apply for Social Security
🌅 What's On the Horizon: What Does the Future Hold for Social Security?

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What's On Our Minds This Month 😊

This issue of The Road to Retirement is devoted to one thing: Social Security.
Social Security is one of the most important sources of income during retirement, but it’s also one of the most complex. There are pitfalls to avoid and opportunities to seize, which aren’t always common knowledge.


In this issue, we will look at three aspects of Social Security that all pre-retirees should know about. We’ll also address some recent headlines about Social Security that you may have seen.

Have a great month!



What's Around The Bend 🏁
Social Security Taxes

It often comes as a surprise to many retirees, but a portion of your Social Security benefits may be subject to taxes depending on your overall income in retirement.
Because those taxes can eat into the income you expect to draw from in retirement, it’s very important to factor taxes into your planning. To help, here are some answers to some common questions we often get about Social Security taxes:

Q: Which benefits actually get taxed?
Monthly retirement benefits, survivor benefits, and disability insurance benefits are all typically taxable — again, depending on a person’s income, which we’ll get to in a minute. However, Supplemental Security Income, which is a separate program run by the Social Security Administration (SSA), are not taxable.

Q: How much will my benefits be taxed?
Typically, if half of your annual benefits combined with your other income exceeds $25,000 per year (if you are a single filer) or $32,000 (if you are part of a married couple filing jointly), then 50% of your benefits will be taxable.[1]

If your combined income exceeds $34,000 (single) or $44,000 (married filing jointly), then up to 85% of your benefits may be subject to tax.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Earlier this month, Congress passed a new bill that provides a temporary tax deduction of up to $6,000 for those aged 65 and older with an adjusted gross income of $75,000 or less (single) or $150,000 or less (married filing jointly). The deduction phases out for incomes above these limits, ending at $175,000 for individuals and $250,000 for married couples.

It's important to note that this does not eliminate taxes on Social Security benefits, as some communications have claimed. However, it can reduce the amount of Social Security income that is subject to the tax, so some individuals may find that they do not need to pay any taxes on their benefits at all.
This deduction lasts only until 2028. If you have any questions about it, or about Social Security taxes in general, please let me know.

Q: How do Social Security taxes actually get paid?
If your benefits are considered taxable, you can choose to pay those taxes all at once when you file your annual return, or by withholding taxes on your monthly payments. (In essence, receiving a smaller check each month because some of your payment is going to taxes.) If you choose the latter option, you must submit a request to the SSA, where you can choose to withhold 7%, 10%, 12%, or 22% of your monthly payment.[2]

Q: Do states tax Social Security benefits, too?
It depends. Most states do not tax Social Security benefits, but the following states do:[3]
• Colorado
• Connecticut
• Minnesota
• Montana
• New Mexico
• Rhode Island
• Utah
• Vermont
• West Virginia
Quotes We've Been Thinking About
“You have the power over your mind — not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.”
—Marcus Aurelius

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[1] “IRS reminds taxpayers their Social Security benefits may be taxable,” Internal Revenue Service, https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-reminds-taxpayers-their-social-security-benefits-may-be-taxable
[2] “Request to withhold taxes,” Social Security Administration, https://www.ssa.gov/manage-benefits/request-withhold-taxes
[3] “States That Tax Social Security Benefits in 2025,” Kiplinger, https://www.kiplinger.com/retirement/social-security/603803/states-that-tax-social-security-benefits



What's Over The Next Hill 🗻
When to Apply for Benefits

Many retirees often want to know, “When is the best time for me to file for my benefits?”

There are two different ways to answer this question: By explaining what year you should file, and when in the year you should file.

Let’s start with “what year.” The answer is: Whenever you need to, but the longer the wait, the better.

Too many people rush to collect their benefits as soon as they retire. This is sometimes a mistake, especially if you retire early. Technically, you can begin receiving benefits as early as age 62, but if you do, your benefits will be reduced significantly. For example, people born between 1943-1954 would see their payouts permanently reduced by 25%.[4]

Waiting until your “full retirement age” might be a better option—it means you won’t face any reduction. What is your “full retirement age?” It’s the age at which a person may first become entitled to “full” or “unreduced” retirement benefits.[2] This chart gives you the specifics:

Year of Birth Full Retirement Age
1943-1954 66
1955 66 and 2 months
1956 66 and 4 months
1957 66 and 6 months
1958 66 and 8 months
1959 66 and 10 months
1960 and later 67 years of age

The latest you can begin collecting benefits is at age 70, and there’s good reason to hold off until then if you can afford it. Benefit payments go up 8% for every year you wait after you reach your full retirement age up to age 70. [5] In other words, the longer you can keep your hand out of the cookie jar, the more sweets you’ll eventually receive.

Now, in terms of when in the year you should file. This one is much simpler. The answer: Three months before you plan to start receiving your benefits. This ensures you don’t procrastinate while also giving the SSA time to process your application in a timely manner. This way, you should begin receiving your benefits on time and in the correct amount.

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[4] “Starting Your Retirement Benefits Early,” Social Security Administration
[5] “Delayed Retirement Credits,” Social Security Administration

Fun Financial Fact 🔮
Summer is a time for vacations! But did you know that vacations aren’t just good for your mental health, but can actually help you live longer? It’s true! Research has found that taking a vacation can help reduce your risk of death by 20% and heart disease by 30%.

If that’s not an excuse to get out and enjoy some fun in the sun, then I don’t know what is!

SOURCE: Biopsychosocial Science and Medicine



What's On The Horizon 🌅
The Future of Social Security

In recent months, you may have seen some unsettling headlines about the future of Social Security. That’s largely due to the latest annual Social Security and Medicare Trustees report, which gives projections on the finances of these programs and how well-funded they will be in the future.

Among other things, the report revealed that the trust funds that partially pay for Social Security will be depleted by 2034. That’s one year earlier than most experts predicted. When that happens — assuming nothing else changes in the meantime — the SSA will be forced to cut monthly benefits by an average of 23% in order to ensure everyone still receives payments.[6]
It's a startling report, and an equally startling number. Both have many pre-retirees wondering what their benefits will actually look like, and whether they’ll be able to retire when they want. Or if they’ll be able to live the retirement lifestyle they want. Or if there will even be Social Security at all in the future!

As a financial advisor, my job, as you know, is to help people plan and work towards the future they want. So, I am currently reassuring everyone who works with me that, while this news certainly adds an extra wrinkle to our planning, it does not derail it!
There are two reasons for this. The first is because the numbers in that report assumes that nothing will change between now and 2034 — and that’s unlikely to be the case.

It’s important to understand that the recent news about Social Security refers specifically to its trust funds – two financial accounts that help pay for the cost of benefits. But the majority of funding for Social Security actually comes from payroll taxes — and as those aren’t going away any time soon, Social Security as a program will not be going away, either.

Furthermore, there are a number of actions that Congress can take in the coming years to help shore up funding for Social Security. The most direct route would be a permanent increase to payroll taxes, but a more varied approach is probably more likely. Here are just a few steps Congress will likely look at:
• Raising the Full Retirement age from 67 to either 68 or 69.
• Subject all wages to the payroll tax rather than raise the tax itself. (Currently, only wages up to $168,600 are subject to the tax.)
• Reduce the growth of benefits for the very top earners.
• Change how cost-of-living adjustments are indexed to inflation.
This is just a glimpse into the various possibilities. The point is that Congress has many potential tools at its disposal to ensure that retirees continue to receiving the benefits they expect — and deserve — from their decades of hard work.

The other reason this doesn’t derail our planning? Because we have lots of time to adjust! You see, while Social Security is important, it’s just one arrow in the income quiver. My team and I have the ability to help you calculate exactly how much you need to achieve the things you want, and where that income can and should come from. That means we remain very confident in our ability to continue helping you work toward your goals and achieve the dreams that are most important to you.

I expect we’ll provide more information on this topic over the coming years, but in the meantime, my advice is this: While the future of Social Security may be determined in Washington, your future stems from something much more powerful: The dreams you dream, and the plans we make.

I am very excited about what the future holds!

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[6] “A Summary of the 2025 Annual Reports,” Social Security Administration, https://www.ssa.gov/oact/trsum/
The information provided should not be relied upon in isolation for the purpose of making an investment decision. You must also consider the objectives, risks, charges, and expenses associated with an investment service, product or strategy prior to making an investment decision. Prior to making any investment or financial decision, an investor should seek advice from a financial, legal, tax and other professional that consider all of the particular facts and circumstances of an investor’s situation. The opinions expressed and material provided are for information purposes only and is not an offer, recommendation, or solicitation of any product, strategy or transaction. Any views, strategies or products discussed may not be appropriate or suitable for all individuals and are subject to risks. Investment and insurance products offered are not insured by the FDIC or any other federal government agency, are not deposits or other obligations of, or guaranteed by, a bank or any bank affiliate, and are subject to investment risks, including possible loss of the principal amount invested.
Clayton K. Shum provides these recommendations as part of his financial planning services. Please be aware that using his services may result in fees or other compensation.

Brokerage and investment advisory services are offered through Aegis Capital Corporation, a member of FINRA and SIPC. Please use this link to view Aegis Capital Corp Risk Disclosures and Form CRS (Customer Relationship Summary).

07/06/2025

Whenever you turn to someone for help, in any endeavor, it can sometimes be difficult to see what your part is now. When it comes to your strategies for your financial future, you definitely want to lean on experts to help guide you. But what is your part in all that planning? This is what my new series of videos will address. Today, we will start with trusts.

www.claytonshum.com

https://youtu.be/ypidGssZu4A