Patten Financial Group

05/28/2026

Two retirees. Same savings. Same retirement year.

One ran out of money at 79.
One never touched principal and still had a growing balance at 88.

The difference wasn’t luck. It wasn’t even returns.

It was structure.

One had an income floor. The other didn’t.

If you’re within 10 years of retirement, this week’s article is worth five minutes of your time. Link below.

https://www.pattenfinancial.com/pfg-blog/retirement-income-floor-fixed-solutions

05/25/2026

To the fallen heroes who gave their lives in service to this country — and to the families of Northwest Indiana and Chicagoland who carry that loss — we honor you today.

Freedom is the foundation everything else is built on. We don’t take that lightly.

From our family at Patten Financial Group, thank you. 🇺🇸

05/22/2026

The 4% Rule: A simple retirement guideline that says you can withdraw 4% of your portfolio in year one, adjust for inflation each year after, and historically not outlive your money over 30 years.

It’s a great starting point — but every retirement is different and your plan should be tailored to your personal financial situation — NOT a general assumption!

Want a personalized income strategy? Let’s talk. 📞

05/21/2026

Most people don’t think about RMDs until they have to take one.

By then, the best planning opportunities are gone.

Required Minimum Distributions begin at age 73 — and they’re taxable income. For many retirees, they’re the single biggest surprise in retirement.

What most people don’t realize:
→ RMDs can bump you into a higher tax bracket
→ Higher income in retirement can trigger Medicare IRMAA surcharges
→ More of your Social Security may become taxable
→ Miss your RMD deadline and the IRS keeps 25%

The window to plan is before 73 — not after.

We work with pre-retirees across Northwest Indiana and the Greater Chicagoland area to build tax-efficient retirement income strategies that account for RMDs from day one.

Read this week’s article to learn how RMDs are calculated, which accounts are affected, and the strategies that can reduce their tax impact.

🔗https://www.pattenfinancial.com/pfg-blog/required-minimum-distributions-what-you-need-to-know-before-age-73

📩 Ready to review your situation? A complimentary retirement income review is just one message away.

If you’ve spent decades diligently saving in a traditional IRA or 401(k), you may be surprised to learn the IRS eventually requires you to start taking money out — whether you need it or not. These mandatory withdrawals are called Required Minimum Distributions, or RMDs, and for most people, the...

05/15/2026

Did you know that certain inherited assets may get a tax reset?

The step-up in basis eliminates capital gains tax on a lifetime of growth — one of the most powerful (and overlooked) benefits in estate planning.

Want to know how this applies to your plan? Let’s talk. 📞

05/14/2026

Quick question: when did you last review your beneficiary designations?

If the answer is “I’m not sure” — you’re not alone. It’s one of the most common estate planning gaps we see with pre-retirees, and it’s one of the easiest to fix.

We just published a checklist walking through 9 estate planning essentials for pre-retirees here in Northwest Indiana — from wills and trusts to long-term care planning and retirement account strategy.

Read it at the link below. And if you’d like a complimentary review of your own plan, reach out anytime.

You’ve spent decades building your wealth. Now, as retirement approaches, one of the most important — and most often overlooked — steps you can take is making sure that wealth goes where you intend it to go.

05/12/2026

🚀 Weekly Market Insights – May 11th, 2026 🚀

📊 Fresh trends, market moves, and clear-eyed analysis delivered straight to you.

💡 Stay sharp. Stay strategic. Stay ahead of the market. 💡

05/09/2026

Your Social Security benefits aren’t one‑size‑fits‑all. The right timing can boost your monthly income.

05/07/2026

Medicare has more enrollment traps than most people realize — and some mistakes follow you for life.

Here are 5 mistakes Northwest Indiana residents may make with Medicare:
❌ Missing the enrollment window → permanent monthly penalty
❌ Assuming COBRA counts as creditable coverage → it doesn’t
❌ Skipping the Medigap open enrollment window → medical underwriting later
❌ Skipping Part D because “I don’t take medications” → penalty compounds every year you wait
❌ Ignoring IRMAA → a surprise surcharge on your premiums based on income from 2 years ago

Every one of these can be managed effectively — with the right planning before age 65.

We just published this week’s full guide — “The 5 Medicare Mistakes Valparaiso Residents May Make (And How to Avoid Them)” — https://www.pattenfinancial.com/pfg-blog/medicare-mistakes-valparaiso-indiana

Want to make sure your Medicare plan fits your overall retirement income strategy? DM us or schedule a complimentary retirement income review through our website.

Medicare is one of the most important financial decisions you will make as you approach retirement — and one of the most complex.

05/05/2026

🚀 Weekly Market Insights – May 4th, 2026 🚀

📊 Fresh trends, market moves, and clear-eyed analysis delivered straight to you.

💡 Stay sharp. Stay strategic. Stay ahead of the market. 💡

05/04/2026

💰 Planning for retirement? Fidelity’s study shows the average 65-year-old couple will need about $315,000 (and rising) for out-of-pocket healthcare costs alone.

That’s Medicare premiums, deductibles, copays — and it doesn’t even include long-term care.

Don’t let this blindside you. Time to factor healthcare into your retirement number.
Have you started planning for this yet? 👇