FINANCIAL FOCUS
November 2016 Newsletter

FOUR COMMON QUESTIONS ABOUT SOCIAL SECURITY ¹

As you near retirement, it's likely you'll have many questions about Social Security. Here are a few of the most common questions and answers about Social Security benefits.

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FIVE YEAR-END TAX TIPS FOR 2016 ²

Effective planning requires that you have a good understanding of your current tax situation, as well as a reasonable estimate of how your circumstances might change next year.

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HOW EARNINGS AFFECT SOCIAL SECURITY ³

If you begin to receive Social Security retirement (or survivor's) benefits before you reach full retirement age, money you earn over a certain limit will reduce the amount of your Social Security benefit. In 2016, your benefit will be reduced by $1 for every $2 of earnings in excess of $15,720*

The chart below shows the effect of annual earnings of $10,000, $20,000, and $30,000 on a $12,000 annual Social Security benefit ($1,000 monthly) for someone who hasn't yet reached full retirement age.

Source: Social Security Administration, 2015

*Special rules apply in both the year you reach full retirement age and the year you retire if you have not reached full retirement age. If you are interested in learning when is the best time to apply for Social Security Retirement Benefits please call us at (800) 334-0734 to set up a complimentary appointment to review your situation.

^{History of
Thanksgiving 4}

In 1621, the Plymouth colonists and Wampanoag Indians shared an autumn harvest feast that is acknowledged today as one of the first Thanksgiving celebrations in the colonies. For more than two centuries, days of thanksgiving were celebrated by individual colonies and states. It wasn’t until 1863, in the midst of the Civil War, that President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a national Thanksgiving Day to be held each November.

We are wishing you all a very happy and blessed Thanksgiving Day!

Nutella Cheesecake
Pumpkin Bread ⁵

INGREDIENTS:

PUMPKIN BATTER:
2 large eggs
3/4 cup granulated white sugar
1/2 cup canola or vegetable oil
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
2 1/2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice (see notes below if you don't have it)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup unsweetened pumpkin puree
1/3 cup water

DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 5x9-inch loaf pan with nonstick spray.
2. Make the pumpkin batter: In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, sugar and oil. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, spices and salt. Add the dry ingredients to the wet. Whisk together. Then whisk in the pumpkin and water.
3. Make the filling: In a medium bowl, use an electric mixer to combine the egg and cream cheese. Mix in the flour. Then mix in the Nutella.
4. Pour half of the pumpkin batter into the pan. Spoon most of the filling onto the pumpkin batter. Pour the rest of the pumpkin batter on top. Spoon the rest of the filling on the very top. Use a knife to swirl everything together.
5. Bake 60 to 75 minutes, or until a knife inserted into the middle of the loaf comes out clean. Cover the loaf with foil if it appears to be browning too quickly.
**If you do not have pumpkin pie spice, you can use 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg, 1/2 teaspoon cloves and 1/2 teaspoon allspice.

^{1 2 3}Broadridge Investor Communication Solutions, Inc. Copyright 2016.
⁴ http://www.recipeboy.com/2014/09/nutella-cheesecake-pumpkin-bread/
⁵ http://www.history.com/topics/thanksgiving/history-of-thanksgivingFinancial Guideposts is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Social Security Administration or any government agency.

Investment advisory services offered through JAWCLU, LLC dba Financial Guideposts a Registered Investment Advisor in the state of Georgia. Insurance products and services are offered by John A. White, sole proprietor, Financial Guideposts and John A. White are affiliated entities.Financial Guideposts and its associates do not offer tax and/or legal advice.

This newsletter has information believed to be reliable, but is not guaranteed to be true and accurate. The information contained within is for general information only and should not be considered a recommendation of any particular product or service.