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November/December 2024 Newsletter

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NEWSLETTERN O V E M B E R + D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 4

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0307040805100611TABLE OF CONTENTSUpcoming Fall EventsChristmas Video Sneak PeekHarvest of ThanksTax-Efficient Retirement PlanningClient AppreciationFear has no place hereFrom the Desk of BeezerContact Us + Helpful ResourcesFind out what exciting events are taking place atFullerton this Fall season.Get the insider information on our upcoming ChristmasVideo on December 1st.Join us for our 9th Annual Harvest of Thanks event!Our latest blog will be your guide in how to be tax-efficient in your retrement planning.We love our clients, hear about our most recent ClientAppreciation Event hosted at the Fullerton home.At Fullerton Financial Planning, we believe that fear hasno place in your retirement. Watch our new video.Beezer, our office pup, is here to fill you in on somenews and information happenieng at the company.We are here to support you. Find ways to contact us,and the helpful resources we offer.

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UPCOMING EVENTSFIND OUT WHAT'S GOING ON AT FULLERTONNovemberNovemberNovemberDecember6th10 AM8th11 AM-1PM23rd10 AM-1PM11th10 AMCOFFEE TALK: MAXIMIZING CHARITABLECONTRIBUTIONS 9TH ANNUAL HARVEST OF THANKS COFFEE TALK: ORNAMENT MAKINGWe'll explore how to make donations go further, integrate givinginto legacy planning, and choose high-impact causes that alignwith personal and financial goals.Join us for our client appreciation event designed to celebrate,YOU, our clients, strengthen relationships, and give back to thecommunity through our toy and bike drive. Come join in our fun holiday celebrations. Attendees will have theopportunity to make ornaments and share cookies, all whileenjoying a warm, inviting atmosphere that encourages relationshipbuilding and community spirit.VETERANS DAY BBQJoin us for a special gathering designed to honor and celebrateour veterans. Come enjoy delicious food, engage in meaningfulconversations, and participate in activities that highlight thecontributions of veterans in our community.For Questions or to Register email:clientevents@fullertonfp.comYour Voice Matters! As we gear up for our exciting 2025 events, we value your input.Share your interests and let us know which events you'd love to see in our lineup. It'llonly take 5 minutes to complete this survey – your feedback is invaluable to us! Scanthe code to take the survey!We Want Your Opinion - What Do YOU Want?

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Our favorite day of the year!Join Us!To RSVP, buy a shirt, or find outmore information about donating,visit www.fullertonfp.com/harvest-of-thanks-2024or scan the QR Code.We are hosting our 9th annual client event. Enjoy the soundsand tastes of the season with some live music, small bitesfrom food trucks and a Kid's Zone for your grandkids, allwhile helping underserved school children and an amazingcause.We once again have an incredible opportunity to bless achild in need and we invite you to help us by bringing a new,unwrapped toy or bike with you. *Monetary donations willalso be accepted through Fullerton Foundation.November 23 · 10AM-1PMFFP Peoria 14155 N. 83rd Ave. · Peoria, AZ 85381Buy a Shirt3All proceeds will bedonated to theFullerton Foundation.These funds will beinstrumental in drivinglong-lasting positivechange within our localcommunity.RSVP1We would LOVE to seeyou there!Donate2Toy & Bike Drive Goal:$10,000; 100 Bikes;1,000 Toys3 Ways tobe Involved:HARVEST OF THANKS9TH ANNUAL TOY & BIKE DRIVE

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Hosted at Steve and Stephanie’shome, the evening was filled withfun conversation, endless laughsand the perfect environment tousher in a season full ofgratefulness. It was a specialopportunity to express ourgratitude to those whohave supported FullertonFinancial Planning and tobuild lasting relationshipswith some of those apart ofthe Fullerton Family. Theevening left us excited forthe future, and we thankeveryone for making itsuch a memorable event!CLIENT APPRECIATIONEVENT RECAPOn October 16th we brought together a wonderful group of clients andfriends for an evening of appreciation and connection.

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First, I want to bark about our dinner on at Steve and Stephanie’s beautiful home. It was such acozy, intimate gathering, filled with laughter, great conversations, and delicious food. I wasn’t thereto sneak any scraps, but from what I heard, it was a perfect way to show our gratitude to all thewonderful clients and new friends who’ve joined us. Events like these really highlight howimportant it is to foster strong relationships – and trust me, as the office dog, I know a thing or twoabout loyalty!As we step into this season of thankfulness, I want to remind everyone that it’s also a season forgiving back. We’ve got some great community-focused events coming up, like our Harvest ofThanks block party on November 23, where we’ll be collecting toys and bikes for kids in need. It’sa pawsome way to spread some holiday cheer and make a real difference in our community. Plus,I hear there will be live music and food trucks, so be sure to mark your calendars for November23rd!Oh, and one more thing before I let you go – don’t forget that Medicare Enrollment season is here.It’s an important time to make sure you’ve got the right healthcare coverage in place, especially aswe dive into the holiday season and beyond. If you have any questions, our team is here to helpyou navigate all the details.Until next time, stay pawsitive, and I’ll be here with a wagging tail, ready to greet you at our nextevent! Wishing you all a warm and joy filled holiday season! Tail wags and woofs, Beezer the Office Dog October has been a whirlwind of activity here at FullertonFinancial Planning, and I’ve been keeping my paws busygreeting clients and wagging my tail at all the wonderfulevents we’ve had.IT’S YOUR FAVORITE OFFICE PUP,BEEZER, COMING TO YOU WITH SOMEEXCITING UPDATES! WOOF!FROM THE DESK OF BEEZERNEWS + IMPORTANT INFORMATION

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CHRISTMAS VIDEOSAVE THE DATE—DECEMBER 1STMARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR DECEMBER 1ST!The release of our annual office Christmas videoWe’re excited to announce the release of our annual FFP Office Christmas Video,filled with holiday cheer, laughter, and some festive surprises from our team. Youwon’t want to miss this fun tradition that brings a little holiday magic right to yourinbox.Make sure your email address is up to date and you’re subscribed to our mailing listso you can be among the first to watch! If you're not receiving our emails, check yourspam folder or reach out to us to get it fixed. If you are not, make sure to letalexj@fullertonfp.com know!

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Determining a baseline for retirement savings in the United States is difficult due in large part to the nation’s diversity. Ahost of variables, from age and lifestyle to cost of living and income, can influence what constitutes adequate savings.The median retirement savings for all Americans was $86,900 according to the Federal Reserve’s 2022 Survey ofConsumer Finances. The average balances of retirement savings varied significantly across different age groups, withthose under 35 having an average balance of only $49,130 and those 75 and older having an average balance of$462,410. Retirement savings balances don’t dictate annual tax burden; that is determined by taxable income, which may come froma variety of different sources. Social Security benefits, traditional IRA and 401(k) withdrawals, pension income, capital gainsand dividends from investments and other income streams are all taxable, even in retirement.There is always uncertainty in retirement, even for investors with several hundred thousand dollars saved. HealthyAmericans in their 70s could live for two or even three more decades. What might have seemed like a lot of money at theoutset of retirement could prove inadequate.Strategies that minimize a retiree’s tax burden can be valuable in the long run and may help savers keep more of theirsavings intact.w w w . f u l l e r t o n f p . c o mF u l l e r t o n F i n a n c i a l P l a n n i n gTAX-EFFICIENTRETIREMENTPLANNINGNEW BLOGHOW INCOME AFFECTS A RETIREE’S TAX BURDENRetirement savings tax strategies can be heavily influenced by a person’s income during their career and thesources of their income in retirement. A tax-efficient strategy for someone making less than the Roth IRA income limitthroughout their working years and a tax-efficient approach for an above-average earner may look very different.For higher-income savers, maximizing traditional 401(k) or IRA contributions can be beneficial, even thoughwithdrawals from the account in retirement will be taxed as normal income.

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EVERY RETIREE’S SITUATION IS DIFFERENTThere are many potential tax strategies workers saving for retirement and current retirees may utilize. Thestrategies that provide the greatest long-term tax advantages depend highly on each person’s orhousehold’s unique situation. If you are interested in receiving personalized analysis from local Phoenixretirement planning professionals, speak with one of our planners today by calling (623) 974-0300.Some workers might also want to look into establishing a backdoor IRA, which entails creating a traditional IRA withafter-tax dollars then converting it to a Roth IRA. Although there can be significant tax advantages in a backdoor IRA,retirement savers should be cautious. Any gains in the traditional IRA are taxable in the year of the transfer ortransition to a Roth IRA. Workers who do qualify for a Roth IRA or Roth 401(k) may want to consider using a Roth IRA from the start, or for aslong as they can prior to reaching the AGI limit. Savers early in their work life who believe they will earn a higherincome once they retire could experience greater tax savings by taking advantage of tax-free Roth IRA or Roth 401(k)withdrawals in the future.Higher-income workers who don’t qualify for Roth retirement savings accounts can still strategically invest in assetsthat generate capital gains rather than regular income. The taxes on long-term capital gains and qualified dividendscan be significantly lower than ordinary income tax in retirement.The same is true for lower-income individuals. Many savers may even qualify for the lower long-term capital gainsrate of either zero percent or 15 percent.For individuals who have a lower tax rate in retirement as well as Roth accounts with tax-free growth andwithdrawals, it often makes sense to adopt a staggered withdrawal strategy. This may mean drawing from taxableaccounts first, followed by tax-deferred accounts. This approach allows the investments in Roth accounts to growtax-free for as long as possible.Higher-income individuals often benefit from discussing their required minimum distribution timing with a taxprofessional and retirement investment manager. They may also want to consider utilizing qualified charitablecontributions directly from their IRAs to further reduce taxable income.Retirees with high income from different sources may want to pursue capital gains harvesting during lower-incometax years. This involves selling appreciated assets during years when they’re in a lower tax bracket, which locks inthe taxable capital gains at the lower rate, then repurchasing them.Savers should discuss their options with a tax preparer to find out if they qualify for tax loss harvesting, tax credits ordeductions.LOCATION OF ASSETSTHE BUCKET STRATEGYCAPITAL GAINS HARVESTING

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FEAR HAS NO PLACE HERELIVING THE LIFE YOU’VE ENVISIONEDAs you approach retirement, it's natural for feelings ofuncertainty, anxiety, and even fear to creep in. Afterall, transitioning from decades of working life to anew phase can feel overwhelming. Questions aboutwhether you'll have enough saved, how long yourmoney will last, and how to protect your assets cankeep you up at night.At Fullerton Financial Planning, we understand theseconcerns and are here to help you face them head-on. Our mission is to eliminate the fear that so oftenaccompanies retirement planning. We provide clarity,peace of mind, and confidence as we guide youthrough this important journey. With a personalizedplan that focuses on your unique goals, we’ll helpyou secure a retirement that’s not just financiallystable but truly fulfilling.Whether it's crafting a strategy for long-term income, minimizing taxes, or protecting your wealth from marketvolatility, we’re committed to helping you step into retirement with confidence and excitement, not fear. Ourexperienced team is dedicated to providing the tools and guidance you need to make the retirement of yourdreams a reality.At Fullerton Financial Planning, we believe fear has no place here—only peace, security, and a clear pathforward. Let us help you build the retirement you deserve, so you can focus on living the life you’ve alwaysenvisioned.“We believe fear has no place here—onlypeace, security, and a clear path forward.”View our newcommercial here

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LOOK AT OUR FREE RISKANALYSIS TOOLHELPFUL RESOURCESHERE TO HELP YOUPORTFOLIO RISK ANALYSISFIND YOUR RISK SCOREWhitepapers Find helpfulinvestment, retirement,and financial planningdocuments made to helpyou succeed.Read the latest financialnews and updates fromthe Fullerton Financialteam. Blogs are updatedon a biweekly basis.Join us for one of ourwebinars or seminars. We'llbe discussing importantmarket trends andretirement action-steps. Does your portfolio have toomuch risk? Or not enough?Knowing your risk score can helpyou make appropriateinvestment choices.Find out your risk score with ourRiskalyze tool!We believe that one of the most valuable things in the world is our ability to grow and learn.Knowledge is one thing that no one can take away from you, so as you continue to navigatethe unknowns of retirement, spend some time educating yourself on topics that can provideyou clarity.WHITEPAPERS BLOGS MEDIAScan the QR Code togo directly to theresource library onour site.

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CONTACT USWE’D LOVE TO CONNECT WITH YOULET'S GET SOCIAL!F A C E B O O Kfacebook.com/fullertonfinancialplanningT W I T T E Rtwitter.com/fullertonfpI N S T A G R A Minstagram.com/fullertonfinancialplanningY O U T U B Eyoutube.comSearch: Fullerton Financial PlanningL I N K E D I Nlinkedin.com/company/fullerton-financial-planning14155 N. 83rd Ave.Suite 144Peoria, AZ 85381(623) 974-0300Peoria TempeScottsdale600 E. Rio Salado Pkwy.Suite 102Tempe, AZ 85281(480) 912-450018655 North Claret DriveSuite 105Scottsdale, AZ 85255(480) 912-4500Fax: (623) 974-0330 · Email: Info@fullertonfp.com Fullerton Financial Planning is an investment adviser registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940. Registration as an investment adviser does not imply any level of skillor training. For more information please visit: https://adviserinfo.sec.gov. This presentation has been provided for informational purposes only and is not intended as legal orinvestment advice or a recommendation of any particular security or strategy. The investment strategy and themes discussed may be suitable for everyone, it depends on eachperson’s specific investment objectives and financial situation. Information obtained from third-party sources is believed to be reliable though its accuracy is not guaranteed.Opinions expressed in this commentary may reflect subjective judgments of the author based on conditions at the time of publication and are subject to change without notice.Past performance is not indicative of future results.