In today’s world of finance, simply providing the benefit of retirement savings for employees is no longer enough.

Memorial Day: honoring the ultimate legacy

With Memorial Day approaching, our team has been thinking about, and discussing what each of our legacies will be. Specifically, we’ve been figuring out what it would take to put the finances in place to create a legacy that our family, friends and – if possible, our community – will benefit from. We’ve also been looking at what could derail our plans.

Spring Cleaning on your 401(k)

This time of year can be exciting and filled with new opportunities. This year, in between doing your Spring chores and your taxes, be sure to take time to sit down and evaluate your plans for retirement. When looking at your balance within your 401(k) it is common for people to think, “Wow, I could do a lot with that money now.” Maybe for you it is the thought of a nice vacation, a new car, upgrades on your house, or this seasons newest “must have” toys.  

2017 IRS Limits for Popular Pharmacy Retirement Plans

Now that we are well into the start of a new year, it is always nice to take a moment to review government regulation changes.  The most popular retirement plans for independent pharmacies across the nation are 401(k)’s and various IRA’s, and the following are the updated limits that one can contribute and defer into these plans for the 2017 calendar year.

We are all unique, not just in the obvious ways but also in our personal goals and the goals we set for the businesses we own. For example, as an independent pharmacy owner, your goals are different than those of a restaurant owner. Here are some of the most common goals the pharmacy owners we work with tell us they want to be sure to achieve:

As I began searching for “what I wanted to do when I grew up”, I struggled to pinpoint a field I could really feel excited about. During college at East Tennessee State University, I ended up finishing with a BS in Business Administration. Like most new college grads, I wanted to find a career where I could make a difference in the world, but I also needed an income, so I started in banking. I moved to commercial sales and then to retail management where I gained an appreciation and a lot of respect for small business owners. Although these positions were critical in my career path, I did not feel particularly passionate about any of them.

Pharmacies today have found themselves caught in the middle of a vicious ongoing cycle of rising expenses upfront and delayed revenue.  This cycle is wreaking havoc on cash flow for the average independent community pharmacy. Obviously, cash flow is extremely important in any business. With shrinking margins and decreasing reimbursements, the independent pharmacy industry is no different.  As cash flow suffers, pharmacy owners are forced to focus on the short-term.  Saving money for retirement typically takes a back seat.

Although different for everyone, some moments and decisions can alter your life path forever. In pharmacy, one might consider obtaining a degree, getting a new job, quitting a job, deciding to become an owner, and retirement to be turning points. Some events are random and cannot be controlled; others are more calculated and planned.

Not happy with the performance of your current 401(k)? Is it the investment choices? Is it the economy? Is it the plan design? Is it the advisor? Is it due to fees?

I have a friend, Roy, who owns a business consulting firm out of South Carolina. He had a very successful career as a CPA, and found his passion in retirement when he began consulting small business owners. Starting with a few clients, it snowballed into a booming business. Now in his early 70’s, many refer to him as Coach Roy. Roy often takes the time to discuss points of business, leadership, networking, and professional development with me. Being an author with the gift of gab, Roy tends to have a knack for turning a phrase. About three years ago, he gave me a coaster like cardboard disk quoting one of his infamous phrases. I keep it on my desk. The words circle the outside of where a drink would sit and state in bold red letters, “Round Tuit”. I must admit, when Roy gave me this, I did not understand what it meant. Was this some sort of business Latin term they did not teach me in college? Was it something from his time in the military, and I should show the utmost respect for it and what it stands for? I politely smiled and thanked him for the gift. Luckily, he began to explain.