A professional man in a blue shirt and tie smiles, holding papers, as he discusses with two seniors in an office. The mood is friendly and collaborative.

When most people imagine retirement, they picture a well-stocked investment portfolio, a steady Social Security check, and maybe some part-time income from passion projects. What’s often missing from the conversation? Home equity: the single largest asset for many retirees. Chris Kawashima, CFP®, a seasoned financial planner and equity compensation specialist at Charles Schwab, challenges the traditional…

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When it comes to discussing retirement plans, the question of affordability is often the question no one can answer. Whether a client is considering aging in place with in-home support or making the move to an assisted or independent living community, the financial puzzle can feel overwhelming. That’s why we created “Whisper“: a digital retirement calculator designed to simplify these…

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Elderly couple sitting together discussing charts on a table. The man points at a colorful graph, conveying collaboration. Bookshelves in the background.

The Freestone Family of Companies, a leader in mortgage lending, senior placement services, and aging-in-place solutions, is proud to announce the launch of “Whisper”, a groundbreaking digital tool designed to help older adults explore and compare retirement living options: quietly, safely, and without obligation. Whisper is an intuitive online calculator that allows users to privately…

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Close-up of hands pointing with a pen at graphs and charts on a table, suggesting a business meeting or discussion. The tone is collaborative and analytical.

When clients step into retirement, the greatest threat to their portfolio isn’t necessarily the stock market: it’s the order in which returns arrive. That’s the core concern behind sequence of returns risk, and it’s precisely what the Coordinated Withdrawal Strategy is designed to mitigate. Combining investment withdrawals with a reverse mortgage line of credit can reduce pressure on…

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A young professional woman discusses documents with an older couple in a bright office. The mood is collaborative and focused.

As a financial advisor, your role is to protect more than just portfolio performance: you’re safeguarding your clients’ peace of mind and long-term independence. But even the best-laid retirement plans can unravel without a proactive strategy to address today’s most overlooked threats to retirement security. Here are the six biggest threats to retirement security that every advisor…

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an older man with white hair and glasses sitting on a light grey couch reading a newspaper

With recent policy changes under the Trump administration, many retirees are wondering how the so-called “Big Beautiful Bill” may affect their finances, specifically their Social Security income. The bill does include a senior tax deduction that reduces or eliminates federal income tax on Social Security benefits for millions of older Americans. While this change offers…

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Elderly woman with white hair and a denim shirt smiling warmly while holding a coffee cup at a cozy cafe table, conveying a sense of contentment.

For many retirees exploring reverse mortgages, one of the most misunderstood—but most protective—features is the non-recourse clause. Reverse mortgages are often not thought of as a loan with protections in place or something that can benefit your heirs after you pass away, but that is a huge misconception that could end up costing your heirs…

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1. Reduce Tax Burden on Retirement Income Reverse mortgage funds are not considered taxable income. That makes them a smarter way to: Delay taxable IRA/401(k) withdrawals Lower Social Security taxation Avoid IRMAA surcharges on Medicare This coordination can improve after-tax income and extend portfolio longevity. 2. Silver Divorce Planning Reverse mortgages can provide financial stability…

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AI Tools That Support Aging In Place

At Freestone Mortgage, we believe aging in place should be a safe, empowering, affordable, and realistic option for more families. With rapid advancements in technology, AI tools that support aging in place are making it easier than ever for seniors to live independently at home while staying connected, informed, and secure. These innovative solutions are…

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In the digital age, it’s natural to turn to online tools for quick answers. But when it comes to planning something as significant as your retirement finances, not all tools are created equal. One example? An online reverse mortgage calculator. While it may seem reasonable to seek out the quick response of an online reverse…

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