Post Draft – “Staying Steady Through Market Volatility”
Worried about how economic shifts could affect your retirement plan?
Like death and taxes, market ups and downs are inevitable. The best way to prepare is to expect volatility and have a plan in place. Downturns, while unsettling, are a natural part of a long-term investing journey.
The key is to stay grounded in your strategy and avoid emotional decisions based on short-term market swings. A resilient plan can help you: • Stay confident and focused on long-term goals • Balance risk and opportunity • Make informed adjustments when needed, not reactive ones
Before making significant changes, consider talking with a financial advisor to gain a professional perspective or a second opinion. Together, you can strengthen your plan to weather volatility and stay on course toward your financial goals.
Learn more about preparing your plan for all market conditions: https://bit.ly/46vkXKq
📧 EckhardtFinancialGroup@thrivent.com 📞 618-345-4900 🌐 https://connect.thrivent.com/eckhardt-financial-group
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Traditional vs. Roth IRA: What’s the Difference?
Both Traditional and Roth IRAs are powerful, tax-advantaged ways to grow your retirement savings outside of an employer plan. However, the differences in the way they’re taxed and accessed can make a big difference in your long-term strategy.
Here’s what to know: • Traditional IRA: Contributions are often tax-deductible, but withdrawals in retirement are taxable. • Roth IRA: The rules are reversed. Contributions are taxable, but withdrawals are tax-free in retirement when rules are followed. • Early withdrawals (before age 59½) may trigger a 10% penalty, though certain exceptions apply. • Roth IRA earnings can grow and be withdrawn tax-free if you meet qualified distribution requirements.
The right choice depends on your income, goals, and future tax outlook.
If you’re unsure which option fits your plan, this article from Thrivent explains the differences and how each can support your retirement goals: https://bit.ly/3KcjPnB
📧 EckhardtFinancialGroup@thrivent.com 📞 618-345-4900 🌐 https://connect.thrivent.com/eckhardt-financial-group
See thrivent.com/social for important disclosure information.
Navigating Open Enrollment: Making Confident Choices for Your Family
Open enrollment season is here! It’s the perfect time to reassess your health insurance and retirement benefits. From choosing the right health plan to taking advantage of HSAs and FSAs, a few thoughtful steps can make a big difference for your family’s financial well-being.
This helpful article from Thrivent outlines five key ways to make the most of open enrollment, including: • Evaluating your health plan options instead of defaulting to last year’s choice • Leveraging tax-advantaged tools like FSAs and HSAs • Reviewing life, disability, and supplemental insurance needs • Checking in on your retirement savings goals
Open enrollment can feel daunting, but you’re not alone! Eckhardt Financial Group is happy to help navigate which choices would help you to align your benefits with your values and priorities.
📧 Email: EckhardtFinancialGroup@thrivent.com 📞 Phone: 618-483-6167 🌐 Website: https://connect.thrivent.com/eckhardt-financial-group
Read the full article from Thrivent here: http://bit.ly/4o0ESIt See thrivent.com/social for important disclosure information.
Learn why Thrivent Chief Financial & Investment Officer David Royal believes more episodic volatility may be on the horizon for the markets in Q4 of 2025: https://bit.ly/4oiDWPy
Just married? Now’s a great time to align on what generosity looks like for your family. Have a conversation with your loved one about how you want to give, serve and support the causes you care about—together.
If you want to discuss how to integrate generosity into your financial plan, let’s schedule time to meet.
See thrivent.com/social for important disclosures.
Important Information about New Apple iOS Update!
With Apple’s new iOS update introducing enhanced Call Screening and Message Filtering features, some calls or texts from unfamiliar numbers may not ring through automatically.
To be sure you don’t miss important updates, appointment reminders, or follow-ups from our team, please take a moment to save our office numbers in your phone’s contacts:
Eckhardt Financial Group
📍 Collinsville Office: 618-345-4900
📍 Altamont Office: 618-483-6167
📧 EckhardtFinancialGroup@thrivent.com
🌐 connect.thrivent.com/eckhardt-financial-group
This helps ensure our calls and texts reach you directly without being screened or silenced by your device. Thank you for staying connected with us!
"Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever." - Psalm 118:1
Pros & cons of paying off your mortgage before you retire
If you’re nearing retirement with a mortgage in tow, you’re not alone. But should you pay it off before you retire? While being debt-free can offer a sense of reassurance, in some cases, keeping your mortgage might actually be beneficial. Explore the pros and cons of having a mortgage during retirement.
Life can be unpredictable, but your financial future doesn't have to be. Together, we can prepare for potential changes and help you stay ahead of risks with a flexible financial plan. Let's schedule time to discuss.
See thrivent.com/social for important disclosures.
Happy International Dog Day!
Our team are big animal lovers, and we know many of you are too! Around here, our dogs are family, and for those of us who work from home, they’re also our most loyal (and sometimes distracting!) coworkers.
We’d love to see your four-legged teammates! Share a picture of your dog in the comments below and let’s fill this thread with wagging tails, wet noses, and the best “coworkers” anyone could ask for.
Here’s to the pups who make our days brighter!
On the hunt for a new home? Navigating the housing market can be challenging, but you don't need to do it alone. Let's review your financial goals and priorities and discuss what steps you can take to get where you want to go.
For tips on saving and budgeting for a home: https://bit.ly/4lpwyjX
At Thrivent, our values guide everything we do:
We lead with empathy. We act with commitment. We live with gratitude.
These principles show up in how our team serves every day through meeting clients with dedication, building genuine connections, and giving thoughtful attention to each person’s needs. Tessa here is a rockstar when it comes to serving our clients with a smile every day!
We are grateful for the opportunity to serve our clients and community, and we look forward to continuing to walk alongside you on your financial journey.
Email: EckhardtFinancialGroup@thrivent.com
Phone: 618-483-6167
Website: https://bit.ly/42ju8wI
See thrivent.com/social for important disclosures.
Thrivent is partnering with a company called Empathy to offer a new grief resource. Empathy offers the tools and resources to support families through the difficult experience of losing a loved one.
Empathy can be accessed via app, online and over the phone. Care Managers provide personalized guidance and custom care plans for helping manage both the emotional and practical aspects of loss.
Learn more about this new membership benefit: https://bit.ly/43H43Zn
August 5 is a special day at Eckhardt Financial Group!
On this day in 1987, Financial Associate Dick Eckhardt began serving clients through the Aid Association for Lutherans, the organization that would later become the Thrivent we know today.
In 1996, his son and Wealth Advisor Ryan Eckhardt followed in his footsteps, helping individuals and families steward their resources and find financial clarity. Together, Dick and Ryan laid the foundation for what would eventually become Eckhardt Financial Group. As the team grew, Wealth Advisor Dustin Eckhardt joined them, officially forming the trio that launched EFG. With more clients to serve, they sought out others who shared their commitment to service and excellence.
That journey brought Associate Zach Sampl to the team on August 5, 2019. Since then, Zach has built lasting relationships and contributed to the exceptional service our clients experience every day.
Join us in congratulating Dick Eckhardt on 38 years of dedicated service, Ryan Eckhardt with 29 years of continuing the legacy, and Zachary Sampl with 6 years of impactful client care! We are so grateful for their guidance and knowledge that has led to who we are today.
See thrivent.com/social for important disclosures.
We're in the final stretch! Less than one week left to help us reach our $25,000 goal for Collinsville Faith in Action, and we’re counting on YOU to help get us there.
The support so far has been incredible, but we still have ground to cover and not much time left.
Every donation helps, but so does every share, comment, and like. If you believe in supporting seniors in our community, help us bring this mission to more people by boosting this post.
Collinsville Faith in Action provides critical services like transportation, home repairs, and social connection to older adults who need us. This fundraiser helps make all of that possible.
We are covering all processing fees for this fundraiser so you can rest assured that every last penny goes to CFiA.
The fundraiser ends August 1 – act now!
Give here: https://thrivent.cotribute.co/events/1151209/detail
We’re in crunch time. Let’s make it happen!
Like, share, and spread the word!
We’re more than halfway through our fundraiser for Collinsville Faith in Action, and we are truly amazed by the generosity we’ve seen so far.
But we’re not at the finish line yet. The response has been inspiring—but with time running out, we need help reaching even more people who care about supporting seniors in our community.
That’s where you come in. If you’ve already given, we extend the biggest thank you. If you’re not in a place to give right now, you can still make a big impact by simply sharing this post, leaving a comment, or tagging someone who might want to get involved.
Together, we’re raising funds to support vital services like transportation, home repairs, and social connection for a population that needs us now more than ever. Here you can see one of the amazing people that helps CFiA bless our community!
The fundraiser runs through August 1 – time is running out!
Our goal is to raise $25,000. For every $2 donated, Thrivent adds $1, up to $3,000, and then cover ALL processing fees beyond that!
Donate here: https://thrivent.cotribute.co/events/1151209/detail
Let’s keep the momentum going and help this mission reach every corner of our community.
Like, share, and comment to spread the word!