Page 12 - Hobe Sound Relections - January '25

Page 12, Hobe Sound

Tip oF THe Tail

New Year’s Resolution: Get Obesity in pets is more than just an aesthetic concern; weight loss program is effective and safe for the pet. In
Your Pet Bikini Ready! it is a serious medical condition that can lead to a plethora addition, if your pet is not losing weight as expected, your
of other health problems. Just like in humans, obesity in
veterinarian can perform bloodwork to check for diseases
animals can increase the risk of various diseases such as such as hypothyroidism or Cushing’s disease that can
diabetes, osteoarthritis, heart disease, and even certain make it difficult for your pet to maintain a healthy weight.
types of cancer. It can also worsen pre-existing conditions In conclusion, as veterinary professionals, we must
like arthritis and respiratory issues, ultimately decreasing emphasize the importance of addressing obesity in pets to
the quality of life for our pets. improve their overall health and well-being. By working together
The primary cause of obesity in pets is an imbalance with pet owners to implement tailored weight management
between calorie intake and energy expenditure. Factors strategies, we can help our pets live longer, healthier lives free
such as overfeeding, lack of exercise, and genetic from the burdens of obesity-related illnesses.
predisposition can contribute to weight gain in animals. Remember, a healthy pet is a happy pet – let’s work together
Veterinarians play a crucial role in educating pet owners to tackle obesity in our furry companions and promote a better
about proper nutrition, portion control, and the importance quality of life for all.
of regular exercise to help prevent obesity in pets. Established in 1981, Palm City Animal Medical Center is
When addressing obesity in pets, it is essential to dedicated to providing the best possible care for your pets. With
develop a tailored weight management plan that takes focuses on compassionate care in surgery, physical therapy and
Obesity is not only a growing concern among humans into account the individual needs and circumstances of rehabilitation, preventative medicine, extensive diagnostics,
but also among our furry companions. It is estimated that each animal. This may involve adjusting the pet’s diet and emergency service, Palm City Animal Medical Center
56 percent of dogs and 60 percent of cats are overweight to a low-calorie formula or metabolic management diet, combines exceptional medical care with a caring philosophy
or obese. As pet owners it is crucial for us to recognize increasing physical activity levels, and closely monitoring for pets and their owners. For more information, call (772)
and address this issue that can significantly impact the their progress. Regular checkups and monitoring by 283-0920, visit www.palmcityanimalmedicalcenter.com or find
health and well-being of our beloved pets. veterinary professionals are essential to ensure that the us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/PalmCityAnimalClinic.

Financial Focus ®

When Is A Good Time For might not have been able to invest in a Roth IRA for your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor, Edward Jones,
This article was written by Edward Jones for use by
But even if you were aware of these advantages, you
Roth Conversion? much of your life. For one thing, you might have earned Member SIPC.
too much money— a Roth IRA, unlike a traditional IRA, Edward Jones is a licensed insurance producer in all states
By Sally Sima Stahl, has income limits. Also, a Roth IRA has only been around and Washington, D.C., through Edward D. Jones & Co., L.P., and
Edward Jones since 1998, so, in the previous years, you were limited to in California, New Mexico and Massachusetts through Edward
In life, you often get a traditional IRA. Jones Insurance Agency of California, L.L.C.; Edward Jones
second chances—and the You’ll want to consult with your tax advisor before Insurance Agency of New Mexico, L.L.C.; and Edward Jones
same is true with investing. embarking on this conversion—but if it’s appropriate for Insurance Agency of Massachusetts, L.L.C.
To illustrate: You might not your situation, you could find that owning a Roth IRA Edward Jones, its employees and financial advisors cannot
have been able to contribute can benefit you and your family for years to come. provide tax advice. You should consult your qualified tax advisor
to a Roth IRA during your As you approach retirement, though, you might start regarding your situation.
working years due to your thinking of just how much you’d like to benefit from a Contact us at (561) 748-7600, Sally Sima Stahl, CFP ,
®
income level, but you may Roth IRA. AAMS , 1851 W. Indiantown Road, Ste. 106, Jupiter, FL 33458.
™
get that opportunity as you
near retirement or even
when you are retired—through a Roth conversion.
And you can do so by converting your traditional
IRA to a Roth. While this sounds simple, there’s a major
caveat: taxes. You’ll be taxed on the amount in pre-tax
dollars you contributed to a traditional IRA and then
converted to a Roth IRA. (If you have both pre- and after-
tax dollars in your traditional IRA, the taxable amount is
based on the percentage of pre-tax dollars.)
Why is a Roth IRA desirable for some people? Here
are the key benefits:
If you have large amounts in a traditional IRA, the
tax bill on conversion can be significant. The key to
potentially lowering this tax bill is timing. Generally
speaking, the lower your income in a given year, the more
favorable it is for you to convert to a Roth IRA. So, for
example, if you have already retired, but have not started
collecting RMDs, your income may be down.
• Tax-free withdrawals—you put in after-tax dollars
to a Roth IRA, so you can withdraw your contributions at
any time, free of taxes and penalties. And if you’ve had
your account for at least five years and you’re at least
591⁄2, you can also withdraw your earnings free of taxes.
• No RMDs—With a traditional IRA, you’ll have to
start taking withdrawals — called required minimum
distributions, or RMDs — when you turn 73, or 75 if
you were born in 1960 or later. But there’s no RMD
requirement with a Roth IRA — you can essentially leave
the money intact as long as you like.
Timing also comes into play with the financial markets.
When the market is going through a decline, and the value
of your traditional IRA drops, you could convert the
same number of shares of the underlying investments and
receive a lower tax bill or convert more shares of these
investments for what would have been the same tax bill.
• Tax-free legacy for your heirs—When your heirs
inherit your Roth IRA, they can withdraw the contributions
without paying taxes or penalties, and if the account has
been open for at least five years, they can also withdraw
earnings tax-free.
Finally, you could lower your tax bill in any given
year by stretching out your Roth IRA conversions over
several years, rather than doing it all at once.