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10 Ideas for a Virtual Holiday Party
Many of us have adapted to a world with remote team members and back-to-back Zoom calls with customers spread across the country, which certainly has its benefits. Nevertheless, one drawback is the difficulty of getting together in...
Read MoreThe Impact of SECURE 2.0 in 2024 and Beyond
SECURE 2.0: Changes Going Into Effect in 2024 Passed in 2019, the SECURE Act was the most substantial retirement legislation in over a decade. It contained important changes designed to help investors save more and be better prepared...
Read MoreA Year-End Financial Checklist
Time to Think About Year-End Financial Strategies As we roll into fall and the fourth quarter, now is a good time to pause and reflect on proactive ways to set up your finances for 2024. Economically speaking, we are now in a much...
Read MoreAI's Role in Shaping Our Tomorrow: A Look Ahead
While artificial intelligence (AI) is making headlines today, the concept of "thinking machines" can be traced back to ancient philosophers and mathematicians. The phrase artificial intelligence was first used in the mid-20th century,...
Read MoreTop 10 Questions High Net Worth Individuals Ask About Social Security
Social Security, the program you may have spent a lifetime paying into, is designed to offer stability, supplemental income, and other valuable benefits that can play a role in your overall financial strategy after you retire. We've...
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Understanding the September Effect: What It Is and Why It Happens
If you ask the average investor which month is the most volatile for the stock market, they will probably say October. It's a reasonable answer, but it's incorrect. Despite October's reputation for market-defining events like the...
Read MoreDon't Get Hooked: A Guide to Recognizing and Avoiding Phishing
As financial professionals, we understand how vital it is to safeguard your personal and financial information. Unfortunately, in our increasingly digital world, cybersecurity risks, such as phishing attacks, have become a prevalent...
Read MoreMoney Tips for Parents Sending Children Off to College
You’ve done a great job teaching your children vital life lessons and instilling values that will last a lifetime. As summer ends and a new school year begins, one thing that shouldn’t be overlooked, especially for...
Read MoreAttention Parents and Grandparents of College-Bound Students: FAFSA Gets an Overhaul
Changes are coming to the complicated form that students must submit to qualify for college financial aid, known as the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).The Department of Education is calling it the “most...
Read MoreThe 6 Biggest Mistakes DIY Investors Make and How to Avoid Them
IntroductionOver the last several months, I have met with quite a few self-proclaimed do-it-yourself (DIY) investors who, after struggling with the markets in 2022, approached me asking for a second opinion. Interestingly, almost every...
Read MoreHow the SECURE 2.0 Act Changed 529 Plans
Changes to 529 Plans in the SECURE 2.0 ActThe SECURE Act was initially passed by Congress at the end of 2019 and was intended to improve retirement savings opportunities. It was a big deal at the time and the most significant piece of...
Read MoreHealth Savings Accounts: Pros, Cons, and Retirement Considerations
What if your child needs braces? The cost may be as much as $6,000 for metal braces—more modern versions can run as much as $13,000. Your health insurance may cover only a portion of the cost. If you're well past the braces stage...
Read MoreTop 7 Most Common Estate Strategy Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)
Getting your affairs in order and outlining what you want done with your estate after you’re gone is one of the greatest gifts you can leave your loved ones. However, not preparing for the transfer of your assets can lead to...
Read MoreNavigating the Costs of Senior Care: Tips for Preparing for Long-Term Care
Senior care costs can be overwhelming, particularly when long-term care is required due to illness or medical conditions. With the number of seniors in the U.S. expected to rise exponentially by 2030, it's crucial to be prepared for...
Read MoreLiving Trusts: Understanding the Basics and Key Considerations
Estate management can be a complex and daunting task for many people, but it’s a critical step in helping your assets get managed and distributed according to your wishes.One popular tool that can be used in estate strategies is...
Read MoreTrying to Time a Recession?
Economies move in cycles – always have, always willThe Federal Reserve has been steadily increasing interest rates in an attempt to slow the rate of inflation. Its efforts are yielding some results, although inflation remains...
Read MoreWhat Factors Have the Greatest Impact on Your Credit Score?
Fun fact: You probably have dozens of credit scores out there, and each one might be a different number.You’re probably familiar with a credit score, why it’s essential, and what it’s used for, but do you know how...
Read MoreImportant Financial Considerations to Make When Remarrying Later in Life
Discussing personal finances is important for any couple preparing for marriage. However, this topic can be more complicated for those who remarry later in life.If you’re remarrying later in life, one of your goals should be to...
Read MoreTop Considerations to Help Adult Children Be Better Prepared As You Age
As we get older, it’s important that our adult children are prepared to manage any aging-related situations that may arise. This includes everything from having to make medical and financial decisions to determining assisted...
Read MoreTips for Raising Financially Literate Children
Every parent wants the best for their children and strives to prepare them to lead a happy, healthy, and successful life. But, despite understanding the importance of financial responsibility, only 28 percent of parents speak to their...
Read MoreTransitioning to Medicare from Private Health Insurance Plans
Transitioning from Private Health Insurance Plans to MedicareAs you approach retirement age, you may be anticipating transitioning from your private insurance to Medicare, which is a federal health insurance program that provides...
Read MoreBrokerCheck: What it is and why it’s important.
When it comes to your financial plan, trust is paramount. Clients need to trust their advisor to manage their assets and to help them reach their financial goals. But how do you know if you can trust your advisor? One...
Read MoreRolling over a Roth 401(k) vs a Traditional 401(k)
The decision to rollover a 401(k) plan can have long-lasting implications for your financial future. Understanding the difference between rolling over a Roth 401(k) vs. a Traditional 401(k) is important to making the best choice...
Read MoreOptions for your 401(k) when changing jobs or being laid off.
It is important to know what options you have with respect to your 401(k) plan when changing jobs or being laid off. Here are a few common options:Roll the funds over to an IRA: You can choose to roll the funds over into an...
Read MoreTaking a loan from your 401(k).
Taking a loan from your 401(k) can be a convenient option if you need access to funds for a short-term financial need. However, it is important to understand the terms and implications of a 401(k) loan before making the decision...
Read MoreNet Unrealized Appreciation (NUA) what it is and how to take advantage of it after a layoff
Net Unrealized Appreciation (NUA) is a tax-advantage strategy that applies to certain employer sponsored retirement plans, such as a 401(k) or a pension plan. It refers to the difference between the cost basis of an employer...
Read MoreAfter-tax money in your 401(k) and what to do with it when rolling over your 401(k)
After-tax money in your 401(k) refers to contributions made to the plan that were taxed in the year they were earned, as opposed to contributions made with pre-tax dollars, which are taxed when they are withdrawn from the plan.When you...
Read MoreRestricted stock options and what to know before making a decision.
Restricted stock options are a type of equity-based compensation that companies offer to their employees. When an employee is granted restricted stock options, they have the right to purchase a specified number of the...
Read MoreHealth Savings Accounts (HSA)
A Health Savings Account (HSA) is a tax-advantaged savings account that is designed to help individuals save for future medical expenses. It is typically paired with a high deductible health insurance plan. Contributions to...
Read MoreNon-Qualified Stock Options: What they are, what to consider, and how to maximize them.
Non-Qualified Stock Options (NQSOs) are a type of stock option that are not eligible for favorable tax treatment. This means that the individual that receives the NQSO must pay ordinary income tax on the difference between the...
Read MoreNon-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plans
Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plans: What they are, what your options are, and what you can do with a NQDC plan in the event of a job change or layoff.A Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation (NQDC) plan is a type of retirement...
Read MoreLayoffs Happen
Losing your job can be a stressful and uncertain time, but it is important to take control of your finances and make informed decisions about your employer benefits. Here are a few steps you can take in the event of a...
Read MoreWhere to Put Excess Cash
According to the Investment Company Institute, near the end of 2022, there was more than $4.7 trillion in cash sitting in U.S. money market funds.1,2While cash can play a role in a diversified portfolio, historically, cash has not kept...
Read MoreTechnology Guide for Seniors
By 2040, the U.S. Census Bureau estimates that 80 million people in the U.S. will be age 65 or older.1 Most of these senior adults will either want to—or need to—"age in place," living in their homes securely, independently...
Read MoreLifetime Estate & Gift Tax Exemption Updates for 2023
In October 2022, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced tax changes for 2023 — changes primarily driven, in part, by the current inflationary environment. For affluent couples or individuals interested in transferring...
Read MoreThe Challenge of Raising Non-Materialistic Kids
In today’s social media-obsessed world full of popular “influencers” targeting teens, pre-teens, and even younger groups, instilling values in your children and grandchildren about what really matters in life is more...
Read MoreContribution Limit Increases for 2023: Just What We Wanted to Hear
In late October, the IRS announced that it is increasing contribution limits to retirement savings accounts in 2023. The changes, like many you are seeing, are a direct result of months of high inflation and financial uncertainty, some...
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