Recent Insights
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Fourth Quarter 2024 Market Update
Chief Investment Officer, Charles Rinehart, CFA, CAIA, eviews 2024’s strong market performance, highlighted by a 25% S&P 500 return and tech-driven growth, and outlines key themes for 2025. With a new administration’s policy shifts, evolving Federal Reserve actions, and market volatility ahead, opportunities and risks abound. Despite high valuations, disciplined investments in reasonably priced stocks can yield results. The firm remains prepared to navigate 2025’s uncertainties and opportunities.
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Johnson Investment Counsel Surpasses $20 Billion
Johnson Investment Counsel, an independent wealth management and advisory firm, is proud to announce it surpassed $20 billion in assets under management (AUM).
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Scheduled Changes to the Estate Tax Law
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 more than doubled the amount that a person can pass at death without incurring any estate tax and is currently $13.61 million. However, in 2026, it’s set to drop to around $7 million. Many are taking advantage of the current higher limits by adjusting their estate plans now. With future changes uncertain, it’s a good time to consult your attorney or portfolio manager to explore your options before the exclusion decreases.
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Third Quarter 2024 Newsletter
Market Update from Chief Investment Officer Charles Rinehart, CFA, CAIA, JIC Blog article: Estate Tax Law Scheduled to Change from Vice President of Estate Planning and Senior Trust Counsel, Mary Burns, Esq., and, as always, catch up on all of your JIC employee news.
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Third Quarter 2024 Market Update
Chief Investment Officer, Charles Rinehart, CFA, CAIA, breaks down a surprising third quarter. From a major Federal Reserve rate cut to a shift in market leadership, this update covers everything you need to know about stocks, bonds, and where the economy might be headed next. Plus, find out why the upcoming election may not impact markets as much as you think.
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Mega Backdoor Roth Strategy
Have you ever wondered if your Retirement Plan could do more for you? It’s not uncommon for high-earning professionals to hit the $23,000 annual contribution limit and still seek avenues to elevate their retirement savings, especially ones that can maximize tax-free growth.
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Election Anxiety? What We’re Watching and What to Do
Election season can be overwhelming. With non-stop news and specialists shouting about the “most important election in history,” it’s easy to feel stressed. But what’s really at risk when it comes to your family’s wealth and long-term financial goals? In our newest blog, we cut through the noise and offer practical steps you can take to protect your finances no matter who wins.
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What History Teaches Us About Markets and Elections
Election years can bring added stress and uncertainty to many aspects of life, and this election cycle is certainly no exception. Elections are important, and their outcomes can affect the lives of millions, if not billions, around the globe. But how important are they for investors? Every cycle is different, and investors’ focus is always changing, but history suggests that the party in the White House is just one of many factors.
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Roth 401(k) or Traditional 401(k)?
With the increasing availability of Roth 401(k) options in many employer plans, the decision on tax deferred vs. after tax contributions has added another layer of complexity to the retirement savings calculus. In short, investors and savers are now faced with the question of if they should elect a Roth option and how much of their hard-earned retirement savings dollars should be put into a traditional tax deferred savings plan (i.e. tax deferred 401(k), 403(b), etc.) versus a Roth (after-tax) plan?
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Second Quarter 2024 Newsletter
The market’s reaction to the current economic data resembles jamais vu. The term is taken from the French for meaning “never seen,” and refers to the experience of feeling as though an event or experience is brand new despite experiencing it numerous times in the past. This concept of jamais vu resonates with investor psychology, particularly regarding the most dangerous four words in finance: “this time is different.”
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Important Update Regarding Corporate Transparency Act
We want to alert you to a new law tthat may impact our clients who are owners of various types of business entities. In 2021, the Corporate Transparency Act (“CTA”) was enacted. The CTA created new requirements for certain entities to report to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (“FinCEN”) starting on January 1, 2024.
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2024 Patrick Chong Memorial Scholarship Recipients Awarded
Jason Jackman, CFA, Chief Executive Officer of Johnson Investment Counsel, presented the Patrick Chong Memorial Scholarship to two outstanding students, Sydney Richard and Robert Grimaldi.
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Mega Backdoor Roth Strategy: Unlock Maximum Retirement Savings
The Mega Backdoor Roth is more than an excess savings strategy; it is a potential pathway to greater financial flexibility in retirement. By harnessing the power of after-tax contributions and strategic conversions, you can greatly accelerate your retirement timeline and reduce your tax burden in retirement.
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The Security of Social Security
Social Security is a bedrock of retirement planning, and a key planning assumption in almost every wealth planning scenario. The important 270-page was released on May 6th with headlines indicating the projected year for “insolvency” for the Social Security Trust Fund is now 2035 as the downward trend in the ratio of workers to beneficiaries continues unabated.
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