Recent Insights
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The Comfort of Conservative Investing: Balancing Peace of Mind with Long-Term Growth
For many approaching or in retirement, the portfolio becomes more than just a balance of stocks and bonds—it represents a cash flow lifeline and a potential legacy for future generations. So, it’s perfectly understandable to minimize anxiety, opting for stable returns and lower volatility. But what if that peace of mind comes at a cost? The cost of long-term financial opportunity? How can we balance these competing priorities?
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Annuities: Peace of Mind for a Price
For many nearing retirement, the decision to purchase an annuity isn’t about returns—it’s about peace of mind. But what are you really paying for that feeling of safety? With annuity sales reaching record highs, it's time to unpack the psychological tradeoffs, hidden costs, and key risks.
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Should We Really Wait Until 70 to Claim Social Security?
Timing your Social Security claim is a critical decision that impacts retirement cash flow, portfolio strategy, and long-term financial security. While delaying benefits can boost lifetime income, the right choice depends on personal health, lifestyle goals, and peace of mind—not just the numbers.
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Should We Pay off the Mortgage Before or In Retirement?
Paying off a home might not be the optimal financial decision, and there are many variables involved in analyzing the data. By using reasonable assumptions and a well-thought-out plan, the numeric disadvantages, when put in proper context, could be far outweighed by the advantages of peace of mind and contentment.
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Rebuilding Investment Portfolios Post-Divorce
Divorce often places individuals in unfamiliar financial roles, especially if they weren't previously managing household finances. Post-divorce, critical financial areas like cash flow, taxes, estate planning, life insurance, and investments need careful reassessment. Investment portfolios, now a significant responsibility post-settlement, often require adjustments to better fit new personal circumstances, which can be daunting for those less involved during the marriage.
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What’s Next for the Tax Cuts & Jobs Act
While the specifics of 2025 tax legislation remain uncertain, one thing is clear: strategic, proactive planning and coordination with the tax preparer is essential. Rather than waiting for policy changes to be finalized, we believe proactive steps taken sooner rather than later help build flexibility into your wealth plan and reduce exposure to what can be household’s largest annual expense: taxes.
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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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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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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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How to Design a “Paycheck” for Retirement
To help smooth out the friction associated with this transition from working to retirement, one technique can be very helpful for a multitude of reasons: designing a “paycheck” for retirement.
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Reconsidering Retirement Distributions
As the 2023 holiday season fades into memory, February ushers in tax preparation season. For retirees, managing federal and state income taxes becomes crucial as it often becomes a major yearly expense. Managing taxes effectively can give retirees more confidence in the sustainability and consistency of their retirement cash flow over what is usually a multi-decade retirement timeframe.
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