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How to Drive Financial Momentum into Next Year

Your peak earning years are a powerful time to build financial momentum—but it takes more than income. Strategic planning and informed decisions are key. As the year ends, consider these five areas to strengthen your financial...

How Much Will I Need to Retire?

Your retirement strategy is a journey that requires foresight, diligence, and a clear understanding of your financial needs. While there's no one-size-fits-all rule for determining how much you need to retire, there are some helpful...

Looking to Reduce Taxes? Explore These Tax-Savvy Investment Strategies

As you grow and manage your wealth, consider these five tax-efficient investment strategies that could help optimize returns and minimize your tax burden. 1. Strategic Account Selection Strategically placing your assets in different...

5 Tax Strategies That Could Help You Keep More of Your Wealth

As you grow and manage your assets, you might start looking for ways to maximize returns while minimizing the taxes you owe. Tax-efficient investment strategies may help you keep more of your money and stay on track for the future...

Looking to Reduce Taxes? Explore These Tax-Savvy Investment Strategies

As you grow and manage your wealth, consider these five tax-efficient investment strategies that could help optimize returns and minimize your tax burden. 1. Strategic Account Selection Strategically placing your assets in different...

One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) Highlights

President Trump signed into law the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), a sweeping Federal tax reform package, including numerous provisions affecting individuals, estates, and businesses. Several key provisions that were previously...

Managing IRA Contributions

Managing your traditional or Roth IRA each year is a powerful step toward building your retirement strategy. In 2025, you can contribute up to $7,000—or $8,000 if you're 50 or older (depending on your modified adjusted gross income)....

Understanding AMT and Investment Surtax

Managing your income to minimize taxes can be challenging due in part to complex tax provisions. The alternative minimum tax (AMT) and the 3.8% surtax on net investment income both involve complex calculations, making it difficult for...

Debunking The Myth That There’s Only One Right Way to Invest

Today’s financial landscape is filled with opportunities, but many people still believe that building wealth through investing requires a rigid, one-size-fits-all approach. In reality, investing is a deeply personal process that...

Think You’re Behind on Retirement Savings? Here’s What You Can Do

Realizing you have less saved for retirement than you need or hoped for can trigger concern about the future. The good news is, there’s always time to take strategic steps forward. 4 Tips for Setting Retirement Savings Goals Evaluate...

Explore the Potential of Charitable Trusts

Are you interested in a lasting impact on causes you care about while also unlocking potential tax benefits? Charitable trusts might be the solution. These powerful financial vehicles offer a unique means to align your philanthropic...

5 Tax Strategies That Could Help You Keep More of Your Wealth

As you grow and manage your assets, you might start looking for ways to maximize returns while minimizing the taxes you owe. Tax-efficient investment strategies may help you keep more of your money and stay on track for the future...

Looking to Reduce Taxes? Explore These Tax-Savvy Investment Strategies

As you grow and manage your wealth, consider these five tax-efficient investment strategies that could help optimize returns and minimize your tax burden. 1. Strategic Account Selection Strategically placing your assets in different...

News that a Chinese AI firm created an AI model at a fraction of the cost rattled the markets.

Stock prices were jolted lower in late January on concerns that a “black swan” event may lead to some restructuring in the artificial intelligence (AI) industry. A Chinese AI firm appears to have developed a competitive AI model that...

Align Your Values with Your Investments

What if you could grow your wealth while contributing to a better world? Socially responsible investing (SRI), also known as impact investing, can help position you to do just that. SRI is an investment philosophy that prioritizes...

Election 2024: Patience With the Process

People have told me, “I can’t wait until the election is over.” That tells me there’s a lot of emotion connected to Tuesday, November 5th! But I’m quick to remind people it may take some time to resolve all of the issues after...

Your 401(k) benchmarking insights

In the evolving landscape of workplace benefits, staying ahead means evaluating and refining your retirement plan offering. Benchmarking your retirement plan will help you assess your plan’s performance against key metrics and the...

Explore the Potential of Charitable Trusts

Are you interested in a lasting impact on causes you care about while also unlocking potential tax benefits? Charitable trusts might be the solution. These powerful financial vehicles offer a unique means to align your philanthropic...

401(k) strategies for each generation

In the evolving landscape of the workforce, where four distinct generations coexist, addressing the diverse retirement planning needs of your employees can be a challenge. From Gen Z employees grappling with student loans and the...

An Opportunity to Lead Your Family

If you find yourself simultaneously raising your own children while tending to your parents as they grow older, you’re not alone. Often aptly referred to as “the sandwich generation,” it’s at this unique stage that you're sandwiched...

Inflation Buzzword: “Spaving”

Have you seen the grocery store signs that say, “Buy one, get one,” or “Buy one at $4.99, or get four for $2.99 each?” It’s a concept called “spaving,” a time-tested marketing strategy designed to get consumers to spend more–perhaps...

A CHECKLIST FOR WHEN A SPOUSE OR PARENT PASSES

A CHECKLIST FOR WHEN A SPOUSE OR PARENT PASSES When you lose a spouse, partner, or parent, the grief can be overwhelming. In the midst of that grief, life goes on. There are arrangements to be made, things to be taken care of – and in...

April Is Financial Literacy Month

April marks the start of Financial Literacy Month, a nationally recognized movement to promote and support financial understanding in children and teens. For many, it's a fantastic opportunity to teach and connect with their children...

Beyond Taxes: 401(k) Rollovers

What can we plan together? Thinking of changing jobs or already making the transition? Even under the best circumstances, making a career move requires a series of tough decisions, including what to do with the money in your...

SETTING YOUR FAMILY’S FINANCIAL VALUES

Without knowing it, you may be part of the so-called "sandwich generation." These are people who find themselves at the life stage in which they are caught between raising their own kids while watching their parents grow older. They...

What Happened to the Recession?

Sir John Templeton once said, "The four most expensive words in investing are: ‘This time it’s different."1 And normally, I would agree. But it seems like the phrase, "This time it’s different," may actually apply to the 2024 economic...

"Shaking Off" Economic Downturn: The Taylor Swift Effect

Time's Person of the Year, Taylor Swift, is shaking off economic downturns and hitting high notes not just on stage but in the U.S. economy, too. The pop sensation's impressive impact extends beyond her record-breaking music, reaching...

5 Financial Tips For Every Military Family

Military members and their families face one-of-a-kind challenges, such as deployment to conflict zones, overseas assignments, and the constancy of change, all of which make dedicating time to personal finance a challenge. Luckily,...

Use These Year End Tax Planning Tips

Everybody wants to save on their taxes. If you think tax-saving strategies are too complicated, you could be missing out on tax savings. There are a few simple tax-saving strategies available to nearly everyone. Tax planning is more...

Find the Right Insurance Plan for you

Open enrollment is coming up soon, and it's important to know about all your insurance plan options before deciding which one is right for you. Two options you could have are a Health Savings Account plan (HSA) and a Preferred...

CHOOSING A RETIREMENT PLAN THAT FITS YOUR BUSINESS

If you have yet to develop a retirement plan for your business, or if you're not sure the plan you've chosen is the right one, here are some things to consider. How much can my business afford to contribute? The cost of contributions...

What to Do When Your Income Reaches 7 Figures

Did you recently add a second comma to your bank balance? Has a recent financial event raised your net worth to the next level? It's an exciting time, whether it's the result of your long-term goals (e.g., from the sale of a business),...

What is Net Unrealized Appreciation?

Many companies offer employer-issued stock as a benefit, in addition to other compensation and benefits. But what happens if you leave a job that offered you employer-issued stock or if you experience another triggering life event...

WHAT ARE SLATS (SPOUSAL LIFETIME ACCESS TRUSTS) AND WHO ARE THEY FOR?

When it comes to estate planning, trusts, and wills, you have many options—which begs the question: Which estate planning options are suitable for you and your family? There's no quick answer to that question because everyone's...

COUNTDOWN TO COLLEGE

As a parent, you of course want to give your child the best opportunity for success, and for many, attending the "right" university or college is that opportunity. Unfortunately, being accepted to the college of one's choice may not be...

Planning for the Expected

Perhaps Bette Davis said it best when she observed, “Old age is no place for sissies.”¹ The challenges seniors have met throughout their lives have made them wiser and stronger, preparing them for the unique challenges...

Retirement Strategy: How Retirement Strategy Has Changed

RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS (RSU): UNDERSTANDING YOUR EQUITY COMPENSATION OPTIONS

THE 11 BEST QUOTES ABOUT INVESTING

Find That Lost 401(k)!

Do you have a long-lost retirement account left with a former employer? Maybe it's been so long that you can't even remember? With over 24 million "forgotten" 401(k) accounts holding roughly $1.35 trillion in assets, even the most...

October is Financial Planning Month

As the holiday season draws near, most people are thinking about their finances over the next few months and budgeting for how they can celebrate the most wonderful time of the year. Which is perfect timing because October is National...

Social Security: Past, Present, and Future

Throughout human history, economic security has taken many forms. For the ancient Greeks, it was stockpiling olive oil. Olive oil could be stored for long periods of time; it could also help with nutrition during times of famine....

Thinking About Paying Off Your Child's Student Loans? 5 Things to Consider

College tuition is at an all-time high. As of 2022, the average student loan debt is about $39,000 per student, and the average monthly student loan payment is nearly $400.1 It's no wonder parents want to help their children pay off...

What Is a Roth 401(k)?

While many people are familiar with the benefits of traditional 401(k) plans, others are not as acquainted with Roth 401(k)s.Since January 1, 2006, employers have been allowed to offer workers access to Roth 401(k) plans. And some have...

Assess Life Insurance Needs

Investing with Your Heart

And the Executor Is

4 Steps to Protecting a Child with Disabilities

Retirement Seen Through Your Eyes

How the Federal Reserve Works

Diversification, Patience, and Consistency

Regardless of how the markets may perform, consider making the following part of your investment philosophy: Diversification. The saying “don’t put all your eggs in one basket” has some application to investing. Over...

Four Really Good Reasons to Invest

Forty-eight percent of Americans do not own any stocks or stock-related investments, according to the most recent data available from Pew Research Center.1 Individuals may cite different reasons for not investing, but with important...

How Will You Transition Out of Your Company?

A transition plan can help with this change. If the time has come for you to sell the business you’ve spent countless hours growing into a successful operation, create a transition plan to ensure the legacy of your hard work....

A LIVING TRUST PRIMER

A living trust is a popular consideration in many estate strategy conversations, but its appropriateness will depend upon your individual needs and objectives. What is a living trust? A living trust is created while you are alive and...

AND THE EXECUTOR IS

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Warren Burger is famous for more than just his time on the bench. When he died in 1995, he left a 176-word will that gave no specific power to his executors.1 As a result, he reportedly cost his estate tens...

Capital Gains & Your Taxes: A Brief (But Important!) Guide

Classic investments, like stocks, are not the only investments taxed by capital gains. Capital gains taxes can apply to any other property that acquires value over time. These taxes are calculated by subtracting the cost of the...

Hindsight Is 2020: 7 Ways We Should All Vow to Treat Our Money Differently in 2021

2020 is a year most of us would prefer to forget. When the year started, nobody expected natural disasters of historic proportion, the COVID-19 pandemic or the residual economic hardships that followed. But with the first year of the...

A BRIEF HISTORY OF ESTATE TAXES

Federal estate taxes have been a source of funding for the federal government almost since the U.S. was founded. In 1797, Congress instituted a system of federal stamps that were required on all wills offered for probate when property...

MEDICARE ADVANTAGE 101

Medicare Advantage, sometimes known as “Part C,” is something of a catch-all choice for those who are ready to sign up for Medicare. Rather than being one plan (featuring solely government programs), Medicare Advantage...

WHEN SHOULD YOU TAKE SOCIAL SECURITY

The Social Security program allows you to start receiving benefits as soon as you reach age 62. The question is, should you? Monthly payments differ substantially depending on when you start receiving benefits. The longer you wait (up...

3 TAX-SMART WAYS TO HELP FAMILY MEMBERS IN NEED PAY FOR COLLEGE

As colleges and universities grapple with reopening during the COVID-19 pandemic, a growing number of college students and their parents find themselves struggling to pay tuition costs. In fact, a recent study found that nearly half...

SUCCEEDING AT BUSINESS SUCCESSION

According to the Conway Center for Family Business, family businesses account for 64% of the U.S. Gross Domestic Product (GDP), yet 57% of family businesses have no formal succession plan.1 While the number may shock you, it is not...

HEALTHY BODY, HEALTHY POCKETBOOK

Many people have a clear vision of what their ideal retirement looks like. Some desire vacation homes in tropical destinations, while others plan to spend quality time with their grandchildren and family. We know that many of these...

UNDERSTANDING LONG-TERM CARE

Addressing the potential threat of long-term care expenses may be one of the biggest financial challenges for individuals who are developing a retirement strategy. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services estimates that 70% of...

MORTGAGES IN RETIREMENT

Anyone who has gone through the process of mapping out their retirement knows there can be a lot to keep in mind. Saving, investing, anticipating medical costs, and making sure you have enough tucked away for years to come is just the...

Navigating a Financial Crisis

During a crisis, you need answers, and your financial advisor knows this. It is a scramble to find the right information, and sometimes you do not even know whom to call. So, what do you do? Well, luckily for you, we have spent some...

The Importance of Proper Planning for a Physically Ill Spouse or Loved One

Proper financial planning should always be a focus, but for those who are dealing with a physically ill spouse or loved one, it is crucial. There are several financial considerations that you will need to ponder, and naturally, these...

PLANNING YOUR ESTATE

Accepting one’s own mortality is a tough pill to swallow. As such, estate planning can be a morbid topic that lingers in the background of our lives ominously. Nobody wants to plan for their own death! However, the repercussions...

5 WAYS TO START THE NEW DECADE OFF ON SOUND FINANCIAL FOOTING

The beginning of a new decade presents a unique opportunity for reflection and planning. Here are a few ways in which you can partner with your financial professional to help pursue a financially healthy new year and begin the new...

STORING CRITICAL DOCUMENTS

If you were to pass away or become incapacitated, your loved ones may be responsible for making challenging decisions about your health or estate. During a time of emotional distress or grieving, it’s difficult to think about...

WHY AMERICANS SAVE LESS IN GOOD TIMES

One of the key indicators of economic growth, the gross domestic product (GDP), grew 4.1% in the second quarter – its best pace since 2014. Yet, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, consumers are saving less of...

FOUR MYTHS DEBUNKED: HEALTHCARE COSTS IN RETIREMENT

Over the course of retirement, healthcare expenses are anticipated to cost $280,000, on average, for a couple turning age 65 today.1 Yet, many retirees significantly underestimate their out-of-pocket healthcare costs, assuming that...

A BUCKET PLAN TO GO WITH YOUR BUCKET LIST

John and Mary are nearing retirement and they have a lot of items on their bucket list. Longer life expectancies mean John and Mary may need to prepare for two or even three decades of retirement. How should they position their money?1...

CIM MARKET COMMENTARY | BACK TO THE 90S: 10 WAYS TODAY IS LIKE THE 1990S AND WHY IT’S NOT

Feeling a little déjà vu? You’re not alone. Cetera Investment Management's latest commentary takes a neon-colored look at 10 ways today’s markets resemble the 1990s, including long-running bull markets, a...

FIXED OR VARIABLE MORTGAGE, WHICH SHOULD YOU PICK?

Buying a home is the single-largest financial commitment most people ever make. And sorting through mortgages involves a lot of critical choices. One of these is choosing between a fixed- or variable-interest-rate mortgage. True to...

Reviewing Your Beneficiary Forms Annually Can Save More Than A Few Headaches

Reviewing the beneficiary designations on your property and assets on an annual basis, or as circumstances in your life change, is one of the smartest financial moves you can make to protect your interests, your legacy and your loved...

Why Social Media Users Are More Likely To Become Victims of Fraud

Keeping up with friends and family and sharing pictures of the grandkids and your most recent travel destination online may seem pretty tame. But according to several recent studies, social media use may leave you more vulnerable to...

9 Facts About Social Security

Tip: How Much? Check your Social Security earnings and see an estimate of your benefits on the website, www.ssa.gov. Social Security’s been a fact of retirement life ever since it was established in 1935. We all think we know how...