If you’re among the millions of Americans, like my wife and I, who purchased or refinanced their homes during the early years of the pandemic, you were likely fortunate enough to secure a mortgage rate between 2.5% and 4%. Mortgage rates reached an all-time low in January of 2021, but have since more than doubled,…
People often ask whether they need a living trust for their estate plan. The answer depends upon your goals for managing your assets during your lifetime and how you would like to transfer them after your passing. Here are some key points to consider when determining whether a living trust is right for you. What…
The largest wealth transfer in history is happening right now. Baby Boomers—who control an estimated $84 trillion in assets…
Despite the short-term volatility in the market, it’s important to remain optimistic about the long-term outlook.
The announcement of blanket tariffs on all foreign goods coming to the U.S. resulted in a sharp market selloff yesterday. Indications for today show no reprieve, as China, the world’s second-largest economy, is imposing its tariffs on U.S. goods. While historically, similar sparks have ignited a global trade war, immense uncertainty remains. Further retaliatory announcements…
Estate planning is one of the most thoughtful decisions property owners can make when placing real estate assets in a Limited Liability Company (LLC). Many people think estate planning is just about writing a will, but it involves much more—especially if you own valuable property. Using an LLC for real estate can provide legal protection,…
Financial planning can have many definitions. It can relate to your business, your finances, or your family in general. This exercise provides a road map of where you have been financially, where you are, and where you want to go. I am often asked how frequently I should partake in this exercise, and my answer…
Interest rates play a pivotal role in the U.S. economy, influencing everything from consumer spending to business investments. These rates determined mainly by the Federal Reserve (“the Fed”), directly affect the cost of borrowing and the returns on savings. For individuals and businesses, understanding how interest rates rise and fall—and the ripple effects these changes…
Since the emergence of Bitcoin in 2009, digital assets have gained popularity at an exponential rate. Digital assets encompass a wide range of electronically created and stored items that hold value, including cryptocurrencies, tokens, and digital collectibles (Smith, 2025). At the core is blockchain technology, which utilizes encryption techniques to ensure the authenticity of digital…
Women entrepreneurs are transforming economies worldwide, driving innovation, and overcoming systemic barriers to success. In 2024, women-owned businesses accounted for 39% of all businesses in the U.S., employing 12.2 million workers and generating $2.7 trillion in revenue1. Despite these achievements, women entrepreneurs continue to face challenges in accessing capital, securing industry representation, and gaining visibility.
According to McKinsey, the great wealth transfer is upon us and American women stand to control approximately $30 trillion by 2030.1 This shift in wealth presents opportunities and challenges for female investors and financial decision-makers, and understanding our biases, emotions, and financial behavior about money will help us manage our wealth and teach the next generation the importance of financial responsibility.
Now is the time to prepare for the potential volatility ahead in 2025 tax planning. With massive tax increases scheduled for year-end, this may be the most consequential year for tax legislation since the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA). As the TCJA sunsets, increases to marginal tax brackets, decreases to gift and estate…
The nonprofit sector found itself in unprecedented territory on January 27, 2025, when the Office of Management and Budget issued a memo announcing a pause on all federal grants and loans. Many nonprofit organizations rely on federal funding to support their missions, provide lifesaving aid and resources to their communities, and bolster their operations. Though…
According to DeVoe and Company, 2024 saw the highest number of transactions in the RIA space (269), with Q4 recording the most reported deals ever (78) in a single quarter.1 Even Robinhood’s recent acquisition of TradePMR signals the strategic positioning among advisory firms. This massive migration to the independent RIA model, many of whom are transitioning from traditional, full-service models, signals significant advisory trends shaping wealth management solutions’ current and future state.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) has announced significant changes for 2025, reflecting ongoing efforts to adjust the program in response to inflation, wage growth, and evolving economic conditions. These updates include a higher cost-of-living adjustment, revisions to the earnings test thresholds, and increases in maximum benefits. Here’s a comprehensive look at the major updates. Cost-of-Living…
As 2025 approaches, policy shifts under a new Trump administration are taking shape. For investors, understanding the new tax, healthcare, and retirement landscape is crucial to navigating the future. Here are some of the most impactful potential policy changes and how they may influence your financial planning. Tax Reform One primary goal is the continuation…
At year-end, we recommend rebalancing portfolios back to strategic asset allocations and maintaining a diversified, flexible approach to navigate the evolving economic and market environment.
In a world where technology drives our daily lives, it is no surprise that we have increasingly placed more value on our digital identities and belongings, also known as digital assets.
As the year draws to a close, retirees need to remember to take their Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) from retirement accounts. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) mandates this annual withdrawal for individuals who have reached a certain age, and failing to take it can result in significant penalties. Required Minimum Distributions are the minimum amounts…
Despite placing six-figure valuations on their digital assets, Americans are largely neglecting these assets during financial planning
As the year closes, it’s a good time to update your beneficiary designations, which is a vital yet often overlooked step in financial planning. Life changes such as marriage, divorce, and the passing of a loved one can leave outdated beneficiary information on accounts. Failing to update these can create confusion, delay, and even prevent…
As we fast approach the end of 2024, tax planning becomes critical. One strategy that doesn’t always get the attention it deserves is tax loss harvesting. While the term might sound technical, the concept is simple, and when applied correctly, it can yield significant benefits. Let’s break down tax loss harvesting, why it matters, and…
For many of us, the end of the year is often a mad dash for charitable giving. Before you write that check this December, take time to reflect on how you will gift, the timing, and who will gift alongside you to make your donation most meaningful. There are many ways to give, including the…
It may be hard to believe, but December 31 will be here soon. Now is a great time to review your finances and implement smart tax planning to reduce your tax bill potentially. Here are seven essential strategies to consider. 1. Tax-Loss Harvesting Tax-loss harvesting involves selling investments that have lost value to offset capital…
Many long-term financial plans involve setting a target for a total amount of savings. Sometimes, this target is framed as multiples of income, and other times as a general round number. These goals are helpful in the accumulation phase of our lives, but it is also financially prudent to estimate what your spending might be…
Staying current on the evolving tax landscape is crucial for effective financial planning. Download our Annual Tax Planning Guide and Year-End Planning Checklist to help keep you informed and on track about current tax and legal regulations.
Since 2003, HSAs have grown in popularity for savings and qualified medical expenses. Contributions are deducted on a pre-tax basis directly from your paycheck, avoiding federal taxes on both the money invested and the growth of the investment.
Long-term care (LTC) refers to a range of services intended to meet the personal and health care needs of individuals over an extended period. These services can be necessary for anyone who has a chronic illness, disability, or cognitive impairment, such as dementia. As life expectancy increases and medical advancements continue, more people are likely…
Healthcare expenses are projected to be the highest spending category in retirement, with a report from the Employee Benefit Research Institute estimating that a 65-year-old couple may need $383,000 in savings to cover their medical costs. It is essential to have a solid plan in place due to the increasing healthcare costs and longer life expectancy.1 …
When the foundation of a structure becomes unstable, everything built on top must adjust or risk collapse. This principle is not only true in construction but also in financial and estate planning. In the United States, financial and estate planning is deeply intertwined with legal and tax codes, which form the foundation for achieving our financial…
As we approach the 2024 U.S. Presidential election, the markets have already shown signs of reacting to the evolving political landscape.
It is often said that the stock market is forward-looking, meaning its growth will depend on how publicly traded companies perform in the future, not the past or present day. More specifically, market returns are driven more by economic trends than election outcomes.
With President Joe Biden not seeking reelection and Vice President Kamala Harris assuming the nomination to face Former President Donald J. Trump in November, this election season will be one for the ages.
Balancing personal financial goals with the demands of your business can be challenging. Still, with the expertise of a financial advisor, business owners can achieve greater financial stability and peace of mind. Here are several essential ways financial advisors can assist business owners in managing their finances. Comprehensive Financial Planning Financial advisors begin by comprehensively…
In the healthcare industry, pharmaceutical companies can employ AI to accelerate drug discovery by analyzing biological data and predicting how compounds interact with biological targets.
Currency fluctuations significantly impact global earnings and asset positioning, despite most investors not directly trading foreign currencies. A strong U.S. dollar negatively affects multinational companies’ international revenue, while substantial currency price fluctuations can lead to considerable volatility in certain asset classes, particularly carry trades where investors borrow in low yielding currencies to invest in higher yielding currencies. It is within these dynamics that greater attention should be focused on currencies.
As America’s retirement crisis looms larger than ever, with nearly half of the population fearing financial instability in their golden years, innovative state plans and employer-driven solutions are stepping in to bridge the savings gap and ensure a secure future for all.
Planning for retirement can be an extremely daunting task and varies by individual, but we’re here to help you understand how to better prepare for your “golden years.”
The U.S. economy continues to grind, and macro-level data suggests that moderating growth ahead will not cause a near-term recession. When setting the current environment at a level compared to our expectations at the start of the year, investors witnessed more mid-cycle dynamics as risks to the downside lessened and valuations expanded. With the macro-economic environment seemingly in a constructive place, we’re reminded that complacency is not a viable investment strategy. In our mid-year update, we detail the opportunities and risks ahead.
Saving for retirement is something many of us are encouraged to participate in throughout our working lives. In a recent Bryn Mawr Trust survey about women and retirement, 826 women (age 40+) said that their top sources of wealth are careers, followed by saving and budgeting, with 40% selecting retirement as the leading life event that impacts their financial planning.1 The rules and guidelines for how much to save and where are readily available, but there needs to be more professional guidance for when we finally reach retirement and begin spending it.
Benjamin Franklin was famous for many things, including the quote about only two certainties in life: “death and taxes.” A strong retirement plan should optimize for tax savings as it reviews assets and income streams.
Defining and adhering to an asset allocation can be a powerful way to ensure your financial resources are aligned to achieve your financial and life objectives.
Dealing with your estate plan is often not front of mind, but it is very necessary. Below are five reasons you should consider reviewing your estate plan now.
When it comes to managing your wealth for the future, having a sound investment strategy is paramount. However, equally important is ensuring that your estate plan is closely aligned with these investment choices. The synergy between how you manage your assets today and how you plan to pass them on to beneficiaries can significantly impact your financial legacy and security.
In the digital age, our lives and businesses are intricately woven into the fabric of the online world. From financial transactions to client communications, much of our business activity now takes place in the digital realm. Yet, many small business owners overlook a crucial aspect of estate planning: the digital estate.
Buried in the footnotes of mutual fund prospectuses, brokerage account opening paperwork, and account statements are disclosures of “the risks to investing,” which is potentially a daunting statement for any new investor.
Investing is a great way to generate wealth, but it can be risky. Most of us have heard the phrase “no risk, no reward,” however, all investments bear some risk.
Do you ever reflect on things you did as a teenager or young adult and wonder what was going through your mind at the time? Maybe you participated in some thrill-seeking adventure and got lost, or maybe you were a bit foolish (or a lot foolish). Perhaps you were the opposite and never got into any trouble whatsoever, always on your best behavior. Fast forward to today, you think back on those days and the fun you had, lessons learned, regrets, and how they shaped your character.
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