Should You Leave an IRA to a Trust?
As published in Rethinking65 By Mallon FitzPatrick, CFP® There are ample upsides to designating a trust as a beneficiary but it’s not a one-size-fits-all solution. Traditionally, many IRA accountholders designate family members as beneficiaries of their retirement accounts. Naming a beneficiary avoids the probate process and allows a seamless transfer of assets to the intended […]
The Middle East Conflict
by Lauren Sigman, CFP® and Dan Arcos, CFA® October 9, 2023 Summary of the Conflict Early Saturday, Hamas launched an invasion of Israel. There are reports that Hamas operatives used bulldozers to take down parts of the border barrier between Gaza and Israel, catching the Israeli military by surprise. Hamas also launched rockets at various […]
Quarterly Update: Investors Finally Start Believing the Fed
October 6, 2023 – After a decade and a half of ultra-expansionary monetary policy, it’s perhaps not surprising that investors scoffed at the idea that interest rates may not return to the near-zero level we’ve gotten accustomed to. A recency bias likely played a role in this denial, as did the Fed’s reduced credibility after […]
Robertson Stephens Deepens Presence in San Francisco Bay Area
The firm welcomes wealth manager Joe Delaney to its San Francisco headquarters October 3, 2023 – Robertson Stephens Wealth Management, LLC (“Robertson Stephens”) has further expanded its presence in the San Francisco Bay Area by welcoming Lifeguard Wealth, a California registered investment advisor managing over $100 million in advisory assets. Lifeguard’s founder, Joe Delaney, joins Robertson Stephens as Managing Director and Principal as the firm […]
Higher Interest Rates Weigh on Stocks in the Third Quarter
By John Lau,CPA, CFP® October 2, 2023 – The S&P 500 started the third quarter largely the same way it ended the second quarter – with gains. Stocks rose broadly in July thanks primarily to “Goldilocks” economic data, meaning the data showed solid economic growth but not to the extent that would have implied the […]
How Much Pain Will China’s Slowdown Cause? Investing Pros Weigh In.
September 29, 2023 – Chief Investment Officer, Stuart Katz was featured in Barron’s discussing ‘How Much Pain Will China’s Slowdown Cause? Investing Pros Weigh In.’ “The largest U.S. companies are less exposed to the growing middle class of China and its need for consumption than some of the larger European luxury goods companies,” Katz said. “As a result, the […]
Second Opinion Service
Take advantage of our Second Opinion Service (S.O.S.), a no-cost or obligation two-meeting in-depth review including recommendations on how best to move forward to achieve all that is most important to you. Following the S.O.S. process, one of three things will happen: *Referrals are non-compensated.
Examples of Who We Work With
We help a variety of clients protect their financial future. In our practice, we strive to help our clients explore, discover and savor their life’s greatest pursuits. We work in a collaborative atmosphere with our clients, with whom we reach mutual agreement on every phase of the wealth planning process. The following are actual clients […]
Life After Retirement: 5 Questions to Ask Before Retiring
How much have you thought about life after retirement? Many people think about when to retire. But in my experience as a Registered Life Planner and Financial Lifeguard, I’ve found that few go beyond the question of when. This concerns me. About 25 percent of adults aged 65 or older struggle with mental health. Too often, the issue is […]
What’s Your Life Plan?
Since 2020, International Living Magazine has reported a huge increase in people expressing interest in retiring abroad, particularly Europe. If you’re part of that trend, let me introduce you to two good friends of mine who have done more than just think about retiring to Italy. Craig and Cindi Hazel are all in with what retired Procter & Gamble […]
Have You Thought about WHERE to Retire?
Lately, I’ve been thinking about retirement … no, not in that sense. I love what I do and plan to do it for years to come. It’s just that life in the U.S. this year, from the pandemic to more raging fires here in California to a tumultuous presidential election, has me pondering. What about […]
Going Beyond Money to Find Meaning in Retirement Planning
In October of 2018, I had the opportunity to attend the annual BAM National Conference, a gathering of like-minded professionals who ascribe to the ethical, evidence-based values of the BAM advisor community. One speaker’s talk about everything beyond money in retirement planning was especially eye-opening. Alan Spector is now retired himself, from his position as Director of Worldwide […]