Wealth Planning Commentary – May 19, 2025
Legislative Update: Proposed Tax Changes in House Bill The latest version of the House’s proposed legislation, previously known as the “One Big, Beautiful Bill,” remains intact, mainly following negotiations during the past week. Highlighted below are key provisions that may impact and are subject to changes: Individual Tax Cuts If the bill is passed in […]
Wealth Planning Commentary – May 12, 2025
Preliminary Insights into House Tax Bill This weekend, the House of Representatives Ways and Means Committee released an initial draft of its proposed tax legislation. The primary focus of this draft is to address the provisions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) that expire at the end of this year. This proposal is […]
Wealth Planning Commentary – May 5, 2025
Congressional Budget and Tax Update The proposed federal budget and its potential implications are currently a focal point in Washington. Ongoing discussions in Congress center on the future of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), which is set to expire next year unless Congress acts to extend it. Republican lawmakers are considering whether to […]
When Should You Take Social Securtity?
May 6, 2025 For wealthy individuals and couples, Social Security might appear to be a smaller component of the overall wealth plan. However, overlooking its nuances could mean leaving value on the table long-term. Let’s discuss considerations for optimizing your Social Security benefits, ensuring this component of your retirement works hardest for you. Social Security […]
Wealth Planning Commentary – April 28, 2025
Creating Peace of Mind During Volatility The markets feel relatively calm compared to early April, and it is easy to become complacent. However, it remains more likely than not that we will experience continued turbulence this year, which may cause ongoing concern. One key objective of wealth planning is to help provide peace of mind, […]
Will My Children Inherit Too Much?
As published in Kiplinger If you worry about how your children will handle an inheritance, you’re not alone. Luckily, you have options — from lifetime gifting to trusts — that can help. Some parents worry that leaving too much money to their children could hinder their growth or well-being. But what constitutes “too much” is […]
Wealth Planning Commentary – April 21, 2025
Seeking Stability with Annuities Amid this year’s market volatility, certain high-net-worth individuals and families who have historically been comfortable with risk are shifting their behavior. Some are now expressing increased interest in annuities to manage uncertainty and protect future income. In 2024, total annuity sales were $432.4 billion, up 12% from the prior year. Overall […]
Leveraging Deferred Sales Trusts for Strategic Tax Management
As published in Rethinking65 DSTs enable sellers of businesses or real estate to invest the proceeds while controlling the amount and timing of tax liabilities. Key Points• The trust can help control the amount and timing of tax liabilities.• It’s often used when selling businesses or real estate.• The seller avoids credit risk and gets […]
Wealth Planning Commentary – April 14, 2025
Volatile Times: Tax Loss Harvesting, 529 Plans, and Risk Tolerance Many investors have sold positions over the past few weeks to lock in capital losses. It’s important to distinguish capital losses from charitable deductions, as the two operate differently from an income tax perspective. Tax loss harvesting allows losses to be carried forward indefinitely until […]
Wealth Planning Commentary – April 7, 2025
Downturn Wealth Planning Threats and Opportunities The market is in a correction and flirting with bear market territory. Given this environment, assessing potential risks and taking advantage of planning opportunities is important. Start by reviewing loan-to-asset ratios where portfolios are pledged against lines of credit. A $1 million pledged asset line against a $2 million […]
Wealth Planning Commentary – March 31, 2025
Rising Costs, Roth IRAs, and Social Security Expectations With inflationary pressures and economic uncertainty this year, building a buffer for rising costs may be wise. To prepare for a potential price surge, we recommend increasing projected living expenses this year and next. For those feeling the strain of higher costs, now is a good time […]
Are You a High Earner But Still Broke? Five Fixes for That
March 24, 2025 If you’re a HENRY (a higher earner, not rich yet) but feel like you still live paycheck to paycheck, there are steps you can take to get control of your financial future. As published in Kiplinger HENRYs, or high earners, not rich yet, are professionals who earn significant income but struggle to […]