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Quarterly Insights - Q1 2025
The S&P 500 rose to an all-time high in the fourth quarter and extended 2024 gains as the election results raised expectations for tax cuts and other pro-growth policies in 2025.
Read MoreQuaterly Insights - Q3 2024
Markets were volatile in the third quarter as investors faced political turmoil and increased uncertainty about future economic growth, but the return of Fed rate cuts and solid corporate earnings helped to offset those political and...
Read More5 Common RMD Mistakes That Could Ruin Your Retirement
As age 73 nears, it is critical that you begin considering how you want to handle the required minimum distributions (RMDs) you are obligated to withdraw from your tax-advantaged retirement accounts, including 401(k)s, 403(b)s, 457s,...
Read MoreExpected Rate Cuts, Falling Treasury Yields & AI Enthusiasm Power S&P Higher
The S&P 500 experienced its first real dose of volatility early in the second quarter. However expectations for interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve, solid economic growth and...
Read MoreThe Role of Luck in Retirement Planning: Separating Myths from Realities
What is luck? Most dictionaries define it more or less as something good or bad that happens to you, by chance or otherwise, that you find, or don’t find, desirable. We typically associate luck with happiness, gratitude, and a sense of...
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The Tax Benefits of a Backdoor Roth IRA for High Earners
A Backdoor Roth IRA is a strategy that allows individuals who earn too much to directly contribute to a Roth IRA to still contribute to one indirectly. The strategy takes advantage of a loophole in the tax code that allows individuals...
Read MoreWays to Minimize Tax on an Investment Portfolio
Improving return by minimizing taxes Although we are all obligated to pay our fair share of taxes, few of us would be pleased to pay taxes unnecessarily. Because taxes lower the actual return on your investments, you should be...
Read MoreHow to Plan for a Healthy Retirement
Planning for retirement often involves focusing on your finances and ensuring that you not only will have enough to sustain you during your retirement but adequate funds to do the things you enjoy doing. While this strategy is a...
Read MoreFinding Focus with Financial Planning: A Step-By-Step Guide
You have probably heard about financial planning and its potential benefits, but you are unsure how to apply the principles to your life. A financial plan is a collection of steps that help you to evaluate your financial condition and...
Read MoreHigh Net-Worth Individuals: Are You Missing Opportunities in Your Financial Planning?
High Net-Worth executives and those that have been self-employed, can experience common problems in their financial planning journey. Often, they have missed opportunities in their financial planning because they haven’t planned adequately.
Read MoreQUARTERLY INSIGHTS - Q1 2024
The 2023 rally continued in the first quarter of 2024 as a positive combination of stable economic growth, falling inflation, impending Fed rate cuts and ever-growing enthusiasm towards artificial intelligence (AI). The S&P 500 rose above 5
Read MoreKey Estate Planning Documents You Need
Benefits of a will: Distributes property according to your wishes Names an executor to settle your estate Names a guardian for minor children There are five estate planning documents you may need, regardless of your age, health, or...
Read MoreHow Emotional and Behavioral Barriers May Impact Your Investing Decisions
Ah, Money. The word leaves you with a positive or a negative feeling when you hear it. The feeling we get from money, and investing, has deep roots inside our emotions, although we may not understand why. Behavioral science explains...
Read MoreThe Great Wealth Transfer and Generation X
A call to action for Generation X to improve their retirement readiness For many members of Generation X, those born between 1965 and 1980, a comfortable retirement may feel like an increasingly distant dream. Despite being in their...
Read MoreMaking the Most of an Interest Rate Hike Pause: Financial Tips and Strategies
In times of market volatility, when inflation is increasing, the Federal Reserve will raise interest rates to help to cool the inflation spike. During this period, people are anxious and keep a tight grip on their wallets. In time, the...
Read MoreQUARTERLY INSIGHTS - Q4 2023
Markets staged an impressive reversal in the fourth quarter thanks to a surprise dovish pivot by the Federal Reserve, which combined with solid economic activity and declining inflation to push stocks sharply higher and send the S&P...
Read MoreVero Wealth Management Welcomes Eric Womack, Wealth Associate
Eric Womack has signed on with the financial services firm, Vero Wealth Management. Our team extends a warm welcome to Eric Womack, Wealth Associate. Eric’s dedication to client service and providing personalized financial advice...
Read MoreTips to Avoid Common Estate Planning Mistakes
With a few simple actions, you can ensure your estate planning is effective Whether your estate plan is simple or complex, there are many details, which are often overlooked, that can undermine your plan’s effectiveness. Are you...
Read MoreEnd of Year (EOY) Deadlines Checklist
For many of us, a new year is an opportunity for fresh starts and discovering the best versions of ourselves, but some things—like tax contributions and retirement deadlines—don't change much, if at all.
Read MoreYear-end Tax Planning for High-Net-Worth Individuals
As the year’s end approaches, High-Net-Worth Individuals (HNWIs) must prepare for one of the most critical monetary tasks: year-end tax planning.
Read More6 Tips for Reducing Social Security Taxes
Determining how your income impacts Social Security (SS) taxes is important for tax planning. Factors that determine how much pay SS tax you pay, depending on your circumstances.
Read More7 Estate Planning Topics to Discuss with the Family over Thanksgiving Dinner
One of the more difficult conversations for family members to have is talking about estate planning. There are several reasons for this, including the reality of our own mortality and that of our loved ones.
Read MoreSenior Cyber Safety – How to Avoid a Cyber Identity Crisis
You may have thought your digital identity was safe and not a likely target of a cybercriminal until one day, the bank calls wondering if purchases made at a store that you have never been to, 2,000 miles away, were made by you.
Read MoreQuarterly Insights - Q3 2023
The Weight of Higher Rates & Return of Volatility The S&P 500 rose to the highest level since March 2022 early in the third quarter but rising global bond yields, fears of a rebound in inflation and concerns about a future economic...
Read MoreHave You Checked Your Retirement Plan Lately
It's generally a good idea to review your employer-sponsored retirement savings plan at least once each year and when major life changes occur.
Read MoreDisconnect Between the Markets & the Economy
Trying to reconcile recent market advances with not-so-good economic data. U.S. stock markets continue to trend up as optimism returns to Wall Street while Main Street USA continues to struggle.
Read MoreFinancial Planning at Every Age
In 2013, a Gallup poll found that only about one in every three U.S. households maintained a budget.(1) A 2021 survey of 1,000 Americans found that 80% now say they have a budget.(2) Americans are budgeting more due to the pandemic.
Read MoreRetirement Planning Does Not Stop in Retirement
Five easy pointers to help you plan during all of your retirement years. If you’re retired, there’s good news in that you’ll probably live longer and perhaps better than your parents and grandparents did.
Read MoreA Look at Your Portfolio Mix
With the onset of higher taxes, taxpayers in the upper brackets may want to reposition their portfolios. Even those in lower tax brackets may benefit from portfolio review and reallocation of funds.
Read MoreLPL Financial Research Midyear Outlook 2023: The Path Toward Stability
Our 2023 investing outlook started with a theme of returning to normalcy. Considering 2022’s market volatility and the aftereffects of the pandemic, the idea of finding balance was certainly a welcomed change.
Read MoreQuarterly Insights - Q2 2023
Rates, Inflation & a Resilient EconomyThe S&P 500 ended the second quarter and first half of 2023 at a 14-month high and most major stock indices logged solid gains in the second quarter following a pause in the Fed’s rate hike...
Read MoreStocks and Bonds Before and After Taxes
Investing in U.S. stocks and bonds is a popular way for individuals and institutions to grow their wealth and generate income. However, it is important to consider the impact of taxes on these investments.
Read MoreA Mid-Year Financial Plan Review Makes Sense
“Old-fashioned” practices, such as periodic financial reviews, can lead to greater confidence in the long run. As the year passes its midpoint, why not spend a few hours reviewing your finances?
Read MoreA New Financial Crisis or a Typical Bear Market
As the Federal Reserve is fresh from raising its key policy interest rate for the 9th consecutive time, it is essential to analyze the current financial landscape and understand the potential implications of these events.
Read MoreMoney Milestones: 4 Financial Goals for Older Individuals
If you saved for retirement for a while, you may continue to work toward new financial goals every year or every decade to manage the freedom you worked so hard to enable. Here are four goals older individuals may consider.
Read MoreLet’s Talk Investing
Many people are not well-versed in how to financially plan for their future. According to a 2022 Gallup poll, only 58 percent of Americans reported that they own stock. Here's a look into the experiences different generations have had.
Read MoreQuarterly Insights – Q1 2023
The S&P 500 Starts Year with Gains Despite Continued UncertaintyThe S&P 500 ended the first quarter of 2023 with a solid gain as hopes for an economic “soft landing” and the Fed signaling that their historic rate hike...
Read MoreIs an Annuity Appropriate for You?
When it comes to your retirement, there are three factors that you may want to take into account when planning for your retirement income needs. Find out if an annuity is appropriate for you.
Read MoreEnduring Market Volatility With a Financial Plan
What might you do to survive and even thrive during volatile markets? A financial plan may help you feel more confident.
Read MoreThe Differences Between Growth, Core & Value
Understanding your style of investing is an important step in deciding where to allocate your portfolio- keep reading for insights.
Read MoreTaxation of Investments
Just how do you report your investments and how are they taxed? Read on for answers.
Read MoreQuarterly Insights – Q4 2022
Early in the 4th quarter easing inflation pressures and a resolution of the fiscal turmoil in the United Kingdom fueled a strong rally in stocks and bonds. Hawkish Fed guidance, disappointing economic data, and rising global bond yields...
Read MoreInvest In These 4 Common Sense Investing Rules
During these times, it may be wise to remind yourself of these four common sense rules for investing—time-tested strategies that may help keep you calm and stay the course no matter what the market has in store.
Read MoreYear-End Tax Planning Basics
The window of opportunity for many tax-saving moves closes on December 31, so evaluate your tax situation now, while there's still time to affect your bottom line for the 2022 tax year. Here we discuss some year-end tax planning basics.
Read MoreMake a Positive Impact This Giving Tuesday With Impact Investing
While Black Friday and Cyber Monday center on consumer deals, Giving Tuesday—the Tuesday after Thanksgiving—has a different focus. Each year, individuals and corporations are encouraged to use the day to support charities...
Read More5 Year-End Tax Planning Questions to Ask Your Financial Professional
The average U.S. income tax rate stands at just over 13%—and if you're like many taxpayers, you're always looking for new tips and tricks to help reduce this percentage.1There are a number of different tax planning moves you can...
Read MoreUnderstanding the Estate Planning Process
A well-structured estate plan can be invaluable to you and your familyIt is common for people to put off planning their estates. After all, no one wants to anticipate their death. In addition, many may believe that only the wealthy...
Read MoreHow Estate Planning Can Help Prepare for Long Term Care
The cost of long-term care can vary widely based on location (both city and state) and level of care needed. However, one thing is for certain: with 7 in every 10 people requiring long-term care at some point, preparing for this...
Read MoreQuarterly Insights – October 2022
Global markets declined again in the third quarter as inflation remained near multi-decade highs, geopolitical tensions escalated further, and the Federal Reserve continued to aggressively hike interest rates signaling future rate...
Read MoreConverting Savings to Retirement Income
During your working years, you've probably set aside funds in retirement accounts. Your challenge during retirement is to convert those savings into an ongoing income stream that provides adequate income throughout your retirement years.
Read More8 Things Financial Planning Can Help You Address
Financial planning is unique for each person. Financial planning examines your current financial situation by assessing your budget, life and goals. Here are eight things financial planning can help you address to stay on track.
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