Tag Archives: financial planning

Trusts are essential to estate planning, regardless of your financial means. After all, you do not have to be a millionaire to protect your family members and plan for their continual care after you are gone. With a trust, you can help ensure that your wishes are followed, and your assets are transferred to heirs […]

There are times when you may find yourself short on cash to cover necessary and often significant expenses. This may include circumstances when you have unexpected medical bills and home repairs or you would like to help your child pay for graduate school or the purchase of a new home. While it may be tempting […]

Investors with remaining balances in 529 college-savings plans may roll unused balances into tax-free Roth IRAs for the benefit of named beneficiaries without risk of penalties or income-tax exposure. This provides young people with an opportunity to start saving for their future via an investment vehicle that offers tax-free growth and tax-free withdrawals in retirement. […]

For too long, women were socialized to believe that they were terrible with money or that financial management was a role better left to their husbands. While women have come a long way, there remains a significant gender gap in financial literacy. Ninety percent of women will need to be self-reliant with financial decisions at […]

The death of a spouse can be one of the most devastating events in an individual’s life. Not only must surviving spouses cope with the emotional, mental and physical turmoil of their crushing grief, but they will also face a tsunami of legal and financial decisions, including the responsibility to pay their bills, keep the […]

A growing movement of investors aspires to work for shorter periods, supercharging their savings and investing during their early years and enabling them to retire at a younger age than the generations before them. This strategy, referred to as Financial Independence, Retire Early (FIRE), may sound like a good plan, but it can be challenging […]

As college graduates embark on their professional careers, they should consider the following savings strategies to help prepare them for a sound financial future. Like most things in life, the earlier you start planning and preparing, the more likely you will achieve your goals. Employer-Sponsored Savings Plans While retirement may seem like a long way […]

Many of the provisions contained in the current tax law are set to expire on Dec. 31, 2025, signaling an immediate need for individuals to assess their existing estate plans to maintain long-term tax efficiency. Whether or not the current administration extends these laws, engaging in planning now can help reduce risks of potentially higher […]

If you are turning 60 to 63 years of age in 2025 or later, you have a unique opportunity to supercharge your retirement savings with new, more substantial catch-up contributions. Background Historically, the tax laws cap the annual contribution limits to 401(k), 403(b) and other qualified retirement plans. They also provide additional means for individuals […]

Effective Jan. 1, 2025, the federal estate tax exemption increased to $13.99 million, or $27.98 million for married couples filing joint tax returns. This means that individual taxpayers can transfer up to $13.99 million in assets to their heirs (or up to $27.98 million for married couples filing jointly) during life or at death without […]