Politics and Your Portfolio: Why Diversification is Your Best Defense
In the wake of U.S. elections, emotions often run high — especially when it comes to how political outcomes might affect financial markets. Financial Planning magazine asked 320 advisors “how will the US election outcome influence your retirement plan?” A staggering 90% anticipated a negative impact on their clients’ portfolios. This survey was from 2016, […]
Kick-Start Your Child’s Retirement Savings by Rolling Over Unused NYS 529 Plan Assets
With college costs increasing at a rate greater than inflation, investing within a 529 plan offers participants the opportunity to keep up with rising education expenses with some immediate tax savings upon funding. Since there are many unknown factors as to how much your child’s future education expenses will cost, it can be difficult to […]
Leveraging Investments for Charitable Donations
Utilizing investment assets to fund charitable contributions allows investors to maximize their donations while simultaneously receiving a greater tax benefit. Consider implementing the following strategies prior to the end of the year to elevate your charitable giving for 2024: Qualified Charitable Distributions(QCDs): A Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) is a direct transfer of funds from an […]
Year-End Tax Planning
While tax season is still several months away, year-end will be here before we know it. With that in mind, it’s important to make sure you’re taking advantage of the tax-planning strategies that make sense for your unique situation. Here’s a short list of topics we’ll be discussing with our clients over the next few […]
Revisiting I-Bonds
I-Bonds were a fantastic investment opportunity in 2022 as inflation rates were the highest we had seen in decades. I-Bonds purchased from May 1st through October 31st of 2022 earned a return of 9.62% (annualized) for the first six months. Since then, rates on I-Bonds purchased during that period in 2022 have been much more […]
Inherited IRAs – IRS Issues Final Regulations
Prior to 2019, most beneficiaries of Inherited IRAs could stretch out Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) over their lifetime. However, the first SECURE Act eliminated this benefit and required that most non-spouse beneficiaries empty inherited accounts within 10 years. This change led to considerable confusion, most notably, whether annual RMDs were necessary during this 10-year period. […]
Retirees and Part-Time Work: Navigating the Tax Complexities
Businesses everywhere face the challenge of finding and retaining valuable employees. To fill these gaps, many employers are turning to retirees. With years of experience, institutional knowledge, and for many a desire to stay busy while earning income, they are an excellent candidate to help bridge the employment gap. Confronted with the offer of highly […]
How to Improve your Credit Score
Your credit score is more than just a number; it’s a critical component of your financial picture. A high credit score can unlock lower interest rates on loans, better credit card offers, and even impact your ability to rent an apartment or acquire a motor vehicle. Here are some actionable steps to take if you’re […]
3 Thoughts for the Recently Graduated Physician Assistant
Congratulations on completing your PA curriculum and good luck as you start your career in the healthcare profession! After years of hard work and sacrifice, you are finally ready to start earning a steady paycheck. Given the significant change in income, it’s important to take the time now to develop smart financial habits. Here are […]
TIAA Traditional – Interest Rate Renewals
Many clients have employer sponsored plans with TIAA-CREF which offers various investment options including TIAA Traditional, its flagship fixed annuity product. This type of financial product guarantees a minimum rate of interest while you save, and if you annuitize your retirement plan, it provides a minimum monthly amount of income during retirement like Social Security […]
