Ask the Adviser: What Do I Need to Know About a Hardship Withdrawal From My Retirement Plan?
An early withdrawal from your retirement accounts can create immediate taxes and reduce long-term retirement savings. Learn how hardship distributions rules differ from exceptions to the 10% additional tax and what to consider before taking money out.
Trump Accounts for Older Kids: A Potential Planning Strategy
Trump Accounts may offer a long-term planning opportunity even for children who do not qualify for the $1,000 federal contribution. Learn how the strategy might work and what families should consider.
Ask the Adviser: How Can I Title My Cars To Limit Liability?
Understanding how your assets are titled is a major tool to protect your wealth.
Ask the Adviser: How Do I Know If My Asset Allocation Is Still Right for Me?
Does a big milestone mean you should change your asset allocation? Not necessarily. We always ask our clients these 5 key questions before we rebalance their portfolio.
The Pros and Cons of Self-Directing Your Employer-Sponsored Retirement Account
While more investment choices may be appealing, there are some issues to be aware of before taking this direction.
Ask the Adviser: What is the Pro-Rata Rule and Formula for Converting an IRA to a Roth IRA?
Here, we break down the IRS pro-rata rule—a calculation that helps distinguish pre-tax and after-tax funds.
Ask the Adviser: What should I do with Paper U.S. Savings Bonds? How to Convert Paper U.S. Savings Bonds to Electronic Bonds.
Converting your paper savings bonds to an electronic format allows you to access their current rate and value, which is especially important as you plan for retirement.
Ask the Adviser: How Can I Help My Children Achieve Financial Independence Without Spoiling Them?
Many parents want to help their family achieve financial independence without “spoiling” them. Discover how gifting through Roth IRAs and HSAs can provide a lasting legacy and tax-free growth for the next generation.
Avoiding the Unpleasant Surprise of a Mutual Fund Capital Gain Distribution
Capital gain distributions from mutual funds can create unexpected tax bills—especially when investing in taxable accounts near year-end. Understanding realized gains, unrealized gains, and distribution timing can help investors avoid costly surprises.
Ask the Adviser: If I don’t have earned income can I Fund my Retirement Accounts Based on my Spouse’s Income?
If you don’t have earned income of your own, you might think your path to retirement savings is blocked. However, if you are married and filing a joint return, your spouse’s income can unlock the door to your own IRA. Whether you are looking to catch up on savings or protect your assets from future medical costs, the “Spousal IRA” is a powerful wealth-building tool you should be using.
New Year, New Tax Laws
Two major tax law changes take effect in 2026—charitable deductions for non-itemizers and mandatory Roth catch-up contributions. Here’s what they mean for your retirement plan.
The Three Ghosts of Retirement (Past, Present, and Future)
Your retirement is personal, but it’s easy to worry if it’s as secure as it could be. Inspired by *A Christmas Carol*, we explore the three “ghosts” that haunt retirees: taxes, inflation, and sequence of returns. Learn how planning can drive away these common fears.
Ask the Adviser: How Should I Title My Vehicles to Limit Liability?
To properly assess the risk that liability poses, it’s important to have a clear understanding of your overall net worth. Vehicle titling and insurance strategies can then work together to limit exposure and help protect your finances.
Ask the Adviser: How can I Find Fulfillment in Retirement?
In 1986, David Barrett wrote the song titled “One Shining Moment”. This song is now played to wrap up coverage of the NCAA Division I men’s basketball tournament championship game. Highlights…
Protect Your Path to Retirement: Managing Risk with Insurance
A well-rounded financial plan isn’t just about growing wealth—it’s about protecting it. Life and disability insurance play a crucial role in safeguarding your financial future and ensuring that your loved ones are provided for, regardless of what life brings.
How do I fix a missed RMD?
RMD rules can be highly complex, and it’s easy to make mistakes by taking the wrong RMD amount, taking an RMD from the wrong account, or missing an RMD altogether.
Three Questions to Ask When Inheriting an IRA in 2025
The distribution rules for inherited IRAs can be very confusing. Here, we look at three key questions to help you see through the fog and avoid unnecessary pitfalls.
I Just Inherited an IRA From My Parent. Now What?
The new rule for adults who inherit an IRA from their parents in 2020 and beyond is that they must liquidate that account within 10 years.
Ask the Adviser: What’s the difference between premium bonds and discount bonds?
Bonds can be sold on the secondary market for more—or less—than par value. That sale price separates a “premium” from a “discount” bond.
Are You an Investor—or a Speculator?
When you purchase gold, cryptocurrencies, or art, you own an asset you hope will appreciate—without any real idea if it will.
