The “Family Tax Office” Mindset: Kids, Education, and Inter-Generational Planning
Most families experience taxes in fragments: a 529 plan opened when a child is born, a custodial account started with a grandparent gift, retirement accounts scattered across employers, and estate documents drafted years ago. The “Family Tax Office” mindset takes a different approach. Instead of treating each account or decision in isolation, it views the…
Read MoreAnnual Rebalancing Steps for 2026
It is important to rebalance your investments regularly, at least on an annual basis. In simple terms, rebalancing is the process of reviewing and then possibly changing your current mix of investments in your investment accounts. For example, as you settle into your career and still have decades until your retirement, you might decide that…
Read MoreNo Strategy Is Always Right
When the facts change, your strategy should change, as well. If you stay wedded to the same investment plan all the time, you lose sooner or later. Every investment strategy stops working at some point, either temporarily or permanently. Buy-and-hold and asset allocation worked well in the bull market of the 1980s and 1990s, but…
Read MoreCapital Gains: Same Rates, New Planning Angles
On the surface, capital gains rules in 2026 look familiar. Long‑term capital gains (on assets held more than one year) are still taxed at 0%, 15%, or 20%, depending on your taxable income and filing status. Short‑term gains continue to be taxed at ordinary income rates, which can be significantly higher for many investors. The…
Read More2026 Tax Brackets, Deductions and “Paycheck Planning”
The tax code does not usually change in dramatic fashion from one year to the next, but even “routine” inflation adjustments can add up to meaningful dollars over time. For 2026, federal income tax brackets have been adjusted for inflation, and the standard deduction has stepped higher again. For many households, this combination slightly reduces…
Read MoreHow Do You Know if Your Assets are Diversified?: Using statistical correlations can help refine your investments and lower risk
How do you figure out how well your asset mix is diversified, and not too heavy in one area – like stocks? Seasoned investors are used to spreading risk across multiple investments, such as stocks, bonds and commodities. Professionals, however, take it a step further: measuring “correlations.” Understanding Correlations Without getting too technical, assets with…
Read MoreFinancial Anxiety Is Real But You Don’t Have to Face It Alone
It’s no secret that money worries weigh heavily on many Americans. Way back in 2021, 71% of employees said they were anxious about their financial futures. Fast forward to today, and that number has skyrocketed to a stunning 91%. Inflation—surprise, surprise—tops the list of anxieties across all generations. But it’s far from the only concern.…
Read MoreTax Season has begun: What You Need to Know…
This week marks the official opening of the 2026 federal tax filing season, when the Internal Revenue Service begins accepting and processing 2025 individual income tax returns. For many Americans, this filing period will feel different from prior years—not just because of new forms and digital tools, but because of a significant wave of temporary…
Read MoreDe-Risking & Asset Allocation Shifts in DB Plans : Strategic de-risking is an opportunity to realign with organizational goals
Shifts in DB Plans Defined benefit plans are undergoing a strategic transformation. Many sponsors are now enjoying improved funded statuses, largely due to robust equity performance and a prolonged high-interest-rate environment. This shift presents a crucial inflection point for plan management. The core driver of today’s de-risking efforts lies in the mathematical interplay between plan…
Read MoreThe Sandwich Generation Balancing College, Eldercare, and Retirement
Many investors in their late 30s, 40s, and early 50s find themselves squeezed between competing responsibilities: saving for retirement, supporting children, and helping aging parents. This “sandwich generation” faces a unique set of financial and emotional challenges. Without a plan, the pressure can lead to reactive decisions that undermine long‑term security. With a structured approach…
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