Tips to minimize tax burdens in order to maximize your retirement wealth Once retirees reach age 73 (as per the latest SECURE Act changes), they must start taking Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) from tax-deferred accounts such as 401(k)s and traditional IRAs. Failure to comply can result in hefty penalties. Understanding how to calculate and manage RMDs is essential to maintaining tax efficiency and financial stability. How to Calculate and Take RMDs Without Unnecessary Tax Burdens The … [Read more...]
Walking the Tightrope – Navigating Growth Concerns and AI Optimism
The investment landscape in late 2025 is defined by a paradox that's keeping even seasoned strategists up at night. Markets are experiencing a powerful convergence of AI-driven growth and evolving central bank policies, with scenarios ranging from a soft landing with managed disinflation to more challenging outcomes like stagflation or increased market concentration. Understanding this tension is crucial for positioning your portfolio effectively. The Growth Dilemma While pro-business … [Read more...]
October Market Commentary
Boo! At least that is what it feels like around my neighborhood. Halloween decorations everywhere… Will the market give us a trick or a treat? That is the question every October. This year it feels more like a treat into the new year. Unemployment numbers have gone up and the Fed has lowered rates to combat it. Was it enough? That question is only answered “after” a few years have passed and then the economists can get an accurate calculation and say whether it was the right call. So, … [Read more...]
September 2025 Recap
A Strong September S&P 500 and Nasdaq score their best September in 15 years. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq posted their strongest September in 15 years. September 2025 was notable as investors navigated Federal Reserve policy changes, moderating inflation, and ongoing economic resilience. The Fed implemented its first interest rate cut of the cycle, which investors interpreted as a positive sign for potential economic support, though risks remain from inflation and global trade … [Read more...]
The Two-Track Economy
How Wealthy Consumers Are Keeping Growth Afloat As financial professionals, we often describe the U.S. economy as primarily driven by the consumer. Household spending accounts for nearly two-thirds of total economic activity, making it the cornerstone of both growth and resilience. Recent data, however, underscores an important nuance: not all consumers are contributing equally. The spending power of the wealthiest households is carrying a disproportionate share of activity—more so than at any … [Read more...]
Private Equity Could Be Headed for Your 401(k)
Approach very carefully and with a clear understanding of the trade-offs One of the most significant shifts in retirement investing in decades is underway: the Trump administration has signed an executive order intended to open up 401(k) accounts and other employer-sponsored retirement plans to private-market assets – including private equity, private credit, and real estate. For private-asset firms like Apollo, KKR, Carlyle, and Blackstone, this is an enormous opportunity. A $12 trillion … [Read more...]
Markets Are Hitting New Records. Know Why?
Maybe not – but make sure you are guided by a grounded, flexible plan One of the most common – and confounding – questions in investing is: Why are stocks rising right now? Sometimes, there’s a clear explanation: a strong earnings report, favorable economic data, or a shift in interest rates. But more often than not, the market moves in ways that even seasoned professionals struggle to explain. A now-famous satirical article once joked that stocks “rallied early this morning for reasons … [Read more...]
Five Key Impacts of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act
Changes for equity investors and potential actions to consider in response On July 3, 2025, Congress passed and on July 4th the President signed into law the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” (OBBBA), a sweeping fiscal package aimed at tax reform, business incentives, and federal budget adjustments. While broad in scope, the bill contains several provisions that could have material implications for public equity markets. Here are five of the most financially significant changes for investors and … [Read more...]
July Market Commentary
July 2025 Well, I think the bargaining chips worked out…. (The threat of tariffs- see last quarter’s commentary.) The market has been very happy for the last couple of months. For all the tariff drama, you would have thought the world was coming to an end, but it hasn’t, we’re still here. And the market is fine, hitting new record highs….. Some of our research vendors have pointed out some interesting statistics. Mainly when the market has a pullback like we saw in April and then gets … [Read more...]
How to Plan Your Retirement in a Complex World
Ten insights to help you navigate your retirement with clarity and confidence Retirement in the 21st century is evolving faster than ever. Gone are the days when retirees could count on a pension, a Social Security check, and a conservative bond portfolio to meet their needs. Today’s retirees face a dynamic and sometimes unpredictable environment shaped by policy uncertainty, market volatility, inflation pressures, and rapid technological change. As financial advisors, it’s our role to provide … [Read more...]