Highlights of the SECURE Act 2.0 This handy reference guide will tell you what the new rules are and how they’re different from the old ones. Nearly all the changes are included: 10-year limit on inherited IRAs No “forced” IRA spending until age 73/75 No more age limits for contributing to an IRA Enhanced catch-up contributions for some savers A reduction in missed RMD penalties Lifetime income disclosure in 401(k) statements 401(k) auto-enrollment maximum boosted to 15% Use of 529 accounts to pay off student loans QCD contribution account linked to inflation Click here to view, save and pri ..read more

  We are thrilled to announce the Barron’s has named Dimensional Fund Advisors No. 1 in the outlet’s “Best Fund Families of 2022” list. “One of our most important duties as your Fiduciary, is to screen, select and monitor your mutual fund options and managers. Since 2017, we have been closely aligned with Dimensional Fund Advisors (DFA) and, with results like this, see a long and prosperous future for us all in this relationship.” ~ Susan Linkous The Best Fund Families rankings look at the one-year records of how each firm’s actively managed funds performed vs. peers, based on data ..read more

A favorite quote- “The car is the closest thing we will ever create to something that is alive.” ~ Sir William Lyons Currently Reading: The Bomber Mafia by Malcolm Gladwell   Municipal bonds are a key part of many investor’s portfolios and there are two common types. General obligation bonds are issued by states, cities or counties and not secured by any assets. Instead, general obligation are backed by the “full faith and credit” of the issuer, which has the power to tax residents to pay bondholders. Revenue bonds are not backed by government’s taxing powe ..read more

With 2023 well underway, we can put 2022 into clear perspective and move on knowing that efficient implementation of investment strategy means we don’t have to try and outguess markets, we simply have to access and participate in them.   David Booth has taken the time demonstrate just this in attached piece “2 Forward 1 Back”. It’s a must read! Of all the great events in our area this time of year, it’s the car shows that Sophia and I get the most excited about. All makes, models and ages appeal to us. I’m not sure if being a car enthusiast is in the genes but it may be. My mother, Bettye ..read more

Download our handy Key Financial Data 2023 reference guide for 2023. Information includes: 2023 Tax Rate Schedule Standard Deductions & Child Tax Credit Tax Rate on Long-Term Capital Gains and Qualified Dividends Net Investment Income Brackets Exemption Amounts for Alternative Minimum Tax Gift and Estate Exclusion and Credits Education Credits, Deductions and Distributions Tax Deadlines Retirement Plan Contribution Limits Individual Retirement Accounts Health Savings Accounts Deductibility of Long-Term Care Premiums on Qualified Policies Medicare Deductibles Social Security Medicare Premi ..read more

The Linkous Group, Ltd. is a Registered Investment Advisor serving our clients as their fiduciary on a fee basis. Mark Miller, in attached article, explains and confirms exactly why we are proud to have adopted this business model over two decades ago. Read The New York Times: Financial Planning for Retirement: It’s More Accessible, but Be Careful    We will continue to adapt and stay on forefront of all industry trends to offer our clients the absolute best financial planning and investment management can bring. ~Susan ..read more

A favorite quote- “”I know the price of success: dedication, hard work and an unremitting devotion to the things you want to see happen.”.” ~Frank Lloyd Wright Holiday Reading List: Eating to Extinction by D. Saladino, Power Failure by W. Cohan and Geopolitical Alpha by M. Papic. I keep an old-fashioned recipe file and track the number of times I make it. Looking back at 2022 the following was my go-to meal being made 27 times as of writing this with one more sure to be enjoyed by year-end. Delightful Baked Halibut (The Kitchen Community) Preheat oven to 400 and heat a little olive oil in oven ..read more

Albert Einstein once said, “It is not that I’m so smart but I stay with the questions much longer”.  This year has been one that required continual questioning to understand all that impacted the global economy, our client’s changing needs as they move from pandemic living, and the direction of the financial services industry. The most challenging event to navigate was also the most welcome, interest rates increased. For many years, investment portfolios have carried more risk than many preferred due to heavier reliance on equities for return opportunities. Long missed were the bond ..read more

LPL Research’s Outlook 2023: Finding Balance is LPL’s guide to how the readjustments in the economy and markets may impact you in the coming year. The disruptions may not be fully resolved and there may be more challenges to come, but progress toward finding balance is well underway. And when those disruptions hit the market, it can be hard to find our footing and stay the course. Those are the times when sound financial advice is more valuable than ever, as it helps us find our center, remember our plan, and stay focused on our goals.   Download the guide or view the digital version on ..read more

Some investors may worry about the stock market sinking after a recession is officially announced. But history shows that markets incorporate expectations ahead of economic reports. The global financial crisis offers a lesson in the forward-looking nature of the stock market. The US recession spanned from December 2007 to May 2009, as indicated by the shaded area in the chart. But the official “in recession” announcement came in December 2008—a year after the recession had started. By then, stock prices had already dropped more than 40%,2 reflecting expectations of how the slow ..read more