Executive Summary As we approach the end of 2021 and look toward next year, uncertainty surrounding a new COVID-19 variant, inflation, and expected monetary policy changes are top of mind. Despite these headwinds—and the likelihood that both economic growth and corporate earnings growth will slow in 2022—the U.S. economy is well-positioned for continued growth in 2022 and beyond. What Piqued Our Interest Just when it looked as though we cleared the hurdles from the Delta variant during the summer, the new Omicron variant surged into headlines toward the end of November. The concern at this sta ..read more

Retirement is, undeniably, a major transition. Over the coming months, you’ll make the shift from going to work on a daily basis to spending your time with either a part-time job or something outside the workforce altogether. This reduction in hours worked isn’t the only big transition you’ll face. You’ll also be making the switch from saving for retirement to withdrawing funds from your accounts and spending in retirement, which can come with a lot of concerns, including how to make sure your savings last throughout retirement. Following these tips can potentially help relieve some of that wo ..read more

If you’re an investor looking to build a well-diversified portfolio, you’re likely familiar with mutual funds. But do you know how they work, and do you know there are two different kinds? Mutual funds can be classified as closed-end or open-end, and while they have some similarities, they also have some major differences. But first, let’s take a moment to revisit what mutual funds even are. What Are Mutual Funds? Both closed-end and open-end mutual funds are investment companies that pool the monies from various investors in a fund established to accomplish a financial objective. The funds ar ..read more

Accumulating wealth and saving for retirement is a familiar concept for many people, even if the specific strategies aren’t. But what about when you transition into retirement and need to make the switch from saving to spending? Is your portfolio set up for success in your golden years? Having a financial plan to support you once you’re actually in retirement doesn’t always get the same attention as advice for setting aside savings in your working years. Consider these key components of a successful financial plan in retirement: 1. Realign Your Financial Plan to Your Personal Values This is so ..read more

At its core, legacy planning is about life and death, family and community, and love and values. It requires us to consider our own demise, a subject many of us don’t exactly want to keep top of mind. When you think about your legacy, there can be a lot to consider. What does it even mean to leave behind a legacy? And how can the estate planning decisions you make today impact the legacy you leave when you’re gone? Let’s start with something that might seem simple on the surface but may not actually be so cut and dry once we dig a little deeper. What Is Your Legacy? In its most basic form, est ..read more

The end of 2021 is fast approaching, which means for both individuals and retirement plan sponsors alike, there are only a few weeks left to get your retirement plans in order before we transition to 2022. Below are some retirement plan moves to consider making before the end of the year. Retirement Planning for Individuals* If you’re an individual who owns an employer-sponsored 401(k) account, here are some things you should think about doing before the end of the year: Make Last-Minute 401(k) Contributions If you’re age 49 or younger, you can contribute up to $19,500 to your 401(k) plan in 2 ..read more

Everyone knows they need to plan for retirement. But what exactly does that look like? How do you know you’re taking all the right steps to seek out a safe pathway to retirement? It’s all too common for people to struggle with planning for their own retirement, but many still hesitate to engage a professional. After all, with so many financial advisors out there, how do you know which one is the right one for your situation? And how do you know now is the right time to reach out? Partnering with a financial advisor can help you establish a plan that ensures you’re working to address your retir ..read more

The year is winding down, and it will be 2022 before we know it—and then tax season arrives. That is still a few months off, but good planning can be done well in advance of tax deadlines and the preparation stage. Reaching out to your tax advisor now, before year-end, allows time for you to address things so there are fewer surprises later (and possibly save some money in the process). Here are seven topics to bring up to your CPA or tax preparer. 1. Higher Income If your household income has risen noticeably since last year, your tax preparer is going to want to know sooner rather than later ..read more

Executive Summary While supply chain issues and proposed legislative spending capture headlines, U.S. equities rebounded strong in October after several prior weeks of volatility. Looking forward, the markets could continue to benefit from relatively easy monetary and fiscal conditions, but lingering inflation concerns pose a risk to future Fed policy, which has become overtly intertwined with investors’ appetite for riskier assets. What Piqued Our Interest The market is navigating a ton of moving pieces as we approach the midpoint of the fourth quarter. Monetary policy and the Federal Reserve ..read more

If you’re looking to use your time to help those in need or the world around you, you have three options: The first is to earn more money and give more money away. The second is to volunteer your time. The third is to embark on a career change and work for a non-profit. If you decide to volunteer your time or work for a non-profit, the next question is how you choose between competing charitable opportunities. As you weigh your options, consider the following five criteria: 1. Passion (What’s Important to You?) What do you really care about: medical research, caring for the poor, supporting th ..read more