A House Divided
The latest research suggests that divorce rates in the U.S. have been falling in recent decades. Still, many people face the difficult crossroads that comes when their marriage ends.1 Getting a divorce is often a painful, emotional process. Don’t be in such a hurry to reach a settlement that you make poor decisions that can […]
What It Takes to Become an Accredited Investor
For the average investor, the financial landscape can sometimes feel like a complex maze with limited access to certain investment opportunities. However, within this realm exists a distinct category known as accredited investors. If you’ve ever wondered what sets accredited investors apart, this article provides an overview. Most investors don’t qualify for accredited investor status […]
Are You Prepared for an Estate Tax Sunset?
The federal estate tax threshold rose to $27.22 million in 2024 for married couples and $13.61 million for individuals as part of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA). Like several TCJA provisions, the higher estate tax limit is due to sunset in 2025. Barring congressional action, the exemption amount will return to about $6.8 […]
3 Estate Challenges for Blended Families
Preparing your estate can be complicated, and if you’re a part of a blended family, estate decisions can be even more complex and nuanced. Blended families take on many forms but typically consist of couples with children from previous relationships. Here are a few case studies to help illustrate some of the challenges. Case Study […]
A Checklist for When a Spouse or Parent Passes
When you lose a spouse, partner, or parent, the grief can be overwhelming. In the midst of that grief, life goes on. There are arrangements to be made, things to be taken care of – and in recognition of this reality, here is a checklist that you may find useful at such a time. First, […]
Managing the Risk of Outliving Your Money
“What is your greatest retirement fear?” If you ask some pre-retirees this question, “outliving my money” may be one of the top answers. In fact, 45% of workers say they fear outliving their savings and investments.1 Retirees face greater “longevity risk” today. The Census Bureau says that Americans typically retire around age 62 for women […]
Why Everyone Needs an Estate Strategy
Bull & Bear Markets: A Timeline
Inflation and the Real Rate of Return
The real rate of return is an important personal finance concept to understand. It’s the rate of return on your investments after inflation. The real rate of return indicates whether you are gaining or losing purchasing power with your money. So if inflation checks in at a rate of 6%, does that mean any investment […]
Your Shifting Risk Tolerance
When you created your investment strategy, your asset allocation should have reflected your goals, time horizon, and tolerance for risk. But over time, any of those three factors may have changed, and your portfolio may now need adjustments to reflect your new investing priorities. It’s important to remember that asset allocation is an approach to […]