Market Commentary: Stocks Pause on Geopolitical Risk but Underlying Dynamics Remain Positive
Holding Our Equity Forecast Steady The S&P 500 Index fell slightly last week after a late week retreat on escalating conflict in the Middle East. Despite a more than 20% gain in two months, down weeks have been normal off the lows with four of the last ten weeks seeing the index lower. …
Market Commentary: Stocks Pause on Geopolitical Risk but Underlying Dyanamics Remain Positive
Holding Our Equity Forecast Steady The S&P 500 Index fell slightly last week after a late week retreat on escalating conflict in the Middle East. Despite a more than 20% gain in two months, down weeks have been normal off the lows with four of the last ten weeks seeing the index lower. …
Facts Vs Feelings Take 5 – When Will Inflation Heat Up?
In the latest Take 5, Ryan Detrick, Chief Market Strategist, and Sonu Varghese, VP, Global Macro Strategist, examine the recent narrative that inflation is about to spike again — and explain why the actual data says otherwise. While tariff concerns and headline warnings have investors on ed …
Your Money
MoreWinning in 2025: Tax Strategies for a Thriving Year
Want to plan better for next year’s tax return? Learn about smart tax planning in our Winning in 2025: Tax Strategies for a Thriving Year webinar, now available for viewing on-demand.
Strategies to Help Finish the Tax Season Strong
Like gardening or working out, tax planning is one of those activities where you get out what you put in. Plenty of us have a weight bench gathering dust in the garage that hasn’t gotten us into any better shape, or a plot in the backyard that just won’t grow anything because we never weed …
Tax Planning Checklist
Each year it is important to review your plan to ensure you are taking advantage of all the tax breaks and incentives available to you. Annual inflation adjustments and new laws create opportunities to save for retirement or reduce your tax bill. To help you make the best decisions regardin …
2025 Calendar: Key Tasks & Financial Dates
Tackle 2025 with this month-by-month financial task list. We’ve also included important dates so you won’t miss any key deadlines.
Your Business
MoreLife Insurance Strategies for Business Owners
Owning a business can be like parenting. You’ve likely experienced many sleepless nights and spent a countless amount of energy on your “baby.” Like parenting, being a business owner can be an enriching journey and make life worth the trip.
From Tax Efficiency to Retirement: Financial Planning for Small Business Owners
Financial planning for a small business gets more complicated every day. Business owners must navigate tax efficiency (and life under the new Tax Cuts and Jobs Act), retirement preparations for yourself and your employees, and succession planning. Get your financial plan in place today and …
8 Financial Planning Tips for Small Business Owners
Running a small business involves juggling multiple responsibilities. Managing the business’s finances is one of the most crucial aspects. Proper financial management can be the difference between a thriving business and one that struggles to stay afloat. Here are eight essential financial …
Business Succession Planning Checklist
You remember your first day of business. But what about your last day? Succession planning is more complex than it may seem. Our guide walks you through the details.
Your Retirement
MoreIncome-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMAA) Worksheet
IRMAA, or the income-related monthly adjustment amount, is an extra amount you need to pay on top of Medicare Part B and Part D premiums based on your income. It’s never too early to start planning for these additional payments. This guide will help you identify some IRMAA planning points a …
How to Go from Making Money to Making Money Happen in Retirement
It’s a concept that is all too important as 4 in 10 Americans are at risk of running out of money in retirement. The landscape changes when you retire. Your goal now is to conserve, grow, maintain and otherwise hold onto what you already have.
8 Items That Can Be Crucial For Your Retirement Planning Checklist
Imagine yourself on your last ride home from work on the day you retire. The cardboard box is in the backseat, your gold watch is on your wrist and you realize you don’t have to wake up to an alarm clock tomorrow. Are you ready? Is your plan in place? Is that fear or excitement fluttering i …
Medicare and Managing Health Care Costs in Retirement
Health care costs in retirement aren't going anywhere. Naturally, as our bodies get older, it costs more to keep them running. Let's look at the parts of this vital program and how it plays a part in your financial plan.
Your Legacy
MoreHow Estate and Gift Taxes Can Impact Your Financial Plan
Tom Fridrich, JD, CLU, ChFC®, Manager and Senior Wealth Planner Giving something you own to someone else. It’s a simple, human act – one that seems like it shouldn’t take too much planning to do it correctly. But when does gifting become a tax issue? What do you need to consider about gifti …
Why You Might Need a Power of Attorney
Have you thought about your legacy? We highly recommend that you appoint a trusted family member or friend as your power of attorney (POA), giving them the ability to help with your financial or health needs, should an unfortunate event occur in your life.
7 Tips to Successfully Transfer Wealth to Your Kids
70% of family wealth is lost by the end of the second generation and 90% by the end of the third. Get our step-by-step guide to help you successfully pass your wealth to the next generation. Download Guide
A Guide to Gifting to Your Heirs
Gifting to your loved ones now or posthumously each carries their own positives and negatives as they relate to your estate plan, taxes, your goals and your legacy.
Your Freedom
MoreCompounding Wealth (and Wisdom): The Power of Compound Interest
No single strategy works forever, but you also don’t want to change your approach every time the markets shift slightly. How does investing work – not just for a season or a year or two, but for a lifetime? Time is a major factor when it comes to successful investing.
How to Make Charitable Giving Part of Your Financial Plan
COVID-19 caused an economic shockwave that we’ll feel for a long time. Nonprofits, from large global networks to the local churches, have been hit hard, too. In a recent survey of 110 nonprofits, 80% of them said revenue had fallen across the board.
7 Economic Myths Busted
By Ryan Detrick, Chief Market Strategist We’ve been hearing many of the same myths over and over, yet we don’t think they are the big worry that the media and many make them out to be. These are legitimate concerns and have many investors worried, but we think the chances of them becoming l …
When Shifting Goals Mean Shifting Plans
Your financial plan shouldn't look the same at 55 as it did when you were 35, right? So how do you know when it's time to adjust your plan?
Market & Investments
MoreMarket Commentary: Stocks Pause on Geopolitical Risk but Underlying Dynamics Remain Positive
Holding Our Equity Forecast Steady The S&P 500 Index fell slightly last week after a late week retreat on escalating conflict in the Middle East. Despite a more than 20% gain in two months, down weeks have been normal off the lows with four of the last ten weeks seeing the index lower. …
Market Commentary: Stocks Pause on Geopolitical Risk but Underlying Dyanamics Remain Positive
Holding Our Equity Forecast Steady The S&P 500 Index fell slightly last week after a late week retreat on escalating conflict in the Middle East. Despite a more than 20% gain in two months, down weeks have been normal off the lows with four of the last ten weeks seeing the index lower. …
Facts Vs Feelings Take 5 – When Will Inflation Heat Up?
In the latest Take 5, Ryan Detrick, Chief Market Strategist, and Sonu Varghese, VP, Global Macro Strategist, examine the recent narrative that inflation is about to spike again — and explain why the actual data says otherwise. While tariff concerns and headline warnings have investors on ed …
2025 Market Outlook Report
The economy had a big year in 2024, avoiding a recession while posting strong job numbers and a soaring stock market. But the new year brings new concerns. What impact could we see from tariffs? How long do we think this bull market will continue? What will the Fed do in 2025?
In the News
More3 Roth Conversion Traps To Avoid After The SECURE Act
Roth conversions can be a powerful tax and retirement planning technique. The idea behind most Roth conversions is to take money from an IRA and convert it to a Roth IRA. Essentially, you’re paying taxes today instead of paying taxes in the future.
10 Common Estate Planning Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)
Estate planning and end of life planning are about taking control of your situation. Death and long-term care later in life might be hard to fathom right now, but we can’t put off planning out of fear of the unknown or because it’s unpleasant. Don’t wait for life to happen to you, though.
4 Ways To Improve Your Estate Plan
Most people want to plan for a good life and a good retirement, so why not plan for a good end of life, too? Let’s look at four ways you can refine your estate plan, protect your assets and create a level of control and certainty for your loved ones.