For many families, the greatest concern about wealth transfer isn't taxes. It's what happens to the family after the money changes hands. In fact, many clients identify passing assets to heirs as one of their financial fears. The concern often extends beyond estate taxes, trusts, or beneficiary designations. Many families worry about whether future...
The U.S. economy continues to show surprising resilience, but investors face a more challenging backdrop. Inflation remains above the Federal Reserve's target, interest rates are moving higher, and energy prices could add new pressure to markets. In our latest Quarterly Outlook, we explain what these trends may mean for portfolios, discuss the risks and opportunities...
Over the past couple of years, we’ve seen an evolution of policy, litigation, and product development all related to private investments in 401(k) plans. The most useful thing for plan participants to understand is how these investments are valued, since holdings priced by periodic estimate can report steadier returns than their underlying risk would suggest....
A financial windfall may create possibilities that once felt out of reach. It can also disrupt decisions that once seemed settled. It’s normal to feel a bit conflicted and for excitement to coexist with grief, anxiety, responsibility, or uncertainty. Your new wealth may suddenly allow you the resources to retire sooner, support family members, give...
What matters most in today's bond market? The honest answer is that no one knows exactly what the next 12 months will bring. But there are a few things we're paying very close attention to: The Federal Reserve: The Fed has made it clear that it remains data dependent. Rather than following a predetermined path,...
Deciding when to claim Social Security is one of the most important retirement decisions you'll make. Utilizing these benefits can begin as early as age 62, but claiming before full retirement age reduces your monthly benefit. For individuals born in 1960 or later, full retirement age is 67. Delaying benefits may mean losing out on...
Last month, the national debt crossed $40 trillion for the first time. While the total debt number is staggering, the cost of serving the debt matters more than the total amount. Interest rates are higher, and the cost of servicing the national debt has been rising mechanically as old bonds mature and are replaced by...
One of the questions we often hear from clients is: "Why should I own all these different types of bonds? Aren't bonds just bonds?" And the short answer is: no. Different Types of Bonds Can Serve Very Different Purposes Within a Portfolio. Each bond type brings its own combination of credit quality, income potential, tax...
In this webinar, our team will explore how advisors can bring a family office-caliber experience to more clients by leveraging outsourced expertise, operational support, and a coordinated planning framework. They will discuss how advisors can strengthen their role as the central point of guidance in clients’ financial lives, build deeper relationships, and better compete for...
The most common question we’ve been getting from clients these days is whether artificial intelligence (AI) is a bubble. It’s worth noting that “bubble” is a tricky word. We often apply it only after prices have already fallen. For instance, in 1996, the internet looked expensive. An investor who sold on that view missed four...