Stock options U.S. News

Can You Have Too Much Employer Stock?

This article was originally published on U.S. News by Kristin McFarland, Wealth Advisor at Darrow Wealth Management. Unlike most questions in financial planning where the answer is typically "it depends," the answer in this case is decidedly yes; you can have too much employer stock – and many people do. There…

Kristin McKennaFebruary 16, 2017

Asset Management Financial Planning Inheritance Stock options

What Should You Do with a Windfall?

Wondering what to do with a windfall? Perhaps you have received an inheritance or experienced a liquidity event from company stock. Now you need to know how to use the proceeds to maximize the benefits for your family, and help achieve your lifestyle goals. Ultimately, how to invest a windfall will depend…

Kristin McKennaNovember 16, 2016

Asset Management Employee benefits Financial Planning ISOs NQSOs RSUs Stock options

How Much Money Should I Have in Employer Stock?

It is not uncommon for employees with stock options or equity based compensation to hold too much employer stock. Employees don't often realize how much of their financial future is tied to their employer. Other times, individuals simply ignore the risks or just have no idea how concentrated they are.…

Kristin McKennaOctober 26, 2016

Asset Management Employee benefits Financial Planning ISOs NQSOs RSUs Stock options

Are You Holding Employer Stock in Your Retirement Plan?

Investing your 401(k) in company stock can be quite risky. Although companies are scaling back on the practice, there are still many big U.S. firms that allow participants to buy employer stock in their retirement plan or that make matching contributions in the form of company stock. Employees unaware of…

Kristin McKennaOctober 5, 2016

Infographics ISOs Stock options Updated for 2020

How Incentive Stock Options are Taxed

Updated for 2020. If you have incentive stock options, you'll want to know how your equity compensation will be taxed. When you sell incentive stock options, it's considered a qualifying or disqualifying disposition depending on your holding period. If you don't sell ISOs by the end of the calendar year…

Kristin McKennaSeptember 28, 2016

RSUs Stock options

Podcast Interview: Restricted Stock Units After an Acquisition

Darrow Wealth Management's Kristin McKenna explains what can happen to restricted stock units (RSUs) after an acquisition during a podcast interview for MyStockOptions.com. (more…)

Kristin McKennaSeptember 14, 2016

Infographics NQSOs Stock options Updated for 2020

How Non-Qualified Stock Options Are Taxed

Updated for 2020. If you have nonqualified stock options (NQSOs or NSOs) it is important to understand how your stock options will be taxed and what responsibilities you have to report the income. Managing equity compensation requires proper planning to avoid unwanted surprises and tax consequences. Here's what you need…

Kristin McKennaAugust 3, 2016

RSUs Stock options Updated for 2020

Managing Restricted Stock Units

Updated for 2020. RSUs are equity grants from your employer. When granted, the shares have no tax or income implications as they are still considered "unearned." To earn the shares, employees must meet vesting requirements set forth by the employer. Many public companies will require time-based vesting but could also…

Kristin McKennaMay 4, 2016

Employee benefits Financial Planning ISOs Stock options Tax planning

Tax Planning Strategies for Incentive Stock Options (ISOs)

Updated for 2020. Develop a tax planning strategy before exercising your ISOs. Commonly referred to as equity-based compensation, the term stock options can mean an individual is given equity – or given the option to buy equity – in a number of different ways. Several tax planning strategies for incentive stock…

Kristin McKennaMarch 16, 2016

Infographics ISOs NQSOs RSUs Stock options

3 Ways to Manage Your Stock Options

Tips for managing equity-based compensation (Infographic). Managing stock options can be complicated and the tax implications significant. To begin, what type of stock options do you have? Incentive stock options (ISOs) may have tax benefits if held for a certain period of time, while non-qualified stock options (NSOs) do not receive…

Kristin McKennaMarch 2, 2016