Build Your Wealth: Personal Finance & Investing Insights

Forbes Tax planning Updated for 2021

Worried About Taxes Going Up? 9 Ways To Reduce Tax

While there likely isn't a magic bullet to wipe out your tax bill, there are ways to layer tax-efficiency into your plan. If you're concerned about the possibility of tax rates going up or just looking to reduce your taxable income in 2021, consider these tax planning techniques. (more…)

Kristin McKennaNovember 8, 2021

Tax planning Updated for 2022

2022 IRS Contribution Limits

The IRS has released the 2022 contribution limits for retirement plans and other cost-of-living adjustments. (more…)

Kristin McKennaNovember 5, 2021

Retirement Planning Updated for 2021

What the 4% Rule Gets Wrong About Retirement Income

The 4% rule is one of the most well-known rules of thumb in personal finance. The premise is simple: retirees can withdraw 4% of their starting retirement portfolio annually, plus inflation, for 30 years with a high probability they won't run out of money. Unfortunately, in practice, this withdrawal strategy…

Kristin McKennaNovember 1, 2021

Choosing a financial advisor

What is a Fiduciary Financial Advisor?

A fiduciary financial advisor has a legal obligation to act in the client’s best interests. Anyone can hold themselves out as a financial planner, so it's important to understand the terminology and different standards when looking for a wealth manager. Registered investment advisors are the only type of advisor always…

Kristin McKennaOctober 25, 2021

Asset Management Bonds Investing Retirement Planning

Living Off Dividends: Another Retirement Myth?

The idea of living off dividends in retirement sounds nice, but it's challenging. What investors don't always realize is how much money they'll need invested to generate enough income from dividends. For example, over the last 25 years, the S&P 500's average dividend yield was 2.01%.¹ If you have a…

Kristin McKennaOctober 18, 2021

Asset Management Forbes Investing Retirement Planning

Should You Change Your Asset Allocation in Retirement?

If you recently retired or are planning to, you likely have questions about how to position your investments going forward. Conventional wisdom suggests investors should change their asset allocation in retirement to be more conservative. However, depending on your pre-retirement asset allocation, income sources/needs, and long-term goals, that may not…

Kristin McKennaOctober 11, 2021

401(k) Plans Diversification Employee benefits Financial Planning Forbes Retirement Planning Tax planning Updated for 2021

Net Unrealized Appreciation Rules for Company Stock in a 401(k)

If you have company stock in your 401(k), you may want to consider whether to take advantage of net unrealized appreciation at retirement. Under the net unrealized appreciation rules, employees can roll over the portion of their 401(k) invested in company stock to a brokerage account and pay tax at…

Kristin McKennaSeptember 13, 2021

Charitable giving Forbes IRA Rollover Tax planning Updated for 2022

How to Donate Your RMD Using Qualified Charitable Distributions

Can you give money to charity using your IRA? For individuals 70 1/2 or older - the answer is usually yes. What many retirees don't know is they can donate all, or a portion of, their required minimum distribution (RMD) directly to charity. It's called a qualified charitable distribution or…

Kristin McKennaAugust 30, 2021

ISOs NQSOs Stock options

What Does it Mean to Early Exercise Stock Options?

If you work for a private company or startup, you may be able to exercise your stock options early. With an early exercise, employees buy unvested stock options, as is common with restricted stock. Why would you want to pay for shares before they vest? In the right situations, early…

Kristin McKennaAugust 23, 2021

Charitable giving Tax planning Updated for 2021 Updated for 2022

How to Donate Stock to Charity: Donor-Advised Funds

Giving appreciated stocks can be a great way to maximize your gift to charity and your tax benefits. When you donate cash, you're giving after-tax dollars. It may reduce your income tax liability if you itemize deductions, but if not, there's no benefit.¹ But when you give an appreciated stock,…

Kristin McKennaAugust 16, 2021

Wealth Management Insights