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Did the New Bill Eliminate Taxes on Social Security? Here’s What You Really Need to Know
You may have seen a recent email from the Social Security Administration claiming taxes on Social Security benefits have been eliminated. While that sounds great, it’s not the full story. In this post, I break down what the 2025 budget bill
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How to Download, Save, and Secure Your Social Security Statement
How to Download, Save, and Secure Your Social Security Statement If you’re like most people, you don’t think about your Social Security statement until you need it. But waiting until a crisis to access your benefits can create...
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Tariffs and Your Wallet: How Trade Policies Affect Everyday Finances
Tariffs and Your Wallet: How Trade Policies Affect Everyday Finances When we hear about tariffs in the news, they often sound like abstract political or economic debates. But in reality, tariffs hit much closer to home. They influence...
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The S&P 500 is Breaking Records
There’s an old Wall Street expression that suggests, “Markets climb a wall of worry.” This expression suggests that stock prices tend to trend higher in an up-trending market, similar to this year, despite all the negative noise. This...
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How do presidential elections impact the markets?
The Impact of Elections on the Markets and Tax Policy With Labor Day behind us, we're in the final stretch of the 2024 presidential election race. As we follow the news and parse the most recent polls, some may ask, "How might what...
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Cyber Security is at the Forefront of Our Business
Dear Readers, A recent software update at CrowdStrike, a leading global cybersecurity firm, has caused widespread disruptions affecting various industries such as airlines, banks, media outlets, technology companies, telecom firms,...
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Last Minute Tips Before Tax Day
Fewer things are more reliable than Tax Day, even if the deadline has shifted around a bit in recent years. This year, it’s April 15th for most taxpayers, and recent legislation changes include substantial increases to...
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Special Needs Planning is Complicated; This Checklist Can Help.
When a family member has special needs, it can be due to a variety of circumstances. Sometimes the situation happens suddenly, and we’re rarely prepared… A birth complication. An accident. A chronic illness diagnosis. With...
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Using Roth IRAs for Kids in Small Businesses
Did you know you can hire your children to work for you? And contribute to a Roth IRA on their behalf? You can hire your children to work for you in your S-Corp. Children either under the age of 18 or over the age of 18, it doesn't...
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Can You Deduct Your Work From Home Expenses?
The pandemic has changed the way a lot of Americans work. Working remotely from home is the new normal for many. If you’re one of them, you may have wondered if you should consider claiming the home office deduction on your...
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Navigating Taxes: Understanding the Difference Between Tax Preparation and Tax Planning
Who's excited for tax season? I know I am! Tax season often brings about a flurry of paperwork, calculations, and deadlines. For many, it's a time of stress and confusion as they grapple with the complexities of the tax code....
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Empowering Your Financial Future: 7 Essential Steps Before Divorce
Navigating the turbulent waters of divorce demands a blend of emotional resilience and strategic planning. In the midst of the whirlwind of emotions, addressing financial intricacies beforehand can be your stabilizing force. It’s...
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"Shaking Off" Economic Downturn: The Taylor Swift Effect
Time's Person of the Year, Taylor Swift, is shaking off economic downturns and hitting high notes not just on stage but in the U.S. economy, too. The pop sensation's impressive impact extends beyond her record-breaking music, reaching...
Read MoreSecure Your Credit With a Freeze
As more and more people become dependent on technology, the chance of your finances being attacked through cyberspace is increasing tremendously. And one of the most common and devastating ways this happens is through identity theft...
Read MoreAre Your Passwords Strong Enough?
With the surge of online services and increased smartphone and tablet usage, password security is critical. The use of passwords remains the primary authentication protocol for online accounts, so keeping your passwords secure is...
Read MoreDon’t Take the Phishing Bait!
Some of the most widespread cyber-attacks that compromise your personal and financial information are done through phishing. Phishing is when someone reaches out to you using deceptive emails and websites in an attempt to gather...
Read MoreWhat We're Doing to Protect Your Personal Information
Today’s technology makes our lives pretty convenient: just a few clicks to watch your favorite TV show, order takeout, shop, or catch up with friends on social media. But for all the convenience, there are challenges, too....
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Should Investors Be Worried About Israel/Palestine Conflict?
There’s no denying we live in a world where tragic headlines seem to occur daily. From floods, earthquakes, and devastating wildfires to inflation, political discord, and world hunger, the bad news can be hard to stomach some...
Read MoreProtect Yourself Against Cyber Crime
The internet makes it possible for many of us to work from home, shop, attend religious services, and stay connected with family and friends. Unfortunately, those conveniences come with risk, and cybercriminals are upping their game....
Read MoreDon’t Let Unexpected Expenses Derail Your Retirement
While looking ahead to a leisurely retirement is natural, it’s prudent to prepare for expenses that catch many retirees by surprise. In a recent survey, nearly one-third of retirees reported they faced at least four unforeseen...
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How the GI Bill Shaped Society and the American Dream
The GI Bill, signed on June 22, 1944, provided education, training, low-cost mortgages and low-interest loans to veterans returning from WWII. This blog post explores the impact of the GI Bill on society, the middle class and the overall qu
Read MoreWhat is the Cost of Missing a Market Rebound?
Panic selling is not an investment strategy. Repeat: panic selling is not an investment strategy.Investors who pull the emergency brake and bail out during a market decline almost always lock in a loss on their investments. And if they...
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June is Pride Month
June is LGBTQ Pride Month; it’s four weeks dedicated to commemorating and celebrating lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people. Pride Month began after the New York City Stonewall Riots in June 1969. Police raided the Stonewall Inn...
Read MoreLiving Trusts: Understanding the Basics and Key Considerations
Estate management can be a complex and daunting task for many people, but it’s a critical step in helping your assets get managed and distributed according to your wishes.One popular tool that can be used in estate strategies is...
Read MoreThoughts on the Debt Ceiling
We strive to keep you regularly updated with important market changes and news.Please find the Market Analysis from Phil Blancato, Advisor Group’s Chief Market Strategist attached below. This update provides an overview of...
Read MoreReviewing your retirement plan options
As a business owner offering a retirement savings plan to your employees, it’s important to go over your plan every year to make sure it’s still meeting your needs. Here are some things we typically should review:Match...
Read MoreTrying to Time a Recession?
Economies move in cycles – always have, always willThe Federal Reserve has been steadily increasing interest rates in an attempt to slow the rate of inflation. Its efforts are yielding some results, although inflation remains...
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Weekly Market Insights: Stocks Rally As Attention Shifts to Fed's May Meeting
Strong earnings from several mega-cap technology companies offset renewed regional banking jitters and weak economic data, leaving stocks higher for the week.The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.86%, while the Standard &...
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Weekly Market Insights: Stocks Rally As Attention Shifts to Fed's May Meeting
Strong earnings from several mega-cap technology companies offset renewed regional banking jitters and weak economic data, leaving stocks higher for the week.The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.86%, while the Standard &...
Read MoreWhat Factors Have the Greatest Impact on Your Credit Score?
Fun fact: You probably have dozens of credit scores out there, and each one might be a different number.You’re probably familiar with a credit score, why it’s essential, and what it’s used for, but do you know how...
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Weekly Market Insights: Stocks show small losses after mixed week
Stocks remained resilient last week amid mixed earnings reports, hawkish Fed-speak, and lingering recession fears, closing out the five trading days with small losses.The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 0.23%, while the Standard &...
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What is a Backdoor Roth IRA Conversion?
Like it or not, taxes are a way of life. They fund great things like roads, libraries and parks, but nobody wants to pay more than they absolutely have to. We often get questions like, “How can I balance my tax obligations with...
Read MoreImportant Financial Considerations to Make When Remarrying Later in Life
Discussing personal finances is important for any couple preparing for marriage. However, this topic can be more complicated for those who remarry later in life.If you’re remarrying later in life, one of your goals should be to...
Read MoreIs it time for a 401(k) review?
As one year ends and another begins, you naturally think about the state of your business – what is working well, and what could improve in the future. When was the last time you thought about the state of your company’s...
Read MoreTop Considerations to Help Adult Children Be Better Prepared As You Age
As we get older, it’s important that our adult children are prepared to manage any aging-related situations that may arise. This includes everything from having to make medical and financial decisions to determining assisted...
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Weekly Market Insights: Hiring Cools; Recession Fears Rise.
Stocks ended a shortened week of trading mixed amid revived recession fears on Wall Street triggered by weak economic data.The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.63%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 slipped 0.10%. The Nasdaq...
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3/24 Market View Weekly: By the Numbers
Despite ongoing banking turmoil and a sour response to the week’s Fed meeting, the major U.S. averages all finished the week up more than 1% with the NASDAQ leading the way, registering a 1.68% gain.
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Don't Panic - A Bull Case for Equities
It’s hard to ignore current news about persistent market volatility, and we’re guessing this has resulted in some anxiety about what (if anything) you should be doing. We're here to help you stay the course.
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Mind Over Markets – A Behavioral Guide to Investing
Investing in the capital markets gives us a fighting chance to enjoy a comfortable life and a dignified retirement. But, we must undertake risk to meet our financial needs, yet we are psychologically ill-equipped to do so.
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SECURE 2.0: Key Provisions & Planning Considerations
The SECURE 2.0 Act of 2022 builds on the original SECURE Act legislation, with some of the retirement savings enhancements taking effect this year. Many will be phased in over the next few years. Check out this summary from Putnam...
Read MoreTips for Raising Financially Literate Children
Every parent wants the best for their children and strives to prepare them to lead a happy, healthy, and successful life. But, despite understanding the importance of financial responsibility, only 28 percent of parents speak to their...
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What Investors Need to Know About FDIC Insurance and SIPC.
About the U.S. Banking SystemWith recent headlines about two failed U.S. banks and their ripple effect throughout the banking sector, we want to summarize the latest information on this evolving event. We assure you we are monitoring...
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Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) Update & Commentary
Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) - UpdatePhilip Blancato, Chief Market Strategist, Advisor GroupMarch 2023OverviewSilicon Valley Bank (SVB), a significant financial lender servicing venture capital firms and tech companies was shut down by...
Read MoreSilicon Valley Bank (SVB) - Update
We strive to keep you regularly updated with important market changes and news.Please find the Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) - Update from Phil Blancato, Advisor Group’s Chief Market Strategist attached below. This update provides...
Read MoreTransitioning to Medicare from Private Health Insurance Plans
Transitioning from Private Health Insurance Plans to MedicareAs you approach retirement age, you may be anticipating transitioning from your private insurance to Medicare, which is a federal health insurance program that provides...
Read MoreWhere to Put Excess Cash
According to the Investment Company Institute, near the end of 2022, there was more than $4.7 trillion in cash sitting in U.S. money market funds.1,2While cash can play a role in a diversified portfolio, historically, cash has not kept...
Read MoreTechnology Guide for Seniors
By 2040, the U.S. Census Bureau estimates that 80 million people in the U.S. will be age 65 or older.1 Most of these senior adults will either want to—or need to—"age in place," living in their homes securely, independently...
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