Blog & Insights

A nonqualified deferred compensation (NQDC) plan, also known as a Section 409A plan, is a contractual fringe benefit often included as part of an overall compensation package for key executives. Learn more in this blog!

Have you ever wondered why one business has buyers lining up to pay top dollar while another sits on the market for months or years? What do buyers look for in a prospective business acquisition?

As one’s term policy nears its expiration date, plenty of people wonder what to do next. Should they let the policy expire? Convert the policy to whole life? Or purchase another term policy? There is no right or wrong answer – it is dependent on each situation and the objectives of the individual. Here are considerations to assist with making the decision:

Whether it is now or in the future, 100% of business owners will leave their business at some point. Regardless of this fact, very few business owners actually take the time to develop a succession plan. If you are a business owner, it is important to have a plan in place to get the most value for your business.

Succession planning, Exit Planning, and business planning may seem interchangeable in most people’s eyes. However, each type of planning plays a very different role in the process of designing, and then implementing, a strategy for leaving your business and planning for the future. You can’t use one strategy without the others when it comes to running, growing, operating, and eventually leaving a business. 

Stories like this are happening every day. This is the reason why we do what we do in this business. We’re making sure people are in the best financial position if the unthinkable happens. We listen to their concerns. We hear their hopes and dreams. And we make sure they’re able to live the life they want and take care of their loved ones.

Taking on any large project can be manageable when you have a reliable process in place. When deciding to exit your business, for example, you will need a proven process in place to ensure you have covered all the bases. 

Just like baking, without following the specific process or recipe, you could end up setting off the fire alarms. There is a "recipe" for creating a successful business transfer.

Owning life insurance is necessary to protect your family in the event something was to happen to you. Many are aware of their need for life insurance, but unsure how much and which type is effective for their situation. We answer common questions surrounding life insurance needs and determining the proper coverage to protect your household. 

When changing employers, it is important to consider what to do with your 401(k). Although the process itself is simple, it is important to know special tax considerations and any potential penalties and fees. Are you aware of your options and what the most effective strategy is for your personal situation? Here are three main considerations:

We help our kids learn how to walk, talk, read, write, and even how to swim. So, why don’t we teach them about money?

A new year is upon us and plenty of us are hoping for a much different year than the one prior. One thing that most likely remains the same though are our goals for the new year. Many of us have New Years resolutions – if your goals are financially related, here is a helpful guide to getting you on the right track.

Financial advisors assist individuals with achieving their financial goals. But what does this mean? A financial advisor’s role is to understand what your priorities and where you stand relative to those goals today – whether you are looking to build a plan to prepare for retirement, receive investment insight, build wealth for the long term, or simply budget better. They then build a roadmap for you to achieve those goals and provide ongoing support. Here is what to expect from working with a financial planner.

Although the holidays are an exciting time, they can also be overwhelming. This year in particular has been a difficult one as we find ourselves battling the COVID-19 pandemic. Many of us are not in the same financial situation as we were the year before and may have to alter our holiday spending habits. Regardless of your financial situation, here are helpful tips to keep in mind!

Make sure that your business survives if you do not.

The annuity landscape is one of the most complicated areas of personal financial planning. With regard to buying an annuity contract, it can be as complex and varied as purchasing a car. For example, you can get a very basic, simplistic vehicle – which perhaps will cost you somewhere around $20,000 or $25,000 – or you could get something very exotic which could cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. Buying an annuity has many different variables to consider.

When it comes to your financial situation, utilizing the services of a professional is invaluable.  Advisors assist with navigating major life decisions and developing a plan to help you achieve your financial goals. Deciding on the best person to fill these shoes, however, can be overwhelming. Here are important questions to consider asking a financial advisor:

If you are laid off from your job or transitioning to a new employer, we recommend one simple tool – opening up an IRA. Each time you leave an employer, you can determine if it makes sense to roll your funds over into an IRA.

There are three primary reasons to consider this:

Retirement is an exciting period for many people who are eager to say goodbye to long days at the office and hello to long days at the beach. However, entering retirement also means saying goodbye to a steady income stream. It is important that new retirees have a plan in place and avoid these common mistakes.

No matter your age, saving and planning for retirement is necessary. The sooner you begin putting money aside, the more prepared you will be when the time comes for this next chapter of your life. But how much is enough to ensure you will be financially secure? What is the optimal rate to set aside each paycheck? What if you started planning too late? Although it varies from situation to situation, here are some tips to consider:

When choosing to save money, we immediately consider reducing our spending to have the ability to put more into our savings accounts. We may decide to eat out less or forego the annual family vacation to have additional funds to set aside. Although these are efficient savings mechanisms, there are other avenues you can also consider to help you meet your savings goals. 

The closer you get to retirement, the more concern you probably have regarding your portfolio. If you find that your portfolio is underperforming your expectations, consider taking these steps to help you get on track!

When considering retirement savings methods, the most common option people consider is their employer-sponsored 401(k).  Although not as often utilized, a Roth 401(k) is another beneficial way to plan for retirement. Unlike the traditional 401(k) that funds an investment account with pre-tax dollars, this employer-sponsored account allows income to be invested after tax. Here are highlights of this vehicle if the Roth 401(k) is a route you are considering.

Merging finances as a couple can be an exciting, but challenging time. Taking this next step with your partner is one that requires open communication and it is imperative for both parties to agree on financial habits. Before moving forward, consider these steps to help you navigate your financial wellness.  

When growing up, many people do not learn the basics of financial education. This can cause them to make poor financial decisions in early adulthood that can lead to crippling debt amongst other problems. Parents should make sure their teens know about these financial skills to ensure they are able to make smart decisions while they are taking care of themselves.

Education is important to many people. After all, education provides more opportunities, regardless of whether you go to college, learn independently, or study a trade. Parents often plan to support their children at least part of the way through their adult education, but far too few people know that these options are available for investing in their child’s future.

Leaders all have their own habits that help them conduct a successful day of work. These habits vary widely, but they are all useful in their own way. To help yourself be the most productive and effective leader possible, try incorporating some of these habits into your daily or weekly routine.

In our first blog, Determining Your Risk Profile, we’ve focused on your personal risk profile as it relates to your investment strategies, but it’s important to understand that your profile can be affected by other factors in your life.

Debt is an unfortunate part of many people’s lives. Whether it be from student loans, mortgages, credit cards, or something else, debt can cause many people to get into financial situations that they need to dig their way out of. Luckily, there are many strategies you can use to tackle large or small debt, and each of them have their own merits.

As a leader, it can be tempting to overwork yourself for the good of the team. After all, many people rely on you to help them fix their problems, so saying no is not always an option. However, far too many leaders work late nights and weekends, and it can be even more difficult to avoid this when you are stuck working from home. Still, it is important to find ways to separate work from home, so follow these tips to help you keep a hold on your life.

Investing is a topic many people push off until they are well-established in their lives. People in their 20s may assume that since they have 40+ years until they retire, they can invest when they’re a bit older. However, it is never too early to invest in your future, and waiting just a few years can have a significant impact on your return.

Taking the first step toward control over your finances is a big move, but it can pay off well in the future. Financial health can play a role in many areas of your life, from day-to-day quality of living to your retirement plans. Getting started with an active approach to finance is not that difficult, so let’s look at four ways you can get started today.

When it comes to investing, the first thing many people think of is the stock market. Stocks are a high-risk, high-reward option. As such, they can be really beneficial, but they can also cause people to lose a significant amount of money. Before investing in stocks, keep in mind the following points.

Investing is practically a necessity if you hope to retire or live a more comfortable life in the future. Although you can get by on savings when done right, investing provides an opportunity to increase your wealth without making too many sacrifices today. However, investing does come with some challenges, which should not be overlooked. To ensure you are prepared for the difficulties of investing, take a close look at each one of these points and do what you can to mitigate their risks.