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Our Investment Views
Emilie Ma
Investment Strategy Video: Inflation's Flame ...

George Hosfield, CFA, discusses Ferguson Wellman's quarterly strategy titled, "Inflation's Flame Flickers," which addresses the narrow market leadership, the impact of higher interest rates on inflation and how assets are priced at this stage of the economic cycle.

Investment Strategy Video: Inflation's Flame Flickers
Our Investment Views
Liz Swagerty Olsen
Investment Strategy Video: Stalemate

George Hosfield, CFA, discusses the firm's quarterly strategy titled "Stalemate," which highlights the Fed's ongoing battle to tame inflation along with our views on the health of the banking industry and capital market expectations for the balance of the year.

Investment Strategy Video: Stalemate
Our Investment Views
Liz Swagerty Olsen
Third Quarter 2022 Investment Strategy Video: ...

Director and Chief Investment Officer George Hosfield, CFA, discusses the Fed raising interest rates, peaking inflation and our view on equities and volatility across all asset classes in our Investment Strategy titled, “Balancing Act.”

Third Quarter 2022 Investment Strategy Video: Balancing Act
Annual Report
Mary Faulkner
2021 Annual Report

2021 Annual Report

2021 Annual Report
Wealth Management
Liz Swagerty Olsen
First Quarter 2022 Wealth Management Insights ...

Mary Lago, CFP®, CTFA, discusses the theme for the first quarter of 2022, “Valuing the Resources of Time and Money.”

First Quarter 2022 Wealth Management Insights Video: Valuing the Resources of Time and Money

Blog

Upcoming Changes to Catch-Up Contributions

Upcoming Changes to Catch-Up Contributions

On December 29, 2022, Congress signed a piece of legislation called SECURE Act 2.0 of 2022. Compared to the SECURE Act 1.0 that was enacted in December of 2019, which contained 29 provisions and total government spending of $15 billion, the SECURE Act 2.0 contains 92 provisions and $1.7 trillion in spending. Both pieces of legislation were designed to promote retirement security, including attempts to lower barriers to entry for people looking to save, expand access to participation in employer retirement plans and allow for greater flexibility for Americans experiencing hardship.  

2023 Annual Limits for Tax and Wealth Planning

2023 Annual Limits for Tax and Wealth Planning

There are a myriad of important numbers related to personal financial and tax planning that change every year. To help ensure you are up to date with all and to hopefully simplify your individual financial planning efforts for the year ahead, we are sharing the 2023 Annual Limits Guide from the College for Financial Planning®, which outlines many of the most important numbers that may apply to you. 

No New RMDs in 2023

No New RMDs in 2023

On December 23, 2022, Congress passed the SECURE Act 2.0. This new legislation builds off its predecessor to further improve the U.S. retirement system. Included in the provisions are changes to required minimum distributions (RMDs). Most notably, the new law further pushes back the age at which RMDs must begin. 

Planning for a Successful Tax Filing

Planning for a Successful Tax Filing

Taxes … just the word alone increases blood pressure and elicits a fight-or-flight response. As such, most people outsource their tax preparation. Whether you manage your taxes or outsource the task, there is still a good amount of work we are all responsible for.

Reviewing Existing Life Insurance Policies

Reviewing Existing Life Insurance Policies

Have you ever looked at something you've had for a long time and thought to yourself “Do I still need this?” or "I paid a lot for this … do I keep it?" This happens frequently when evaluating life insurance purchased in prior years.

Social Security Claiming Fundamentals

Social Security Claiming Fundamentals

For those with many years before retirement, social security appears to be a straightforward arrangement: once you retire, you will receive a monthly check for the rest of your life. However, there are several complexities to be aware of as you approach retirement. For example, the timing of when you begin to take benefits can greatly alter the size of your benefits. The options you choose are impactful, and importantly, are mostly irrevocable. Carefully reviewing your options beforehand can ensure that you put yourself in the best position to maximize benefits.

Rearview Mirror

Rearview Mirror

Years ago, a market technician compared the markets to a car windshield. In this analogy, an investor is in the driver’s seat looking out for future obstacles or opportunities in the “road” ahead, such as discounting future earnings, economic data or signs of a recession. However, as any good driver knows, the rearview mirror is also in view, giving us a glimpse of what recently passed.

529 Plan Update: A Material Change in Planning

529 Plan Update: A Material Change in Planning

If you have college bound children or grandchildren, you are likely aware of the benefits of 529 accounts, which include but are not limited to tax-free growth of investments, tax-free withdrawals when funds are used for qualified education expenses, potential state income tax benefits, expanded gifting options with superfunding and the flexibility for the owner to transfer funds to family members.

Important Considerations for Uniform Transfer to Minors and Uniform Gift to Minors Accounts

Important Considerations for Uniform Transfer to Minors and Uniform Gift to Minors Accounts

Parents and grandparents often ask how they can set up an account for minor children, to help them build good saving habits or to make financial gifts, while also delaying access until a future point in time. One common approach is to open a Uniform Transfer to Minors Act account (UTMA) or Uniform Gift to Minors Account (UGMA).

Proposed Changes for IRA Beneficiaries Under the SECURE Act

Proposed Changes for IRA Beneficiaries Under the SECURE Act

The SECURE Act brought significant changes to the retirement planning landscape. The wide-sweeping legislation impacted retirement plans in numerous ways, which are covered in this article.

Basic Tax Considerations When Selling Real Estate

Basic Tax Considerations When Selling Real Estate

When you sell real estate and make a profit, you may be taxed on that gain. When it comes to the sale, both how the property was used and the length of time you’ve owned the property will impact your taxation.

Preparing to Sell a Business

Preparing to Sell a Business

For many owners, selling or transitioning their business often ranks as the most important financial decision of their lives. Not only is this decision often highly emotional, but many additional factors exist that require careful attention and evaluation.

‘Tis the Season for Gifting

‘Tis the Season for Gifting

With the hustle and bustle of the season around us, many are considering the good cheer they can share with others. For those of the mindset that it is better to give than receive, here are some guidelines on making financial gifts.

Wrapping Up 2021 With a Bow: Year-End Planning

Wrapping Up 2021 With a Bow: Year-End Planning

As we approach the hectic holiday season, we encourage you to pause and review your personal finances before we close the books on 2021.

Considering Medical Expenses in Retirement

Considering Medical Expenses in Retirement

As we plan for retirement, we also start to contemplate the reality of increasing healthcare expenses. Here are some important considerations in your planning.

The Gift of Charity

The Gift of Charity

There are several planning opportunities for charitable giving with the remaining days in 2020 which can also be tax-savvy moves.