2024 Key Financial Data
Stay on Top of Key Financial Data in 2024 We hope this post finds you recharged to moving full steam ahead into 2024. As we continue to move forward into the new year, it’s a good time to review your…
Helping people make wise decisions
OUR FIRM
The H Group, Inc. is an independent, fee-only Wealth Management firm. Founded in 1990 and registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission as a Registered Investment Advisory firm, we are now recognized as one of the largest independent financial planning firms in the Northwest. We are dedicated to our clients’ success. We strive to understand your needs and then provide practical solutions and effective solutions to your problems. By conducting our business with uncompromising honesty and integrity, we are confident that we will earn your trust and respect.
WHO WE SERVE
Most of our clients are financially comfortable retirees and successful individuals who have accumulated significant assets. They are conservative-to-moderate risk takers, and most of them were referred to us by other clients or by professional advisors. Our clients seek long-term relationships with their advisors. They appreciate our knowledge and expertise, but it is our care and concern for our clients that they value most.
IN OUR COMMUNITIES
OUR ADVISORS TAKE PRIDE IN SERVING THEIR LOCAL COMMUNITIES
Here at The H Group we value community involvement because we believe growing financial success starts right at home. For this reason we encourage our team members to do their part in each of their local communities.
CLIENTS
SERVING WITH PURPOSE
Our Clients Are Busy People
They prefer to spend life focusing on their families and careers, rather than sorting through the increasingly difficult and complex world of personal finance. They entrust us to be a part of their team.
Our Clients Are Multigenerational
We are proud to work with our clients across decades and generations. It’s not uncommon for our conference room to fill with two or three generations, all collaborating, all on the same page.
Our Clients Trust Us
We work every day to earn and maintain the trust of the clients we are privileged to serve. We actively seek ways to make their lives better and genuinely enjoy helping.
Our Clients Value Time
They recognize the value of their time – and our expertise. In our work together, we strive to create clarity through customized planning and empowerment through ongoing education.
Our Clients Are Fun
We genuinely enjoy and respect our client families. We look forward to seeing them and go out of our way to find opportunities to make their lives easier.
PROFESSIONALS
OUR ADVISORS AVERAGE NEARLY 20 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE
Your financial future is too important to leave to chance. Our experienced group of credentialed financial advisors average nearly 20 years of experience in the financial services profession. All of our senior advisors are CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP) professionals.
OUR PROCESS
OUR HOLISTIC APPROACH MEETS EVERY AREA OF LIFE PLANNING
Wealth
Management
Tax
Planning
Risk
Management
Estate
Planning
Cash Flow
Organization
Philanthropic
Objectives
NEWS
A FEW OF OUR LATEST ARTICLES
What is the Role of a Financial Management Advisor
In the current landscape of economic uncertainty, the experience of a proficient financial management advisor is indispensable for individuals striving to achieve financial well-being and stability. This role gains even greater significance within dynamic regions like Portland, Oregon, where residents…
What’s the Difference Between a Wealth Advisor and a Financial Advisor?
The financial landscape is often a maze of complex concepts, intricate strategies, and varied professionals. In the quest for financial health and wealth building, you might have come across terms like ‘wealth advisor’ and ‘financial advisor.’ They are…
Portland, Oregon Office – Winter Team Update 2023/24
Scott and Linden enjoyed the warmer temperatures and sunny skies on their annual sailing trip in the Gulf of California. They report a warm holiday in spite of the cooler temperature in the NW as they had a full house…
What is a Good Financial Advisor?
A good financial management advisor, also known as a financial advisor or financial planner, provides comprehensive and personalized guidance to individuals, families, or businesses to help them achieve their financial goals and make informed financial decisions. Here are some key…
Portland, Oregon Office – Fall Team Update 2023
Scott reports a most enjoyable summer. Here at The H Group he kept busy with client meetings and planning but he and his wife Linden did slip away for a bit of camping, exploring SE Oregon and Steens Mtn and…
Investment Wealth is the Gateway to a Sound Financial Future
Within the intricate and dynamic world of finance, investment wealth has steadily emerged as a vital foundation for discerning investors. Particularly for those in areas like Portland, Oregon, where gaining an understanding and effectively leveraging the concept of investment…
Common Financial Challenges Addressed by a Financial Wealth Advisor in Portland Oregon
In the pursuit of financial well-being, individuals often encounter a myriad of challenges. Navigating these obstacles can be daunting without experienced guidance, which is where a financial wealth advisor comes into play. Especially for residents in regions like Portland,…
THG Financial Advisor Team Update Portland, OR
Team Update Summer 2023 Scott wrapped up his sailing adventure in late April and returned to the NW and to the office. He is looking forward to some short terrestrial trips over the summer months and is enjoying working at…
Lock in Tuition Prices at Lower Levels
The Little-Known Way Parents Are Beating College Tuition Hikes By Ashlea Ebeling College tuition is among the biggest expenses families face, but there is a little-known way to lock in tuition prices at lower levels. The Private College 529 Plan…
Join us in Congratulating, Sarah Sepulveda, CFP®!
🎉 Join us in wishing a BIG congratulations to Sarah Sepulveda, CFP® for achieving her Certified Financial Planner™ certification! 🥳 Your hard work, dedication, and experience have paid off, and we’re thrilled to celebrate this well-deserved accomplishment with you. 🙌👏 Wishing you…
Kiplinger: Time to Explore Investments
International stocks: Why bother? For the greater part of the past decade, it hasn’t paid to invest abroad. U.S. stocks beat their overseas counterparts in eight of the past 10 calendar years. But it may pay to bother now. The…
The Investments That Defied Inflation In 2022
Katharina Buchholz, ContributorMarch 6, 2023 As stock markets flailed and the age of zero interest was only slowly beginning to end, 2022 was not kind to investors. In Wall Street’s worst year since the Great Recession , most shareholders left…
Manage Your Way to Financial Freedom In 2023
Facing A Personal Debt Crisis? Ron Carson, Contributor The U.S. debt crisis continues to capture headlines—and rightly so. Servicing the nation’s $31.38 trillion in debt is one of the federal government’s biggest expenses. According to the Office of Management and Budget, net…
When will the US hit its debt ceiling and what happens if thecountry defaults?
A debt ceiling fight is looming in the U.S. yet again, giving investors another worry for markets this year. The U.S. government’s deadline to raise the $31.4 trillion debt ceiling could be sooner than expected, analysts have said, pulling forward…
Looking for a gift for Mother’s Day 2023?
Illustration: Qianhui Yu The Best Gifts for Mom in 2023, From $33 to $9,500 By Lisa Fleisher May 8, 2023 When you ask moms what they really want for Mother’s Day, you’ll inevitably get a wide variety of responses, such as a day to…
Facing A Personal Debt Crisis? Manage Your Way To Financial Freedom In 2023
Ron Carson, Contributor March 15, 2023 The U.S. debt crisis continues to capture headlines—and rightly so. Servicing the nation’s $31.38 trillion in debt is one of the federal government’s biggest expenses. According to the Office of Management and Budget, net interest payments…
April is Financial Literacy Month
Celebrating Financial Literacy Month This month at The H Group, we are celebrating Financial Literacy Month and will highlight free financial educational programs available online. We are dedicated to providing the tools needed to make smart financial decisions for you and your…
2023 Bank Failures – Are Your Savings Protected?
Bank Failures Shine Light on Interest Rate Risks Financial markets reacted turbulently to the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) on March 10, 2023, followed two days later by the failure of Signature Bank of New York. With $209 billion…
Building wealth overtime with 3 simple steps
3 Simple Steps to Building Wealth By THE INVESTOPEDIA TEAM Building wealth is a topic that can spark heated debate, promote quirky get-rich-quick schemes, or drive people to pursue transactions that they might otherwise never consider. But is “three simple…
An Entrepreneur’s Guide to Building Multi-Generational Wealth
Daniel Mangena Nov. 4, 2022 “You can’t take it with you” — how often have you heard that? It’s an oft-abused phrase employed, usually within the context of a person amassing wealth or assets beyond their needs.…
How The New Estate Tax Rules May Affect Your Estate Plan in 2023
The Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act of 2010 (the 2010 Tax Act) included new gift, estate, and generation-skipping transfer (GST) tax provisions. The 2010 Tax Act provided that in 2011 and 2012, the gift and estate…
Key Estate Planning Numbers for 2023
Here are some key numbers associated with estate planning, as well as the federal gift tax and estate tax rate schedules for 2022 and 2023. 2022 2023 Annual gift tax exclusion: $16,000 $17,000 Gift tax and estate tax applicable…
Income Tax Key Numbers 2022-2023
Alternative minimum tax (AMT) 2022 2023 Maximum AMT exemption amount $118,100 (MFJ), $75,900 (Single/HOH), $59,050 (MFS) $126,500 (MFJ), $81,300 (Single/HOH), $63,250 (MFS) Exemption phaseout threshold $1,079,800 (MFJ), $539,900 (Single/HOH/MFS) $1,156,300 (MFJ), $578,150 (Single/HOH/MFS) 26% rate applies to AMT income (AMTI)…
IRS’s New Tax Brackets 2023
By Ashlea Ebeling Oct. 27, 2022 Many Americans will see their tax burden drop next year because of inflation adjustments made by the Internal Revenue Service. Some will benefit more than others. The inflation adjustments affect tax deductions for workplace…
Do I Need a Financial Advisor or Should I Go It Alone?
Catherine Brock, Contributor Aug. 15, 2022 Do you need a financial advisor? The answer depends on different factors — the complexity of your finances, how comfortable you are managing investments, where you are in your wealth journey, and where you’d…
Single Life Annuity vs Joint Survivor Annuity
Should I choose a single life annuity for my pension or a joint and survivor annuity that makes payments to my spouse when I die?
Financial New Year’s Resolutions You Can Keep in 2023
By ANDREW SCHWARTZ | Reviewed by MARGARET JAMES | Fact checked by SUZANNE KVILHAUGDec. 30, 2022 It is important for everyone to reset their personal finances and their goals for the New Year. Did you make any resolutions concerning your…
The H Group, Inc. Winter Update
Wealth Management Team, Portland, OR Winter 2022 Scott and Linden have spent the last few months galivanting around the Sea of Cortez on the sailboat. Fred and Amy took a nice road trip to see their daughter, son-in-law and dog…
Ten trends to watch in the coming year
By Tom Standage: Editor, The World Ahead 2023 Nov. 15, 2022 After two years in which the pandemic was the force shaping the immediate future, the main driver now is the war in Ukraine. In the coming months the world…
Investment Lessons from Your Thanksgiving Turkey
Bill Stone, Contributor Nov. 21, 2022 Thanksgiving seems an appropriate time to consider the “Turkey problem” as it relates to risk management. Nassim Taleb introduced the world to the “Black Swan” concept and used this example to illustrate the issue.…
401(k) In-Plan Roth Conversion
A 401(k) in-plan Roth conversion (also called an “in-plan Roth rollover”) allows you to transfer the non-Roth portion of your 401(k) account into a designated Roth account within the same plan. The amount you convert is subject to federal income…
The Benefits of Tax-Advantaged Savings Vehicles
Taxes can take a big bite out of your total investment returns, so it’s helpful to look for tax-advantaged strategies when building a portfolio. But keep in mind that investment decisions shouldn’t be driven solely by tax considerations; other factors…
Fed Note: July 2022
The Federal Reserve Open Market Committee continued its aggressive tightening pace in the June meeting, by raising the key fed funds interest rate today by 0.75%—to a new range of 1.50-1.75%.
Converting Savings to Retirement Income
During your working years, you’ve probably set aside funds in retirement accounts such as IRAs, 401(k)s, or other workplace savings plans, as well as in taxable accounts. Your challenge during retirement is to convert those savings into an ongoing income…
Fed Note: June 2022
The Federal Reserve Open Market Committee continued its aggressive tightening pace in the June meeting, by raising the key fed funds interest rate today by 0.75%—to a new range of 1.50-1.75%.
Federal Student Loan Repayment Postponed for Sixth Time
On April 6, the U.S. Department of Education announced a record sixth extension for federal student loan repayment, interest, and collections, through August 31, 2022.1 The fifth payment pause was set to end on April 30, 2022. The six extensions…
Fed Note: May 2022
The Federal Reserve Open Market Committee turned more aggressive in this month’s meeting by raising the key fed funds interest rate by 0.50%—for the first time in over twenty years by that amount—to a new range of 0.75-1.00%. There were…
What Do Rising Interest Rates Mean for Your Money?
On March 16, 2022, the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) of the Federal Reserve raised the benchmark federal funds rate by 0.25% to a target range of 0.25% to 0.50%. This is the beginning of a series of increases that…
Colliding Forces: Russia, Oil, Inflation, and Market Volatility
The Russian invasion of Ukraine has drawn condemnation and punitive sanctions from the United States, Europe, and their allies. The humanitarian cost of war cannot be measured, and the long-term economic effects could take months or years to unfold.
Cryptocurrency Investments: A Primer
Cryptocurrencies are digital assets, based on multi-user computer networks, which employ new ‘blockchain’ technology. These are unique from the physical assets we commonly think of and invest in, such as real estate, oil, metals, or shares of company stock. Unlike…
Market Update: Ukraine Conflict
A quick note from The H Group…With Russia’s decision to invade Ukraine, markets are experiencing increased volatility as they try to price in the geopolitical fallout. We do anticipate volatility may remain high until there is a better understanding of…
Year-End Charitable Giving
With the holiday season upon us and the end of the year approaching, we pause to give thanks for our blessings and the people in our lives. It is also a time when charitable giving often comes to mind. The…
Employer Open Enrollment: Make Benefit Choices That Work for You
Open enrollment is the window of time when employers introduce changes to their benefit offerings for the upcoming plan year. If you’re employed, this is your once-a-year chance to make important decisions that will affect your health-care choices and your…
IRS Releases 2022 Key Numbers for Health Savings Accounts
The IRS has released the 2022 contribution limits for health savings accounts (HSAs), as well as the 2022 minimum deductible and maximum out-of-pocket amounts for high-deductible health plans (HDHPs). An HSA is a tax-advantaged account that’s paired with an HDHP.…
Social Security’s Uncertain Future: What You Should Know
Social Security is a pay-as-you-go system, which means today’s workers are paying taxes for the benefits received by today’s retirees. However, demographic trends such as lower birth rates, higher retirement rates, and longer life spans are causing long-run fiscal challenges.…
Too Hot to Handle: What’s Ahead for the U.S. Housing Market?
The U.S. housing market, already strong before the pandemic, has heated up to record levels in 2021. The Case-Shiller U.S. National Home Price Index, which measures home prices in 20 major metropolitan areas, reported a 12-month increase of 18.6% in…
Student Loan Payment Pause Extended
On August 6, 2021, the U.S. Department of Education announced an extension of the pause on federal student loan payments to January 31, 2022. The payment moratorium, currently in effect for millions of federal student loan borrowers, was set to…
Year-End Tax Planning
As the end of the year approaches, it’s time to consider strategies that could help you reduce your tax bill. But most tax tips, suggestions, and strategies are of little practical help without a good understanding of your current tax…
Hostage Data: Ransomware And Protecting Your Digital Information
On May 7, 2021, the Colonial Pipeline, which carries almost half of the East Coast’s fuel supply from Texas to New Jersey, shut down operations in response to a ransomware attack. Colonial paid a $4.4 million ransom not long after…
Taking Advantage of Employer-Sponsored Retirement Plans
Employer-sponsored qualified retirement plans such as 401(k)s are some of the most powerful retirement savings tools available. If your employer offers such a plan and you’re not participating in it, you should be. Once you’re participating in a plan, try…
403(b) Plans
Retirement plans established under Section 403(b) of the Internal Revenue Code, commonly referred to as 403(b) plans or “tax-sheltered annuities,” have become a popular type of employer-sponsored retirement plan.
Home Mortgage: Should You Pay Off or Invest?
Owning a home outright is a dream that many Americans share. Having a mortgage can be a huge burden and paying it off may be the first item on your financial to-do list. But competing with the desire to own…
Divorce: Budgets and Cash Flows
Why is the preparation of financial statements important during the divorce process? Before a reasonable property settlement can be negotiated, it’s important for both spouses in a divorce to disclose all assets, liabilities, sources of income, and expenses. By arranging…
The New Estate Tax Rules and Your Estate Plan
The Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act of 2010 (the 2010 Tax Act) included new gift, estate, and generation-skipping transfer (GST) tax provisions. The 2010 Tax Act provided that in 2011 and 2012, the gift and estate…
Teaching Your College-Age Child about Money
When your child first started school, you doled out the change for milk and a snack on a daily basis. But now that your kindergartner has grown up, it’s time for you to make sure that your child has enough…
Financial Aid 101
Many parents pay for college with a combination of current income, savings, and financial aid. By learning the basics of financial aid, you’ll be able to understand how the aid process works and compare the aid awards your child receives.
Key Estate Planning Documents You Need
Estate Planning – There are five estate planning documents you may need, regardless of your age, health, or wealth: Durable power of attorney, Advance medical directives, Will, Letter of instruction, Living trust. The last document, a living trust, isn’t always…
Are Cryptocurrencies the Place to Be?
We’ve covered some of the characteristics of cryptos before, but with the ongoing spike in investor interest, the topic is worth revisiting. With any newer and harder-to-understand product, it’s important to take a step back and not lose sight of…
Irrevocable Life Insurance Trust (ILIT)
An ILIT is a trust primarily set up to hold one or more life insurance policies. The main purpose of an ILIT is to avoid federal estate tax. If the trust is drafted and funded properly, your loved ones should…
Investing as a Couple: Getting to Yes
In a perfect world, both halves of a couple share the same investment goals and agree on the best way to try to reach them. It doesn’t always work that way, though; disagreements about money are often a source of…
Pandemic Relief Measures and Your Tax Return
Two emergency relief bills passed in 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic will make this an unusual tax season for many taxpayers. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act was passed in March, and a second relief…
Get a Fresh Start on Your Finances in 2021
There’s no doubt about it — last year was tumultuous. The coronavirus pandemic, a contentious election, and widespread protests were just some of the events that impacted our nation in 2020. Fortunately, the arrival of new vaccines has brought hope…
There’s Still Time to Make an IRA Contribution for 2020
Even though tax filing season is well under way, there’s still time to make a regular IRA contribution for 2020. You have until your tax return due date (not including extensions) to contribute up to $6,000 for 2020 ($7,000 if…
American Rescue Plan Act: Providing Relief to Individuals and Businesses
On Thursday, March 11, 2021, the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA 2021) was signed into law. This is a $1.9 trillion emergency relief package that includes payments to individuals and funding for federal programs, vaccines and testing, state…
Consolidated Appropriations Act: Providing Relief to Individuals and Businesses
On Sunday, December 27, 2020, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (CAA 2021) was signed into law. A $900 billion emergency relief package is included as part of this omnibus spending bill. It is intended to assist individuals and businesses during…
How Much Inflation Risk is Really Out There?
Treasury rates have ticked higher in recent weeks, due to investor worries about a pickup in inflation. This is not a new concern, but has gained steam as a large ($1.9 tril.) stimulus package appears to be on the verge…
Establishing a Budget
Do you ever wonder where your money goes each month? Does it seem like you’re never able to get ahead? If so, you may want to establish a budget to help you keep track of how you spend your money…
Transferring Your Family Business
As a business owner, you’re going to have to decide when will be the right time to step out of the family business and how you’ll do it. There are many estate planning tools you can use to transfer your…
Umbrella Liability Insurance
When your local weather forecaster tells you that it’s going to rain, what do you do? That’s easy–you reach for your umbrella. So why not purchase an umbrella that can protect you in stormy financial weather? Umbrella liability insurance (ULI)…
What Is the GameStop Situation All About?
We don’t like to spend too much time on market anomalies, let alone individual stocks that fall outside long-term asset allocation principles, but this seems to have taken over the headlines last week. Rarely do stock market quirks become mainstream…
Balancing work commitments and family obligations
At one time, the typical American family looked like this: a breadwinner father who commuted a short distance to work and earned a very good living, and a stay-at-home mother who took care of the kids and family home with…
Financial Basics for Millennials
With age comes responsibility, so if you’re a young adult in your 20s or 30s, chances are you’ve been introduced to the realities of adulthood. While you’re excited by all the opportunities life has to offer, you’re also aware of…
Economic Outlook: What Could We Expect in 2021?
Each year naturally brings more surprises than certainties, so outlooks and predictions of any kind quickly become futile. (We’ve already experienced a dramatic and unusual first week of January.) At least at this point in time, noted are a few…
Retirement Savings: Revisiting the 4% Rule
Saving for retirement is not easy, but using your retirement savings wisely can be just as challenging. How much of your savings can you withdraw each year? Withdraw too much and you run the risk of running out of money.…
COVID Relief Plan: What Can You Expect?
The prior weekend, Congress had agreed on a $900+ bil. Covid relief package, approved by both chambers a few days later, and finally signed by the President last night. This had been in the works for months, with a few…
Facing the Possibility of Incapacity
Incapacity means that you are either mentally or physically unable to take care of yourself or your day-to-day affairs. Incapacity can result from serious physical injury, mental or physical illness, advancing age, and alcohol or drug abuse.
Estate Planning: Charitable Giving
When developing your estate plan, you can do well by doing good. Leaving money through charitable giving rewards you in many ways. It gives you a sense of personal satisfaction, and it can save you money in estate taxes.
Dow 30,000: How Important is It?
It’s a new high, but not dissimilar to celebrating say, 29,999 as a new peak, although the odd number didn’t receive the same level of media attention. These round market levels, whether it be the Dow Jones Industrial Average, Nasdaq,…
Oregon Waiting Week Payments Arrive
The Oregon Employment Department (OED) has announced that as of November 24th, they have started issuing waiting week payments to eligible Oregonians.
Are you considering buying bonds? Are they in a bubble?
Whether or not an asset class is in a bubble is difficult to answer in real-time, since sentiment can change course as quickly as a few weeks, or take years. In hindsight, these things are always more obvious. The question…
The Basics: Credit Score
It’s difficult to imagine functioning in today’s world without credit. Whether buying a car or purchasing a home, credit has become an integral part of our everyday lives. Having easy access to credit goes hand in hand with having a…
The Election is Over, Now What?
The election results may have surprised some forecasters (and certainly pollsters), as the predicted ‘blue wave’ of Democrats capturing both the Presidency and Senate fell short. Democrats did retain the House of Representatives, as anticipated, although more seats than expected…
Myths and Facts about Social Security
There’s no doubt about it — Social Security is an important source of retirement income for most Americans. According to the Social Security Administration, nearly nine out of ten individuals age 65 and older receive Social Security benefits.
Retirement Account Rollovers
Rollovers are the movement of funds from one retirement savings vehicle to another. You may want to make a rollover for any number of reasons — your employment situation has changed, you want to switch investments, or you’ve received death…
Healthcare Open Enrollment Begins November 1
Beginning on November 1, 2020, individuals (including families) may apply for new health insurance, switch to a different health-care plan, or re-enroll in their current plan through a Health Insurance Marketplace under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The open enrollment…
Plan Sponsors: Coronavirus Relief Measures
In March 2020, Congress passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which included several provisions designed to help retirement savers cope with the financial fallout from the pandemic. Among these temporary measures were special rules for required…
The Bull Is Back…Will It Keep Charging?
On August 18, 2020, the S&P 500 set a record high for the first time since COVID-19 ushered in a bear market on February 19. The cycle from peak to peak was just 126 trading days, the fastest recovery in…
The Traits of a Good Investor and How Women Can Make the Most of Them
Many women manage their own money. This includes women who have always been doing so and women who are relatively new to the world of investing, for whatever reason. Regardless of your level of investing experience, there are certain investor…
Temporary Payroll Tax Deferral
On August 8, 2020, the president issued an executive order to allow the deferral of certain payroll taxes during the last four months of 2020, and the IRS recently provided related guidance. This has implications for both employers and employees.…
Oregon Pandemic Lost Wages Assistance Update
On Wednesday, September 30th, the Oregon Employment Department will begin issuing Lost Wages Assistance (LWA) payments to qualifying Oregonians who received PUA benefits or self-certified that they received unemployment benefits for COVID-19-related reasons.
Student Loan Relief Extended Through End of Year
In March 2020, Congress passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which provided a six-month automatic payment suspension on federal student loans through September 30, 2020. In August, the president signed a memorandum to extend federal student…
The Impact of a Trump Reelection?
What would be the impact of a Trump Presidential reelection for a second term? How important is the President on financial markets anyway? In many ways, policies to expect would likely be similar to what’s in place today, and largely…
Retirement Plan Considerations at Different Stages of Life
Throughout your career, retirement planning will likely be one of the most important components of your overall financial plan. Whether you have just graduated and taken your first job, are starting a family, are enjoying your peak earning years, or…
What Causes Sudden Market Declines?
What causes sudden market declines like we saw this week, seemingly out of nowhere? There often isn’t a concrete reason. It’s important to remember that stocks trade in a market like any other good: when there are more buyers than…
The Impact of a Biden Presidency?
What would be the impact of a Biden Presidential election win, potentially including a Democratic takeover of the Senate? The impact of a potential new President on stock market returns is always a key question in the weeks prior to…
ABCs of Financial Aid
These days, it’s hard to talk about college without mentioning financial aid. Yet this pairing isn’t a marriage of love, but one of necessity. In many cases, financial aid may be the deciding factor in whether your child attends the…
What is Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT)?
When it comes to federal income tax, there are few subjects capable of causing as much confusion as the Alternative Minimum Tax. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act substantially increased the Alternative Minimum Tax exemptions and exemption phaseout thresholds for…
College Expenses and the Pandemic Impact
Even in normal times, it can be challenging for families to cover college expenses without borrowing money and/or risking their own retirement security. For the 2019-2020 academic year…
Dealing with Periods of Crisis
By definition, a crisis is a turning point, a time when you have to make crucial decisions (often suddenly) that will affect your future. Although smart planning is the key to effectively dealing with periods of crisis, you may find…
Can you retire comfortably AND help child through college?
You want to retire comfortably when the time comes. You also want to help your child go to college. So how do you juggle the two? The truth is, saving for your retirement and your child’s education at the same…
Retirement Planning: The Roth 401(k)
Employers can offer 401(k) plan participants the opportunity to make Roth 401(k) contributions. If you’re lucky enough to work for an employer who offers this option, Roth contributions could play an important role in maximizing your retirement income.
Small Business: Designing a Benefit Package
If you’re a small business owner, you face many challenges in growing your company. One of them is recruiting and retaining the best talent for your needs. When your primary goals are managing costs and increasing revenue, how do you…
Health Savings Account 101
Are health insurance premiums taking too big of a bite out of your budget? Do you wish you had better control over how you spend your health-care dollars? If so, you may be interested in an alternative to traditional health…
Social Security Retirement Benefit Basics
Social Security benefits are a major source of retirement income for most people. Your Social Security retirement benefit is based on the number of years you’ve been working and the amount you’ve earned. When you begin taking Social Security benefits…
US Dollar: What’s All the Fuss?
Following a sharp 10% rise in the value of the U.S. dollar earlier in the year, most dramatically during the stock market meltdown in Q1, the dollar has sold off by nearly -10% since. This pattern is not abnormal during…
Net Investment Income Tax: The Basics
If your income hits a certain level, you may face an additional wrinkle in calculating your taxes: the net investment income tax (also referred to as the unearned income Medicare contribution tax). This 3.8% Medicare tax applies to some or…
Long-Term Care: 5 Common Questions
Understandably, many people put off planning for long-term care. But although it’s hard to face the fact that health problems may someday result in a loss of independence, if you begin planning now, you’ll have more options open to you…
Succession Planning: Buy-Sell Agreement
Buy-sell agreements are very important planning tools that can accomplish many things for a business with two or more owners. Sometimes referred to as a prenuptial or premarital agreement among business owners, a business continuation agreement, a stock purchase agreement,…
The Shape of Economic Recovery
On June 8, 2020, the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER), which has official responsibility for determining U.S. business cycles, announced that February 2020 marked the end of an expansion that began in 2009 and the beginning of a recession.1 This…
Retirement Planning for Women – Income Roadmap
More women are working and taking charge of their own retirement planning than ever before. What does retirement mean to you? Do you dream of traveling? Pursuing a hobby? Volunteering your time, or starting a new career or business? Simply…
Oregon Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Update
On Friday, July 17th, the Oregon Employment Department launched a new online form for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) initial claims and weekly certifications. We wanted to pass along some additional information regarding the new form, per David Gerstenfeld, Acting Director…
Wall Street Vs. Main Street: Disconnected?
Are the financial markets (‘Wall Street’) and the real economy (‘Main Street’) disconnected? Although they may appear to be disconnected on the surface, and near-term outcomes are impossible to predict, they’re likely no more disconnected than usual. One of the…
How to Protect Yourself Against Identity Theft
Massive computer hacks and data breaches are now common occurrences — an unfortunate consequence of living in a digital world. Once identity thieves have your information, they can use it to gain access to your bank and credit card accounts,…
Teach Your Children Well: Basic Financial Education
Even before your children can count, they already know something about money: it’s what you have to give the ice cream man to get a cone, or put in the slot to ride the rocket ship at the grocery store.…
Social Security and Medicare Face Financial Challenges
Most Americans will eventually receive Social Security and Medicare benefits. Each year, the Trustees of the Social Security and Medicare Trust Funds release lengthy reports to Congress that assess the health of these important programs. The newest reports, released on…
Oregon PERS – Senate Bill 1049
In 2019, the Oregon Legislature passed Senate Bill 1049 (SB1049). The bill makes some changes to the Oregon PERS calculations in their quest to help keep the PERS system funded for current and future beneficiaries. While the bill was passed…
Women and Work: Why Salary, Benefits, and Work-Life Balance Count
As more and more women earn college degrees, change in the workplace may be inevitable. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, women now earn 57% of bachelor’s degrees, 58% of master’s degrees, and 53% of doctoral degrees. According…
Coping with Market Volatility: How Biases Can Affect Investment Decisions
When it comes to your finances, “go with your gut” might not be the wisest adage to follow. In fact, it may work against you, particularly in periods of market turbulence. Before jumping to conclusions about your finances, consider what…
Too Much Oil with Nowhere to Go
On April 20, 2020, the price of a futures contract for West Texas Intermediate crude — the benchmark for U.S. oil prices — fell below zero for the first time in history, dropping more than 306% in trading on the…
How Women Are Different from Men, Financially Speaking
We all know men and women are different in some fundamental ways. But is this true when it comes to financial planning? Everyone wants financial security. But women often face unique obstacles that can affect their ability to achieve it.…
Avoid Mixing Business and Personal…Finances That Is
Most are familiar with the old saying “never mix business with pleasure.” However, for business owners both large and small, keeping in mind the mantra to never mix business finances with personal finances will serve you well.
Net Unrealized Appreciation: The Untold Story
If you participate in a 401(k), ESOP, or other qualified retirement plan that lets you invest in your employer’s stock, you need to know about net unrealized appreciation — a simple tax deferral opportunity with an unfortunately complicated name.
Estate Tax Changes Under Recent Tax Acts
Over the past two decades significant changes have been made to the taxation of an estate. In this article we take a look at how the federal gift and estate tax, as well as the federal generation-skipping tax have been…
Reaching Retirement: Now What?
You’ve worked hard your whole life anticipating the day you could finally retire. Well, that day has arrived! But with it comes the realization that you’ll need to carefully manage your assets to give them lasting potential.
Estate Planning: Leaving a Legacy
You’ve worked hard over the years to accumulate wealth, and you probably find it comforting to know that after your death the assets you leave behind will continue to be a source of support for your family, friends, and the…
Retirement Confidence Drops in 2020
The Retirement Confidence Survey conducted each year by the Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI) took a slightly different tack in 2020. After completing its initial outreach in January — the 30th in its annual series — EBRI decided to conduct…
Deadline Extension for 2019 IRA Contribution
Due to the coronavirus tax filing extension, there’s still time to make a regular IRA contribution for 2019. You have until your tax return due date (not including extensions) to contribute up to $6,000 for 2019 ($7,000 if you were…
Negative Interest Rates in the U.S.?
With U.S. short-term interest rates again reaching the zero bound (fed funds rate of 0.00-0.25%), debate has surfaced again about moving the target range further—to below-zero territory. Several developed nations, mostly in Europe, moved down this path years ago, and…
Unemployment Fraud on the Rise
Moments of crisis are times for people to come together and help one another. However, with the rise of record unemployment levels, unemployment fraud has taken hold of vulnerable targets.
Have some financial asset prices bounced back too far and too fast?
Have some financial asset prices bounced back too far and too fast? This is never simple to evaluate, as current prices for rates and risk assets have a behavioral component, and appropriate price levels may only be obvious in hindsight.
Watch Out for Coronavirus Scams
Fraudsters and scam artists are always looking for new ways to prey on consumers. Now they are using the same tactics to take advantage of consumers’ heightened financial and health concerns over the coronavirus pandemic.
How meaningful are these ongoing tariff threats?
Market volatility has obviously been ramping up as of late, with one of the catalysts being the announcement of various layers of tariffs by the U.S. administration. This rhetoric has been targeted at China, which has responded with a series…
What should we make of the pullback in equities?
As we discussed in our special note last week, pullbacks are a normal component in the cycle of any market, with a few steps forward-one-step back pattern being the tendency of stock investments for the past several centuries. Read our…
Now that the tax plan is finished, now what?
The 1000+ page tax reform plan, the largest in decades, has been passed by both legislative chambers and signed into law. It moved surprisingly quickly, with initial debate about various components turning into a package that looked very much like…
What to make of the rise in Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies?
It’s impossible to speculate on the future prospects of Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies that have been gaining significant ground in recent months. But it’s important to remember the risks.
