The Rate-Cut Waiting Room
SIGNAL, NOISE, AND WHAT MATTERS This Month’s Briefing A monthly Fortified Wealth briefing that separates the financial headline from the planning issue. Each piece looks at
When Inflation Shows Up In Cash Flow Before Portfolios
Inflation and interest rates are often discussed as market headlines. For families and business owners, they may show up first in cash flow: borrowing costs, insurance premiums, business credit lines, payroll pressure, cash reserves, and major purchase decisions.
Market Growth Meets Rising Risks: The Impact of Policy & Sentiment
At first glance, 2025 appears to be another strong year for markets. The MSCI ACWI Index gained 3.36% in January, and the S&P 500 is
Seeking Stability in Volatile Markets?
Many comfortable with passively following an equity index, grow anxious when the market pivots lower. Nervousness can lead to snap investment decisions.
Volatility: What’s Normal?
Uncertainty surrounding the eventual economic impact of the coronavirus has driven market volatility higher. It’s useful to realize that volatility has been higher in the
Market Corrections: More Common Than You Think
Equity markets around the globe fell into correction territory on intensifying concerns about the coronavirus. On average, a correction in the U.S. stock market occurs
Slowing Growth, Speeding Outbreak. Time to Panic Yet? by SEI
February 21, 2020 (Link to the Article or back to Perspectives) Important economic indicators have been pointing to slower growth — or worse, possible recession
Appeals Court Includes Irrevocable Trust Withdrawal Right as Marital Asset
This is from John Hancock’s monthly newsletter, and we thought it was interesting. Click on the link to pull up the whole newsletter. Although significant
The Conservation Easement Fight Continues
12+ years later, people in Colorado are still battling the IRS over conservation easement valuations. And to highlight how bad it’s gotten, in this case
Trust owned Inherited IRAs
IRA DISTRIBUTION OPTIONS AFTER DEATH When an IRA owner dies and leaves their IRA to a non-spousal beneficiary, under current law the IRA generally must
Voya/ING Getting Out of the Life Insurance Business
Right before you check out for the holidays I thought I’d give you a life insurance update. I guess Christmas came early for you. However, this one
Cost of Life Insurance Increases – A Closer Look
Recently, a small number of life insurance carriers announced that they’re increasing their cost of insurance (COI) rates charged on blocks of in-force universal life
White Paper: Life Insurance Valuation And Policy Transfers
Whether an existing life insurance policy is transferred by gift, sale or as some form of compensation, it’s important to provide an accurate valuation of
Case Study: A Challenging 412i Plan Termination
BACKGROUND Steve Rider is a 62 years old business owner. His company established a 412i retirement plan 15 years ago, and the plan had assets
Long-Term Care Coverage: Understanding the Fine Print
WHY YOU MAY NEED LONG-TERM CARE You may picture a nursing home when you think about long-term care (LTC). But LTC doesn’t always mean institutional