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Financial Resources & News

Upcoming Compliance Deadlines

December 2023 1st:  Participant Notices – Annual notices due for Safe Harbor elections (note that some plans are no longer required to distribute Safe Harbor notices), Qualified Default Investment Arrangement (QDIA), and Automatic Contribution Arrangements (EACA or QACA). 29th:  ADP/ACP Corrections – Deadline for a plan to make ADP/ACP corrective distributions and/or to deposit...

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Considering Changes to Your Business? Don’t Forget About Your Plan!

In today’s changing work environment, the sale or purchase of another business is not uncommon. If you’re planning to make changes to your business structure, remember to include the retirement plan in your negotiations. The type of sale can have a major impact on your plan, so it is highly recommended that you understand which type you are considering and notify your Third Party Administrator...

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Cost of Living Adjustments for 2024

Save More for Retirement in 2024 On November 1, 2023, the IRS announced the Cost of Living Adjustments (COLAs) affecting the dollar limitations for retirement plans for 2024. In October, the Social Security Administration announced a modest benefit increase of 3.2%. Retirement plan limits also increased over the 2023 limits. COLA increases are intended to allow participant contributions and...

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Markets in Review (Q3 2023)

The first half of 2023 was shaping up to be a record-setting year but reversed course in August and September as higher interest rates and fears of a rebound in inflation weighed on the markets. Global equity markets posted negative returns during the third quarter with small caps declining the most as the Russell 2000 Index was down -5.1%. However, on a year-to-date basis, the S&P 500...

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Monthly Market Update (October 2023): 3 Things You Need to Know

Heightened volatility, robust economic data, and concerns about the sustainability of government finances appear to be driving the recent movement in intermediate to long-term Treasury yields with the yield on the 10-year Treasury note topping 5% for the first time since 2007. For now, the stock market is taking its cues from the bond market. Here are 3 things you need to know: The Bloomberg...

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2023 Year-End Tax Tips

Here are some things to consider as you weigh potential tax moves between now and the end of the year. 1. Defer income to next year Consider opportunities to defer income to 2024, particularly if you think you may be in a lower tax bracket then. For example, you may be able to defer a year-end bonus or delay the collection of business debts, rents, and payments for services. Doing so may enable...

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Caring for Your Aging Parents

Caring for your aging parents is something you hope you can handle when the time comes, but it's the last thing you want to think about. Whether the time is now or somewhere down the road, there are steps that you can take to make your life (and theirs) a little easier. Some people live their entire lives with little or no assistance from family and friends, but today Americans are living longer...

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Charitable Giving Strategies

By: Arash Navi, CPA, CFP®, Wealth Manager America has been recognized as the most generous country in the last decade according to the Charities Aid Foundation’s World Giving Index.1  Charitable giving is deeply ingrained in American culture, reflecting the spirit of philanthropy and the desire to contribute to the greater good. Americans don’t just donate money to charities but 42% also...

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Medicare Open Enrollment Begins October 15

If you are covered by Medicare, it's time to compare your current coverage with other available options. Medicare's Open Enrollment period begins on October 15 and runs through December 7.  Medicare plans can change every year, and you may want to switch to a health or prescription drug plan that better suits your needs or your budget. During this period, you can: Switch from Original Medicare...

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The Disciplined Approach to Geopolitical Analysis

By: Steven Yamshon, Ph.D., Managing Principal It isn’t often that we talk about geopolitical events, but it has great relevance because geopolitical events affect economies. Until shortly, after World War II, the economic courses taught in the universities were not split into macroeconomics and microeconomics. It was taught as just plain economics and was often labeled political economy. Why on...

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Sunshine Tax: California’s Proposed Long-Term Care Payroll Tax

By: Henry VanBuskirk, CFP®, Wealth Manager As a lifelong California citizen, I’ve had the opportunity to enjoy our state’s beaches, mountain trails, and diverse cuisine. However, all of these niceties come at a price that we Californians refer to tongue in cheek as the “Sunshine Tax”. The “Sunshine Tax” of course isn’t an actual tax, but our collective understanding as Californians that our...

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Monthly Market Update (September 2023): 3 Things You Need to Know

The boogie man (i.e., the Federal Reserve) showed up early rather than waiting for Halloween and major stock and bond market indices were down for the month keeping the historical pattern typically seen during September intact. Here are 3 things you need to know: The S&P 500 index closed the month down 4.87% - its worst month since December 2022 and the fourth year in a row that the index...

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College Financial Aid: FAFSA Changes Coming Soon

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is a financial aid form administered by the Department of Education that helps students qualify for loans and financial aid. The FAFSA window typically opens every year on October 1 for high school seniors planning to attend college in the following year and for returning college students. However, due to an extensive redesign of the FAFSA,...

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College Financial Aid: FAFSA Changes Coming Soon

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is a financial aid form administered by the Department of Education that helps students qualify for loans and financial aid. The FAFSA window typically opens every year on October 1 for high school seniors planning to attend college in the following year and for returning college students. However, due to an extensive redesign of the...

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What’s Happening in the World of Higher Education?

A 2023 survey revealed a notable shift in public opinion over the past decade about the value of a college degree: 56% of Americans think a four-year college degree isn't worth the cost due to students graduating with significant debt and a lack of specific job skills vs. 42% who believe college is worth it. The survey numbers have almost reversed from ten years ago, while college enrollment has...

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