Articles Library

Contributed by: Timothy Smith, CFP® In the world of wealth planning, quiet legislative changes often have an outsized impact on how families and business owners structure their estates, minimize taxes, and leave a legacy. The “Big Beautiful Bill” is a prime example. Though its title may sound casual, the potential implications for charitable legacy planning are anything but. Designed to modernize and…

Contributed by: Caleb Christian, CFP®, CLU®, ChFC® For many corporate executives and key employees at oil & gas companies such as BP, Chevron, or Shell, compensation extends beyond salary and annual bonuses. Increasingly, companies are using Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) as part of long-term incentive plans. While RSUs can represent a substantial portion of total compensation, they also carry complexities—particularly…

As you prepare for retirement with confidence, we wanted to share key findings from Ernst & Young's newly released 2025 study, 'Holistic Planning: Integrating Insurance Products for Better Outcomes in Retirement' The 2025 study by Ernst & Young on incorporating life insurance and guaranteed income strategies into a holistic financial plan expands on its 2021 study and further validates that…

Authored by: Brian Sak, CFP®, CLU®, ChFC® Historic Expansion (and contraction) of Exemptions One of the most impactful provisions within the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) is the permanent increase in the federal estate, gift, and generation-skipping transfer (GST) tax exemptions. While the term “permanent” suggests long-term certainty, history tells a different story. Over the past several decades,…

Contributed by: Pijus Bulvinas, CFP & Richard Dorfman, Vice President, SRS Real Estate Partners Real estate investors are constantly seeking ways to maximize their returns while minimizing their tax liabilities. For those looking to sell appreciated property without incurring significant capital gains taxes, the 1031 exchange offers a powerful solution. Named after Section 1031 of the Internal…

Authored by: Nicholas Brown, CFA, CFP® In the ever-evolving world of tax legislation, clarity and consistency are rare luxuries. Yet that is precisely what the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (the Act) aims to deliver—a sweeping tax reform package designed to bring permanence to key provisions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) and introduce several notable changes affecting high income earners, small…

Contributed by: Tim Smith, CFP At the height of a corporate career, success often brings complexity. For executives in their prime earning years, many of whom are managing significant equity compensation, growing philanthropic interests, and contemplating long-term legacy decisions, the stakes are high. Navigating this stage without a deliberate financial strategy can lead to missed opportunities,…

Contributed by: Austin Manning, CFP Retirement planning for corporate executives involves far more than deciding when to exit the workforce. With deferred compensation packages, concentrated stock positions, non-qualified plans, and golden parachutes in the mix, the path to financial independence is layered with complexity. One often overlooked tool in managing this transition is the annuity – a word…

Contributed by: Caleb Christian, CFP, CLU, ChFC Reconsidering Life Insurance: Seven Misunderstandings Wealthy Families Should Avoid Among individuals with significant wealth, life insurance is often viewed as unnecessary. With assets sufficient to cover family needs, taxes, and liabilities, the assumption is that life insurance serves little purpose. Yet this view overlooks how insurance can function…