Learning Center

6 minutes read

Secure Your Business Legacy: The Power of Buy-Sell Agreement Planning for Business Owners

The Power of Buy-Sell Agreement Planning for Business Owners As a business owner, ensuring the long-term success and continuity of your enterprise is usually at the very top of the list of priorities. One of the essentials that can help you achieve this goal is effective buy-sell planning. This ar...

Read Article

7 minutes read

Understanding Your Retirement Benefits: Things to consider as a BP Executive Preparing to Retire

How do I make the most of my BP retirement benefits? As one of the most lucrative positions in the oil and gas industry, BP executives enjoy exceptional employee benefits. However, navigating these offerings can be overwhelming, even for high-level executives. From cash compensation and severanc...

Read Article

6 minutes read

Managing Your 401(k) After Job Transition: Key Considerations & Advanced Tax Strategies

What to do with Your 401(k) after Leaving a Job: Key Considerations & Advanced Tax Strategies When navigating a job transition, whether entering retirement or an unexpected layoff, one crucial aspect that requires careful consideration is what to do with your 401(k) plan. Making informed choices...

Read Article

4 minutes read

A Comprehensive Guide to the Private Equity Due Diligence Process

Private equity investments offer the potential for significant returns, but they also carry a considerable amount of risk. Therefore, conducting a thorough due diligence process is crucial to evaluate the viability and suitability of these opportunities. We have constructed a robust infrastructu...

Read Article

5 minutes read

The Clock is Ticking: Why Accredited Investors are Taking Advantage of Private Placement Life Insurance (PPLI)

As today's top federal estate tax rate, or "death tax," currently tops out at 40%, proactive planning is needed for high-net-worth individuals who want to avoid nearly half of their estate going to taxes rather than their heirs upon death.1 With sizeable estate tax exemptions currently set to expi...

Read Article

4 minutes read

Pros and Cons of Private Equity Investing: What You Need to Know as a High-Net-Worth Investor

Private equity investments can be an attractive option for investors looking to diversify their portfolios and potentially earn higher returns. However, before jumping into this type of investment, it's critical to consider whether it's the right choice for your individual financial goals and risk t...

Read Article

10 minutes read

The Ultimate Guide to Private Equity Investing:

Getting Started with Private Equity as part of a Comprehensive Investment Strategy for Accredited Investors Private equity has become increasingly popular over the years as investors seek higher returns in a low-interest-rate environment and an alternative to the daily volatility of the public m...

Read Article

6 minutes read

Is my money safe? Understanding the impact of a bank collapse

The recent collapses of Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) and Signature Bank (Signature) resulted in two of the three biggest bank collapses in U.S. history, behind the 2008 collapse of Washington Mutual. This has created uncertainty over the stability and liquidity of all banks, especially for those with...

Read Article

5 minutes read

Inheritance or Legacy?

It takes no planning to leave an inheritance, you just have to pass away owning something. However, most wealthy families are more interested in leaving a legacy, which does require significant thought and planning. The Dilemma John has worked his entire life to achieve success in both his p...

Read Article

5 minutes read

Navigating SECURE 2.0 Retirement Reform: Key Changes & Planning Strategies

Retirement savings rules have recently undergone significant changes with the implementation of SECURE 2.0. From age changes for required minimum distributions (RMDs) to more opportunities to save with catch-up contributions, read on to learn some of the fundamental changes from this legislation and...

Read Article

5 minutes read

Tax-Efficient Strategies When Selling a Business

For business owners who may have worked for decades to build up their companies, deciding to sell the business can be an emotional process. But it’s also a practical one where savvy business owners need to find ways to minimize the tax implications of selling a business to benefit themselves and oth...

Read Article

4 minutes read

Now Is the Time to Review Estate

Wealthy individuals who’ve completed their estate plans may consider the job done. But estate planning is a journey, not a destination. So many factors — personal, financial, and political — can change over time and challenge the effectiveness of even the best-constructed estate plan. That’s why it’...

Read Article

5 minutes read

How to Create Liquidity by Selling a Business to an ESOP

Selling a closely held business can be an incredibly complex process that requires a lot of thoughtful planning. For business owners, two challenges often come to the forefront: finding a buyer and creating a liquidity event for the business owner. Selling a business to an employee stock ownership p...

Read Article

4 minutes read

Why Average Rate of Return is Not the Key to Retirement Income Planning

Many investors use the average rate of returns as one of their primary metrics for assessing portfolio performance. In your earning years, the average rate is a useful benchmark because most people are focused on total wealth accumulation. But when you enter retirement, the order in which you expe...

Read Article

5 minutes read

Income Tax Planning in Early Retirement: Strategies for HNWIs

Anyone entering retirement must manage the tax implications that come with shifting their primary income source from their employer to other income streams like social security. But for high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) with robust portfolios, income tax planning can be particularly complex. Retiri...

Read Article

4 minutes read

Benefits of Private Placement Life Insurance (PPLI) for the Ultra-Affluent

Tax rates are currently at or near historic lows. But ask just about anyone and the expectation is that taxes are sure to increase in the future. So, finding tax-efficient shelters for wealth accumulation is important for protecting long-term portfolio value and accomplishing tax planning goals. For...

Read Article

6 minutes read

Cash flow in early retirement: Six considerations for high-net-worth individuals

Many people dream of retiring early so they can spend more time with family and their passions outside of work. But early retirement can present some unique risks, even for high-net-worth individuals. To ensure financial goals are met, thoughtful planning is required, particularly when it comes to c...

Read Article

5 minutes read

How grantor trusts (and alternatives) aid estate planning

Grantor trusts have long been a valuable estate planning tool because they allow affluent individuals to separate assets for estate and income tax purposes. But a recent legislative proposal would have radically changed how these trusts could be used, effectively eliminating their tax shelter benefi...

Read Article

4 minutes read

Don’t Let Age Guide Your Retirement Planning

There are many rules of thumb in the world of personal financial planning, particularly when it comes to retirement planning. Some common “rules” are to be more conservative with your money as you get older, or that the percentage of bonds in your portfolio should be equal to your age. These rules m...

Read Article

4 minutes read

The Sandwich Generation: Breaking the Cycle to Create Multi-Generational Wealth

“The sandwich generation” is a term used to describe those people who are simultaneously raising children and taking care of their aging parents, all while trying to plan for their own retirement and personal needs. Being sandwiched in between two generations can create an unsustainable financial si...

Read Article

5 minutes read

Stock Compensation Strategies: How to Balance Risk and Achieve Tax Efficiency

Many corporate executives receive stock as part of their total compensation package. This not only helps align personal goals and company objectives while rewarding top talent with appreciable assets, but many executives enjoy tying their finances, in part, to their employer. They believe in their c...

Read Article

6 minutes read

Insurance Insights: Using life insurance to transfer wealth

Good estate planning answers three key questions: Where does your stuff go? Who is in charge? And what are the rules? Life insurance can be one of the most tax-efficient ways to answer these questions because it can limit tax exposure while protecting and facilitating generational wealth. Here’s a l...

Read Article

4 minutes read

10 Interview Questions to Ask Your Financial Advisor

Ask the Right Questions Not all financial advisors are the same. Asking the right questions can help you find the right advisor for your specific goals. However, you may not be aware of what questions to ask or even what a good answer would be. You may find this concise s...

Read Article

4 minutes read

Inflation: Responding Appropriately with Flexibility and Discipline

Inflation is a hot topic these days with many experts and financial institutions offering predictions about the short- and long-term outlook. The truth is, no one can tell the future, and trying to guess our way around what will or will not happen is poor financial planning. Instead, let us take an...

Read Article

2 minutes read

Opening the back door to tax-free earnings

As covered in our 401(k) – Super Roth article, a Roth IRA offers an attractive tax benefit. But, what do you do if you do not have a 401(k) or your 401(k) does not allow post-tax contributions? The answer is the BackBack-Door Rothdoor Roth which is the conversion from a Traditional to a Roth IRA. B...

Read Article

3 minutes read

Navigating a Job Transition

Mostly gone are the days where someone spends their entire career working for one company. Talented executives have become “free agents” and can transition between companies as needed. When planned, these job transitions can be an exciting time. Sometimes factors beyond our control force us to end...

Read Article

2 minutes read

Do I Need a Financial Advisor?

In the 21st century, endless information is accessible in the palm of our hands. With a few clicks, we can find the basic information we need to make financial decisions quickly and easily. But for some of us, basic information is not enough. Additionally, we tend to have limited amounts of time f...

Read Article

4 minutes read

Rolling over your 401(K)? Consider Net Unrealized Appreciation first

At Granite Harbor Advisors, we believe in helping our clients better understand all of their options so they can make the best decision for their families. To that end, here is a more detailed look at what net unrealized appreciation is and how you can use it to advance your financial goals. What ...

Read Article

2 minutes read

Super Fund your Roth IRA for Tax-Free Earnings

United States Army veteran William Victor Roth will forever be remembered for creating one of the most utilized tax-savings tools available. During his 30-year career as a US Senator, he pioneered a new retirement savings vehicle, the Roth Individual Retirement Account (Roth IRA), as part of the Tax...

Read Article

3 minutes read

Keys to Effectively Setting and Reaching Goals

Have you heard the saying, “you can do anything if you set your mind to it”? Well, there is a lot of truth to that statement. The real question is, how do we “set our mind to it” effectively? The answer is in effective goal setting. This short article will outline an efficient process for setting an...

Read Article

1 minute read

Is This Risk Worth Taking?

Have you ever been faced with a difficult decision? Not sure which way to go because you didn’t fully understand the risks involved? Much like playing cards, there are times where we need to fold, and move on, and there are times where we should stay in the game based on anticipated risks and reward...

Read Article

2 minutes read

From the Outside Looking In

Have you ever wondered why you look different in pictures than you do in the mirror? How about why doctors go to see another doctor for their regular check-up? Why do schools request our own children be evaluated for gifted and talented classes by a professional? The answer to all of these questions...

Read Article

2 minutes read

Off the Mark

If you walk into your bathroom and step on a scale, you generally have a number in mind that you expect the scale to read. If the number is higher than expected, you know that you are skipping dessert for the next week. If the number is lower, then you are one step closer to cinnamon rolls for break...

Read Article

Taxes in Retirement

Taxes will most likely be your largest strain on cash flow as you enter retirement. Having a clear understanding of your current tax situation is half the battle. Being…

Watch Video

Inheritance Vs. Legacy: Which One Will You Leave?

It takes no planning to leave an inheritance. You simply have to pass away owning something. If you wish to leave a meaningful legacy to future generations, it takes…

Watch Video

Halftime Strategy Session: Bitcoin

Bitcoin: It's hot...It's not....Here is a brief educational video about the basics of cryptocurrency. Gain an understanding of the risks, and potential applications of…

Watch Video

Building Traction Within Your Business

Our trusted business advisor and friend, Gene Roberts joins us about the importance of having structure in your business. Structure for effective accountability, and structure…

Watch Video

Navigating Early Retirement & Severance

Are you considering early retirement? Did you just receive a severance? Many would love to be able to retire early, but just not sure if they can. There are some…

Watch Video

Estate Planning in a Changing Environment

Join our trusted colleagues and estate planning attorneys, Benjamin Kelly and Amy Koontz as we discuss the key factors to consider in crafting your family's estate plan.…

Watch Video

The Biden Tax Proposal

Join Managing Partner, Brian Sak as he unpacks the potential tax legislation that is slated as part of the Biden Tax Proposal. While time will only tell which of these…

Watch Video

Retirement Planning with Purpose and Confidence

A Guide for Every Stage of Your Career

Read eBook

Using Life Insurance to Transfer Wealth

Read to see how a well-designed life insurance strategy can be a tax-efficient way to transfer wealth and protect your legacy

Read eBook

Money in Motion

Creating security and optimizing growth potential during life's changes

Read eBook

Succession Planning Starts Now

A Guide to Continuity and Succession Planning for Business Owners

Read eBook

Avoid Emotional Money Mistakes

Avoid Emotional Money Mistakes In vestibulum, arcu eu aliquet finibus, dolor ligula finibus ante, ut lacinia justo nunc suscipit quam. Cras eu consequat diam.…

Read eBook

How and Why Wealthy Families Use Life Insurance

A Guide to Understanding the Financial Benefits of life insurance strategies

Read eBook