Your Child is Turning 18: Handling Healthcare, Academics, and Finances Together As your child blows out the candles on their 18th birthday, you may still see your baby girl or boy. But in the eyes of the law your child is considered a legal adult in most states. This means they can vote, buy a lottery ticket, or get a tattoo without your permission. Even if you’ve prepared them for what...

How the SECURE 2.0 Act Changed 529 Plans Changes to 529 Plans in the SECURE 2.0 Act The SECURE Act was initially passed by Congress at the end of 2019 and was intended to improve retirement savings opportunities. It was a big deal at the time and the most significant piece of retirement legislation since the 2006 Pension Protection Act. Congress came together to pass SECURE 2.0 at the end of 2022 to...

Health Savings Accounts: Pros, Cons, and Retirement Considerations What if your child needs braces? The cost may be as much as $6,000 for metal braces—more modern versions can run as much as $13,000. Your health insurance may cover only a portion of the cost. If you're well past the braces stage, what if you or a loved one needs extended care, which almost 70% of those turning 65 today are expected...

Top 7 Most Common Estate Strategy Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them) Getting your affairs in order and outlining what you want done with your estate after you’re gone is one of the greatest gifts you can leave your loved ones. However, not preparing for the transfer of your assets can lead to confusion, potential family disputes, and outcomes that don’t align with your ultimate wishes. Creating a financial strategy that considers...

Estate management can be a complex and daunting task for many people, but it’s a critical step in helping your assets get managed and distributed according to your wishes. One popular tool that can be used in estate strategies is a living trust. A living trust can provide a flexible and efficient way to manage assets during your lifetime and after your death, but it’s important to understand how it works...

One favorite guest re-post deserves another. This next one originally arrived just in time for Halloween. Authored by Larry Annello (shortly before our two firms merged into SAGEbroadview), the witching season went well with the theme of the then-new, potential 3.8% Medicare surtax on portions of an investor’s income. At least for the foreseeable future, the Medicare surtax remains alive and well. Fail to plan for it in any given tax...

It’s official. Last week, my days as a legal guardian came to an end when my younger son Devon celebrated his 18th birthday.   Any parent can relate to my need for some extra oxygen just to share this news, let alone believe it myself. It’s also hard to accept that it’s been 19 months since my eldest son already reached adulthood. At the time, I used the milestone to remind...

My son Dominic has been a Junior Firefighter for over a year and a half now, but he moves to Volunteer Firefighter status on his 18th birthday – today! Have you ever wondered what it takes to be a fire fighter? Check out the program Dominic attended last summer to pass his Fire Fighter 1 level. No pun intended, but isn’t this cool? As we celebrate Dominic’s 18th birthday it also...

Your favorite sweatshirt. An unfinished paperback. That doggy bag left on the table. Small losses when they go missing, but don’t you just hate that sinking feeling when you realize they’re gone? As our financial holdings accumulate and our memories diminish, we can lose track of our money that way, too: A pension plan from several jobs ago, the IRA from a former spouse, age-old bank accounts never closed. It gets...