Today's Wealth Management Pulse
Asian families shift inheritance from land to equity portfolios
A slowdown in real‑estate values and tighter credit are prompting wealthy Asian families to move away from traditional property inheritance toward diversified financial assets, with parents like South Korea’s Choi Nam‑joon gifting shares of Samsung Electronics to their children for long‑term growth.
5 Reasons Women Need a Different Financial Playbook After Divorce
The divorce rate among couples over 50 has doubled since 1990, with “grey divorces” now representing 36% of all splits. For women in their 50s, divorce becomes a high‑stakes financial transition focused on assets, housing, and long‑term security. Traditional financial playbooks that assume steady income and linear life paths no longer apply, leaving many women vulnerable to poverty, loss of health coverage, and inadequate retirement savings. The article outlines five specific challenges—home ownership, career interruptions, mental load, lack of long‑term planning experience, and longer life expectancy—and offers actionable steps.
2026 Equity Risk Premium Update for Practitioners Released
The equity risk premium (ERP) is an essential ingredient in hurdle rates in corporate finance, discount rates in valuation and expected returns in financial planning. In 2009, I pulled together everything I know about the ERP, in a paper that...
Could Bain Capital’s Perpetual Deal Lead to Bigger Participation in US Wealth Management?
Private equity firm Bain Capital has agreed to acquire the wealth‑management division of Australia’s Perpetual for an upfront A$500 million, with potential earn‑out payments of up to A$50 million. The business, Perpetual Wealth, oversees A$20‑22 billion in assets for high‑net‑worth families and will...
Swap Powers Boost Flexibility and Tax Efficiency in Irrevocable Trusts
The downside of irrevocable trusts are that they are "irrevocable" and can't easily be undone ➡️ But here's how "swap powers" – the ability to exchange assets in an irrevocable trust with other assets of equivalent value – can be...
Labour Told to Scrap ‘Arbitrary’ Inheritance Tax System
The Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) released a report urging the UK government to scrap its 40% inheritance tax, which applies to estates above £325,000 (or £500,000 when a home is passed to children). The tax costs the Treasury roughly...
Capital‑light Models Boost Returns on Reinvested Cash
"Capital-light models amplify the power of reinvested cash flows." 💡 Want your money to work harder without tying up massive capital? Capital-light investment models are game-changers.l
Step‑up in Basis Can Erase Capital Gains Tax
If you bought a home for $500k and it is now worth $1M when you pass away, your children generally receive a “step up in basis.” If they sell it, they may owe no capital gains tax. But if you gift...
Why Paying Off Your Mortgage Early Might Be a Mistake
Paying off a mortgage early offers peace of mind and interest savings, but it isn’t universally optimal. The article outlines four drawbacks: missed higher‑return investments, loss of mortgage‑interest tax deductions, reduced emergency liquidity, and possible pre‑payment penalties. It also notes...
The Iran Crisis Is Hitting KiwiSaver Balances – but Market Volatility Can Work for You Too
New Zealanders watching their KiwiSaver balances see declines as oil prices jump above $100 per barrel following the US‑Israeli attack on Iran. Higher oil costs drive inflation, interest‑rate hikes and reduced corporate profits, pushing global equity markets lower, including the...
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Exploring the Key Benefits of Traditional IRAs
Traditional IRAs let individuals defer taxes on investment earnings until withdrawal, while many contributions are tax‑deductible, providing immediate tax relief. The accounts support a broad range of assets, from equities and bonds to real‑estate, but prohibit certain items like collectibles....
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Best France ETFs for CAC 40 Exposure
The CAC 40 index represents France’s 40 largest, most liquid stocks, including L'Oréal, LVMH, and Sanofi. Investors can access this benchmark through three primary ETFs—BNP Paribas Easy CAC 40, Amundi CAC 40, and Xtrackers CAC 40—each charging roughly 0.20‑0.25% in fees. As of April 2024, the funds hold between €122 million...
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Bond ETFs Vs. Traditional Bonds: Why ETFs Win
Bond exchange‑traded funds are reshaping fixed‑income investing by delivering stock‑like liquidity and transparent pricing to a market traditionally dominated by opaque over‑the‑counter trades. By tracking bond indices through representative sampling, ETFs give retail investors instant diversification and daily price discovery...
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How the Pension Protection Act of 2006 Enhances Retirement Security
The Pension Protection Act of 2006 overhauled U.S. retirement law by making key contribution limits permanent and expanding rollover options to Roth IRAs. It introduced stricter funding standards for defined‑benefit plans and raised PBGC premiums for underfunded pensions. The act...
Trim the Bulk, Let Outliers Drive Returns
The 80/20 rule is just a Power Law in disguise. Often, in a portfolio: 📈 20% of your holdings will drive 80% of your returns. 📉 80% of your stress will come from 20% of your "average" bets. The secret to long-term success? Cutting...
It’s Good to Be a Billionaire, Even at Tax Time
The article highlights how U.S. billionaires legally sidestep income and payroll taxes, often paying little or nothing despite massive fortunes. It cites Boston College tax expert Ray Madoff, who likens the ultra‑wealthy to a modern aristocracy protected by loopholes. The...
Schwab Says You Don’t Have to Buy CDs From Your Bank
Schwab’s research highlights that brokered certificates of deposit (CDs) can deliver higher yields than traditional bank CDs by aggregating offers from dozens of FDIC‑insured banks. As of March 2026, brokered CD rates range from 3.5% to 4.3% APY, outpacing many...
The 401(k) Rollover Mistake That Cost Me 40% of My Savings
A finance author lost 40% of her 401(k) by using an indirect rollover, depositing the check into a personal account and missing the 60‑day deadline. The IRS then applied a 10% early‑withdrawal penalty, mandatory 20% tax withholding, and treated the...
Democrats Propose Erasing Income Tax for Half of U.S. Workers
Senators Cory Booker and Chris Van Hollen introduced separate bills that would essentially erase federal income tax for households earning under $75,000, expanding the tax‑free income shield to as much as $92,000 for married couples. Van Hollen’s Working Americans’ Tax...
Invest Early, Retire Richer: 10 Years Beats 25
This is crazy: If you are 35 and start investing $5k/yr and stop at 60, you will have ~$431,754 (8%/yr assumption) But if you are 25, start investing $5k/yr and stop at 35, you will have ~$615,580 at 60 (8%/yr assumption) $75k less...
Why Do Rich People Still Borrow Money?
Wealthy individuals increasingly turn to debt as a strategic tool rather than a liability. By borrowing against real estate or securities, they avoid triggering capital‑gains taxes, preserve compounding returns, and diversify cash exposure. Newer options‑based structures such as box‑spread loans...
Invest by Following Crowds Selectively, Seek Misunderstood Resilient Niches
As Charles Mackay observed in 1841, "Men, it has been well said, think in herds; it will be seen that they go mad in herds, while they only recover their senses slowly, one by one." We are social creatures whose...
Market Crash Wipes Rs 34 Lakh Cr in March so Far; Can Tax Harvesting Help Investors?
The BSE’s Sensex and Nifty suffered a steep sell‑off in March, erasing roughly Rs 34 lakh crore of market capitalisation amid the Iran‑Israel conflict. Investors are turning to tax‑loss and tax‑gains harvesting to mitigate the fiscal impact of the downturn. Tax‑loss harvesting lets...
We're Retired on $8,000 a Month. My Wife's Plan to Donate 10% to Our Church Makes Me Feel Financially Unsafe.
Retired couple earning $8,000 monthly faces tension over a 10% tithe to their church. Financial experts recommend tax‑efficient routes such as qualified charitable distributions (QCDs) from IRAs and donor‑advised funds. They also suggest calculating donations as a percentage of net...
Are You a Woman Who's Playing It Too Safe? A Financial Empowerment Expert Explains Why That Can Really Hurt You
The article warns women over 45 that long‑standing financial conservatism can become a liability. It highlights how excessive cash holdings and outdated asset allocations erode purchasing power and limit growth. The concept of "opportunity risk" is introduced, showing that excessive...
Wealth Grows When Debt Funds Asset Purchases
Your parents told you to avoid debt. That advice kept them middle class. The wealthy use debt to buy assets. Learn the difference.
Group Investments by Risk, Not Asset Class, for Smoother Returns
How a "total portfolio approach" that groups investments by risk and performance characteristics (rather than asset class) could lead to a smoother ride for investors (@JasonKephart | @MorningstarInc) More curated articles on investment planning this #WeekendReading: https://t.co/L80cXNYxuT
This 9% Yielder Gives You Databricks, Anthropic, And ByteDance At A 12% Discount
The BlackRock Science and Technology Term Trust (BSTZ) offers a 9% annualized yield and trades about 12% below net asset value, giving retail investors exposure to private AI leaders like Databricks, Anthropic and ByteDance. About 38.5% of its $1.7 billion portfolio...
Munger's 10 Uncomfortable Money Truths Everyone Ignores
Charlie Munger On Wealth: 10 Hard Truths About Money Most People Don’t Want To Hear https://t.co/nbDYQBQi3R
These Parents Retired in Their 30s and 40s While Raising Young Kids. Here’s How They Pulled Off the Impossible.
Parents are proving that the Financial Independence, Retire Early (FIRE) movement can work even with children when they start saving aggressively in their 20s and 30s. Andy Hill and his wife cut spending to invest roughly 50% of a $130,000...
Career Growth Powers Your FIRE Portfolio
Best FIRE strategy nobody talks about: 1. Improve yourself 2. Make more money 3. Invest the surplus Your career funds the portfolio.
Make Your Money Last Forever, and the E-Shaped Economy
In this episode, Robert Brokamp outlines eight strategies to help retirees avoid outliving their savings, emphasizing realistic withdrawal rates, flexible spending, and the use of tools like Social Security optimizers and annuities. He also examines the current "E-shaped" economy, where...
Preserve Capital: Reallocate and Lock in Profits
It’s important to reallocate and manage your portfolio correctly as your positions grow. A lot of retail investors fail to crystallize profits. Manage your money correctly and remember the first rule is always preserve capital. Follow @thelonginvestor #investsmart #howtoinvest #stockmarkettips
Keep Housing Costs Below 25% of Net Income
If these numbers make you uncomfortable... You’re probably overpaying 😬 The rule is simple: Your rent or mortgage should NEVER exceed 25% of your take home pay. Not gross. Overspending on housing is one of the biggest barriers to building real wealth... So if you want...
MiB: Matt Cherwin, Co-Founder and Chief Investment Officer of Marek Capital
Matt Cherwin, co‑founder and CIO of the newly launched Marek Capital, sat down for a Risk and Reward interview to discuss the firm’s investment philosophy and market outlook. Cherwin brings 16 years of senior experience from JPMorgan, where he oversaw...
Missed RMD? Penalty Waiver Possible, Avoid Amending Returns
Missed Depreciation On A Rental? Why Amending Prior Returns Is Usually The Wrong Move: Missing a Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) can incur a hefty tax penalty of up to 25% of the missed amount – however, the IRS allows individuals...
Older Women Set to Inherit Most of $54 Trillion in ‘Great Wealth Transfer’ to Widowed Spouses
The upcoming great wealth transfer, spanning 2024‑2048, will move roughly $124 trillion, with $54 trillion earmarked for widowed spouses and 95% of that flowing to women. Baby‑boomers and older generations represent the bulk of this $40 trillion destined for widowed women. Historically, many...
Growing HSA to $6k with Yearly $1k Boost
Slowly building this HSA account almost at $6,000 one of the best account. Also every year increasing it to have $1000 extra till I max. Right now $4000 my portion and employer put $1000.
How Using Moving Averages To Make Allocation Changes Can Improve Risk Adjusted Returns
Applying moving average filters to portfolio allocation across nine asset classes has generally lowered volatility and drawdowns compared with static buy‑and‑hold positions. The approach delivered higher risk‑adjusted returns, especially in strongly trending markets such as equities, commodities and Bitcoin. Short‑term...
The $500,000 Portfolio To Potentially Pay All Your Bills
The article outlines a $500,000 diversified, income‑focused retirement portfolio designed to cover everyday expenses through high‑quality dividend stocks and inflation‑protected funds. It pairs essential‑spending categories with specific equities and ETFs, aiming for reliable cash flow and market‑matching returns over a...
Great Returns Can Hide Dangerous Stock Concentration
François Rochon is a well known investment manager who has compounded at ~15% annualized for 30 years (!) In 2002 though he was much more obscure. A single stock was 20% of his portfolio. Below he shares his thoughts on...
Buying Hides Massive Hidden Costs—Compare Rent Wisely
When you buy, you'll spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on irrecoverable costs like: - Interest - Transaction fees - Maintenance - Opportunity cost But the real Q to ask: 1. How does the math work out for buying vs renting? 2. What about the non-financial...
Can You Afford Retirement in Greece? Say 'Yes' With 3 Tax Benefits
Retiring to Greece offers significant financial incentives for U.S. seniors, including a 7% flat tax on foreign‑sourced retirement income for the first 15 years and low property taxes under €400 annually. The country’s cost of living is roughly $2,500 per...
Leverage IRC 199A for Massive QBI Tax Savings
The planning opportunities created by IRC Section 199A after the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act are tremendous. Here's how you can help clients reduce their tax burden through creative strategies around the QBI deduction. Read more about the 3 buckets of...
Buy on Earnings Surprises, Sell Within 15 Months
I love when stock pickers have very disciplined unique strategies like Josh Goldberg. He only buys after earnings surprises and doesn't hold longer than 15-months. From the book, Stock Market Maestros
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What Happens to Your 401(k) When You Die?
A 401(k) does not flow through a will; it passes directly to the person named on the beneficiary form. Spouses can roll over or take lump‑sum distributions, while non‑spouse heirs must withdraw the balance within ten years under the SECURE...
Diversify with Real Assets as Stocks and Bonds Stall
Bonds flat and stocks lower YTD. Why owning things like commodities, real and hard assets, shorter duration bonds, and managed futures in this volatile inflation 🌎 is more important than ever.
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Could Retiring at 39 with $1 Million Really Last You Your Lifetime? Here’s What to Know
Retiring at 39 forces a portfolio to last 50 years or more, making withdrawal rates the decisive factor. A 3 % annual drawdown gives a strong chance of longevity, while 5 % quickly depletes assets. Growth‑heavy allocations help combat inflation, but early market...
Claiming Social Security: 7 Tools and Rules for DIY Investors
Social Security is a core, inflation‑adjusted income source for DIY retirees, and the age at which benefits are claimed dramatically shapes lifetime payouts. Claiming at 62 yields roughly 70‑75% of the full benefit, while waiting until 70 boosts payments by...
Inherited Money or Property? What You Need to Know Before Filing Your Taxes
The article explains how different types of inheritances are taxed after the recent increase in the federal estate‑tax exemption to $15 million. It outlines that cash, life‑insurance proceeds, and most securities receive a stepped‑up basis, while annuities and non‑qualified retirement accounts...
Smallcaps Cheaper but Not Cheap Yet: Sonam Srivastava Urges Selective Investing
Small‑cap stocks have corrected sharply, pulling valuations 25‑30% lower, yet many still trade at premium multiples. Sonam Srivastava recommends a selective approach, focusing on sectors with solid earnings visibility such as private‑banking, healthcare, infrastructure‑linked capital goods, IT services and consumer...