Trump Wants to Give up to $1K a Year to Workers with No 401(k) to Fix 'Gross Disparity' — How...
President Donald Trump announced a proposal to provide a federal match of up to $1,000 per year for workers who lack access to employer‑sponsored retirement plans. The initiative targets the roughly 42% of full‑time employees without a 401(k) and aims to narrow the retirement‑savings gap, where the median balance for all workers is only $955. The match would build on the Saver’s Match program slated for 2027, which replaces the nonrefundable Saver’s Credit. Experts note that individual retirement accounts, Solo 401(k)s and SEP IRAs remain viable alternatives for those waiting for the new federal account.
When Multiple Tax Rules Collide: Don't Pay a 50% Rate on Your Roth Conversion by Mistake
The Kiplinger Tax Letter warns that Roth conversions in retirement can trigger a hidden "tax torpedo," where multiple tax rules—Social Security taxation, capital‑gains brackets, and the new senior‑deduction phase‑out—apply to the same dollar. In a 65‑plus couple’s scenario, a $60,000...
April Brings Showers, Flowers and Your Financial Fitness Plan From a Financial Planner
April marks Financial Literacy Month, highlighting that only 33% of adults worldwide possess basic financial knowledge. The article breaks personal finance into wealth‑accumulation and wealth‑preservation stages, offering concrete actions for legacy planning, investment management, and family communication. It stresses updating...
Forget 'Trust Reveal' Parties: This Is How to Successfully Transfer Wealth
Families often overlook the emotional groundwork needed for successful wealth transfers, leading to a 70% failure rate. Experts recommend three pillars: telling the family’s story and values, defining a clear purpose for the wealth, and initiating ongoing money conversations from...
Even 'Easy' Investing Strategies Can Get Complicated Fast: How to Keep the Magnificent 7 From Endangering Your Portfolio
The seven megacap tech giants—Microsoft, Amazon, Meta, Apple, Alphabet, Nvidia and Tesla—now dominate the S&P 500, with Nvidia alone accounting for more than 20% of the index’s 2024 gains. Their outsized weight means that a cap‑weighted index is effectively a bet...
BINC Can Help Stabilize The Portfolio's Future Returns
iShares Flexible Income Active ETF (BINC) is an actively managed multisector bond fund that seeks higher yields through discretionary sector rotation, credit selection, and duration management. The ETF has delivered strong risk‑adjusted returns despite recent macro headwinds and a compressed...
How Much Money You Should Have Saved by Every Age — and What to Do If You’re Behind
A 2022 Federal Reserve survey shows median retirement account balances ranging from $18,880 for those under 35 to $200,000 for ages 65‑74, far below the $1.46 million most Americans believe they need to retire comfortably. Fidelity’s age‑based guidelines suggest saving one‑times...
How One Small Move Before 65 Can Unlock a Bigger Social Security Benefit
A modest adjustment before turning 65 can significantly boost Social Security payouts. Delaying the claim, working an extra year, or using savings as a bridge lets retirees replace lower‑earning years in the benefit formula and qualify for Medicare at 65....
It’s OK to Postpone Saving for College Until You Have These 4 Financial Priorities Under Control
Financial planners say parents should secure an emergency fund, boost retirement savings, and eliminate high‑interest debt before prioritizing a 529 college account. For a $150,000 household, the guideline is three‑to‑six months of cash reserves, at least 10‑15% of income toward...
Real Estate Holding Company: How It Works, Pros and Cons
A real estate holding company is a legal entity that centralizes ownership of multiple properties while separating liability. Typically structured as a parent LLC or corporation owning subsidiary LLCs that hold individual assets, the model isolates risk and streamlines portfolio...
REIT Mutual Funds: How They Generate Income, Benefits and Risks
REIT mutual funds aggregate shares of publicly traded REITs, offering investors diversified exposure to multiple property sectors through a single vehicle. They generate income primarily via rental revenues passed through as dividends, which must distribute at least 90% of taxable...
How AI Data Centers Are Fueling Energy Infrastructure ETFs
AI‑driven data centers are prompting developers to build dedicated natural‑gas power plants, bypassing strained utility grids. SoftBank’s 9.2‑GW Ohio project includes a $33 billion gas plant with Kinder Morgan as the sole midstream partner, while NextEra and Entergy are launching similar hubs...
What Every Entrepreneur Needs to Know About Succession Planning
Succession planning is essential for small and mid‑size entrepreneurs to protect business value and secure personal financial futures. A Bank of America report shows 40% of owners still lack a plan, exposing them to operational disruption and reduced valuation. The...
John Hancock Adds Hedged Equity to Active ETF Roster
Manulife Investment Management and John Hancock Investment Management have introduced the John Hancock Hedged Equity ETF (JHDG) on NYSE Arca, expanding their ETF suite to 19 funds with roughly $13 billion in assets. The fund blends a high‑conviction equity portfolio with...
Retirement Planning for Federal Employees: Services and Examples
Federal employees under the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) receive a three‑part retirement package: a defined‑benefit pension, Social Security, and the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP). The pension formula is 1% of years of service times salary, rising to 1.1% after...
Namibia: Namdeb, NAMITVEST, MUN Drive Mining Investment
Namdeb, NAMITVEST Investment Holdings and the Mineworkers Union of Namibia have signed a payroll deduction agreement that lets mineworkers automatically invest in NAMITVEST products. The scheme, owned 25% by union members and their descendants, currently serves about 2,600 shareholders and...
Is Your Client’s “Check Estate Plan” Light On?
Estate plans are often treated as static documents, but changing assets, tax laws, and family circumstances quickly render them obsolete. Advisors must conduct regular reviews, especially after liquidity events like a business sale that can triple a client’s estate value....
Ares Plans a Smaller Private Credit Fund With Less Leverage
Ares Management is preparing a new flagship U.S. direct‑lending vehicle, Senior Direct Lending Fund IV, with a target size of about $20 billion—significantly smaller than its record $33.6 billion predecessor. The fund will seek $10‑12 billion in equity commitments and use markedly less leverage,...
How Advisors Are Rewiring Fixed Income Portfolios
Advisors are reconfiguring the fixed‑income portion of 60/40 portfolios as sticky inflation and shifting Fed expectations compress yields. A VettaFi survey shows 34% of advisors struggle most with finding yield without excess credit risk, while 31% worry about duration. Eighty‑eight...
Citi Sees US ETF Assets Topping $25 Trillion by 2030 as Active Funds Gain Ground
Citigroup’s latest outlook projects U.S. exchange‑traded fund assets more than doubling to $25 trillion by 2030 and reaching $42 trillion by 2035, up from its prior $19 trillion and $29 trillion forecasts. Active ETFs are expected to drive much of the growth, with their...
The 3 Tax Changes Coming in April 2027 that You Should Prepare for Now
The UK will introduce three major tax changes in April 2027: pensions will be counted as part of an estate for inheritance tax, reducing the cash ISA allowance from £12,000 (≈$15,000) and limiting the full £20,000 (≈$25,000) allowance to stocks‑and‑shares, and...
UBS Bringing SMA Oversight In-House
UBS Wealth Management USA is moving the execution and overlay management of its Separately Managed Accounts (SMAs) from third‑party providers to its own asset‑management unit, a shift that began on April 1 and will roll out through 2026. The change cuts...
How to Buy Gold
Gold surged to a record high in 2026, reinforcing its role as a hedge against inflation and a safe‑haven asset when stocks or the U.S. dollar weaken. Investors can acquire the metal directly as bullion—coins, bars, or rounds—or indirectly through...
How to Help Recession‑Proof Your Retirement Portfolio With Gold (and When to Hold Off)
Investors eye gold as a recession‑proofing tool because it often moves opposite to stocks. During the Great Recession, gold climbed from about $700 to $1,000 per ounce while equities crashed. Experts recommend modest, systematic allocations—such as $100 a month—to gain...
Ask the Tax Editor, April 10: Questions on Selling a Home
Kiplinger’s tax editor Joy Taylor fielded five common homeowner questions, covering the primary‑residence exclusion, how to calculate a home’s tax basis, and special scenarios such as duplex rentals, inherited properties, and a spouse’s death. She clarified that up to $250,000...
351 Exchanges Are Gaining Momentum, and Most Firms Are Underestimating the Risk
Section 351 exchanges, which let high‑net‑worth investors swap concentrated stock for diversified ETFs without triggering taxes, are moving from niche to mainstream. The article cites roughly $900 million in conversions across two funds earlier this year, underscoring rapid adoption. However, many advisory...
You Have Until April 15 to Get This $8,000 Roth IRA Freebie — No Matter What Your Income
The article reminds taxpayers that the deadline to fund a Roth IRA for the 2025 tax year is April 15, 2026, and that the backdoor Roth strategy lets anyone contribute up to $8,000 regardless of income. The backdoor involves a nondeductible...
Top 4 Mid-Cap Value Funds to Consider in a Volatile Market
U.S. equity markets remain volatile amid Middle‑East tensions, yet the domestic economy shows resilience with solid job growth and steady consumer spending. In this environment, mid‑cap value mutual funds are highlighted as a sweet spot between large‑cap stability and small‑cap...
The New ‘4% Rule’: Finding the Right Withdrawal Strategy
The classic 4% retirement withdrawal rule, which calls for taking 4% of savings in the first year and adjusting for inflation thereafter, is losing relevance as lifespans lengthen and living costs rise. Experts now recommend a flexible “guardrails” method that...
More than Half of Parents Now Support Homebuying Costs
Rising housing costs are prompting more parents to financially back their children's home purchases. A Veterans United survey shows 59% of parents have already helped or plan to help, with the share rising to 68% among military families versus 49%...
'Shark Tank' Star Kevin O'Leary Says You're Not Rich Unless You Have $5 Million in Liquid Assets
Kevin O'Leary, the "Shark Tank" investor, says true wealth requires at least $5 million in liquid assets, not just high‑value possessions. He argues that cash or Treasury bills provide a safety net that can generate roughly 5% annual return, enough to...
Best ETFs To Protect You From War And High Stock Prices
EP Wealth Advisors, overseeing roughly $42 billion, recommends three ETFs to shield portfolios from geopolitical risk and elevated valuations. The firm favors Invesco’s S&P 100 Equal Weight for diversified large‑cap exposure, JPMorgan’s U.S. Quality Factor for sector‑neutral quality stocks, and Dimensional’s U.S....
Top Fund That Invests In Gold Miners Delivers Midas-Like Returns
Midas Discovery (MIDSX), a gold‑mining focused mutual fund, delivered a staggering 196% return in 2023 and is up 11.5% through March 2024 as gold prices surged. The metal has rallied 125% year‑to‑date, buoyed by geopolitical risk, a weakening dollar, record...
Mutual Benefits Bets on Structured Planning to Deepen Nigeria’s Savings Culture
Mutual Benefits Assurance Plc is intensifying its push for structured financial planning to raise Nigeria’s savings rate. The insurer highlights four tailored products—ISPP, CEP, MIP and PPIP—that blend disciplined contributions with life‑insurance protection. A PiggyVest Savings Report 2025, covering over...
This Creative Money Transfer Strategy Among Family Members Could Raise Red Flags with CRA
A Canadian couple used a CRA‑prescribed‑rate loan of roughly $370,000 USD to shift investment income, while the husband gifted about $74,000 USD to their adult son, who then transferred the same amount to his mother and back to the husband to reduce...
Hiltzik: Trump Wants You to Invest Your 401(k) in Crypto and Private Equity. Should You Bite?
President Trump, backed by Labor Secretary Lori Chavez‑DeRemer, is pushing a rule that would give employers a safe‑harbor to add crypto and private‑equity funds to 401(k) menus. The proposal frames the change as a cure for "regulatory overreach" and a...
5 Quick Tax Tips for Retirees for 2025 and 2026, From a Financial Planner
Financial planners highlight five tax‑saving tactics for retirees filing 2025 returns and looking ahead to 2026. A temporary $6,000 senior deduction, a new car‑loan interest deduction, and a Medicare IRMAA reduction pathway give high‑income retirees fresh ways to lower taxable...
Why Staying Invested Is the Hardest, Smartest Choice Right Now
Recent U.S.-Israeli air strikes on Iran have spiked oil prices and rattled markets. While headlines push investors toward safe‑haven assets, historical data shows equity markets quickly price in geopolitical risk and recover. Maintaining a diversified, long‑term portfolio—backed by a stress‑tested...
‘I Am at a Crossroads’: I’m 37 and Have $1.3 Million. Do I Stop Working to Spend Time with My...
A 37‑year‑old father with a $1.3 million net worth is weighing whether to quit his $165,000 salary to become a stay‑at‑home dad for his 5‑ and 2‑year‑old children. He cites chronic stress and only 90 minutes of daily interaction with his...
Concentrated Company Stock in Your ESOP? Waiting to Diversify Could Tank Your Retirement
The article warns that holding a concentrated position in an employee stock ownership plan (ESOP) can jeopardize retirement security if diversification is delayed. It explains that ESOP participants become eligible to move up to 25% of their holdings at age...
Discover a New Approach to Long-Term Investment with Equitile
Equitile Investments, a London‑based firm founded in 2015, offers active global equity and macro strategies anchored by its proprietary “Darwin” investment process. The flagship Equitile Resilience Fund, a concentrated UCITS vehicle, has delivered a 12.7% annualised return since launch and...
Asset Allocation Still Dominates Outcomes as Investors Navigate New Inflation Era, Says William Blair
William Blair’s new asset‑allocation paper reaffirms that portfolio structure, not security selection, accounts for more than 90% of long‑term return differences. The firm highlights a shift toward a higher‑inflation environment that is eroding the historic inverse relationship between stocks and...
Could Investing $10,000 in IWM Make You a Millionaire?
The iShares Russell 2000 ETF (IWM) has posted an 8.06% average annual return over its 26‑year history, trailing the S&P 500’s roughly 10% long‑term average. A $10,000 investment growing at that rate would reach about $1 million after 60 years, illustrating the power...
Bank of America Exposes Hidden Flaws in Your Trust
Bank of America Private Bank warns that most family trusts contain five hidden drafting flaws that can unravel inheritance plans. Trust ownership rose from 11 % to 14 % between 2025‑2026, and the recent jump in the federal estate‑gift tax exemption to...
Why Entrepreneurs Are Turning to Trading Structures for Income Deferral
Entrepreneurs facing sudden income spikes are adopting trading structures to defer taxable earnings and smooth cash flow. By establishing entities that qualify as active businesses under IRC §162, they can generate legitimate trading losses that offset ordinary income. Advisory firms...
Top Affordable REITs to Boost Your Portfolio Income
Zacks Investment Research highlights four affordable REITs—Blackstone Mortgage (BXMT), Chicago Atlantic (REFI), Chatham Lodging (CLDT) and Redwood Trust (RWT)—that have earned a Zacks Rank #1, indicating a strong‑buy recommendation. These securities trade between $5 and $19 per share and deliver...
You Have Until April 15 to Get This $8,000 Roth IRA Freebie — No Matter W...
Tax day on April 15 is the final deadline to fund a 2025 Roth IRA, even for high‑income earners, by using the backdoor Roth strategy. The two‑step process lets anyone contribute up to $8,000 (plus a $1,000 catch‑up for those 50...
Locked Into Concentrated Capital Gains? Exchange Funds Could Help
Exchange funds let investors swap concentrated, highly‑appreciated stocks for a diversified basket, deferring capital‑gains taxes under Section 721. A mandatory seven‑year hold period spreads gains across participants, instantly reducing single‑stock risk. Start‑ups like Cache are popularizing the model, amassing over $1.25 billion...
Your Grocery Bill Will Be the Next Casualty of the Iran War. Make These Investment Moves Now to Counter Food...
The escalating conflict in Iran is pushing global oil prices higher, which in turn is inflating food costs worldwide. Simultaneously, a fertilizer shortage and mounting tariffs are tightening supply chains, threatening grocery bills for consumers. The article advises investors to...
Behind on Your Taxes? Take These 4 Smart Steps to Avoid Penalties Before April 15
Entrepreneurs facing the April 15 tax deadline risk costly penalties if they miss filing or payment obligations. The IRS estimates millions of taxpayers file late each year, making extensions a critical tool—Form 4868 grants an automatic filing deadline of October 15, but it...