Economic and Market Outlooks What’s on Our Minds The White House has escalated its conflict with the Federal Reserve through a Department of Justice subpoena of Fed Chair Jerome Powell and attempts to fire a Fed governor, raising investor concerns that political interference could undermine the Fed's independence.
Individuals and Families How to Invest Your Bonus Wisely Annual bonus season is probably the best time for investors to assess their progress toward financial plan goals and reassess the overall investment objectives and asset allocation structured to achieve them.
Estate Planning Simple Ways to Help Avoid Probate: Revocable Living Trusts and More Probate is the legal process through which a deceased person’s estate is administered and distributed. While it serves an important function, it can also be time-consuming, expensive, and emotionally taxing. Fortunately, several strategies can be employed to help avoid probate and ensure a smoother transition of assets to loved ones.
Individuals and Families Retirement Planning for Single Women: How to Prepare Women already face gender-specific financial planning challenges. These include a longer life expectancy and a pay gap that results in lower salaries and lower lifetime savings unless they save a greater percentage of their salary.
Individuals and Families Private Placement Life Insurance The concept behind PPLI is simple: by investing inside a life insurance policy, you take advantage of the favorable tax treatment granted to life insurance. Learn more.
Individuals and Families The Year-End Financial Planning Checklist The end of the year is the perfect time to review your financial plan with your advisor. The following checklist will help you take stock of your savings, investments, retirement planning, tax exposure, and risk management, so you can make more informed decisions about your strategy for the year to come.
Family Office Webinar Recording: Tax Optimization and Thoughtful Wealth Planning for Liquidity Events A liquidity event—whether from a business sale, IPO, merger, or other transaction—creates a unique opportunity to design plans that minimize tax exposure and shape a lasting legacy. Watch our webinar to learn more.
Corporations Establishing Sound Retirement Plan Governance As a retirement plan sponsor, you are responsible for administering the plan and making all material plan decisions. This basic framework helps you conduct overall plan decision-making in an efficient and procedurally due-diligent manner.
Individuals and Families Splitting Retirement Accounts in Divorce When going through a divorce, the process of dividing assets can be a frustrating and confusing one. Retirement assets are an important issue in any divorce proceeding, since, after the marital home, they often represent the largest category of marital assets to be divided in a divorce settlement.
Cross-Border Planning A Comprehensive Guide for U.S. Expats in France Few countries capture the imagination quite like France. From sipping coffee at a Parisian café to cycling through Bordeaux’s vineyards to retiring under the Provençal sun, France offers a rare blend of culture, history, cuisine, and quality of life. Relocating, however, involves more than a one-way ticket and a charming apartment. France has one of the world’s most sophisticated tax and legal systems.
Economic and Market Outlooks 2026 Economic and Market Outlook January 6, 2026 - Deglobalization and advances in AI and robotics are reshaping the 2026 global economy, helping developed nations mitigate slower growth and inflation risks. Central banks are…
Individuals and Families How to Invest Your Bonus Wisely January 22, 2026 - Annual bonus season is probably the best time for investors to assess their progress toward financial plan goals and reassess the overall investment objectives and…
Economic and Market Outlooks Video: January 2026 Economic and Market Outlook January 5, 2026 - As the new year dawns, Partner and Chief Equity Strategist Jim Lebenthal reviews the accuracy of our 2025 expectations before looking ahead. What did we…