Concerns about the U.S. dollar usually fall into two categories. One reflects normal currency cycles. The other reflects fear of a true currency crisis. They are different concerns, but they can be understood—and addressed—within the same long-term framework. If You’re Concerned About a Weaker Dollar Periods of dollar weakness are common. Currencies move based on…
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U.S. stocks rose 17.15% in 2025, marking another solid year—but this time, it was international and emerging markets that led the way. Developed markets returned 31.85%, and emerging markets surged 33.57%, significantly outpacing the U.S. for the first time in years. Meanwhile, after a challenging stretch, falling interest rates across much of the yield curve…
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Retirement and savings account contribution limits are rising for 2026, alongside a new rule affecting how higher-earning workers make catch-up contributions. The chart below summarizes the 2025-2026 contribution limits for retirement accounts. Note the following new rule effective for 2026: if a participant had over $150,000 of FICA wages from the plan sponsor in 2025,…
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When it comes to maximizing tax-advantaged retirement savings, high earners often encounter barriers—contribution caps, income thresholds, and limited access to Roth accounts. The traditional backdoor Roth IRA offers a workaround, but it comes with constraints, including relatively low contribution limits and potential tax complications if you have pre-tax IRA assets, due to the pro-rata rule.…
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One of President Trump’s campaign promises during the 2024 election cycle was to eliminate taxes on Social Security benefits. While the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBB) doesn’t go that far, it includes a related provision intended to fulfill that promise in a different form: a new age-based deduction for seniors. Like the proposed exclusions…
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The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) introduces a host of tax changes beginning in 2025. While some provisions are temporary and others phased in, there are important planning implications for individuals and families to be aware of. Understanding not only what changes are coming, but also how to coordinate them with your broader financial…
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If you only looked at where markets ended in June, it might appear to have been a relatively non-eventful quarter. Stocks finished higher, bonds posted modest gains, and balanced portfolios delivered healthy returns. But as is often the case, the journey was far more eventful than the destination. In early April, markets were rattled by…
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When it comes to building long-term wealth, a solid, evidence-based investment strategy is one of the best ways to put the odds of long-term investment success on your side. Layering tax-efficiency on top of this solid foundation, can further improve your after-tax results. After all, it’s not what you earn, it’s what you keep. At…
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If we were to simply post first quarter numbers, the picture would suggest a fairly typical quarter: U.S. stocks down modestly, international stocks up, and bonds doing their job. Global asset class returns through March 31, 2025, are summarized in the chart below: But that snapshot already feels outdated. Much of what investors are reacting…
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Social Security has been a major topic in the news, especially as the new administration considers potential changes to benefits. Naturally, this raises a lot of questions: Is Social Security secure? Will my benefits change? Should I be concerned? To help provide some clarity, we’ve gathered some of the most common questions we’ve heard from…
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