What You Need to Do in the Year Before You Retire
Your retirement is the culmination of years of careful planning, and you don’t want to fumble the ball when the end zone is in sight. Download our checklist of key tasks to complete in the year leading up to your retirement to make sure you’re prepared for this major life milest …
Tax Planning Strategies for Executive Compensation
By Mike Valenti, CPA, CFP®, Director, Tax Planning Corporate executives often receive the brunt of the U.S. tax system. Typically, most or all of their income is W-2 income and subject to the higher ordinary tax rates as well as FICA taxes. W-2 employees currently are unable to deduct home …
Market Commentary: Stocks Have Strong Momentum
The Dow Jones Industrial Average celebrated a birthday last week. The Dow began trading on May 26, 1896, and what a ride it has been. The Dow has weathered depressions, recessions, two 100-year pandemics, wars, famines, inflation, deflation, and many more challenges. However, through good t …
Your Money
MoreTax Planning Strategies for Executive Compensation
By Mike Valenti, CPA, CFP®, Director, Tax Planning Corporate executives often receive the brunt of the U.S. tax system. Typically, most or all of their income is W-2 income and subject to the higher ordinary tax rates as well as FICA taxes. W-2 employees currently are unable to deduct home …
Tax Planning for Executive Compensation
Tax planning for executive compensation doesn’t have to be confusing. Watch our webinar: Tax Planning for Executive Compensation with Carson’s Director, Tax Planning Mike Valenti and Wealth Planner Michael Gruidel, now available on-demand.
Executive Compensation Plans: Common Elements
Executive compensation plans can be used to attract, retain and reward high value employees. We’ve put together helpful information to know if you’re ever offered one of these plans through your employer. Download the checklist today to get started.
2023 Calendar: Key Tasks & Financial Dates
Tackle 2023 with this month-by-month financial task list. We’ve also included important dates so you won’t miss key deadlines.
Your Business
MoreCulture From the Top Down: Executive Compensation Plans Explained
By Craig Lemoine, Director of Consumer Investment Research At their most basic level, executive compensation plans are designed to attract, retain and motivate top talent and leadership. But truly successful plans are designed to be much more than providing a high salary to a key employee – …
Breaking Down the Basics of ISOs
Companies have several tools they can deploy in order to retain top talent, and one that is gaining traction is incentive stock options, or ISOs. Much like non-qualified stock options (NSOs), ISOs are a form of equity compensation in private or public companies.
How to Build a Succession Plan for Your Business
Watch this webinar hosted by Carson’s Managing Partner of Wealth Solutions, Jamie Hopkins, and Managing Director of Mergers and Acquisitions, Jason Carver, to learn more about how to build a succession plan for your business.
Business Succession Planning Checklist
You remember your first day of business. But what about your last day? Succession planning is more complex than it may seem. Our guide walks you through the details.
Your Retirement
MoreWhat You Need to Do in the Year Before You Retire
Your retirement is the culmination of years of careful planning, and you don’t want to fumble the ball when the end zone is in sight. Download our checklist of key tasks to complete in the year leading up to your retirement to make sure you’re prepared for this major life milest …
4 Hurdles in Retirement Beyond Your Investment Portfolio
Becoming hyper-focused on only one aspect of a problem is pretty much never a good approach. A racecar driver who only focuses on speed and ignores strategy won’t win races, at least not many of them. A carpenter who only hammers in nails won’t build strong structures.
Next Level Retirement Planning
Level up your retirement plans! Watch out webinar: Next Level Retirement with Carson’s Senior Wealth Planner Tom Fridrich and Wealth Planner Michael Gruidel, now available on demand.
7 Important Retirement Savings Topics for 2023
See the topics that are important to keep in mind as you navigate the various individual and employer-sponsored plans that may be available to you.
Your Legacy
MoreFinancial Literacy Guide
The basics of financial literacy – such as budgeting, borrowing and saving – can be difficult to teach to kids, but the rewards of a child heading into adulthood with a solid understanding of financial literacy are numerous. Download the checklist today to get started.
Teaching Your Kids About Money
Teaching your kids about money early will serve them long into adulthood. Watch our webinar: Teaching Your Kids About Money with Carson’s Senior Vice President, Financial Planning and Advanced Solutions Erin Wood and Vice President, NextGen & Advisor Development Programs Julie Ragatz, …
Charitable Giving Strategies in a High-Income Year
Tom Fridrich, JD, CLUⓇ, ChFCⓇ, Senior Wealth Planner The end of the year offers an ideal opportunity to look both forward and back — reflecting on recent achievements, while setting goals for the upcoming months. For many of my clients, it’s also a time to review their finances and i …
A Guide to Gifting to Your Heirs
Gifting to your loved ones now or posthumously each carries their own positives and negatives as they relate to your estate plan, taxes, your goals and your legacy.
Your Freedom
MoreInvesting in Your Child’s Financial Future: Helping Kids Develop Strong Money Management Skills
Gaining financial literacy at a young age is a vital key to finding financial freedom later in life. Give your kids the lessons they need now to make better decisions about money in the future.
Financial Resolutions to Take Into the New Year
Tom Fridrich, JD, CLU, ChFC®, Senior Wealth Planner Thinking about making some New Year’s resolutions? Add financial wellbeing to your list. It’s a terrific time to identify goals and opportunities that may put you in a better financial position — not only in the upcoming year, …
Where is the Money Tree? How to Teach Kids About Money, Credit Cards, Saving, Investing, Venmo and More
Craig Lemoine, Director of Consumer Investment Research Ask kids what they think money is, and you get some interesting responses. Over the last month, I asked my friends, family and neighbors if I could pose a question to their children about money. Their answers covered it all …
When Shifting Goals Mean Shifting Plans
Your financial plan shouldn't look the same at 55 as it did when you were 35, right? So how do you know when it's time to adjust your plan?
Market & Investments
MoreMarket Commentary: Stocks Have Strong Momentum
The Dow Jones Industrial Average celebrated a birthday last week. The Dow began trading on May 26, 1896, and what a ride it has been. The Dow has weathered depressions, recessions, two 100-year pandemics, wars, famines, inflation, deflation, and many more challenges. However, through good t …
11 Things to Know About the Debt Ceiling
One of the top questions we’re receiving lately has to do with the impending debt ceiling drama and what it could all mean. Here are some common questions and answers regarding this excitement out of Washington.
Market Commentary: Stocks Keep Chugging Along
Surprisingly, stocks continue to trend higher in the face of a constant barrage of negative news in the media. As we explain more below, the economy is presenting many positive signs that suggest a recession is unlikely, and stocks likely are sniffing this out. In fact, last Thursday the S& …
2023 Market Outlook Report
Just because 2022 was a poor year for stocks and bonds doesn’t mean the same will be true for 2023. See why the Carson Research team believes there are reasons to be optimistic in 2023.
In the News
MoreCOVID’s Financial Toll Isn’t What You Think
By Erin Wood, Senior Vice President, Financial Planning and Advanced Solutions Just a few years ago, Rose retired with a decent-sized 401(k). With some careful budgeting and a part-time job, her retirement finances were on track. Rose was looking forward to traveling, reigniting her passion …
Emerging Financially Healthy After a Gray Divorce
By: Erin Wood, CFP®, CRPC®, FBS®, Senior Vice President, Financial Planning, Carson Group Laura and Caroline are in their late 50s. Friends since meeting at a playgroup for their toddlers, both were in long-term, seemingly happy marriages.
3 Roth Conversion Traps To Avoid After The SECURE Act
Roth conversions can be a powerful tax and retirement planning technique. The idea behind most Roth conversions is to take money from an IRA and convert it to a Roth IRA. Essentially, you’re paying taxes today instead of paying taxes in the future.