Insights

Retirement Plans for Small Business: Comparison Chart

401(k), SEP, Simple, Defined Benefit, rollovers, conversions, pre-tax, post-tax – there’s a lot to think about when it comes to retirement plans. This gets even more complex as a small business owner when you’re on the other side of the table.

We put together this comparison chart, which looks at the ideal business for each plan, the guidelines for employers and employees, and access to the assets. Clarity in this process is essential. Fill in the form below to download the chart and start the process!

Download the checklist today to get started.

How After-Tax Contributions Can Take Your 401(k) to the Next Level

The number of 401(k) millionaires has hit record highs in the last few years and even spiked during the pandemic. A 401(k) millionaire is someone whose account goes up above the $1 million mark (before taxes). These are investors who have taken advantage of matches, saved aggressively, and strategically used the tax shelter that a retirement plan offers.

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What to Expect From Low Volatility Investing: Insight into QBI Strategies

During the past decade, ending December 2019, low volatility investing has been embraced by many investors due to above average adjusted performance. With the turn of events, the year 2020 witnessed a negative surprise for low volatility stocks. This surprise further intensified when value investing seemed to make a comeback as COVID-19 vaccines arrived.

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Market Commentary: Vaccine Distribution, Stimulus Package Driving Economic Growth Estimates

The impact of government stimulus checks continues to permeate economic data. Personal income rose 10% in January, and disposable income rose 11.4%. Where did the money go? It primarily bought goods or was saved. Goods spending rose 5.8% in January, and the personal savings rate jumped to 20.5% from 13.4% the previous month (Figure 1). Limits on activity continue to pressure services spending, which rose only 0.7%.

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Ways to Reduce Your Taxes Before You File This Year

You want to maximize your tax situation, and our team wants to help. Follow the link to learn ways to reduce your taxes before you file this year. Click Here to Watch the Webinar

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How to Finish Strong this Tax Planning Season

Like gardening or working out, tax planning is one of those activities where you get out of it what you put into it. Plenty of us have a weight bench gathering dust in the garage that hasn’t gotten us into any better shape, or a plot in the backyard that just won’t grow anything because we never weed it. Tax planning is similar in the sense that you can put work in on the front end that you’ll reap benefits from later.

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Market Commentary: Stimulus Fuels Retail Sales as Strong Housing Market Faces Hurdles

American consumers put their stimulus checks to work last month. Retail and food service sales rose 5.3% in January, after declining 1.0% in December (Figure 1). Compared to one year ago, sales are 7.4% higher. The strong data resulted from the stimulus checks and declining virus cases. Because of restrictions and risk, the biggest winners were online retailers. Home improvement stores also experienced strong demand as consumers continue to spend extra time at home.

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Market Commentary: Despite Initial Worry, Inflation Remains Well Controlled

 U.S. inflation rose 0.3% last month and is now up 1.4% for the year (Figure 1). Investor concern about inflation has increased in recent months against the backdrop of large stimulus packages and hopes of an economic recovery. Pushing back against that concern is a slowly recovering labor market. Initial jobless claims fell 19,000 from the previous week but remained stubbornly close to 800,000. Continuing claims were more than 4.5 million.

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What You Need to Know for the Upcoming Tax Season

Jamie Hopkins, Director of Retirement Research at Carson, and Senior Wealth Planner, Krista Thompson, break down how the right tax planning process can help you during tax season. Click Here to Watch the Webinar

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Market Commentary: Federal Interest Rates Remain Low with No Increases Planned

 The U.S. employment situation remains lackluster. Only 49,000 new jobs were created in January. Unemployment dropped but only because labor force participation fell from 63.4% to 61.4% (Figure 1). As COVID-19 cases have dropped this year, some improvement is expected in coming months. Vaccine distribution remains the most important path toward an improved economy.

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