In this quarter’s Wealth Management Insights video, "Navigating the Retirement Shift," Samantha Pahlow, CTFA, AWMA®, discusses the multifaceted journey of retirement and highlights the need for thoughtful preparation to ensure a fulfilling retirement.
Important Tax Update: New Legislation Signed into Law
Congress recently approved, and the President signed, new legislation affecting taxes, spending cuts and other policy changes that are particularly relevant to financial planning.
Serve with Confidence: Fortifying Your Personal Protections on a Nonprofit Board
For many people, serving on a nonprofit board is a rewarding experience. It’s a chance to lend expertise, guide strategy and contribute meaningfully to a cause they believe in.
Outlook and Insight Third Quarter 2025
Preparing for Fire Season and Other Potential Risks
What are the chances that two employees at Ferguson Wellman have parents who lost their homes in wildfires?
Why Clear Financial Goals Matter in Retirement Planning
Retirement represents the achievement of financial stability and being able to choose whether or not to work, a goal many of us share.
Navigating the Retirement Shift
Retirement is a milestone most people spend decades planning for, ensuring they have a strong financial foundation to support their ideal retirement lifestyle.
Estate Tax Considerations
Estate tax has been a highly debated topic in Congress for years. With the passing of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act in 2017, and the ongoing discussions on extending certain provisions, estate tax is again on the short list for debate.
Securing Your Legacy
In an ever-changing world, one thing remains constant: life’s unpredictability. As such, it is never too early to begin establishing your estate plan.
Wealth Management Insights Video Second Quarter 2025
Estate planning is critical for protecting your wealth and ensuring your wishes are followed during your life and beyond. This quarter's Wealth Management Insights video explores key components of an effective estate plan and how to incorporate flexibility when needed.
Understanding the Backdoor and Mega Backdoor Roth IRA
The Roth IRA has earned its popularity with retirement savers—and for good reason. Funded with after-tax dollars, it offers the rare advantage of tax-free withdrawals in retirement, provided you’re at least 59½ and have held the account for five years.
Outlook and Insights Second Quarter 2025
To Gift or Not to Gift and Other Questions
According to the latest report by Cerulli & Associates, $124 trillion is expected to change hands by 2048. Just under 15% is expected to be given to charity and the remaining balance will go to heirs.
Three Pitfalls to Avoid with 529 Plan Withdrawals
When it comes to saving for college, 529 accounts are a popular choice. These tax-advantaged savings plans are designed to help families set aside funds for future education expenses. You can choose from various investment options and enjoy tax-free growth and withdrawals for qualified education costs.
Trust Protector: A Tool for Flexibility in Estate Planning
In an era of evolving tax laws and shifting estate planning strategies, flexibility has become an important consideration in wealth planning.
Lessons Learned from the California Wildfires
This article was originally published in 2020. As the author, I chose to focus on the Camp Fire in northern California as a case study for fire safety and financial preparedness during disasters. My colleague, Mary Lago, CFP®, CTFA, grew up in Paradise, California, and tragically her mom lost her home in the fire.
Understanding the SECURE 2.0 Act: Key Changes for 2025
There are two SECURE Acts, both of which were designed to enhance retirement savings and provide more flexibility for savers by updating and introducing new retirement planning rules.
Wealth Management Insights First Quarter 2025
We present our first quarter 2025 issue of Wealth Management Insights titled “Tax Planning in an Ever-Changing Environment.” In it, Wealth Management Chair Samantha Pahlow, CTFA, AWMA®, discusses strategies for increasing tax efficiency in client portfolios, including tax diversification, tax-efficient investing, and tax-efficient withdrawal strategies. Tyler Conroy, CFP®, CPWA®, provides insights into tax-efficient retirement withdrawals, emphasizing the importance of planning the sequence and timing of withdrawals to manage taxes and extend the longevity of assets. Scott Christianson, CFP®, explains the importance of tax diversification in investment portfolios, detailing various account types and strategies to manage tax risk and provide flexibility for tax-efficient distributions in the future.
Working With Your Team of Financial Professionals
Wrapping up any tax year results in a flurry of activity. Not just holiday shopping and family gatherings, but also tax strategy implementation and estate planning actions. At Ferguson Wellman, we regularly provide guidance and field questions about appropriate strategies for our clients’ situations.
Proper Structuring of an Irrevocable Life Insurance Trust (ILIT)
Casia Chappell, CFP®, CPWA®, discusses the benefits and workings of irrevocable life insurance trusts (ILITs), highlighting their role in estate planning by providing asset protection, estate tax mitigation and efficient wealth transfer.