[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":157},["ShallowReactive",2],{"gql:data:SSpIzvth2UfLJsfXAu6UcrWkaQst7ks23gYyHSFWuJc":3},{"mediaItem":4},{"relatedItems":5,"date":93,"derivedSeoDescription":13,"derivedSeoTitle":94,"derivedSocialMediaDescription":13,"derivedSocialMediaImage":95,"derivedSocialMediaTitle":94,"flexComponents":107,"author":9,"title":129,"byline":130,"shortDescription":9,"tileImage":131,"mediaFormat":140,"mediaFocuses":142,"teamMember":144},[6,40,66],{"title":7,"byline":8,"shortDescription":9,"slug":10,"featuredImage":11,"tileImage":22,"mediaFormat":33,"mediaFocuses":35,"date":39},"Third Quarter 2026 Wealth Management Insights Video","By Samantha Pahlow","","third-quarter-2026-wealth-management-insights-video-preparing-for-the-risks",{"id":12,"alt":9,"caption":13,"assetUrl":14,"assetUrlXs":15,"assetUrlSm":16,"assetUrlMd":17,"assetUrlLg":18,"assetUrlXl":19,"assetUrlXxl":20,"width":21,"height":21},"2009",null,"https://www.fergusonwellman.com/system/uploads/fae/image/asset/2009/Pahlow_Sammi.jpg","https://www.fergusonwellman.com/system/uploads/fae/image/asset/2009/xs_Pahlow_Sammi.jpg","https://www.fergusonwellman.com/system/uploads/fae/image/asset/2009/sm_Pahlow_Sammi.jpg","https://www.fergusonwellman.com/system/uploads/fae/image/asset/2009/md_Pahlow_Sammi.jpg","https://www.fergusonwellman.com/system/uploads/fae/image/asset/2009/lg_Pahlow_Sammi.jpg","https://www.fergusonwellman.com/system/uploads/fae/image/asset/2009/xl_Pahlow_Sammi.jpg","https://www.fergusonwellman.com/system/uploads/fae/image/asset/2009/xxl_Pahlow_Sammi.jpg",1500,{"id":23,"alt":9,"caption":13,"assetUrl":24,"assetUrlXs":25,"assetUrlSm":26,"assetUrlMd":27,"assetUrlLg":28,"assetUrlXl":29,"assetUrlXxl":30,"width":31,"height":32},"2008","https://www.fergusonwellman.com/system/uploads/fae/image/asset/2008/Sammi2.jpg","https://www.fergusonwellman.com/system/uploads/fae/image/asset/2008/xs_Sammi2.jpg","https://www.fergusonwellman.com/system/uploads/fae/image/asset/2008/sm_Sammi2.jpg","https://www.fergusonwellman.com/system/uploads/fae/image/asset/2008/md_Sammi2.jpg","https://www.fergusonwellman.com/system/uploads/fae/image/asset/2008/lg_Sammi2.jpg","https://www.fergusonwellman.com/system/uploads/fae/image/asset/2008/xl_Sammi2.jpg","https://www.fergusonwellman.com/system/uploads/fae/image/asset/2008/xxl_Sammi2.jpg",3840,2160,{"name":34},"Videos and Webinars",[36],{"name":37,"slug":38},"Wealth Management Insights","wealth-management-insights","2026-08-10",{"title":41,"byline":8,"shortDescription":9,"slug":42,"featuredImage":43,"tileImage":52,"mediaFormat":61,"mediaFocuses":63,"date":65},"Donating Appreciated Stock to Charity: A Timely Strategy in a Strong Market ","donating-appreciated-stock-to-charity-a-timely-strategy-in-a-strong-market",{"id":44,"alt":9,"caption":13,"assetUrl":45,"assetUrlXs":46,"assetUrlSm":47,"assetUrlMd":48,"assetUrlLg":49,"assetUrlXl":50,"assetUrlXxl":51,"width":13,"height":13},"1896","https://www.fergusonwellman.com/system/uploads/fae/image/asset/1896/Pahlow_Sammi.jpg","https://www.fergusonwellman.com/system/uploads/fae/image/asset/1896/xs_Pahlow_Sammi.jpg","https://www.fergusonwellman.com/system/uploads/fae/image/asset/1896/sm_Pahlow_Sammi.jpg","https://www.fergusonwellman.com/system/uploads/fae/image/asset/1896/md_Pahlow_Sammi.jpg","https://www.fergusonwellman.com/system/uploads/fae/image/asset/1896/lg_Pahlow_Sammi.jpg","https://www.fergusonwellman.com/system/uploads/fae/image/asset/1896/xl_Pahlow_Sammi.jpg","https://www.fergusonwellman.com/system/uploads/fae/image/asset/1896/xxl_Pahlow_Sammi.jpg",{"id":53,"alt":9,"caption":13,"assetUrl":54,"assetUrlXs":55,"assetUrlSm":56,"assetUrlMd":57,"assetUrlLg":58,"assetUrlXl":59,"assetUrlXxl":60,"width":13,"height":13},"1895","https://www.fergusonwellman.com/system/uploads/fae/image/asset/1895/_Blog_WM.jpg","https://www.fergusonwellman.com/system/uploads/fae/image/asset/1895/xs__Blog_WM.jpg","https://www.fergusonwellman.com/system/uploads/fae/image/asset/1895/sm__Blog_WM.jpg","https://www.fergusonwellman.com/system/uploads/fae/image/asset/1895/md__Blog_WM.jpg","https://www.fergusonwellman.com/system/uploads/fae/image/asset/1895/lg__Blog_WM.jpg","https://www.fergusonwellman.com/system/uploads/fae/image/asset/1895/xl__Blog_WM.jpg","https://www.fergusonwellman.com/system/uploads/fae/image/asset/1895/xxl__Blog_WM.jpg",{"name":62},"Articles",[64],{"name":37,"slug":38},"2026-07-15",{"title":67,"byline":68,"shortDescription":9,"slug":69,"featuredImage":70,"tileImage":74,"mediaFormat":85,"mediaFocuses":87,"date":92},"Outlook and Insights Third Quarter 2026","By Ferguson Wellman","outlook-and-insights-third-quarter-2026",{"id":71,"alt":9,"caption":13,"assetUrl":13,"assetUrlXs":13,"assetUrlSm":13,"assetUrlMd":13,"assetUrlLg":13,"assetUrlXl":13,"assetUrlXxl":13,"width":72,"height":73},"1848",1622,2108,{"id":75,"alt":9,"caption":13,"assetUrl":76,"assetUrlXs":77,"assetUrlSm":78,"assetUrlMd":79,"assetUrlLg":80,"assetUrlXl":81,"assetUrlXxl":82,"width":83,"height":84},"1847","https://www.fergusonwellman.com/system/uploads/fae/image/asset/1847/NoCat_Blog.jpg","https://www.fergusonwellman.com/system/uploads/fae/image/asset/1847/xs_NoCat_Blog.jpg","https://www.fergusonwellman.com/system/uploads/fae/image/asset/1847/sm_NoCat_Blog.jpg","https://www.fergusonwellman.com/system/uploads/fae/image/asset/1847/md_NoCat_Blog.jpg","https://www.fergusonwellman.com/system/uploads/fae/image/asset/1847/lg_NoCat_Blog.jpg","https://www.fergusonwellman.com/system/uploads/fae/image/asset/1847/xl_NoCat_Blog.jpg","https://www.fergusonwellman.com/system/uploads/fae/image/asset/1847/xxl_NoCat_Blog.jpg",700,330,{"name":86},"Annual Reports and Publications",[88,91],{"name":89,"slug":90},"Our Investment Views","our-investment-views",{"name":37,"slug":38},"2026-07-01","2026-08-19","Resources | Growing Retirement Savings in a Tax Savvy Way | Ferguson Wellman",{"id":96,"alt":97,"caption":13,"assetUrl":98,"assetUrlXs":99,"assetUrlSm":100,"assetUrlMd":101,"assetUrlLg":102,"assetUrlXl":103,"assetUrlXxl":104,"width":105,"height":106},"6","Ferguson Wellman Logo","https://www.fergusonwellman.com/system/uploads/fae/image/asset/6/FW-OpenGraph_2x.jpg","https://www.fergusonwellman.com/system/uploads/fae/image/asset/6/xs_FW-OpenGraph_2x.jpg","https://www.fergusonwellman.com/system/uploads/fae/image/asset/6/sm_FW-OpenGraph_2x.jpg","https://www.fergusonwellman.com/system/uploads/fae/image/asset/6/md_FW-OpenGraph_2x.jpg","https://www.fergusonwellman.com/system/uploads/fae/image/asset/6/lg_FW-OpenGraph_2x.jpg","https://www.fergusonwellman.com/system/uploads/fae/image/asset/6/xl_FW-OpenGraph_2x.jpg","https://www.fergusonwellman.com/system/uploads/fae/image/asset/6/xxl_FW-OpenGraph_2x.jpg",1200,630,[108,112,126],{"instance":109},{"__typename":110,"body":111},"MediaPageTextComponent","Financial security in retirement involves more than simply saving for the future and investing wisely during one’s working years; retirement savers should also capitalize on tax-advantaged strategies that can help build wealth more efficiently. By leveraging multiple strategies to capture employee benefits and maximizing tax-advantaged accounts to reduce current income tax exposure, small tax savings can compound over time, though it is important to avoid traps that can transform a clever strategy into a taxable surprise. \r\n\r\n**Aim to Maximize Your Employer-Sponsored Plans** \r\n\r\nEmployer-sponsored retirement plans, such as 401(k) and 403(b) plans, remain one of the most effective ways to save for retirement. Traditional contributions generally reduce current taxable income now and allow investments to grow tax-deferred until future distributions, which are then taxed as ordinary income. Roth contributions do not reduce current taxable income now, but future growth and qualified Roth distributions are generally tax-free.  \r\n\r\nThe ability to grow retirement savings is enhanced if an employer match is offered. To the extent practicable, saving via a traditional or a Roth employer-sponsored retirement plan can yield big benefits, as they allow growth in the portfolio to compound without a headwind of income tax on capital gains, dividends, or interest. The value of tax-advantaged compounding is greatest for savers that start young. \r\n\r\nKeep in mind that the amount that can be contributed each year is limited. For 2026, employees can defer up to $24,500 into a 401(k), 403(b), governmental 457 plan, or the federal Thrift Savings Plan. Participants aged 50 or older can generally add an $8,000 catch-up contribution, for a total employee deferral of $32,500. Employees who are 60, 61, 62, or 63 get an even larger catch-up of $11,250, allowing total employee deferrals of up to $35,750 in 2026. Note that for certain high earners, the catch-up contributions may be required to be set aside in a Roth account. \r\n\r\n**Consider the Overall Plan Contribution Limit**\r\n\r\nThe employee deferral is only one of the ways to contribute to certain employer plans such as the 401(k) and 403(b). Employer contributions are allowed, in addition to the employee contribution, and subject to a much higher overall limit. The overall annual additions limit in 2026 is the lesser of 100% of compensation or $72,000, generally measured against the combination of employee elective deferrals, employer matching contributions, employer nonelective or profit-sharing contributions, and forfeitures. Employees entitled to make catch-up contributions have a higher limit, allowing total contributions of up to $80,000 for most participants age 50 or older, or $83,250 for eligible participants ages 60 through 63. \r\n\r\nThis limit becomes especially important for employees with generous matches, profit-sharing contributions, or after-tax contribution features. For many, the employer contributions are additive to the employee contributions, allowing retirement savings to grow even more quickly than the individual savings cap would allow alone.   \r\n\r\nHighly compensated employees fortunate to have generous employer contributions must be mindful, however, to ensure that their combined employee and employer contributions do not exceed the overall cap.",{"instance":113},{"__typename":114,"image":115,"videoId":9,"caption":9},"MediaPageImageOrVideoWithCaptionComponent",{"id":116,"alt":9,"caption":13,"assetUrl":117,"assetUrlXs":118,"assetUrlSm":119,"assetUrlMd":120,"assetUrlLg":121,"assetUrlXl":122,"assetUrlXxl":123,"width":124,"height":125},"2027","https://www.fergusonwellman.com/system/uploads/fae/image/asset/2027/Screenshot_2026-08-14_at_11.58.14_AM.png","https://www.fergusonwellman.com/system/uploads/fae/image/asset/2027/xs_Screenshot_2026-08-14_at_11.58.14_AM.png","https://www.fergusonwellman.com/system/uploads/fae/image/asset/2027/sm_Screenshot_2026-08-14_at_11.58.14_AM.png","https://www.fergusonwellman.com/system/uploads/fae/image/asset/2027/md_Screenshot_2026-08-14_at_11.58.14_AM.png","https://www.fergusonwellman.com/system/uploads/fae/image/asset/2027/lg_Screenshot_2026-08-14_at_11.58.14_AM.png","https://www.fergusonwellman.com/system/uploads/fae/image/asset/2027/xl_Screenshot_2026-08-14_at_11.58.14_AM.png","https://www.fergusonwellman.com/system/uploads/fae/image/asset/2027/xxl_Screenshot_2026-08-14_at_11.58.14_AM.png",3094,1780,{"instance":127},{"__typename":110,"body":128},"**Backdoor Roth IRA for High-Income Earners** \r\n\r\nDirect Roth IRA contributions phase out at modified AGI between $153,000 and $168,000 for single filers and heads of household or between $242,000 and $252,000 for married couples filing jointly. High-income taxpayers above those limits may still be able to contribute to a Roth IRA, however, they must use the “backdoor Roth IRA” strategy, in which a nondeductible traditional IRA contribution is made and then converted it to a Roth IRA. This strategy continues to work in many cases because there is no income limit on traditional IRA to Roth IRA conversions. \r\n\r\nFor 2026, total traditional IRA and Roth IRA contributions are limited to $7,500, or $8,600 for people 50 or older. Nondeductible IRA contributions are expressly permitted under the Internal Revenue Code, as are Roth conversions of traditional IRAs.   \r\n\r\nBy leveraging these established procedures, it is possible to set aside up to the applicable contribution limit in a Roth IRA, in addition to the amounts saved via an employer-sponsored plan. \r\n\r\nAn important trap to be mindful of when completing a backdoor Roth IRA contribution is the pro rata rule. To determine the taxable portion of a Roth conversion, the IRS generally looks at the aggregate balances of a taxpayers’ traditional, SEP, or SIMPLE IRAs and treats a pro rata portion of deductible and non-deductible contributions as converted. This means one cannot isolate the non-deductible contributions as the amount being converted. Thus, even though the funds converted were in fact after tax contributions to a nondeductible traditional IRA, other retirement savings can create unwanted income tax. \r\n\r\nBefore executing a backdoor Roth IRA, consult with your tax advisor and portfolio manager to evaluate all traditional, SEP, and SIMPLE IRA balances to determine how the pro rata rule may apply and to evaluate whether rolling pre-tax IRA dollars into an employer plan may reduce or eliminate your exposure. \r\n\r\n**Use an HSA as a Stealth Retirement Account** \r\n\r\nBeyond traditional retirement accounts, a health savings account (HSA) can offer another tax-advantaged way to set aside funds for future expenses in retirement. Contributions to an HSA are currently deductible: the balance can be invested, and earnings grow income tax-free while inside the account. Distributions, used exclusively for qualified medical expenses, are excluded from gross income. Non-qualified expenses are included in gross income and subject to a 20% penalty.   \r\n\r\nHowever, after age 65, HSAs become more flexible. While withdrawals used for non-medical expenses remain subject to ordinary income tax, the 20% penalty no longer applies. Accordingly, the account then functions much like a traditional IRA for non-medical withdrawals, while still providing tax-free distributions for qualified medical expenses. This flexibility makes an HSA a valuable complement to traditional retirement accounts and a pathway to save greater amounts in a tax-advantaged account.  \r\n\r\nInstead of using HSAs to pay current medical expenses, consider paying current healthcare costs out of pocket while allowing the HSA balance to remain invested for future growth.   \r\n\r\nFor 2026, eligible individuals with high-deductible health plan coverage can contribute up to $4,400 for employee-only coverage or $8,750 for family coverage. Contribution limits are reduced by employer contributions. An individual who has reached age 55 before year-end can add an additional $1,000 HSA catch-up contribution.   \r\n\r\n**Investing in the Future** \r\n\r\nTax-advantaged accounts can play different roles in a long-term retirement strategy. Understanding how employer-sponsored plans, IRAs and HSAs work together can help investors make more informed saving decisions while managing both current and future tax considerations. Because the right approach depends on individual circumstances, it is important to coordinate retirement saving strategies with your wealth management team and tax advisor.\r\n\r\n**Disclosure**\r\n\r\n*The views expressed represent the opinion of Ferguson Wellman. The views are subject to change and are not intended as a forecast or guarantee of future results. This material is for informational purposes only. It does not constitute investment advice and is not intended as an endorsement of any specific investment. Statements of future expectations, estimates, projections and other forward-looking statements are based on available information and Ferguson Wellman’s views as of the time of these statements. Past performance may not be indicative of future results. Ferguson Wellman, Octavia Group and West Bearing do not provide tax, legal, insurance or medical advice. This material has been prepared for general educational purposes only and not as a substitute for qualified counsel who can determine how this information applies to you. We believe the information provided is from reliable sources but should not be assumed accurate or complete.*\r\n\r\n*Please see additional [disclosures](/disclosures/).*","Growing Retirement Savings in a Tax Savvy Way","By Steven Bell",{"id":132,"alt":9,"caption":13,"assetUrl":133,"assetUrlXs":134,"assetUrlSm":135,"assetUrlMd":136,"assetUrlLg":137,"assetUrlXl":138,"assetUrlXxl":139,"width":83,"height":84},"2025","https://www.fergusonwellman.com/system/uploads/fae/image/asset/2025/_Blog_WM.jpg","https://www.fergusonwellman.com/system/uploads/fae/image/asset/2025/xs__Blog_WM.jpg","https://www.fergusonwellman.com/system/uploads/fae/image/asset/2025/sm__Blog_WM.jpg","https://www.fergusonwellman.com/system/uploads/fae/image/asset/2025/md__Blog_WM.jpg","https://www.fergusonwellman.com/system/uploads/fae/image/asset/2025/lg__Blog_WM.jpg","https://www.fergusonwellman.com/system/uploads/fae/image/asset/2025/xl__Blog_WM.jpg","https://www.fergusonwellman.com/system/uploads/fae/image/asset/2025/xxl__Blog_WM.jpg",{"name":62,"slug":141},"articles",[143],{"name":37,"slug":38},{"fullName":145,"title":146,"slug":147,"image":148},"Steven Bell","Senior Vice President","steven-bell",{"id":149,"alt":9,"caption":13,"assetUrl":150,"assetUrlXs":151,"assetUrlSm":152,"assetUrlMd":153,"assetUrlLg":154,"assetUrlXl":155,"assetUrlXxl":156,"width":21,"height":21},"170","https://www.fergusonwellman.com/system/uploads/fae/image/asset/170/Bell_Steven.jpg","https://www.fergusonwellman.com/system/uploads/fae/image/asset/170/xs_Bell_Steven.jpg","https://www.fergusonwellman.com/system/uploads/fae/image/asset/170/sm_Bell_Steven.jpg","https://www.fergusonwellman.com/system/uploads/fae/image/asset/170/md_Bell_Steven.jpg","https://www.fergusonwellman.com/system/uploads/fae/image/asset/170/lg_Bell_Steven.jpg","https://www.fergusonwellman.com/system/uploads/fae/image/asset/170/xl_Bell_Steven.jpg","https://www.fergusonwellman.com/system/uploads/fae/image/asset/170/xxl_Bell_Steven.jpg",1787153163887]