The Oregon PERS Retirement Application for OPSRP Members Navigating the Oregon Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) can be complex. it’s common for clients to reach out once they receive the thick manila envelope and ask for help. In this guide, we’ll break down the Oregon PERS Retirement Application for OPSRP Members step by step to…
Q1 2024 Market Review – Market Overview Markets In Q1, U.S. stocks gained 10%+, international developed markets ~6%, and Emerging markets lagged. Broad fixed-income investments were flat to slightly negative for the quarter. Inflation Inflation continued to trend downwards yet remains higher than the Fed’s 2% target. Expectations indicate inflation will likely cool in…
Traditional retirement income planning aims to build a “nest egg” of personal savings and investments that will supplement Social Security and pension benefits. Together, these three sources of retirement income have long been referred to as the proverbial “three-legged stool”—a solid and well-balanced foundation for building financial security in old age. However, Social Security benefits…
In a world where every act of kindness can make a difference, tax-efficient giving can empower you to support causes you care about while optimizing tax benefits. As a Certified Financial Planner™ professional and a Certified Tax Specialist™ with over a decade of experience, I’m here to guide you through the art of giving wisely.…
Q4 2023 Market Review If you prefer to listen, you can click below and follow along with our audio recording of this review. Highlights After the pullback in the third quarter, equity and fixed-income markets performed strongly during the fourth quarter. The gains during the quarter pushed all major asset classes to positive returns for…
Oregon PERS Benefit Estimate – How to Read Yours Your Oregon PERS Benefit Estimate – An Important but Confusing Document I recently attended a continuing education event where a representative from Oregon PERS spoke and walked us through a sample Oregon PERS Benefit Estimate. The room was filled with about 75 advisors. As we neared…
I enjoyed catching up with fellow advisor Josh St. Laurent on his podcast, Wealth in Yourself. Together, we discussed the opportunities and challenges for those approaching and entering retirement, what it means to align your money with what you care about, and more. You can listen in or read the transcript below: Josh: Welcome to…
What Happens to Your Tax Liability With Proper Financial Planning? When we think about managing our finances, it’s impossible to ignore the impact of taxes. Taxes are integral to our financial lives, affecting everything from our income and investments to estate planning and retirement. The decisions we make in our financial planning have direct consequences…
Highlights After three straight quarters of positive returns in equity markets, stocks pulled back during the third quarter of 2023. While gaining meaningfully over the prior year, US, international developed, and emerging markets were all down roughly 3-4% for the quarter. The recent market performance continues to be heavily influenced by interest rates and the…
When individuals set goals that are especially meaningful to them, they experience a sense of mission. They feel enthusiasm for the tasks that lie ahead and for what they intend to accomplish. At every stage of life, having a mission gives them a reason to get up in the morning, bounce back from setbacks, and…