Managing the Risks and Taxes of Highly Appreciated Stock
by Matt Jude, CFP®, ECAInvestors who have done well over the years – whether through savvy stock picks, favorable market returns, or just good luck – often find themselves with a unique set of problems to deal with. After holding stocks for a long period of time and achieving substantial returns, investors may have two unexpected issues to be… Continue reading
Target Date Funds: Smart Investment or Hidden Danger?
by Matt Jude, CFP®, ECAOver half of non-retired Americans have a defined contribution pension plan through their employer (source: Federal Reserve), with the most common types being 401(k) and 403(b) plans. These employer-sponsored plans can be an excellent vehicle for individuals to save on taxes and put money aside to create a secure retirement. Unfortunately, many people in… Continue reading
Save on Taxes and Increase Retirement Savings With Spousal IRA Contributions
by Matt Jude, CFP®, ECAAs tax season is currently in full swing, many individuals are looking for ways to lower their tax bill or increase their refund before the filing deadline of April 15, 2024. For some married couples, one excellent strategy for reducing taxes and boosting retirement savings is with spousal IRA contributions. What is a spousal IRA… Continue reading
What is the Story of the Last Few Years?
by Matt Jude, CFP®, ECAAs 2023 draws to a close, this question may be on many investors’ minds. Stock markets in the year 2020 started off on an upward trend with the S&P 500 Index increasing from a closing value of $3,230.78 on 12/31/2019 to $3,386.15 on 2/19/2020 (a gain of about 4.8% in less than two months). However,… Continue reading
Understanding Equity Compensation
by Matt Jude, CFP®, ECAThe term equity compensation is a fancy way of saying that an employee receives some form of ownership (also known as equity) in their company as a part of their payment and benefits (i.e., the compensation package). Typically, this will be just one component of how an employer compensates an employee for his or her work — it can be… Continue reading