Trump Accounts: What Grandparents Should Know About the New Retirement Savings Option for Kids
If you have been hearing about “Trump Accounts” lately and wondering whether they might be a good tool for your grandchildren, you are not alone. Clients have been asking me about these since the legislation passed, and it is a fair question. There is a genuine opportunity here, but also real complexity, especially for families […]
Your 60s Financial Checklist: How to Retire Early, Confidently, and on Your Own Terms
Your 60s are not a countdown to retirement. They are the decade when everything you have built starts to come into focus, and the decisions you make now will shape what the next 20 or 30 years actually look like. In more than 35 years of working with pre-retirees and retirees in Pasadena, I have […]
The Two RMD Trap: Why Delaying Your First Distribution Could Cost You Thousands
Picture this: You just turned 73, and you’re finally facing your first required minimum distribution. You’ve heard you can delay it until April 1st of the following year, so you decide to wait. Smart move, right? Not so fast. That delay could mean taking two RMDs in one year and pushing yourself into a higher […]
The Fear of Running Out of Money Is Real – And It’s Changing How Pasadena Retirees Plan
Sixty-four percent of Americans say they are more afraid of running out of money than they are of dying. Let that sink in for a moment. That striking finding comes from the 2025 Retirement Survey published by the Allianz Center for Retirement Studies. And if you’re a pre-retiree or retiree in the Pasadena area, chances […]
Before Tax Day: 5 Strategic Moves California Retirees Should Make Before April 15th
The countdown to Tax Day is on, and if you’re like many retirees I work with here in Pasadena, you might be thinking it’s too late to do anything meaningful about your 2025 tax bill. Here’s the good news: April 15th isn’t just a deadline; it’s also an opportunity. Several important tax planning moves for […]
Medicare Premium Surprises: How IRMAA Could Cost You Thousands (And How to Plan Around It)
When Robert called our Pasadena office last spring, he was frustrated and confused. He’d just received a letter from Social Security informing him that his Medicare Part B premium would be $594 per month, instead of the standard $185 he expected. That’s an extra $4,908 per year. The culprit? Something called IRMAA that he’d never […]
Social Security 2026: What the 2.8% COLA and New Earnings Limits Mean for Your Retirement Income
When Maria and Tom walked into our Pasadena office last month, they had the same question we hear from many couples approaching retirement: “Should we claim Social Security now, or wait?” Maria, 64, was considering early retirement from her consulting work, while Tom, 67, had already started collecting benefits. The announcement of Social Security’s 2.8% […]
Year-End Financial Moves: A December Checklist to Finish the Year Strong
December brings more than holiday gatherings and year-end celebrations. It’s also one of the most critical months for your financial well-being. The decisions you make before the calendar flips to January can significantly impact your tax situation, retirement readiness, and long-term financial goals. While it’s easy to let financial planning slide during the busy holiday […]
The BBB’s SALT Cap & What it Means for Taxpayers
For those of us in the Golden State, we know there’s a cost to living in paradise: the California state tax rate. Having the highest tax rate in the nation isn’t exactly something to brag about, but it does mean we’re no strangers to savvy tax planning, especially as it relates to retirement planning. And […]
6 Wealth-Building Habits I’ve Learned from 30 Years of Working with High-Net-Worth Clients
As a certified financial planner with over three decades of experience, I’ve had the privilege of working closely with high-net-worth individuals and business owners across various industries. My clients include medical professionals, attorneys, entrepreneurs, and other successful individuals who’ve mastered the art of growing their businesses, reducing their taxes, and managing their wealth effectively. Through […]