Mission Street Wealth Pasadena Archive

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…
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RSUs vs. Stock Options: Which Type of Equity Compensation Are You Getting (And Why It Matters)

At 56, David thought he understood his compensation package from the technology company where he’d worked for eight years. He knew he had “stock stuff” that vested over time, and he’d been told it was valuable. But when he sat down to review his…
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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,…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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The Great Rotation: A Compelling Case for Global Investing

For more than a decade, U.S.-based stocks have largely dominated the stock market and outperformed their international counterparts. But history tells us that this power dynamic doesn’t last forever, and in recent months, we’ve started to experience a shift which we’ve dubbed “the great…
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For The Win: Maximizing Your Opportunity and Savvy Tax Planning

While investors often associate wealth management with growth strategies, there’s another important piece to the equation—protecting the earnings you’ve worked so hard to grow. Taxes are an inevitability, but that doesn’t mean you should pay more than you have to. California residents, especially, are…
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Why Age 50 Is the Perfect Time to Take Control of Your Retirement Plan

If you’re reaching the big 5-0 this year (or it’s soon coming down the line), this significant milestone is certainly worth celebrating. And for many, it marks another important event—the moment people realize retirement is closer than ever, meaning it’s time to buckle down. …
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Family Philanthropy: Building a Legacy of Giving Together

Giving is more than just an act—it’s a way to build a legacy and strengthen family bonds across generations. Called “family philanthropy,” you and your family have an exciting opportunity to make a difference in a meaningful way. You can more effectively build a…
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