Blog
Sierra Pacific Financial Advisors Blog. If you see anything that sparks interest or questions, feel free to contact us for discussing.
Video: Schwab Alliance Tutorial Webinar Replay
It's happened! The transition from TD Ameritrade to Charles Schwab is complete. SPFA has teamed with Schwab to broadcast a Schwab Alliance Tutorial Webinar to our clients. A video recording of the webcast is now available in this blog.
Read MoreGetting Started on Schwab Alliance and Transition FAQs
As transition weekend approaches and your TD Ameritrade accounts are converted to Charles Schwab accounts, you're going to want to make sure your ducks are in a row to ensure a seamless transition. "Conversion weekend," as they say, is this
Read MoreConcentrated Stock Solutions for Professionals with Equity Compensation Rewards
Many professionals in the bay area have amassed significant personal wealth through an equity compensation structure, Employee Stock Purchase Plan or other employer granted stock. This often results in a high concentration of assets in...
Read MoreSecure Act 2.0: Key Changes to Retirement Planning
Congress passed the SECURE Act 2.0 late in December of 2022. The Act built upon the foundation laid by the 2019 SECURE Act which was also passed in December of that year. The 2022 act has over 90 changes to how retirement...
Read MoreWhat to do When You Fear a Layoff
As of 2/1/23 Meta, Google and Amazon have already laid off or have announced plans to lay off 41,000 employees. What are things you can do if you think your job might be in jeopardy?Look at increasing your cash emergency fund....
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2023 Economic Outlook and Forecast Blog
The Federal Reserve Board next meets at the end of January (1/31-2/1). The Fed is expected to raise the key federal funds rate to 5.1% in 2023. This is a 0.75% increase from where we are today. The most likely course...
Read MoreThe Pros and Cons of Implementing a 401(k) Loan Feature in Your Plan
The recent enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (TCJA) makes changes to 401(k) loan repayment options, which should prompt plan sponsors and plan administrators to re-evaluate their existing loan program, processes and procedures.
Read MoreRetirement Plan Share Classes: Understanding the Basics
Choosing mutual funds for your retirement plan’s investment lineup can feel like wading through a sea of alphabet soup. Fund companies typically offer multiple share classes, each sporting its own unique letter.
Read More2023 Contribution Limits
IRS has raised the limits for 2023 retirement contributions. Due to inflation, the 2023 contribution limits have increased to much higher amounts that haven’t been seen in the previous years. The high contribution limits present...
Read MoreCost of Waiting
We all know how difficult it is to start and then commit to good habits. All we need do is think about the various new year’s resolutions we have made (go to the gym, get on a diet, go to bed earlier etc.). We start...
Read MoreAttn: Owners + Executives. Want to save more than $200,000 annually for retirement?
Most cash balance plans are designed for the primary benefit of owners or executives of a company. Some candidates include professional practices (doctors, lawyers, accountants, architects, agencies, family owned businesses, to name a few e
Read MoreEquity Compensation: Strategies for Taxes and Income
Equity compensation comes in many forms. At Sierra Pacific Financial Advisors we specialize in helping clients understand their stock option grants. We help them to reduce taxes and enhance their income generation.
Read MoreSPFA Blog – Equity Compensation: How Does It Work?
There are a great many and varied ways employers use equity as part of an employee’s compensation. They include: phantom stock to stock appreciate rights and Employee Stock Purchase Plans (ESPP) just to name a few. ...
Read MoreTiming the Market v. Dollar Cost Averaging Video Blog
We discuss how they work, their advantages and disadvantages, and how an investor might use them in a hybrid strategy.
Read MoreEffective Governance May Lead to Better Retirement Plans
Participant-driven lawsuits are on the rise, and employers are facing heightened scrutiny of the way they manage their retirement plans.
Read MoreRules and Responsibilities: The Life of a Plan Sponsor After the Death of the Fiduciary Rule
On June 21, 2018 the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals vacated the requirements of the U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) Conflict of Interest Rule—more commonly referred to as the “DOL Fiduciary Rule”—thus killing the rule entirely.
Read More401(k) Lawsuit Trends and 5 Lessons Every Plan Sponsor Should Know
While plan sponsors accidently self-dealing will happen from time to time, many plan sponsors have heeded the lessons from these lawsuits and have addressed any outstanding issues.
Read MoreWhat Is a Recession?
Last week the Bureau of Economic Activity reported Gross Domestic Product fell 0.9% in the second quarter. Naturally, many people began to wonder if the US had entered a recessionary period
Read MoreJuly Video Blog- Interest Rates, Inflation, and Recession
Daniel's take on inflation, interest rates and the current state of the economy.
Read MoreHow SECURE 2.0 Might Change Retirement
The SECURE Act of 2019 represented the biggest update to retirement law in over a decade. Now, Congress is deliberating on what “SECURE 2.0” legislation might entail.In March, the House passed the Securing a Strong...
Read MoreSilver Lining in Down Markets
As you can imagine we have had a lot of conversations with our investment management clients over the past few months. Most of these conversations have two main themes: (1) have your objectives and risk tolerance changed and (2) losses
Read More3 Shrewd Maneuvers in a Down Market
It’s natural to think “defense” during a bearish market season. But why not mix in some “offense” with your defense? Here are three moves we can discuss together that may be helpful during the current...
Read MoreWebinar on Alternative Investments Replay 06/22/2022
Alternative investments are those assets that do not fall into the conventional asset classes: Stock, Bond, or Cash. These investments tend to be uncorrelated to the market creating a hedge against broad market declines.
Read MoreAlternative Investments Risk Profile Comparisons
Alternative investments are currently exceedingly popular as they can function as a buffer against both inflation and a slowing economic environment.
Read MoreAlternative Investments
Recent years have witnessed the mainstreaming of alternative investments for certain accredited investors. In fact, alternative investments are expected to grow from $13.9 trillion in 2020 to $21.1 trillion in 2025.
Read MoreBull & Bear Market Timeline
The best way to weather a downturn could be to stay invested since properly timing the beginning of a new bull market can be challenging. Staying the course, or at least staying in the market, leads to positive returns over the length of t
Read MoreInflation is Sky High and Still Rising
Wholesale inflation is likely rising at the fastest pace in 40 years.
Read More2022 Contribution Limits
Preparing for retirement just got a little more financial wiggle room. This week, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced new contribution limits for 2022.Staying put for 2022 are traditional Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs)...
Read MoreTax Changes: What's In, What's Out?
While it’s still too early to draw any final conclusions, Congress is getting closer to outlining what tax law changes are under consideration to pay for the proposed $1.75 trillion Build Back Better Plan.1For now, it appears...
Read MoreAre Capital Gains Taxes Changing?
There are a lot of questions about President Biden’s Build Back Better plan and potential tax law changes, including an adjustment to capital gains taxes.One of the proposals Congress is considering sets the top rate for taxing...
Read MoreOil Prices Hit Six-Year High
On July 6, oil prices reached a six-year high of $76.98 a barrel. This benchmark came as the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and allies failed to reach an agreement regarding an increase in production.1This...
Read MoreInflation Outlook for 2021
As our nation continues to recover from the effects of COVID-19, one economic trend has been capturing news attention as of late. Consumer prices are rising amidst economic recovery. In fact, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 0.8%...
Read MoreRebalancing Your Portfolio
Everyone loves a winner. If an investment is successful, most people naturally want to stick with it. But is that the best approach? It may sound counterintuitive, but it may be possible to have too much of a good thing. Over time, the...
Read MoreThe IRS Extends Additional Tax Deadlines for IRAs, HSAs, and More
Previously, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced that the federal income tax filing due date for individuals for the 2020 tax year had been automatically extended from April 15, 2021, to May 17, 2021.1More time for allHowever,...
Read MoreRetirement Plan Share Classes: Understanding the Basics
Share Class ABCs: Choose Wisely Choosing mutual funds for your retirement plan’s investment lineup can feel like wading through a sea of alphabet soup. Fund companies typically offer multiple share classes, each sporting its own...
Read MoreHow to Make the Tax Code Work for You
By April 19, 2019, 137 million taxpayers had dutifully filed their federal income tax returns.1 And they all made decisions about deductions and credits – whether they realized it. When you take the time to learn more about how...
Read MoreBest-Performing Asset Classes
According to Yale University's Crash Confidence Index, only about 27% of investors are confident the stock market will not crash sometime during the next six months.1 But if fear leads investors to avoid the entire investment class,...
Read MoreElection 2020: Biden’s Policy Initiatives
Now that several major news groups have projected Joe Biden the winner of the presidential election—and Congress appears divided with Democrats in control of the House and Republicans the Senate—it’s a good time to...
Read MoreAsset Allocation: Factors to Consider
Asset Allocation If you live in or have visited a big city, you’ve probably run into street vendors – people who sell everything from hot dogs to umbrellas – on the streets and sidewalks. Many of these entrepreneurs...
Read MoreThe SECURE Act and Retirement
The SECURE Act The Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement (SECURE) Act is now law. With it, comes some of the biggest changes to retirement savings law in recent years. While the new rules don’t appear to amount to...
Read MoreStress Reduction During COVID-19: How to Cope with Anxiety and Self-isolation
Coping with Coronavirus
Read MoreStress Reduction During COVID-19 When Will I Receive My Stimulus Check?
When Will I Receive My Stimulus Check?
Read MoreStress Reduction During COVID-19 Quarantine Google Calendar
Quarantine Google Calendar
Read MoreStress Reduction During COVID-19 10 Things to Bake When You Don’t Have Flour
No Flour No Problem
Read MoreHighlights of CARES Act That May Affect to You
The Senate and House of Representatives have passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The roughly $2 trillion coronavirus response bill is intended to keep businesses and individuals afloat during this...
Read MoreStress Reduction During COVID-19 Healthy Sleep Habits in the Time of COVID-19
Healthy Sleep Habits in the Time of COVID-19
Read MoreMultiple Employer Plans
A break down of the Treasury/IRS notice of proposed rule-making for Multiple Employer Plans https://401kspecialistmag.com/irs-one-bad-apple-cant-spoil-a-401k-mep-bunch/
Read MoreHow do the SECURE Act changes affect your 401(k) plan?
SECURE Act Changes
Read MoreHelp your employees set savings goals through an income lens!
Savings by way of Income
Read More401k plan administration is not as simple as employers may think.
Employer Plan Administration
Read MoreWould retirement income projections help your employees feel more confident about retirement?
Plan Sponsor Guidance
Read MoreWant to Impact Employees’ Retirement Readiness? Consider Auto Features
The use of auto features in 401(k) plans has continued to climb in popularity over the past decade. In fact, auto features such as automatic enrollment and auto escalation are considered best practices in 401(k) plan design as ways to...
Read MoreHow to Think About Financial Wellness ROI
If you want to sell your C-suite on paying for an employee financial wellness program, you’ll probably hear this question from your CFO: What’s the ROI? It’s natural for a chief financial officer to ask about the...
Read MoreShould You Include ESG Funds in Your Retirement Plan? Maybe, Maybe Not.
ESG, or environmental, social and governance funds, can be appealing to many investors, including millennials. These funds may be viewed as a proactive way to encourage reluctant and under-prepared millennials to save for retirement....
Read MoreIs it Time to Consider a New Plan Design?
You may have heard about a “cash balance plan” and wondered whether it would be something advantageous for your business. A cash balance plan operates differently from other types of traditional retirement plans in that it...
Read MoreShare Class ABCs: Choose Wisely
Choosing mutual funds for your retirement plan’s investment lineup can feel like wading through a sea of alphabet soup. Fund companies typically offer multiple share classes, each sporting its own unique letter. A shares, C...
Read MoreTuning Your Social Security Benefit
458 Tuning Your Social Security Benefit
Read MoreFour Tips to Boost Your Employees’ Retirement Outlook
As many employees look ahead to retirement, 47% of workers feel somewhat confident that they’ll have enough money saved to retire on time and then live comfortably.1 However, forward-thinking employers have the ability to help...
Read MoreCan Effective Plan Governance Helps Reduce Fiduciary Risk?
Risky Business: Why Plan Governance Matters Participant-driven lawsuits are on the rise, and employers are facing heightened scrutiny of the way they manage their retirement plans. In today’s continually-evolving regulatory and...
Read MoreHelpful Insight on 401(k) Cybersecurity
Hacked! Is Your Retirement Plan at Risk for a Cyber Attack? Cyber-crime is on the rise worldwide. As a result, growing numbers of organizations are taking critical steps to protect their valuable electronic data from hackers and other...
Read MorePlan Sponsor Guide: Understanding 401(k) Loans
Plan Sponsor Guide: Understanding 401(k) Loans The recent enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (TCJA) makes changes to 401(k) loan repayment options, which should prompt plan sponsors and plan administrators to re-evaluate...
Read MoreMeeting Your Fiduciary Responsibilities after the DOL Fiduciary Rule
The DOL Rule is Dead On June 21, 2018 the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals vacated the requirements of the U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) Conflict of Interest Rule—more commonly referred to as the “DOL Fiduciary...
Read MoreEmployer’s guide to dealing with missing 401(k) participants
Locating missing plan participants can be a headache for any employer, but simply ignoring them is not an effective solution. Regulatory agencies in previous years have published guidance on this topic relating to missing...
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