Blog

2023 Economic Outlook and Forecast Blog

Daniel T. Goodman, CFP®, CLU®

Tuesday, January 17, 2023

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...

The Pros and Cons of Implementing a 401(k) Loan Feature in Your Plan

Jacob Rodriguez

Tuesday, December 13, 2022

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.

Retirement Plan Share Classes: Understanding the Basics

Jacob Rodriguez

Tuesday, November 15, 2022

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.

2023 Contribution Limits

Janet Z. Wan, CFP®, CPFA

Wednesday, November 9, 2022

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...

Cost of Waiting

Daniel T. Goodman, CFP®, CLU®

Friday, November 4, 2022

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...

Attn: Owners + Executives. Want to save more than $200,000 annually for retirement?

Jacob Rodriguez

Tuesday, October 18, 2022

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

Equity Compensation: Strategies for Taxes and Income

Daniel T. Goodman, CFP®, CLU®

Friday, October 14, 2022

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.

SPFA Blog – Equity Compensation: How Does It Work?

Daniel T. Goodman, CFP®, CLU®

Tuesday, September 27, 2022

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. ...

Timing the Market v. Dollar Cost Averaging Video Blog

Daniel T. Goodman, CFP®, CLU®

Tuesday, September 13, 2022

We discuss how they work, their advantages and disadvantages, and how an investor might use them in a hybrid strategy.

Effective Governance May Lead to Better Retirement Plans

Aaron Sanchez, CRPS®

Tuesday, September 6, 2022

Participant-driven lawsuits are on the rise, and employers are facing heightened scrutiny of the way they manage their retirement plans.

Rules and Responsibilities: The Life of a Plan Sponsor After the Death of the Fiduciary Rule

Aaron Sanchez, CRPS®

Tuesday, August 23, 2022

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. 

401(k) Lawsuit Trends and 5 Lessons Every Plan Sponsor Should Know

Aaron Sanchez, CRPS®

Tuesday, August 9, 2022

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.

What Is a Recession?

Daniel T. Goodman, CFP®, CLU®

Tuesday, August 2, 2022

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

July Video Blog- Interest Rates, Inflation, and Recession

Daniel T. Goodman, CFP®, CLU®

Thursday, July 28, 2022

Daniel's take on inflation, interest rates and the current state of the economy.

How SECURE 2.0 Might Change Retirement

Aaron Sanchez

Thursday, July 7, 2022

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...

Silver Lining in Down Markets

Daniel T. Goodman, CFP®, CLU®

Tuesday, July 5, 2022

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

3 Shrewd Maneuvers in a Down Market

Jacob Rodriguez

Friday, July 1, 2022

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...

Webinar on Alternative Investments Replay 06/22/2022

Aaron Sanchez

Thursday, June 23, 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.

Alternative Investments Risk Profile Comparisons

Daniel T. Goodman, CFP®, CLU®

Wednesday, June 22, 2022

Alternative investments are currently exceedingly popular as they can function as a buffer against both inflation and a slowing economic environment.

Alternative Investments

Janet Z. Wan, CFP®, CPFA

Wednesday, May 25, 2022

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.

Bull & Bear Market Timeline

Daniel T. Goodman, CFP®, CLU®

Friday, April 15, 2022

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

Inflation is Sky High and Still Rising

Parker J. O'SullivanCRPS®

Thursday, December 16, 2021

Wholesale inflation is likely rising at the fastest pace in 40 years.

2022 Contribution Limits

Parker J. O'SullivanCRPS®

Thursday, November 11, 2021

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)...

Tax Changes: What's In, What's Out?

Yun Cho Messina, FRM

Tuesday, November 2, 2021

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...

Are Capital Gains Taxes Changing?

Daniel T. Goodman, CFP®, CLU®

Tuesday, October 19, 2021

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...

Oil Prices Hit Six-Year High

Parker J. O'SullivanCRPS®

Monday, July 19, 2021

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...

Inflation Outlook for 2021

Parker J. O'Sullivan, CRPS®

Thursday, June 17, 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%...

Rebalancing Your Portfolio

Janet Z. Wan, CFP®, CPFA

Wednesday, May 19, 2021

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...

The IRS Extends Additional Tax Deadlines for IRAs, HSAs, and More

Daniel T. Goodman, CFP®, CLU®, MBA

Wednesday, April 14, 2021

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,...

Retirement Plan Share Classes: Understanding the Basics

Parker J. O'Sullivan, CRPS®

Wednesday, March 3, 2021

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...

How to Make the Tax Code Work for You

Janet Z. Wan, CFP®, CPFA

Friday, February 12, 2021

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...

Best-Performing Asset Classes

Parker J. O'Sullivan

Wednesday, December 16, 2020

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,...

Election 2020: Biden’s Policy Initiatives

Daniel T. Goodman, CFP®, CLU®, MBA

Tuesday, November 24, 2020

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...

Asset Allocation: Factors to Consider

Janet Z. Wan, CFP®, CPFA

Thursday, September 17, 2020

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...

The SECURE Act and Retirement

Parker J. O'Sullivan

Wednesday, August 26, 2020

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...

Coping with Coronavirus

When Will I Receive My Stimulus Check?

Quarantine Google Calendar

Homemade Mask

No Flour No Problem

Gratitude

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...

Healthy Sleep Habits in the Time of COVID-19

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/

The Secure Act

SECURE Act Changes

DC Re-balance

Savings by way of Income

Employer Plan Administration

Plan Sponsor Guidance

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...

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...

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....

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...

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...

458 Tuning Your Social Security Benefit

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...