When Saving Becomes Identity: Helping Retirees Embrace the Life They Worked For
I was born and raised in Vietnam, in those barefoot days when I ran freely around the yard, dust clinging to my feet — yet it never felt dirty. It felt like joy. It felt like freedom. It felt like the quiet, familiar peace of home. I remember the afternoons when the wind rustled through […]
What Early Retirees Need to Know About Taxes – And Why it Matters
When it comes to retirement planning, most people focus on how much they save—but where those savings are held can be just as important. Tax diversification, or spreading retirement savings across taxable, tax‑deferred, and Roth accounts, can provide meaningful flexibility and help reduce lifetime taxes. Unlike investment diversification, which focuses on managing market risk, tax […]
Living Together Without Marriage? What Families Should Know to Protect Loved Ones
Over the past few decades, relationships have changed in big ways. In 1970, nearly 7 out of 10 adults were married—today, that number is closer to 5 out of 101. More couples are choosing to live together without marrying, with cohabitation rising from just 1% in 1970 to nearly 9% at its peak in recent […]
Defining Legacy: Lessons From My Grandparents
Written by Amber Billeter, CFP® What does legacy mean to you? It could mean anything from a hospital wing to teaching a loved one something that will be passed on to future generations. Legacy can be purposeful, or it can just be the result of a life well-lived. Evaluating what legacy means to you and […]
Unraveling The Benefits of Secure Act 2.0 For College Savings Plans
Written by Brady Redington Introduction Imagine you’ve been saving for your child’s college education for years, diligently contributing to a 529 plan. You’ve watched the balance grow, comforted by the thought of helping to ease the financial burden of going to college. Now, fast forward to the day when your child is carving out a […]
To Be, Or Not To Be Married
When you think of domestic partnerships and those who are a part of one, you might conjure up thoughts of same-sex couples. Historically, you may have been right to make that connection. Up until 2015, when the Obergefell v. Hodges decision ruled that all 50 states were to recognize same-sex marriages, most same-sex, cohabitating life […]
Controversial WA State Capital Gains Upheld By State Supreme Court
Back in 2021, Washington State passed a 7% capital gains tax intending to generate revenue for the state that can be used to fund education and other essential public services. Effective for transactions occurring on or after January 1, 2022, the tax aims to raise about $500 million annually. On March 24th, after a lengthy […]
Secure Act 2.0
The Secure Act 2.0 and how it helps savers and investors. With the New Year, The Secure Act 2.0 and its 4,100 pages became part of the $1.7 trillion spending bill and is now law. It builds on the Secure Act of 2019 and intends to increase retirement savings and access to 401(k) and individual […]
‘Voluntary Layoff Packages’ And Boeing Pension Maximization
By Andy Rodgers, CFP®, ChFC® The Boeing Company1 has been a mainstay in Seattle for as long as I can remember. Having grown up just down the street from the main facility and with numerous relatives and clients who have called Boeing home for the duration of their working lives, suffice it to say I know […]
Washington State Long-Term Care Trust Act and What You Need To Know
By Shane Larson, CFP® In 2019, the Washington State Legislature passed the WA State Long-term Care Trust Act (LTCTA) which will impose a new tax on Washington employees. Washington State is the first state in the nation to enact this type of law to mitigate the cost of long-term care and limit the burden on […]