Volatility remains in vogue to begin the month of April. The war in Iran continues to change shape with the U.S. blockade of the Strait of Hormuz just underway after peace talks fell through. And by the time you read this, it may already be old news. Traders are watching every headline, trying to determine…
It’s that time of year! The clocks move forward, wardrobes shift, garages get cleaned, and we prepare for longer nights on the patio. As you wrap up your tax return and organize important documents, why not take the opportunity to spring clean your finances? In this article, we review four key areas to focus on…
Welcome to our March 2026 Viewpoints, a monthly bulletin from PDS Planning to our valued clients and friends. Our goal with each issue of Viewpoints is to provide you with a wide variety of perspectives on life and wealth. Feel free to share with others. The World and Oil At this stage of the US war…
Many companies—both public and private—use equity compensation such as restricted stock and stock options to attract, reward, and retain employees. These awards can become a significant part of your net worth, which makes it essential to understand how they work, how they are taxed, and how they fit into your overall financial plan. Your equity…
Summary: Tax planning goes beyond annual tax preparation by proactively structuring income, investments, and giving to reduce lifetime taxes. The article explains five core principles and shows how retirees, business owners, and high-income professionals can look beyond tax preparation and leverage tax planning strategies to keep more wealth compounding toward their goals. A smart tax strategy is one…
As war in the Middle East escalates, investors are confronted with the reality of a world that is becoming more dangerous. With markets reacting minute by minute to the news, it’s helpful to take a step back and consider events in a broader context, suggests Capital Group political economist, Talha Khan. “The death of Iran’s…
Welcome to our February 2026 Viewpoints, a monthly bulletin from PDS Planning to our valued clients and friends. Our goal with each issue of Viewpoints is to provide you with a wide variety of perspectives on life and wealth. Feel free to share with others. Your Favorite Asset Class Quilt Rebalancing and diversification are once again…
New tax rules require certain employees age 50 and older who earned more than $150,000 in W-2 wages in the prior year to make retirement plan catch-up contributions on a Roth basis. This change eliminates the upfront tax deduction and may increase taxable income, affect Medicare Part B and D premiums, and limit other income-based…
Estate & Legacy, Investment Planning
Roth IRA for Kids: How Custodial Roth IRAs Work and When They Make Sense Summary: A Roth IRA for a child can be a useful planning tool when earned income exists, but it’s not a default strategy and should not replace education-focused accounts like 529 plans. Custodial Roth IRAs follow standard IRS rules, including earned income requirements and…
February delivered one of the more dramatic market reactions in recent memory, driven not by an economic data release, but by a personnel decision. News that President Trump intends to nominate Kevin Warsh to replace Jerome Powell as Chair of the Federal Reserve sent shockwaves through the gold and silver trading markets. If there’s such…
The Hidden Costs That Quietly Erode Wealth “Don’t tip the IRS” It’s a familiar mantra among tax-conscious investors. Yet while most business owners and executives focus on minimizing their tax obligations, far fewer recognize a different set of “taxes” quietly eroding their wealth. These hidden costs don’t appear on a tax return. They’re embedded in…
Welcome to our January 2026 Viewpoints, a monthly bulletin from PDS Planning to our valued clients and friends. Our goal with each issue of Viewpoints is to provide you with a wide variety of perspectives on life and wealth. Feel free to share with others. Varying Lengths of Bull Markets The chart below shows the length…
Beyond Your Finances, PDS News
Forty years. It was humbling to celebrate such a milestone anniversary for PDS in 2025. It is a testament to Bob Hamilton, his brother Jim, and Bob Cochran. They worked for years in service to their clients, with incredible humility, and created a reputation which our current team has been able to use to help…
2025: A Masterclass in Tuning Out the Noise If you felt like 2025 was an exhausting year to be an investor, you weren’t alone. Between tariff announcements, government shutdowns, and the 24/7 news cycle constantly reminding us the sky might be falling, it would have been easy to throw in the towel and move everything…
Welcome to our December 2025 Viewpoints, a monthly bulletin from PDS Planning to our valued clients and friends. Our goal with each issue of Viewpoints is to provide you with a wide variety of perspectives on life and wealth. Feel free to share with others. Impact of Tariffs Data and analysis from the Tax Foundation shows…
