High-net-worth families have more flexibility than ever to approach wealth transfer strategically. With higher estate, gift, and GST exemptions now in place, the focus is no longer just on reducing taxes. It is on building a transfer plan that supports family goals, preserves control where needed, and creates a lasting legacy. The challenge is no…
Beyond Your Finances, Our People, Retirement
At PDS Planning, we believe some of the best financial lessons come from real life experiences. Alyssa Troyer, Director of Operations and Paraplanner at PDS, recently reflected on completing her 14th half marathon while balancing life as a working mom of two young children. Her experience serves as a thoughtful reminder that both running and…
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…
Big Changes Are Coming to Retirement Contributions in 2026 The IRS has released updated retirement plan contribution limits for 2026, and several SECURE Act 2.0 changes take effect on January 1, 2026. For high-income earners and retirees who delegate financial complexity to advisors, these updates will influence tax strategy, plan contributions, and how much you…
Estate & Legacy, Retirement, Taxes
The end of year is nearing, and these final weeks of the year present a critical window for implementing strategies that can significantly reduce your tax liability and advance your long-term financial goals. With this timeline in mind, here are some things to consider before year-end to help ensure your financial plans remain on track. 1. Optimize…
Investment Planning, Retirement
One of the most common concerns we hear from clients nearing retirement is, “Will I have enough?” Retirement isn’t just about building a nest egg; it’s about knowing your wealth can provide the life you want without the stress of daily market swings. At PDS Planning, we’ve developed a proven strategy over many years that…
At PDS Planning, we believe true wealth isn’t just about how much money you have, but how fully you’re living. Wealth should fuel purpose, joy, and peace of mind. Yet, many families struggle to feel the freedom their financial security should bring. They’re financially sound on paper but can feel emotionally stuck. They hesitate to…
In January, we first posted (here) about The Social Security Fairness Act concerning the elimination of the Windfall Elimination Provision and Government Pension Offset. Many clients were previously impacted by these provisions which reduced, or in many cases, eliminated Social Security benefits they would have been eligible for if they (or their spouse) did not…
This original article was published in the January 6, 2025, print edition of The Wall Street Journal by Anne Tergesen. A recent Wall Street Journal article highlights a surprising trend among wealthy retirees: even those with significant savings fear running out of money. This anxiety leads many to live well below their means, even when…
Estate & Legacy, PDS Experience, Retirement, Taxes
In today’s unpredictable financial landscape, an experienced financial advisor helps to guide clients through life’s complexities, as well as market fluctuations. This goes well beyond basic investment management but rather is a comprehensive approach to financial well-being and peace of mind. If the role of a financial advisor is to guide investors through these unpredictable…
Social Security Fairness Act: Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO) update By Kevin Doll, CFP® Many clients have been impacted by two Social Security provisions previously reducing, or even eliminating, Social Security benefits they might have been eligible for if they did not have a government pension. The Social Security Fairness Act,…
Planning for an Inheritance Receiving a substantial inheritance can be a transformative event, even for high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) and families. Properly managing this infusion of wealth is crucial to ensuring long-term financial success in preserving and growing that wealth for future generations, as well as preserving the benefactor’s legacy. This requires a comprehensive approach, careful…
Posted: 9/13/2024 Health Care Costs in Retirement: What High-Net-Worth Individuals Should Know You are successful and want to preserve what you have built as you embark on your retirement. While you may have a robust investment portfolio and a clear vision for what the next phase of life looks like, it’s difficult to plan for…
Beyond Your Finances, Retirement
Posted: 05/17/2024 What does it mean to live a rich life? You will likely get a different answer from every person you ask. After all, being “rich” means different things to different people. At PDS Planning, we believe true wealth isn’t just about amassing money. It’s about personal growth, nurturing relationships, staying healthy, and making…
By: Kyle Euton Posted: 3/25/2024 Whether or not you have ever been fortunate enough to be a stock award holder for your company, you’ve likely seen headlines about executives who have. Those from Fortune 500 companies who have sold an enormous quantity of shares or received a large compensation package that included stock options. So, what…
