The active vs. passive¹ funds debate has been with us for some time. Generally, proponents of active management are looking to “beat the market.” For several years during our recent raging bull market, the average passively managed fund has outperformed the average actively managed fund. Morningstar contends that “passive investing is now the mainstream approach,” […]
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Ah, we restless humans. Sometimes, it pays to strive for greener grass. But as an investor, second-guessing a stable strategy can leave you in the weeds. Trading in reaction to excitement or fear tricks you into buying high (chasing popular trends) and selling low (fleeing misfortunes), while potentially incurring unnecessary taxes and transaction costs along
Financial Quick Takes: Is Your Portfolio Underperforming … Compared to What? Read More »
Members of the House of Representatives recently raised concerns regarding the Department of Labor’s EBSA investigations into plan sponsors, citing them as lengthy and burdensome, and called for reform. In a Sept. 19 letter to Acting Labor Secretary Julie Su, Rep. Virginia Foxx, chair of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce and Rep.
Navigating the Complexity of EBSA Investigations Read More »
Sound investment decisions are rarely made under the weight of worry. The field of behavioral finance points to a number of cognitive distortions that feed on investor fear – including 401(k) fears – and can plague participants’ decision-making while compromising their retirement readiness. Here are some that can send shivers down participants’ spines — and
401(k) Fears: What’s a Plan Sponsor to Do? Read More »
If you think about it, “reflection” is an interesting word. Depending on the context, it can mean gazing backward in time, inward to your personal core, or outward at how others perceive you. Regardless of the view, we believe there’s great value in taking time to reflect on both the global and personal experiences looming
Gratitude in Brief for the Holiday Season Read More »
In a bit of a paradox, you’ll find the following two titles on our recommended reading list: The Wisdom of Crowds, James Surowiecki (2005) Memoirs of Extraordinary Popular Delusions and the Madness of Crowds, Charles Mackay (1852) So, which is it? Are crowds wise or delusional? It helps to understand why the answer is yes,
Navigating Market Crowd Wisdom Read More »
In September, the U.S. Federal Reserve announced it would hold interest rates steady for now but signaled at least one more hike may lie ahead before the end of the year. Moreover, rates are likely to stay elevated, as the Fed also indicated it expects fewer cuts than previously forecast for 2024. Plan sponsors can
Fed Rate Decision: Implications for Sponsors Read More »
As financial advisors, we help people attain financial independence. Usually, our personalized planning conversations are enough to help them establish a healthy, happy relationship with their money. But sometimes, we uncover bigger pain points we need to move past before we can move on. There’s no shame in that. Almost all of us have
Financial Freedom: When Financial Therapy Meets Wealth Management Read More »
1. How does the SECURE 2.0 Act affect my current participants? Employer Matching Contributions as designated Roth contributions: An optional provision, which has now been delayed until January 1, 2026. Participants may choose, plan permitting, to treat employer matching and nonelective contributions to qualified 401(a) defined contribution plans, 403(b) plans, and governmental 457(b) plans
Nobody wants to make investment mistakes. And yet, we’re human; mistakes happen. Here’s how to minimize the ones that matter the most, and make the most of the ones that remain. Bad Decisions vs. Bad Outcomes First, let’s define what we’re talking about: Investment mistakes happen when you make bad decisions, regardless of whether the
Navigating Investment Choices: Learning from Mistakes and Maximizing Opportunities Read More »