6 Signs It’s Time to Ditch DIY Retirement Planning

Retirement planning is a journey that generally takes decades to complete and most of us start out along the do-it-yourself path. More than likely, your first step was to enroll in an employer-provided plan such as a 401(k) or setting up an individual retirement account, also known as an IRA.

Market Commentary: The Case Against a Stock Market Bubble

“Please, God, just one more bubble.” — Popular Silicon Valley bumper sticker after the tech bubble burst   With stocks near all-time highs, many believe they must be in a bubble. Take note, many of these bubble callers are the same bears that fought this bull market all the way up. Now they …

Facts Vs Feelings Take 5 – Reasons for More Green in 2024

2024 has already seen a lot of gains with the markets and economy. Are we likely to see more green this year? Hear what Carson Group’s Chief Market Strategist Ryan Detrick and VP, Global Macro Strategist Sonu Varghese have to say. Highlights include:   Earnings expectations are up   Industr …

Your Money

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Tax Planning for the Start of a New Year

Tax season is upon us, but you can start 2024 off on the right foot with tax planning tips and strategies presented by Mike Valenti, Director, Tax Planning and Tom Fridrich, Carson Group Manager & Sr. Wealth Planner in our Tax Planning for the Start of a New Year webinar, now available …

Tax Law Changes that Could Affect Your Return This Tax Season

By Mike Valenti, CPA, CFP®, Director of Tax Planning It’s that time of year again! W-2s, 1099s and mortgage statements have been to hit your mailbox: a daily reminder that it is, once again, Tax Season.

8 Tax Tools for the Toolbox

As you reflect on the past year in preparation to meet with your accountant, consider these loopholes that may help you dodge the taxman. Get our step-by-step guide.   Download Guide

2024 Calendar: Key Tasks & Financial Dates

2024 Calendar: Key Tasks & Financial Dates

Tackle 2024 with this month-by-month financial task list. We’ve also included important dates so you won’t miss key deadlines.

Your Retirement

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6 Signs It’s Time to Ditch DIY Retirement Planning

Retirement planning is a journey that generally takes decades to complete and most of us start out along the do-it-yourself path. More than likely, your first step was to enroll in an employer-provided plan such as a 401(k) or setting up an individual retirement account, also known as an IRA.

4 Moves You Can Make with Your Old 401(k)

By Matt Kory, Vice President, Retirement Programs   Changing careers is an emotional move – there’s excitement for the new opportunity, sadness about leaving your favorite coworkers behind, depression if you weren’t ready to leave, worry about how to financially bridge the unemployment …

Your Retirement Planning Starter Pack

Although there are some basic guidelines, your financial life is as unique as your fingerprint. Your lifestyle, goals, family situation, risk tolerance and even your wildest dreams will give a unique signature to your portfolio. Let’s look at a few of the starting points today for a healthy …

7 Important Retirement Savings Topics for 2023

7 Important Retirement Savings Topics for 2023

See the topics that are important to keep in mind as you navigate the various individual and employer-sponsored plans that may be available to you.

Your Estate

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How Estate and Gift Taxes Can Impact Your Financial Plan

Tom Fridrich, JD, CLU, ChFC®, Manager and Senior Wealth Planner Giving something you own to someone else. It’s a simple, human act – one that seems like it shouldn’t take too much planning to do it correctly. But when does gifting become a tax issue? What do you need to consider about gifti …

Your New Year’s Financial Planning Resolutions

Watch our on-demand webinar, “Your New Year’s Financial Planning Resolutions” with Carson Group’s Retirement Plan Advisor Chris Tooker and Senior Wealth Planner Mark Petersen.  

Why You Need a Plan: Strategies for Medicare and Long-Term Care Planning

Watch our on-demand webinar, “Why You Need a Plan: Strategies for Medicare and Long-Term Care Planning” featuring Carson Group’s Vice President, Insurance Matt Lewis and Manager & Senior Wealth Planner Tom Fridrich. 

A Guide to Gifting to Your Heirs

A Guide to Gifting to Your Heirs

Gifting to your loved ones now or posthumously each carries their own positives and negatives as they relate to your estate plan, taxes, your goals and your legacy.

Your Terms

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Retirement and Vacation: Both Need Careful Planning

By Nick Gertsema, CFP®, ChFC®, RICP®. AIF®, CEO & Wealth Advisor  There’s so much that goes into taking a vacation, especially when traveling with kids. Choose the destination. Shop around to find the best hotel, AirBnB, or cruise line. Examine the calendar to choose dates that don’t in …

7 Economic Myths Busted

By Ryan Detrick, Chief Market Strategist We’ve been hearing many of the same myths over and over, yet we don’t think they are the big worry that the media and many make them out to be. These are legitimate concerns and have many investors worried, but we think the chances of them becoming l …

Financial Planning: It’s About Time

Nicholas Gertsema, Chief Executive Officer/Wealth Advisor Picture this: it was my son’s 15th birthday, and I wanted to do something special, something that would truly resonate with him. And what better way to do that than with music? My son had caught a bit of my country music bug, a …

When Shifting Goals Mean Shifting Plans

When Shifting Goals Mean Shifting Plans

Your financial plan shouldn't look the same at 55 as it did when you were 35, right? So how do you know when it's time to adjust your plan?

Market & Investments

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Market Commentary: The Case Against a Stock Market Bubble

“Please, God, just one more bubble.” — Popular Silicon Valley bumper sticker after the tech bubble burst   With stocks near all-time highs, many believe they must be in a bubble. Take note, many of these bubble callers are the same bears that fought this bull market all the way up. Now they …

Facts Vs Feelings Take 5 – Reasons for More Green in 2024

2024 has already seen a lot of gains with the markets and economy. Are we likely to see more green this year? Hear what Carson Group’s Chief Market Strategist Ryan Detrick and VP, Global Macro Strategist Sonu Varghese have to say. Highlights include:   Earnings expectations are up   Industr …

Market Commentary: Stocks Still in a Sweet Spot Despite Modest Declines

Stocks Still in a Sweet Spot The S&P 500 was down for the second consecutive week last week, but even combined declines were modest at just -0.3%. A pause is normal and even healthy for a bull market. In addition, several signs continue to indicate an overall healthy market. Year-to-dat …

2023 Market Outlook Report

2023 Market Outlook Report

Will the bull market continue in 2024? What about a recession? What will the Fed do? We take a deep dive into our outlook for 2024 in Carson Investment Research’s Outlook ‘24: Seeing Eye to Eye.

Your Business

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The Corporate Transparency Act: What You Need to Know

By Mike Valenti, CPA, CFP®, Director,Tax Planning LLCs can provide legal protections and a level of anonymity, either or both of which can be beneficial for business owners, investors, and others with valid intentions. But those features also attract criminal activity, and layers of shell c …

Life Insurance for Business and Estate Planning

By Matt Lewis, CLTC, Vice President, Insurance Life insurance is designed to provide for your loved ones after your death, giving you peace of mind that their financial needs will be met without your income. But life insurance can benefit your financial planning in many other ways.

Exit Strategies for Business Owners

Watch our webinar, “Exit Strategies for Business Owners” with Carson Group’s Director, Wealth Planning Kimberly Flynn and Mark Petersen, Vice President of Affluent Wealth Planning, now available on-demand. 

Business Succession Planning Checklist

Business Succession Planning Checklist

You remember your first day of business. But what about your last day? Succession planning is more complex than it may seem. Our guide walks you through the details.

In the News

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3 Roth Conversion Traps To Avoid After The SECURE Act

Roth conversions can be a powerful tax and retirement planning technique. The idea behind most Roth conversions is to take money from an IRA and convert it to a Roth IRA. Essentially, you’re paying taxes today instead of paying taxes in the future.

10 Common Estate Planning Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)

Estate planning and end of life planning are about taking control of your situation. Death and long-term care later in life might be hard to fathom right now, but we can’t put off planning out of fear of the unknown or because it’s unpleasant. Don’t wait for life to happen to you, though.

4 Ways To Improve Your Estate Plan

Most people want to plan for a good life and a good retirement, so why not plan for a good end of life, too? Let’s look at four ways you can refine your estate plan, protect your assets and create a level of control and certainty for your loved ones.