Every year marks a fresh start—a valuable opportunity to pause, reflect on past experiences, and set your sights on the future. As the times are always “a changing,” your approach to retirement planning should continue to evolve as well. Planning ahead and coordinating a tax-efficient account withdrawal strategy in retirement is important. The new catch-up rule under the Secure 2.0 Act could help with this now.
As the global economy implements artificial intelligence (AI) in the workplace, concerns arise regarding the potential for widespread job losses as a result. However, if true, will these human job losses be transitory or permanent? Or will the AI revolution give way to long-term human job growth given anticipated efficiency gains?
For many clients, especially those in their 50s that have college-aged children, the focus of their savings plan becomes a little less complicated once college costs are paid. For those that had been socking away funds each month for tuition, they may wonder how to redeploy those future savings dollars. You could ramp up retirements savings. However, you may already be maxing out 401(k) contributions at work, including the “catch-up” amount. As I’ve written about previously, one strategy to consider is combining different types of savings vehicles to meet those needs.
For many, achieving millionaire status has been a widely accepted goal that once achieved, you can breathe a little more comfortably. Unfortunately, the reality is that having $1 million saved does not guarantee a feeling of security. My theories for this are trifold based on discussions with clients, family, and friends. First, as humans, we are programmed to detect a threat. That natural state is tested daily (think driving on the beltway) and exploited daily (think pharmaceutical commercials for instance – do I have dry skin or psoriasis???).
If you read the headlines, listen to the news, or are an avid reader of investment research (like us), it would certainly seem so. Media and various publications have opined on market bubbles, Jerome Powell, the need to support the labor market, inflation, America’s fiscal deficit, the price of gold, softening consumer spending, and the stock market valuation. At the same time, the stock market refuses to listen and has been setting new record highs, up approximately 14% year to date as of November 14, 2025.
The debate over artificial intelligence (AI) is just getting started, but there is considerable buzz about its potential impact on the financial services industry. In this article, Matt Cohen and Kristan Anderson debate questions related to AI and find some common ground on a few of the more pertinent issues that will impact clients and how we work with them.
1. Will using AI in financial planning have an impact on client privacy?
In our third quarter management letter to clients, we discuss stock market gains so far this year, despite significant headline risk including tariffs, concerns over employment levels, inflation, and a government shutdown. It is counter-intuitive that investors continue to see their portfolios grow in the face of these headwinds. Some commentators describe the current market as having a sugar high resulting from large, ongoing investments in artificial intelligence (AI). Indeed, 75% of the S&P 500 Index gains since ChatGPT launched in November 2022 are from AI-related stocks.
Providing education for retirement plan participants is not the easiest task. For one, most people don’t want to be lectured about the inner workings of their 401(k) plan. When we present to participant groups, we often look out onto folks that seem distracted, worried, weary, or just overwhelmed. And while what we are saying is important, it feels like we are speaking a foreign language for most people. This is why we like to meet with participants individually, to ask them individual questions and address their specific retirement-related goals.
During the first eighteen years of my life, I lived in Rockville, Maryland, with my family. After living in Delaware for some time, I returned to the area with my fiancée. Regardless of where I live, I have always maintained close emotional ties with my parents. My dad has engaged in life planning all his life, not only for himself but also constantly planning for his family.
When things are going really well, be sure to notice it. The S&P 500 has set 18 new closing highs this year.1 While the stock market historically delivers positive returns over the long term, no one can guarantee that the stock market will continue to rise. Short-term fluctuations are common, both up and down. We experienced the most recent downside shock in April, but now and then, the market can deliver a doozy of a downturn, as we experienced from 2000 to 2002.2
ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) investing experienced a surge in popularity, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, with inflows peaking in 2021. This growth was driven by increasing awareness of climate change and evolving corporate priorities, according to Investopedia.1 The early stages of the pandemic saw ESG funds demonstrate a relative resilience compared to their conventional counterparts amidst market volatility.
Most parents and grandparents can relate to the challenges of teaching the next generation about money, whether it’s explaining the difference between wants and needs, encouraging them to save, or helping them understand the value of a dollar.
Learning about money doesn’t have to be complicated or fraught with conflict. Some of the best financial lessons come from everyday experiences, playful challenges, and hands-on activities. By weaving money lessons into daily life, you can help your children build healthy financial habits and grow into responsible adults.