Retirement can mean many different things to different people. For some, it opens up a new world of travel, experiences, and creative pursuits. For others, it may herald quiet days at home with a good book, a steaming mug of tea or coffee, and no other plans for weeks.
Category: Retirement Assets
Retirement Planning for Madison, WI Business Owners
Many employees save for retirement by participating in their employer’s 401(k) plan and maybe even opening an individual retirement account (IRA) or Roth IRA for additional savings.
As a business owner, planning for retirement requires more effort, foresight, and strategy. In addition to navigating the wide range of retirement...
The State of the 401(k) in 2025
The 401(k) has become one of the most essential tools for building and transferring wealth in America.
As a product of late 20th-century tax policy that shifted the responsibility for retirement savings from employers to individuals, today roughly 6 out of 10 Americans say that they have a 401(k)...
Your Divorce Decree: The First Step in Estate Planning in Madison, Wisconsin
You and your spouse have recently divorced, and the judge has signed the divorce decree. Now what? Although you may feel that you have spent enough time and money on lawyers, there is one last attorney you need to talk to: an estate planning attorney. If you and your former spouse created...
Have You Checked Your Beneficiary Designations Lately?
You regularly check the balances of your retirement, bank, and investment accounts. But when was the last time you checked the beneficiary designations on these accounts (and really, all the other accounts that allow you to name a beneficiary)?
It may have been years since you first opened an...
Will My Revocable Living Trust Avoid Probate? In Madison, Wisconsin … it Depends.
If you have established a revocable living trust (which we will refer to simply as a trust), congratulations! You are on the right track in creating a comprehensive estate plan. However, you are only halfway there. Many people believe that because they took the time to create a trust, their estate will...
What Does SECURE 2.0 Have to Do with 529 Plans
By now, you have likely heard about the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement Act of 2019 (SECURE Act) and the SECURE 2.0 Act of 2022 (part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023). These pieces of legislation were created to encourage Americans to save for retirement and provide additional rules about...
To the Millennials: The Time to Plan Is Now
As a millennial, you are contributing to the workforce in a major way and are making positive changes in the world around you. We understand that your concerns may differ from someone of a different generation, and we are here to help you craft an estate plan that protects your future and...
Are Pensions Treated the Same in Your Estate Plan as Other Retirement Accounts?
The first private pension plan in the United States was established in the late 1800s. Through 1980, nearly 40 percent of Americans were covered by a traditional employer-funded pension. But employer-provided retirement plans have now largely shifted to retirement savings vehicles like 401(k) plans and Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) that place most...
To the Millennials: The Time to Plan Is Now
As a millennial, you are contributing to the workforce in a major way and are making positive changes in the world around you. We understand that your concerns may differ from someone of a different generation, and we are here to help you craft an estate plan that protects your future and...