Protecting & Preserving Wealth

Today, we are taking a midyear look at the financial markets for 2024, focusing on key metrics and trends influencing our investments and financial decisions.

As of our recording date of July 2nd, the S&P 500 has impressively risen over 15%, currently standing at 5,495. Bruce explains that the price-to-earnings (PE) ratio is at 20.99, indicating a slightly higher but not alarming level compared to historical averages. Jason adds that a pullback is possible despite the market’s strong performance, though they remain optimistic about the market’s upward trend through the year’s end.

We delve into the resili...

In this episode of Protecting and Preserving Wealth,' we dive into Bruce Hosler's article, "Moving to Tax-Free: Eight Steps You Can Take for Success." We are joined by Bruce Hosler and Alex Koury, who walk us through these crucial steps to achieve a tax-free retirement.

We begin with the importance of sourcing and engaging trusted advisors. A team consisting of a tax planner, financial planner, estate planning attorney, and wealth advisor is essential. These professionals help navigate the complexities of current and future tax laws, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of one's financial situation.

Next...

In this episode of 'Protecting and Preserving Wealth,' we delve into the significant changes to the Roth Stretch IRA, resulting from the SECURE Act, that came into effect on January 1, 2020. This Act drastically altered the landscape, as it now requires inherited IRAs to be fully withdrawn within ten years, eliminating the lifetime benefit that was once the key feature of the Roth Stretch IRA. 

I explain that the Roth Stretch IRA was an ideal tool for wealth transfer, providing a tax-free, lifelong income stream for beneficiaries. With the new 10-year limit, the tax-free advantage diminishes significantly. J...

This episode of "Protecting and Preserving Wealth" discusses the stock market's behavior during the presidential election years and its implications for investors. As the November 5th, 2024, presidential election approaches, many investors are concerned about market performance under different administrations and the potential for a market crash if the "wrong" president is elected.

Around $5 trillion is currently sitting in cash due to concerns over inflation and global uncertainties, not just the election. However, historically, the stock market has shown resilience and performed well during election years, with an average return of 11.6% since 1926. This data should instill confidence in...

In this episode of "Protecting and Preserving Wealth,"  Jason Hosler and I discuss the firm's commitment to protecting their clients' financial futures. I begin by underlining the company's longstanding dedication to protecting and maintaining money during global volatility, something many overlook.

Delving into my new book, "Moving to Tax-Free," I underscore the practicality of tax protection in wealth preservation. Taxes, a significant lifelong expense for many, can be effectively managed to safeguard financial resources. Jason introduces the 'Magnificent 7'—a group of high-performing tech stock investment strategies—highlighting its potential to prevent missing out on market gains, a pra...

Bruce Hosler welcomes a special guest for today’s episode. We discuss the critical state of the U.S. national debt and its implications for future tax rates with David McKnight, author of “The Power of Zero.” McKnight highlights the dramatic increase in national debt from $5 trillion in 1999 to an expected $54 trillion by 2033. This surge is attributed to unfunded wars, healthcare programs, and economic bailouts. The conversation underscores the lack of governmental action to address the unfunded obligations for Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid, which pose a significant threat to the country’s fiscal stability.

McKnight points out the...

In this episode of "Protecting and Preserving Wealth," we dive into the significance of moving financial assets to tax-free vehicles, a topic Bruce Hosler has extensively explored in his new book, "Moving to Tax-Free." Bruce, alongside Jason Hosler and host Jon Jag Gay, discusses the critical nature of planning for a tax-free retirement, emphasizing the importance of strategic financial planning to mitigate future tax burdens.

Bruce opens the conversation by highlighting the central question of whether tax rates in the United States will increase, decrease, or remain the same over the next decade. This question is pivotal...

We're unpacking a novel concept today: refinancing your retirement.  Amidst soaring interest rates similar to those of the early 2000s, we explore why now might be the golden hour to lock in these rates for your retirement plans.

First, I break it down, highlighting how current high rates offer a rare chance to secure high-income payouts from annuities and their living benefits.  We haven't seen an environment like this in about 15 years.  This environment presents a unique opportunity to reassess where your money is parked and possibly guarantee income like never before.

Alex adds to the...

Today we are covering retirement planning for business owners during and after the sale of their business.  Bruce Hosler and Alex Koury are both Certified Exit Planning Advisors (CEPA®), and our conversation revolves around ensuring business owners have enough funds to retire comfortably after selling their business. This is a significant concern since many owners have their wealth tied up in their businesses.

Bruce shares a success story about clients who, after 40 years in business, sold their land for a substantial sum, adding a comfortable cushion to their already solid retirement plan. This story highlights the importance of...

Today,  Bruce and Jason Hosler of Hosler Wealth Management dive into the complexities of exit planning and tax issues related to selling a business. We kick off discussing the importance of understanding a business's structure when preparing for a sale. The structure, whether it's a sole proprietorship, partnership, LLC, S-corporation, or C-corporation, significantly impacts tax implications. We note that some business owners even change their structure before a sale for better tax treatment.

There are differences between selling business assets and selling stock. Selling assets involves transferring individual business components, while selling stock means transferring ownership of t...