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 …

16 Charts (and Tables) to Know This Election Year

“Americans will always do the right thing – after they’ve tried everything else.” -Winston Churchill With Super Tuesday now in the books, the fact that we have a presidential election coming this November is getting very real. Although we aren’t going to predict who will be our next preside …

Facts Vs Feelings Take 5 – Two Keys to the Economy

We’re still seeing positive signs related to inflation and productivity. Can investors remain optimistic on these two fronts? Hear what Carson Group’s Chief Market Strategist Ryan Detrick and VP, Global Macro Strategist Sonu Varghese have to say. Highlights include:   Inflation has been hol …

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.

Tax Planning for Life Events: Marriage, Parenthood, and Divorce

Marriage, divorce, and parenthood – what do these things have in common? They all come with a variety of tax implications. One of the most common events following marriage is the consolidation of assets with your partner. Meanwhile, divorce precipitates the splitting of assets. And giving b …

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 Business

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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.

Building Your Ideal Business Succession Plan

By Odaro Aisueni, CFP®, Wealth Planning Administrator As a small business owner, you’re likely so immersed in the routine functions of your business that you haven’t yet put much thought into the day you leave it behind. In fact, most small business owners have so much purpose t …

5 Common Business Exit Planning Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)

By Elizabeth Schanou, JD, CExPTM , Senior Wealth Planner  Succession planning – or more accurately “business exit planning” – is a critical process that has weighty implications for small business owners. There are two key goals: You want to ensure a seamless transition that will pres …

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.

Your Retirement

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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 …

Yes, You Can Make a Solid Long-Term Care Plan: Here’s How and Why It’s Important

By Matt Lewis, CLTC®, Vice President, Insurance In today’s world it’s fair to say that most reasonable people believe they are going to live a long life. And when you live a long life, it’s also fair to say that sooner or later, we’re going to need some form of care.

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 Legacy

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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 Freedom

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8 Financial Goals and Milestones to Work Towards Achieving in Your Life

Having milestones and goals to work towards are important for everyone to have. They give us a sense of drive and satisfaction when we finally achieve that goal. Financially, people oftentimes strive for financial independence or security. We’ve listed below eight common financial goals to …

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 …

Flying in Style: Modern Airline Rewards

We recently passed the 40th anniversary of frequent flyer programs as we know them. These programs started really simply, but forever changed the way we travel. Essentially, the more you flew, the more points you earned, the more free flights you received.

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: 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 …

16 Charts (and Tables) to Know This Election Year

“Americans will always do the right thing – after they’ve tried everything else.” -Winston Churchill With Super Tuesday now in the books, the fact that we have a presidential election coming this November is getting very real. Although we aren’t going to predict who will be our next preside …

Facts Vs Feelings Take 5 – Two Keys to the Economy

We’re still seeing positive signs related to inflation and productivity. Can investors remain optimistic on these two fronts? Hear what Carson Group’s Chief Market Strategist Ryan Detrick and VP, Global Macro Strategist Sonu Varghese have to say. Highlights include:   Inflation has been hol …

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.

Valorem Insights

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3 Major Financial Challenges of High Net Worth Individuals

3 Benefits to Powering Up Your 401 (k)

Keeping Your Financial Accounts Cyber Secure

Cybercrime is on the rise everywhere. In fact, global losses due to cybercrime climbed from $600 billion in 2018 to $1 trillion in 2020. That’s enough to make anyone concerned about the security of their financial accounts. But you don’t have to feel helpless against the threat of hackers. …

In the News

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COVID’s Financial Toll Isn’t What You Think

By Erin Wood, Senior Vice President, Financial Planning and Advanced Solutions Just a few years ago, Rose retired with a decent-sized 401(k). With some careful budgeting and a part-time job, her retirement finances were on track. Rose was looking forward to traveling, reigniting her passion …

Emerging Financially Healthy After a Gray Divorce

By: Erin Wood, CFP®, CRPC®, FBS®, Senior Vice President, Financial Planning, Carson Group   Laura and Caroline are in their late 50s. Friends since meeting at a playgroup for their toddlers, both were in long-term, seemingly happy marriages.

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.