Wealth Insights

The 529 plan is no longer just a college savings account — it's an estate planning tool. Here's how the 2026 rules work, plus the 5-year superfunding election most families never use.

The HNW playbook for vetting a wealth advisor: 20+ targeted questions on fiduciary status, fees, tax planning, alternatives, custody, and the red flags that should end the conversation.

A high-net-worth guide to FIRE — the math, the variants, the tax architecture, and what actually happens after you pull the trigger.

Qualified §423 ESPPs offer one of the most reliable returns in personal finance — 15-to-30% on every contributed dollar — if you understand the lookback math, the cost-basis trap, and when to sell. Here is the HNW playbook.

ISOs vs NSOs side-by-side: tax treatment, AMT traps, qualifying dispositions, the $100K limit, and the HNW exercise playbook with QSBS coordination.

The high-net-worth playbook for 401(k) rollovers: NUA on company stock, the Rule of 55, backdoor Roth traps, and the indirect-rollover 20% withholding mistake to avoid.

A SEP IRA lets high-earning freelancers and consultants shelter up to $72,000 of self-employment income in 2026. Here's how the math actually works — including the pro-rata rule that can destroy your backdoor Roth.

Wealth planning is the strategy layer. Wealth management is the execution layer. Most HNW families need both — and end up paying for only one. Here's how to tell what you actually need, what each costs, and who provides what.

What the SECURE Act 10-year rule actually requires, who qualifies as an Eligible Designated Beneficiary, and how to plan distributions on a large inherited IRA.

The plan advisor on your 401(k) works for your employer, not you. Here's the HNW playbook for Mega Backdoor Roth, NUA, Rule of 55, and when to hire a personal advisor.

A high-net-worth guide to durable, springing, and limited powers of attorney — what authorities your document needs and why the standard statutory form usually isn't enough.

Restricted stock units are taxed at vest at full fair market value — and most executives get blindsided by the 22% withholding gap and the $0 cost basis trap. Here's the HNW playbook for handling equity comp the right way.

A 30-day post-layoff playbook for high-earning executives, tech, and finance professionals: severance negotiation, the ISO 90-day trap, COBRA, 401(k) decisions, and year-of-layoff tax planning.

A wealth manager's guide to prenups for HNW couples: what they can and can't do, the active vs passive appreciation problem, and integrating the prenup with your estate plan.

Why 50/50 rarely works for HNW couples — and the four expense-split models that do. Proportional math, account architecture, second-marriage rules, and the annual summit that prevents money fights.

The HNW playbook for the first 90 days after a sudden windfall — inheritance, business sale, IPO, settlement, or lottery. Tax buckets, asset protection, team build-out, and the lifestyle test.

An HNW wealth manager's playbook for divorce: pre-filing moves, QDROs, the post-TCJA alimony rule, after-tax asset division, estate plan updates, and the team you actually need.

The traditional vs Roth 401(k) decision in one sentence — plus the 2026 contribution limits, SECURE 2.0 catch-up changes, and when each side actually wins.

Headline averages lie. Here's the real median vs. mean retirement savings by age in 2026, Fidelity's 1x/3x/6x/8x/10x salary targets, and the 2026 catch-up limits that can still close the gap.

Gift tax in 2026 is far more generous than most people think. The $19,000 annual exclusion, $15M lifetime exemption, unlimited direct-pay tuition/medical, and 529 superfunding — explained for high-net-worth families.

With TCJA brackets now permanent and SECURE 2.0 forcing Roth-only catch-ups for high earners, 2026 is a pivotal year for conversion planning. Here's the playbook.

A will alone won't keep your family out of probate — and 56% of Americans still have no estate plan. Here's what a wealth manager actually recommends for the trust vs. will debate in 2026.

The 2026 estate tax cliff was supposed to slash the federal exemption in half. Then the OBBBA made the $15M exemption permanent. Here's what actually happened and what it means for your estate plan.

The April 2026 tariff shock handed investors the best tax-loss harvesting window since 2022. Here's how to convert paper losses into real tax alpha without tripping the wash-sale rule.