分组1 - Jeanne won a $15 million jackpot from a $50 scratch-off card, but after taxes, her total winnings will be approximately $4.5 million [4][18] - The federal tax on her winnings will be around $2.73 million, placing her in the highest federal income tax bracket of 37% [2][20] - The state income tax in Ohio will take about $262,000 from her total winnings, as she falls into the top state income tax bracket of 3.5% for 2024 [1][2] 分组2 - Jeanne had the option to choose between a lump sum of $7.5 million or an annuity of $600,000 per year for 25 years, totaling $15 million [4][19] - By opting for the lump sum, Jeanne will have immediate access to cash but will face a significant tax burden, reducing her effective winnings [3][25] - The annuity option would allow her to pay taxes based on the annual payment, potentially leading to a lower overall tax liability over time [20][26] 分组3 - Investing in growth-oriented assets like stocks, real estate, and alternative investments is suggested for managing large cash windfalls [5][6] - Accredited investors can access commercial real estate investments, which tend to perform well in the long term, providing a potential avenue for maximizing lottery gains [7][9] - Fine art and agricultural land are also highlighted as alternative investment options that can offer stability and long-term appreciation [15][16]

Group 1 - Jim Wyckoff has over 25 years of experience in stock, financial, and commodity markets, including roles as a financial journalist and reporter on commodity futures trading floors in Chicago and New York [1] - He has covered every futures market traded in the U.S. during his journalism career [1] - Jim is the owner of the "Jim Wyckoff on the Markets" analytical, educational, and trading advisory service [2] Group 2 - He has worked as a technical analyst for Dow Jones Newswires and as a senior market analyst with TraderPlanet.com [2] - Jim is a consultant for the "Pro Farmer" agricultural advisory service and was the head equities analyst at CapitalistEdge.com [2] - He holds a degree in journalism and economics from Iowa State University [2] Group 3 - Daily updates and technical analysis are provided by Jim on Kitco.com, including both AM and PM roundups [3]

Core Insights - The article discusses the reasons clients choose to part ways with their financial advisors and provides guidance on how to manage this transition effectively [4][5]. Group 1: Reasons for Client Departure - The leading reasons clients leave their financial advisors include: quality of financial advice and services (32%), quality of relationship with an advisor (21%), cost of services (17%), dissatisfaction with returns (11%), preference for managing their own finances (10%), and poor quality communication (9%) [8]. Group 2: Managing the Transition - It is important for clients to view leaving an advisor as a business decision, similar to changing other service providers [5]. - Clients should notify their advisor of the decision to leave in a polite and professional manner, ensuring all account details and documents are prepared [6]. - Clients must review any outstanding fees or charges and ensure the transfer of assets does not trigger tax consequences [7].

Market Sentiment - The Santa Claus rally, historically linked to a rise in stock prices during the last five trading days of December and the first two in January, has seen the S&P 500 gain an average of 1.2% since 1969 [2] - Advisor sentiment regarding the US economy has declined for five consecutive months, with over 40% of advisors expecting a less healthy economy, the highest level of pessimism recorded this year [2][3] - The current advisor economic sentiment reading is 101, indicating a neutral outlook, but it has decreased by 5% in the last month and is down 16% compared to the same time last year [3] Economic Outlook - Advisors with a positive economic outlook peaked at 63% in April but have since dropped to their lowest levels in twelve months [5] - The percentage of advisors expecting a less healthy economy by the end of next year has doubled from 21% in June to 42% [5] - Concerns are primarily attributed to high valuations and market concentration in Big Tech, leading to fears of a significant market correction in the new year [3]

You can find original article here WealthManagement. Subscribe to our free daily WealthManagement newsletters. Abby Salameh, chief growth officer at RFG Advisory, the Birmingham, Ala.-headquartered hybrid RIA platform with $7.3 billion in assets, is leaving the firm at the end of the year. She said it was a personal decision to depart, citing the amount of travel involved, going back and forth between Birmingham and New Jersey, her home base.  “If you’re an independent advisor, to continue to build ...

Because they are paid more when your assets grow (and vice versa) and do not receive commissions for selling investment products, fee-only advisors are considered to have relatively strong alignment of interests with their clients. However, this may also incentivize advisors to manage portfolios either too aggressively or too conservatively, depending on whether they prioritize fee growth or stability.Fee-only advisors , on the other hand, charge a percentage fee based on assets under management (AUM). As a ...

Core Insights - Retirement planning is complex, and relying solely on Social Security benefits can lead to financial difficulties, as it is not sufficient for a comfortable retirement [1][2][9] - A significant portion of American retirees depend on Social Security, with 40% relying solely on these benefits, and one-third of Americans having no retirement savings [2][5] - Inflation and tariffs are impacting the economy, with imported goods becoming 4% more expensive due to tariffs, leading to concerns about elevated inflation [3][4] Group 1: Social Security and Retirement Savings - The average monthly benefit for retired workers is $2,009.50 as of September 2025, highlighting the inadequacy of Social Security as a sole income source [1][6] - Nearly 50% of Americans are making critical mistakes regarding Social Security, which could jeopardize their retirement income [4][5] - The importance of additional savings and investments is emphasized, as Social Security alone is unlikely to meet retirement needs [9][10] Group 2: Economic Conditions and Investment Strategies - The current economic climate, characterized by inflation and tariff impacts, necessitates careful investment strategies to protect retirement funds [3][22] - Gold has seen a significant price increase of over 60% in 2025, reaching approximately $4,200 per ounce, making it a potential hedge against inflation [12][11] - Home equity investments and commercial real estate are presented as viable options for diversifying retirement portfolios, with opportunities for both accredited and non-accredited investors [14][20][21] Group 3: Investment Advice and Market Trends - Fink warns against hoarding cash during economic instability, labeling it part of a "silent crisis" for retirees, as it prevents generating necessary returns for a dignified retirement [22][23] - The article suggests that working with financial advisors can lead to better investment outcomes, with a Vanguard study indicating a 3% portfolio growth advantage for those who seek professional advice [6][8]

Technology Approach - The company adopts an open-architecture approach to technology, allowing advisors to select tools that best fit their practices and needs [2] - The firm provides recommendations and secures preferred pricing for advisors, while also offering business consulting services to identify opportunities [2] CRM Solutions - Salesforce is utilized at the firm level, but many affiliated advisors prefer specialized CRM platforms like Redtail and Wealthbox [3] - Redtail is recognized as a market leader designed specifically for financial advisors, while Wealthbox offers a modern interface and features that appeal to many practices [3] - Integrations with Jump enhance these platforms, helping advisors maintain client engagement and organized workflows [3] Reporting and Portfolio Management - The company leverages custodians and Orion for reporting, while offering a proprietary platform called WealthSuite for portfolio management [4] - WealthSuite, developed with Orion Advisor Solutions, facilitates model delivery, trading, and account servicing [4] Financial Planning Tools - eMoney and MoneyGuide are the most widely used financial planning tools among the advisors, providing flexibility for various client needs [5] - These tools support detailed cash-flow analysis and goals-based planning [5] Document Management - The company utilizes Box for secure document storage and workflow execution, alongside DocuSign for digital signatures [6] - These tools enable scalable and compliant document management for a geographically distributed advisor base [6] Custodial Relationships - The firm maintains integrations with multiple custodians, primarily LPL, Fidelity, Schwab, and Interactive Brokers [7] - This multi-custodial structure offers advisors flexibility and supports a wide range of client asset scenarios [7] - The company positions itself as a problem solver for firms seeking their next steps, minimizing client impact [7]

You can find original article here WealthManagement. Subscribe to our free daily WealthManagement newsletters. Creative Planning has signed an agreement to acquire a United Kingdom-based financial advisory firm with $4.8 billion in assets under management, according to sources with knowledge of the deal. Maseco Private Wealth, based in London, has clients in the U.K. and U.S., and specializes in working with expatriates from both countries. The U.K. firm worked with investment bank Houlihan Lokey on the ...

Core Insights - The study highlights the importance of tax planning and preparation as key growth elements for advisory practices, particularly for early-career advisors facing challenges in organic growth [1] - Asset location strategies are shown to significantly enhance portfolio longevity and legacy value without increasing risk, benefiting clients over time [3][9] - The research indicates that asset location can contribute up to 60 basis points of the approximately 300 basis points in higher net returns attributed to advisors' value [5] Group 1: Asset Location and Its Benefits - Tax-deferred traditional individual retirement accounts (IRAs) held over $12 trillion in assets at the end of 2024, significantly surpassing post-tax Roth IRAs [2] - A saver with $1 million at retirement can see an increase in value of $112,000 in their final bequest through effective asset location strategies over 30 years [3] - Implementing asset location is shown to preserve portfolio longevity, with a near 100% success probability in extending withdrawal periods [9] Group 2: Advisor Value Proposition - Advisors need to demonstrate the value of their services compared to digital tools and DIY options, leveraging research findings to support their case [4] - The effective management of risks throughout a client's financial journey is crucial for value creation, emphasizing the multifaceted role of advisors [7] - Ignoring asset location represents a missed opportunity for managed account service providers, as it should be integrated into every retirement solution [10]