Tax Planning Strategies for Executive Compensation

By Mike Valenti, CPA, CFP®, Director, Tax Planning Corporate executives often receive the brunt of the U.S. tax system. Typically, most or all of their income is W-2 income and subject to the higher ordinary tax rates as well as FICA taxes. W-2 employees currently are unable to deduct home …

Market Commentary: Stocks Have Strong Momentum

The Dow Jones Industrial Average celebrated a birthday last week. The Dow began trading on May 26, 1896, and what a ride it has been. The Dow has weathered depressions, recessions, two 100-year pandemics, wars, famines, inflation, deflation, and many more challenges. However, through good t …

Tax Planning for Executive Compensation

Tax planning for executive compensation doesn’t have to be confusing. Watch our webinar: Tax Planning for Executive Compensation with Carson’s Director, Tax Planning Mike Valenti and Wealth Planner Michael Gruidel, now available on-demand. 

Your Money

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Tax Planning Strategies for Executive Compensation

By Mike Valenti, CPA, CFP®, Director, Tax Planning Corporate executives often receive the brunt of the U.S. tax system. Typically, most or all of their income is W-2 income and subject to the higher ordinary tax rates as well as FICA taxes. W-2 employees currently are unable to deduct home …

Tax Planning for Executive Compensation

Tax planning for executive compensation doesn’t have to be confusing. Watch our webinar: Tax Planning for Executive Compensation with Carson’s Director, Tax Planning Mike Valenti and Wealth Planner Michael Gruidel, now available on-demand. 

Stock Options, Explained: Incentive Stock Options vs. Non-Qualified Stock Options

Companies may grant employees stock options as a form of noncash compensation. This allows the employees to purchase shares of the employer’s stock at a given price after a predetermined period of time has passed. The intent of stock option compensation is to align the interests of the empl …

2023 Calendar: Key Tasks & Financial Dates

2023 Calendar: Key Tasks & Financial Dates

Tackle 2023 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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Executive Compensation Plans: Common Elements

Executive compensation plans can be used to attract, retain and reward high value employees. We’ve put together helpful information to know if you’re ever offered one of these plans through your employer. Download the checklist today to get started.

B-Corp Certified: What does it mean?

Abbey Henderson CFP® RLP® CPCC® CAP® AEP® – CEO, Wealth Advisor & Coach – We’re proud to be among the 72 Bay State companies that are certified with the B-Corp designation. Read more about what this important certification means, and how it reflects our values as a company a …

Culture From the Top Down: Executive Compensation Plans Explained

By Craig Lemoine, Director of Consumer Investment Research At their most basic level, executive compensation plans are designed to attract, retain and motivate top talent and leadership. But truly successful plans are designed to be much more than providing a high salary to a key employee – …

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 Hurdles in Retirement Beyond Your Investment Portfolio

Becoming hyper-focused on only one aspect of a problem is pretty much never a good approach. A racecar driver who only focuses on speed and ignores strategy won’t win races, at least not many of them. A carpenter who only hammers in nails won’t build strong structures. 

Next Level Retirement Planning

Level up your retirement plans! Watch out webinar: Next Level Retirement with Carson’s Senior Wealth Planner Tom Fridrich and Wealth Planner Michael Gruidel, now available on demand.

Can I Afford to Retire Early?

Wondering if the time is right to clock out once and for all? While the idea can seem tempting, you don’t want to be hasty. After all, getting back in the game is a lot harder than just staying in … and you don’t want to wind up drastically curtailing your lifestyle to avo …

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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Financial Literacy Guide

The basics of financial literacy – such as budgeting, borrowing and saving – can be difficult to teach to kids, but the rewards of a child heading into adulthood with a solid understanding of financial literacy are numerous. Download the checklist today to get started.

Teaching Your Kids About Money

Teaching your kids about money early will serve them long into adulthood.   Watch our webinar: Teaching Your Kids About Money with Carson’s Senior Vice President, Financial Planning and Advanced Solutions Erin Wood and Vice President, NextGen & Advisor Development Programs Julie Ragatz, …

Charitable Giving Strategies in a High-Income Year

Tom Fridrich, JD, CLUⓇ, ChFCⓇ, Senior Wealth Planner  The end of the year offers an ideal opportunity to look both forward and back — reflecting on recent achievements, while setting goals for the upcoming months. For many of my clients, it’s also a time to review their finances and i …

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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Investing in Your Child’s Financial Future: Helping Kids Develop Strong Money Management Skills

Gaining financial literacy at a young age is a vital key to finding financial freedom later in life. Give your kids the lessons they need now to make better decisions about money in the future.

Yoga, Meditation, Ayurveda, NYT Best Sellers and Finance?

Abbey Henderson CFP® RLP® CPCC® CAP® AEP® – CEO, Wealth Advisor & Coach – One of these things is not like the others, one of these things just doesn’t belong… looking at the title of this blog might bring to mind the classic Sesame Street song.  You don’t expect to see a wea …

Financial Resolutions to Take Into the New Year

Tom Fridrich, JD, CLU, ChFC®, Senior Wealth Planner Thinking about making some New Year’s resolutions? Add financial wellbeing to your list. It’s a terrific time to identify goals and opportunities that may put you in a better financial position — not only in the upcoming year, …

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 Have Strong Momentum

The Dow Jones Industrial Average celebrated a birthday last week. The Dow began trading on May 26, 1896, and what a ride it has been. The Dow has weathered depressions, recessions, two 100-year pandemics, wars, famines, inflation, deflation, and many more challenges. However, through good t …

11 Things to Know About the Debt Ceiling

One of the top questions we’re receiving lately has to do with the impending debt ceiling drama and what it could all mean. Here are some common questions and answers regarding this excitement out of Washington.

Market Commentary: Stocks Keep Chugging Along

Surprisingly, stocks continue to trend higher in the face of a constant barrage of negative news in the media. As we explain more below, the economy is presenting many positive signs that suggest a recession is unlikely, and stocks likely are sniffing this out. In fact, last Thursday the S& …

2023 Market Outlook Report

2023 Market Outlook Report

Just because 2022 was a poor year for stocks and bonds doesn’t mean the same will be true for 2023. See why the Carson Research team believes there are reasons to be optimistic in 2023.

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.