Wealth Management News & Updates
SpaceX and Index Funds: What Investors Should Know
The SpaceX IPO has everyone talking—but what does it actually mean for your retirement accounts? For most TSP and 401(k) investors, the short answer is: not much, at least not right away. Here's what you need to know about how index funds add new companies, why the S&P 500 moves slowly, and what to watch for down the road.
Building Wealth After Service: A Financial Roadmap for Women Veterans
You served. You showed up in ways most people will never fully understand — and then you transitioned into a civilian world that doesn't always know how to recognize what you bring. The financial transition out of service is one of the most consequential planning moments in a woman veteran's life, and it's one of the most overlooked.
From VA healthcare eligibility and education benefits that just got bigger to TSP decisions that can't be undone, the moves you make in the months and years after separation can set the foundation for decades of financial strength — or quietly cost you benefits you've already earned.
This post is a practical roadmap: what to claim, what to compare, and how to build lasting wealth on the other side of service. Because you've spent years taking care of others. This chapter is about building something lasting for yourself.
How to Pay Yourself as a Business Owner and Plan for Retirement at the Same Time
You built something. A client base, a practice, a business that didn't exist before you decided to make it real. But somewhere between growing revenue and managing overhead, one question tends to get pushed to the back burner: how do you actually pay yourself — and make sure you're building toward your own future at the same time?
For women entrepreneurs, this is one of the most common blind spots in an otherwise well-run business. The business gets fed first. Retirement savings get postponed until things settle down. And a paycheck that reflects your actual value? That often feels like a luxury rather than a strategy.
It isn't a luxury. It's the foundation. In this post, we walk through how to structure your owner compensation, which retirement accounts make the most sense for self-employed women, and how to make sure the business you've built is working just as hard for your future as you are for it.
TSP Beneficiary Planning: What Military and Federal Employees Need to Know
Your TSP beneficiary designation overrides your will. It doesn't matter what your estate documents say — whoever is listed on Form TSP-3 receives those funds. And unlike an IRA, the TSP comes with its own set of inheritance rules that can catch even well-prepared families off guard.
For military members and federal employees, the TSP is often one of the largest assets in an estate. Getting the beneficiary designation right — and understanding how your heirs will be treated under TSP rules — is one of the most important (and most overlooked) steps in a complete financial plan.
In this post, we cover the most common TSP beneficiary mistakes, how TSP inheritance rules differ from IRA rules in ways that matter for your family, and what questions are worth taking to your financial planner before it's too late to course-correct.
Are You Growing a Business — or Did You Buy Yourself a Job?
Are you building a business — or just buying yourself another job? For military spouse and veteran entrepreneurs, the difference is critical. PCS moves, deployments, and solo parenting can bring a one-person business to a halt overnight. In this guide, we break down what it means to build a truly scalable, PCS-proof business, how to assess where you stand today, and what intentional steps can turn your income into lasting financial equity. Your business should work for your life — not the other way around.
5 Things To Know If You’re Considering Early Retirement
Retiring early is an appealing goal, but it comes with complex emotional and financial decisions that go far beyond simply having enough savings. Before making the leap, it’s essential to reflect on your motivations and readiness for the dramatic lifestyle shift. Will you miss the structure of work? How will you stay socially connected or find purpose day to day? Understanding your personal reasons and preparing for the mental and emotional transition is just as important as crunching the numbers. A realistic retirement budget—factoring in your essential expenses, lifestyle goals, and unexpected costs—is the foundation for deciding if early retirement is truly within reach.
Beyond budgeting, early retirees must plan for the financial trade-offs of leaving the workforce sooner. This includes the long-term impact on Social Security benefits, accessing retirement accounts without penalties, and bridging the health insurance gap before Medicare eligibility at 65. Timing is everything—decisions like when to claim Social Security and how to draw down your savings can significantly affect your tax situation and long-term income. The blog also explores practical strategies to move your retirement timeline up, such as working a few more years, paying off debt faster, or optimizing your investment and tax planning. With careful preparation, early retirement can be more than a dream—it can be a well-executed plan.
Estate Planning: The Essential Instruments
Estate planning isn’t just for the wealthy or elderly—it’s for everyone who wants a say in what happens to their health, family, and finances. This post breaks down the 3 essential documents every adult should have: a will, a health care proxy, and a durable power of attorney. Protect your wishes and the people you love.
Is Your 401(k) Savings On Track?
Your retirement savings journey doesn't have to be a mystery. Whether you’re just starting your career, in your peak earning years, or approaching retirement, your 401(k) should evolve with you. But how do you know if you’re on track?
This blog breaks down what "on track" looks like at every stage—offering age-based savings benchmarks, asset allocation strategies, and practical tips like how to make the most of employer matching and catch-up contributions. From maximizing growth early to reducing risk later, we help you understand how to keep your retirement goals within reach—no matter where you are in your career.
Start building your roadmap to a confident retirement today.
The Million Dollar TSP
Are you approaching or reached a million dollars in your employer retirement account? Congratulations! More than likely, your retirement goal is now funded. If the entire account is allocated to pretax retirement savings, it’s time to speak with an advisor to do some tax planning. There are several strategies that can be utilized to reduce the income taxes you will pay over your lifetime.
Is Your Business Thriving? Explore Beyond the 401(k) to Save on Taxes and Build Your Dream Retirement.
Consider looking beyond the 401(k). Our latest post explores the cash balance plan as a powerful tool to realize your retirement dream.