Category: Finance

Effective Use Cases of Life Insurance for Wealth Transfer, Tax Planning, and More (Ep. 91)

Effective Use Cases of Life Insurance for Wealth Transfer, Tax Planning, and More (Ep. 91)

Life insurance is often only viewed as a way to get a death benefit.

But if you look beyond its conventional definition, you’ll see how life insurance has several use cases in tax planning, wealth transfer, and as an alternative investment!

Join Centura Wealth Advisory’s Sean Clark, Wealth Advisor, and Christopher Hyman, Director of Insurance Solutions, for an enlightening conversation about the role of life insurance in comprehensive wealth management — especially for high-net-worth individuals.

Sean and Chris discuss:

  • How life insurance provides the much-needed liquidity to pay off estate taxes
  • Life insurance as an alternative asset class
  • Four tax advantages of life insurance
  • How business owners can effectively utilize insurance in risk management, exit planning, and other scenarios
  • A rapid-fire Q&A session about insurance
  • And more

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Tax Countdown: Planning for the Expiration of the TCJA (Ep. 90)

Tax Countdown: Planning for the Expiration of the TCJA (Ep. 90)

In 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) introduced some significant changes to tax laws, both on the income and estate side.

Now, as we approach its expiration on December 31st, 2025, it is important to plan for the looming tax changes!

Join our senior wealth advisors Matt Griffith, CFP®, and Roby Kotcamp, CFP®, as they unpack the potential tax changes and their implications for high-net-worth individuals and business owners.

Matt and Roby discuss:

  • How income tax rates and deductions might be affected
  • Expected changes in the lifetime exemption for estate and gift tax
  • Strategies that may help you take maximum advantage of the prevailing tax laws
  • Why you should act now instead of waiting until 2025
  • And more

Resources: 

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How to Plan for the Looming Estate Tax Issue (Ep. 89)

How to Plan for the Looming Estate Tax Issue (Ep. 89)

The once-generous estate and gift tax exemptions set by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) are due to sunset on December 31, 2025.

Is your estate plan ready for the challenge?

In this episode, Kyle Malmstrom, Managing Director, and Christopher Hyman, Director of Insurance Solutions, refer to strategies to reduce the estate tax liability that may significantly increase for many high-net-worth families after the TCJA expires.

Kyle and Chris discuss:

  • A brief overview of how exemption limits have changed over the years
  • The importance of creating liquidity well before the transfer of estate (especially for business and real estate owners)
  • Tax and liquidity benefits of an irrevocable life insurance trust (ILIT)
  • Why you should seek expert guidance in estate planning and structuring any trusts
  • And more

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Unbundling Financial Services and Maximizing Value for High-Net-Worth Individuals (Ep. 88)

Unbundling Financial Services and Maximizing Value for High-Net-Worth Individuals (Ep. 88)

As the financial services industry moved to a fee-based model, many firms started to ‘bundle’ their services. For example, investment management may be bundled with financial planning.

But are clients really getting maximum value from bundled services?

In this episode, Derek Myron, CFP®, Managing Director, and Sean Clark, Director of Financial Planning,  explore the benefits of unbundling financial services, especially for high-net-worth individuals and founder-led business owners.

Derek and Sean discuss:

  • The evolution of financial services toward fee-based RIAs
  • The distinction between “above the line” and “below the line” services
  • The value of income tax planning, wealth transfer planning, and balance sheet optimization
  • What to do if you feel you’re underserved (or need help finding a new professional)
  • Helpful advice for business owners considering selling their business
  • And more

Resources:

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Investing Amidst Uncertainty: A 2024 Election Discussion with Michael Townsend (Ep. 87)

Investing Amidst Uncertainty: A 2024 Election Discussion with Michael Townsend (Ep. 87)

Are you worried about the impact of the 2024 election on the markets and your investments?

Especially when geopolitical tensions, the uncertainty of tax law changes, the ousting of the Speaker of the House, and the threat of a government shutdown are adding to the stress?

In this episode, Matt Griffith, CFP®, Senior Wealth Advisor, and Chris Osmond, CFA, CAIA®, CFP®, Chief Investment Officer, speak with Michael Townsend, Managing Director, Legislative and Regulatory Affairs at Charles Schwab & Company. Join them as they explore potential market implications of the upcoming U.S. presidential elections.

Michael discusses:

  • An overview of the current political landscape
  • The ongoing speculation of Biden, Trump, or both dropping out
  • Potential implications of a divided government and/or a split Congress
  • How markets have historically performed before and after elections
  • The importance of cutting through the noise (and emotions) and focusing on long-term goals
  • And more

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About Our Guest:

Michael is Schwab’s Washington-based political analyst. With more than 30 years of Washington experience, he analyzes legislative, regulatory, and political developments to determine how they would affect individual investors, retirement plan participants, and investment advisers.

Michael is the host of Schwab’s WashingtonWise podcast, which explores the intersection between policy, politics, the markets, and the economy. He is a featured speaker at dozens of employee, client, adviser, and industry events each year, where he discusses the impact of the political and policy environment in Washington on investors and the capital markets.

Prior to joining Schwab in 2000, Michael worked at Powell Tate, Inc., a Washington, D.C., public affairs firm, and previously worked for two U.S. senators from Maine. He holds an M.A. in English from George Mason University and a B.A. in English from Bowdoin College.

Keys to Building an Amazing Corporate Culture and a Rockstar Team (Ep. 86)

Keys to Building an Amazing Corporate Culture and a Rockstar Team (Ep. 86)

With companies shifting to a hybrid work environment, it has become challenging to maintain a strong corporate culture, attract top talent, and build high-performing teams.

In this episode, Derek Myron, CEO, and Jonathan Freeman, COO, share actionable ideas to build a thriving corporate culture. They tap into best practices that have helped Centura Wealth Advisory (Centura) enhance communication, foster trust, and improve team morale.

Derek and Jonathan discuss:

  • The challenges of expanding a team across the country
  • Centura’s tried-and-tested team building ideas (Waffle Wednesdays, the 48-hour rule, and more!)
  • How to improve communication and trust at every level of the organization
  • What it takes to become an employer of choice
  • And more

Resources:

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How Centura Creates Value for High-Net-Worth Individuals (Ep. 85)

How Centura Creates Value for High-Net-Worth Individuals (Ep. 85)

As your wealth grows, your financial planning needs become significantly more complex.

At Centura Wealth Advisory (Centura), we specialize in serving high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth individuals, helping them lighten the burdens of wealth!

In this episode, Kyle Malmstrom and Sean Clark, MBA, talk about Centura’s Liberated Wealth® process, including an overview of our sophisticated wealth management and tax planning strategies.

Kyle and Sean discuss:

  • Why Centura differs from other wealth management firms
  • How to move the needle with above-the-line planning (income tax, wealth transfer, and balance sheet optimization)
  • Centura’s rigorous due diligence process
  • How Centura taps into 50+ planning strategies to find the right solution for clients
  • And more

Resources:

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Delivering Exponential Client Value via Joint Casework with Gregg Gottlieb (Ep. 84)

Delivering Exponential Client Value via Joint Casework with Gregg Gottlieb (Ep. 84)

Advisors, are you seeking the secret to delivering unparalleled value to your high-net-worth clients?

In a world where wealth advisory excellence is defined by innovation and collaboration, you might want to explore the power of joint casework.

In this episode, Samantha Lawrence, CFP®, Associate Advisor, interviews Gregg Gottlieb, CFP®, co-founder of Regal Wealth Advisors, about his experience working with Centura Wealth Advisory (Centura) and its Elite Advisor Collaboration Program (EACP).

Gregg discusses:

  • The importance of collaboration in the wealth management industry
  • Why he found the joint casework experience financially and professionally rewarding
  • An example of how his partnership with Centura benefitted his client
  • How Centura’s radical transparency with its Liberated Wealth® process helped him improve his own practice
  • And more

Resources:

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Connect With Gregg Gottlieb:

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About Our Guest:

Gregg Gottlieb co-founded Regal Wealth Advisors in 2006 to help create a company dedicated to wealth development, preservation, and transfer to subsequent generations. Gregg has over 20 years of experience in the financial advisory industry developing and helping to implement financial plans for individuals and business owners. He also has specialized experience working with complex life and health insurance matters, strategically integrating them within comprehensive, tailored financial plans.

Gregg earned his undergraduate degree in human resources at Muhlenberg College. He subsequently completed the Certified Financial Planning Program at Fairleigh Dickinson University and earned the CFP® designation. Greg holds life, health, and property and casualty insurance licenses, as well as Series 63, Series 65, and Series 7 securities licenses through LPL Financial.

ING Trusts: How to Minimize State Income Taxes (Ep. 83)

ING Trusts: How to Minimize State Income Taxes (Ep. 83)

There is a wide disparity in tax rates between U.S. states. For example, the top tax rate in California is 13.3%, while South Dakota has 0% state tax on trusts!

However, if you live in a high-income-tax state, you can still benefit from lower tax rates without moving physically.

In this episode, Kyle Malmstrom, Managing Director, and Roby Kotcamp, CFP®, Senior Wealth Advisor, explain how to use an Incomplete Non-Grantor (ING) Trust to minimize state income taxes.

Kyle and Roby discuss:

  • Types of assets suitable for an ING Trust
  • The correct sequence of steps to ensure the ING Trust is set up properly
  • An example showcasing the practical application and scope of an ING Trust
  • Potential pitfalls of the ING Trust strategy
  • Alternative strategies for states where an ING Trust is not possible (E.g., California)
  • And more

Resources:

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The QPRT Strategy: How to Reduce Estate and Gift Taxes (Ep. 82)

The QPRT Strategy: How to Reduce Estate and Gift Taxes (Ep. 82)

While passing on your wealth to future generations, you might want to make it as estate tax-efficient as possible.

If your estate amount exceeds the estate tax exemption limit, a Qualified Personal Residence Trust (QPRT) might be for you.

In this episode, Seth Meisler, CFA, CFP®, CPA/PFS, MBA, Senior Wealth Advisor, and Samantha Lawrence, CFP®, Associate Advisor, discuss how the QPRT strategy can help reduce your wealth transfer taxes.

Seth and Samantha discuss:

  • How a QPRT works and the process for setting it up
  • The major tax benefits involved (estate and gift)
  • Who is the ideal candidate for the QPRT strategy
  • Potential risks related to QPRTs that you should keep in mind
  • And more

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