Most business owners believe their business will fund their retirement. Most are wrong. That’s not an insult. It’s math. When discussing exit planning and business valuation, asking owners what their company is worth usually results in one of three answers: Very rarely do I get a number grounded in real
If your financial plan starts with “max your 401(k),” you probably don’t have a business owner plan. You have an employee plan. And that’s the problem. There are more employees than business owners. So most financial advice is built around steady paychecks, predictable taxes, and simple retirement structures. Then that
Professional Employer Organizations (PEOs) can be helpful. They simplify payroll, HR, benefits administration, and compliance, especially for growing companies. Because of that convenience, many business owners assume it also makes sense to use the PEO’s bundled 401(k). In practice, that’s often a mistake. A retirement plan is a long-term commitment
Scroll YouTube, TikTok, or Instagram long enough and you’ll find hundreds of videos confidently telling you that you don’t need a financial advisor. After 13 years as a financial advisor, working with everyone from recent graduates to retirees worth $50 million, I can tell you something important: Sometimes they’re right.
An 831(b) captive insurance company is one of the most powerful planning tools available to business owners. But most owners make a critical mistake: They treat it like a brokerage account. That mindset can destroy the long-term value of the strategy. If you want your 831(b) plan to create sustainable
Many business owners work tirelessly in their company but never think about making it sellable. Running a business as a full-time job is different from building a valuable asset. To create a business that can attract buyers and generate long-term wealth, you need a strategic approach. Steps to Make Your
Facing debt can feel overwhelming. Many people wonder if dipping into their 401(k) savings could provide relief. While using your retirement account might seem like an easy solution, it carries serious risks and consequences. The 10% Penalty & Income Tax Hit Withdrawing money from a 401(k) before age 59½ usually
Many people consider annuities as a way to generate steady income during retirement. A $500,000 annuity can provide predictable monthly payments, but the exact amount depends on several factors. Understanding how annuities work and evaluating whether they match your financial goals is essential before making a decision. How Annuities Work
Identifying Retirement Expenses The initial step towards estimating your retirement needs is to pinpoint your anticipated expenses. You can adopt either the bottom-up or the top-down approach. The bottom-up method requires you to draft a detailed budget, listing every foreseeable expense in retirement such as groceries, utilities, travel, and property