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Wednesday, September 20, 2023

Chris Rock once remarked, “You don’t pay taxes – they take taxes.” That applies not only to income but also to capital gains. Capital gains result when an individual sells an investment for an amount greater...

 

Wednesday, September 6, 2023

Everyone loves a winner. If an investment is successful, most people naturally want to stick with it. But is that the best approach? It may sound counterintuitive, but it may be possible to have too much of a good thing. Over...

 

Wednesday, August 16, 2023

Investors are routinely warned about allowing their emotions to influence their decisions. However, they are not often cautioned about their preconceptions and biases that may color their financial choices. In a battle between facts &...

 

Monday, August 7, 2023

You’re young, have little in savings, and might not have anyone relying on you, financially. So, why do you need to think about estate management?1 Here are four great reasons: Estate Strategies: They're Not Just for the Elderly...

 

Thursday, July 20, 2023

As a young investor, you have a powerful ally on your side: time. When you start investing in your twenties or thirties for retirement, you can put it to work for you.The power of compounding. Many people underestimate it, so...

 

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Wednesday, July 12, 2023

Want to give your child or grandchild a financial head start? A Roth IRA might be a choice to consider. Read on to learn more about how doing this may benefit both of you.Rules for setting up a Roth IRA. If your teen has an earned...

 

Tuesday, June 27, 2023

When our parents retired, living to 75 amounted to a nice long life, and Social Security was often supplemented by a pension. The Social Security Administration (SSA) estimates that today’s average 65-year-old woman will live to...

 

Wednesday, June 14, 2023

Knowledgeable investors are aware that investing in the capital markets presents any number of risks, including interest rate risk, company risk, and market risk. Risk is an inseparable companion to the potential for long-term growth....

 

Tuesday, May 23, 2023

The real rate of return is an important personal finance concept to understand.It’s the rate of return on your investments after inflation. The real rate of return indicates whether you are gaining or losing purchasing power with...

 

Wednesday, May 10, 2023

Information vs. instinct. When it comes to investing, many people believe they have a “knack” for choosing good investments. But what exactly is that “knack” based on? The fact is, the choices we make with...

 

Wednesday, April 12, 2023

The city of Detroit emerged from bankruptcy in 2014. Still, its previous inability to pay investors left some questioning their long-held assumption about the relative safety of municipal bonds.

 

Wednesday, April 5, 2023

In the final days of 2022, Congress passed a new set of retirement rules designed to facilitate contribution to retirement plans and access to those funds earmarked for retirement.

 

Monday, March 20, 2023

Who among us wants to pay the IRS more taxes than we have to?While few may raise their hands, Americans regularly overpay because they fail to take tax deductions for which they are eligible.

 

Thursday, March 16, 2023

For the Federal Reserve, credibility is everything. And its credibility is being tested by how it plans to manage the banking system in the days leading up to its March 21-22 meeting. Last month, Fed Chair Powell confidently told...

 

Thursday, March 9, 2023

According to the most recent estimates from the US Census Bureau, the population of people over the age of 55 grew twenty times faster than the population of people younger than 55 between 2010 and 2020.

 

Wednesday, February 8, 2023

How the gains from the sale of a primary residence are taxed has changed in recent years. If you have recently sold your home or are considering doing so, you may want to be aware of these new rules.

 

Wednesday, February 1, 2023

As parents, we encourage our children to work, so they can learn important values about work and independence. At what point, if at all, do children need to file an income tax return for the money they earn?

 

Monday, January 16, 2023

You may have to make estimated tax payments if you earn income that is not subject to withholding, such as income from self-employment, interest, dividends, alimony, rent, realized investment gains, prizes, and awards.

 

Monday, January 9, 2023

Condon Sullivan Wealth Management and Planning is hiring for a Client Service Administrator Position.

 

Tuesday, December 13, 2022

The year-end is approaching and you may have questions about RMDs (Required Minimum Distributions). Once you reach age 72 (age 70½ if you attained age 70½ before 2020), the IRS requires you to start withdrawing from—and...

 

Wednesday, December 7, 2022

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Warren Burger is famous for more than just his time on the bench. When he died in 1995, he left a 176-word will that gave no specific power to his executors.

 

Friday, December 2, 2022

Determining the value of an estate is a fundamental first step in estate management and a critical requirement for settling a decedent’s estate.1How to Assess the Value of an EstateSelect the date of calculation. 

 

Monday, November 7, 2022

The probate process can be expensive for some estates. Settling an estate through probate can cost you both time and money. It could take up to a year for the estate to be settled, plus attorney’s fees, appraiser’s fees, etc.

 

Friday, October 7, 2022

Inheriting wealth can be a burden and a blessing. Even if you have an inclination that a family member may remember you in their last will and testament, there are many facets to the process of inheritance that you may not have...

 

Monday, October 3, 2022

Marrying again makes estate planning more involved. How do you provide for everyone you love? Should you provide for everyone you love?

 

Thursday, September 8, 2022

A market downturn can have a potential upside for retirement savers.

 

Thursday, September 1, 2022

Most people just invest for the future. You have a chance to do more.

 

Monday, August 8, 2022

Some accounts have no designated beneficiary. Rarely, the same thing occurs with insurance policies. This is usually an oversight. In exceptional circumstances, it is a choice.

 

Monday, August 1, 2022

If you are approaching your seventies, get ready for required minimum distributions. You may soon have to take RMDs, as they are called, from one or more of your retirement accounts. 

 

Wednesday, July 13, 2022

When you are putting together a household, it isn’t unusual to delegate responsibilities. One spouse or partner may take on the laundry, while another takes on the shopping.

 

Wednesday, July 6, 2022

What does a good retirement look like to you? Does it resemble the retirement that your spouse or partner has in mind? It is at least roughly similar?

 

Thursday, June 16, 2022

A successful retirement is not merely measured in financial terms. Even those who retire with small fortunes can face boredom or depression and the fear of drawing down their savings too fast.

 

Saturday, June 4, 2022

Why do some people let their potential for lifetime wealth slip away? Some people are better off economically at 30 or 40 than they are at 50 or 60.

 

Wednesday, May 18, 2022

What do The Dukes of Hazzard, M*A*S*H, and The Love Boat all have in common? They were top-rated television programs in 1982; the last time inflation was hovering in the 7% range.  

 

Thursday, May 5, 2022

If you have a balance on a credit card or an adjustable rate mortgage, you might be noticing changes in your payments.

 

Thursday, April 14, 2022

Wise investors take the “big picture” view.

 

Tuesday, April 5, 2022

Healthcare can be one of the priciest yet essential parts of life’s journey. And yet, many struggle to utilize the financial tools that may help. Take Health Saving Accounts (HSAs), for example.  

 

Thursday, March 3, 2022

Much is out there about the classic financial mistakes that plague start-ups, family businesses, corporations, and charities. Aside from these blunders, some classic financial missteps plague retirees.   

 

Tuesday, February 15, 2022

 Understand Where Your Federal Tax Dollars Go In this guide, we will explore where your tax dollars go, some of the ways tax filing may look different in 2022, and what you can do to prepare.

 

Monday, February 7, 2022

 

Friday, January 28, 2022

 

Tuesday, January 18, 2022

 

Tuesday, December 14, 2021

 

Thursday, November 18, 2021

The end of the year can help remind us of last-minute things we need to address and the goals we want to pursue. To that end, here are some aspects of your financial life to think about as this year leads into the next. Keep in mind,...

 

Thursday, November 4, 2021

Your workplace retirement account can play a critical role in your overall retirement strategy. However, some have gone further with the accounts than others, especially recently. CNBC reported on findings that place 401(k) accounts at...

 

Thursday, October 21, 2021

Investors are watching the Build Back Better Act. This $3.5 trillion bill, refined through months-long negotiations, may be approaching a final vote in the House of Representatives. If the BBA becomes law, it would finance large-scale...

 

Friday, October 15, 2021

On October 13, 2021, the Social Security Administration (SSA) officially announced that Social Security recipients will receive a 5.9 percent cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for 2022, the largest increase in four decades. This...

 

Tuesday, September 21, 2021

As much as you would like to, you can’t keep your money in your retirement account forever. These investment vehicles include 401(k)s, IRAs, and similar retirement accounts.1 Under the SECURE Act, once you reach age 72, you must...

 

Tuesday, September 7, 2021

It’s time for your life insurance checkup. September is National Life Insurance Awareness Month, so it’s a great time to review your coverage.1 If you don’t have any life insurance, you’re not alone. Life...

 

Monday, August 16, 2021

Corporate earnings season has begun, and the results are turning heads on Wall Street. Of the 120 companies in the S&P 500 index that reported numbers as of Friday, July 23, 89% of them beat the Street’s earnings-per-share...

 

Wednesday, August 4, 2021

The 2015 Obergefell v. Hodges Supreme Court decision streamlined tax and estate strategizing for married LGBTQ+ couples. If you are filing a joint tax return for this year or are considering updating your estate strategy, here are some...

 

Wednesday, July 14, 2021

I am pleased to tell you about the newest member of the Condon Sullivan family — Brian Callery, Senior Financial Advisor. For the last several years, Brian, myself, and our team have been collaborating on account management and...

 

Thursday, July 8, 2021

When you marry, you buy life insurance. Right? You buy it out of consideration for your spouse, and also realize that in the event of either your untimely death or your spouse’s untimely death, your household could be left with...

 

Monday, June 28, 2021

If there is a "silver lining" to all the inflation talk, it may be that Social Security benefits are expected to see a larger-than-normal increase in 2022. Preliminary estimates call for a 4.7% cost-of-living increase (COLA) in Social...

 

Thursday, June 17, 2021

Recently, you may have seen headlines regarding the Securing a Strong Retirement Act, also referred to as the second version of the SECURE Act, or SECURE Act 2.0. As the bill moves from the House of Representatives to the Senate, many...

 

Monday, May 24, 2021

ESG: what does that acronym stand for? Those three letters stand for "Environmental, Social, and Governance" and signify an investment that has particular merit to investors of all ages. A recent Morgan Stanley Bank survey found that...

 

Tuesday, May 11, 2021

Roth IRAs have attracted retirement savers since their introduction in 1998. They offer the potential for tax-free retirement income, provided Internal Revenue Service rules are followed. Do Roth IRAs seem even more attractive these...

 

Monday, April 19, 2021

New inherited I.R.A. rules took effect on January 1, 2020. The Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement (SECURE) Act became law on that day, altering the regulations on inherited Individual Retirement Account (I.R.A.)...

 

Thursday, April 8, 2021

Kate Cunningham is the newest member of the Condon Sullivan team and joins us with over 25 years of experience in the financial services field. To learn more about Kate, click here. We are pleased to announce that Kate Cunningham...

 

Tuesday, April 6, 2021

America is enduring a data breach problem. As many workers traded in the office for remote work, data security has been a focus for the public and private sectors. Between robocalls pitching low-cost health insurance, pretending to be...

 

Tuesday, March 23, 2021

Most people understand that stock prices don't go straight up. But when market volatility increases, the price action can test the mettle of even the most seasoned investor. In recent weeks, stock prices have trended lower with a few...

 

Thursday, March 11, 2021

As much as you would like to, you can’t keep your money in your retirement account forever. These investment vehicles include 401(k)s, IRAs, and similar retirement accounts.1 Under the SECURE Act, once you reach age 72, you must...

 

Thursday, March 4, 2021

Matthew J. Condon, CFP® and Thomas J. Sullivan, CFP® Recognized as Top Financial Professional in the U.S. by HTK Condon Sullivan Wealth Management & Planning, a Massachusetts based financial services firm, is pleased to...

 

Monday, February 15, 2021

In this guide, we’ll explore ways to help you prepare for the upcoming tax season. Keep in mind, this guide is for informational purposes only and is not a replacement for real-life advice, so make sure to consult your tax, legal...

 

Thursday, February 4, 2021

If you’re like many investors, you’re probably looking for a way to manage your tax bill. One approach to consider is contributing the full amount to your retirement accounts. It’s not too late to fund your retirement...

 

Thursday, January 28, 2021

After a bit of political posturing in December, the $900 billion Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 (2021 CAA) was signed into law by President Trump as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact employers and employees....

 

Tuesday, January 5, 2021

Financially, many of us associate April with taxes – but we should also associate April with important IRA deadlines. April 15, 2021 is the deadline to take your Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) from certain individual...

 

Friday, January 1, 2021

January is Financial Wellness Month, a time to remind people to make arrangements for their financial strategy.1 For a financial professional, it’s time to connect with new clients and discuss their financial situation and...

 

Tuesday, December 15, 2020

As an investor, it can be tempting to get caught up in daily news headlines. Consider how news about the election and COVID-19 vaccines have moved the markets over the past several weeks. But having a financial strategy can help you...

 

Tuesday, December 8, 2020

The end of the year can help remind us of last-minute things we need to address and the goals we want to accomplish. To that end, here are some aspects of your financial life to think about as this year leads into the next. Keep in...

 

Wednesday, December 2, 2020

Being a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER TM is largely considered the highest standard in financial planning. The CFP® exam requires 12+ months of preparation and has an esteemed set of prerequisites and requirements. Kyle Anderson...

 

Monday, November 2, 2020

When you marry or simply share a household with someone, your financial life changes—and your approach to managing your money may change as well. The good news is that it is usually not so difficult. At some point, you will have...

 

Wednesday, October 28, 2020

What has changed for you in 2020? For many, this year has been as complicated as learning a new dance. Did you start a new job or leave a job behind? That’s one step. Did you retire? There’s another step. Did you start a...

 

Monday, October 19, 2020

Most recently, you may have read that Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell announced a change in how the Fed views inflation. In the past, the Fed said it would consider adjusting short-term rates when inflation approached 2 percent....

 

Friday, September 18, 2020

Determining when to take Social Security benefits is a complicated financial decision. Here are a few things to think about and discuss with your financial professional. How long do you think you will live? If you have a family history...

 

Wednesday, August 26, 2020

Two high-profile companies—Apple and Tesla—have announced stock splits in the past few weeks, which makes it a great time to discuss what’s involved when a company announces a stock split. Remember, any companies...

 

Saturday, August 22, 2020

Do you need a life insurance policy in retirement? One school of thought says no. The kids are grown, and the need to financially insulate the household against the loss of a breadwinner has passed. If you are thinking about dropping...

 

Friday, July 24, 2020

Q: What makes 2020 a unique year for retirement? A: Big changes to retirement account rules. You can attribute those changes to two major pieces of legislation: the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement (SECURE) Act,...

 

Friday, June 19, 2020

We regretfully announce that Connor Reagan will be leaving Condon Sullivan Wealth Management & Planning effective July 1, 2020. Connor began his career at our firm in 2015 as an intern. Upon his college graduation, he joined us...

 

Thursday, June 11, 2020

The Internal Revenue Service knows that many taxpayers have had a stressful spring. So, it has reset the federal tax deadline. You now have until July 15 to file your 1040 form. July 15 is also the deadline to pay any federal taxes...

 

Tuesday, June 9, 2020

As states cautiously begin the process of relaxing their COVID-19 restrictions, some are wondering, “Why is the stock market doing so well when the economy is doing so poorly?” It’s a great question, and fortunately,...

 

Wednesday, May 13, 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic has shaken up nearly every aspect of American life. To say it’s been a difficult time would be an understatement. However, difficult times may open doors to new possibilities. Businesses are changing their...

 

Thursday, May 7, 2020

Undeniably, spring 2020 has tried the patience of investors. An 11-year bull market ended. Key economic indicators went haywire. Household confidence was shaken. The Standard & Poor’s 500, the equity benchmark often used as...

 

Thursday, April 23, 2020

At the time of this writing, we're in midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Everyone around the country is practicing "social distancing" and staying home (albeit much more than they're used to). Here at Condon Sullivan Wealth Management &...

 

Wednesday, April 22, 2020

The COVID-19 outbreak has put tremendous pressure on stock prices, prompting some investors to blindly and indiscriminately sell positions at a time when the entire market is trending lower. Worried investors believe "this time it's...

 

Tuesday, April 14, 2020

Recently, the $2 trillion “Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security” (“CARES”) Act was signed into law. The CARES Act is designed to help those most impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, while also providing...

 

Monday, March 16, 2020

Washington was busy this holiday season. As many of us were looking forward to some well-earned time off, new legislation was passed, and it affects some of the old rules for traditional Individual Retirement Accounts. These changes...

 

Monday, March 2, 2020

Back in the 4th quarter of 2018, investor fears caused the equity markets to sell off by nearly 20%. It was not any single issue, but rather the confluence of numerous uncertainties – trade tariffs, interest rate concerns,...

 

Thursday, February 27, 2020

The after-tax return vs. the pretax return. Everyone wants their investments to perform well. But for many investors it’s their after-tax return that may make all the difference. After all, even if your portfolio is earning...

 

Monday, February 10, 2020

The SECURE Act passed into law in late 2019 and changed several aspects of retirement investing. These modifications included modifying the ability to stretch an Individual Retirement Account (IRA) and changing the age when IRA holders...

 

Thursday, January 23, 2020

A growing family, by definition, means growing financial obligations – both in the present and in the future. Raising children can increase your insurance needs and heightens the urgency for being properly prepared. Auto. When a...

 

Tuesday, January 21, 2020

How often do retirement plan sponsors check up on 401(k)s? Some small businesses may not be prepared to benchmark processes and continuously look for and reject unacceptable investments. Do you have high-quality investment choices in...

 

Monday, December 9, 2019

Cybercrime affects both large corporations and private individuals. You’ve likely read about the large data breaches in the business world. These crimes are both expensive and on the rise. The U.S. Identity Theft Resource Center...

 

Thursday, December 5, 2019

The end of the year can help remind us of last-minute things we need to address and long-term goals we want to accomplish. To that end, here are six aspects of your financial life to think about as this year leads into the next. Keep...

 

Wednesday, November 27, 2019

Casey Giordano was an intern here at Condon Sullivan, while she was attending the Manning School of Business at UMass Lowell. Upon her college graduation in 2018, she joined our firm full-time. She’s been a great asset for our...

 

Tuesday, November 12, 2019

Marrying again makes estate planning more involved. How do you provide for everyone you love? Should you provide for everyone you love? How do you arrange to transfer wealth in a way that won’t hurt the feelings of certain heirs?...

 

Friday, November 8, 2019

Risk is a factor in any investment decision that you make. Your tolerance for risk is something that you will want to consider when you make decisions alongside your trusted financial professional. Your risk tolerance is balanced...

 

Tuesday, October 22, 2019

Families are one of the great joys in life, and part of the love you show to your family is making sure that their basic needs are met. While that’s only to be expected from birth through the high school years, many households...

 

Friday, October 18, 2019

When you think about your estate, you may think about your personal property, real estate, or investments. You also have other, less-tangible assets – and they deserve your attention as well. Your digital assets should not...

 

Monday, September 23, 2019

Have you ever mapped out your financial timeline? If you’re like many Americans, it may have been more difficult than anticipated. One of the most helpful ways to achieve your financial goals is to break it down by your age....

 

Monday, September 9, 2019

Many people plan their estates diligently, with input from legal, tax, and financial professionals. Others plan earnestly but make mistakes that can potentially affect both the transfer and destiny of family wealth. Here are some...

 

Wednesday, August 21, 2019

Being a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER TM is largely considered the highest standard in financial planning. The CFP® exam requires 12+ months of preparation and has an esteemed set of prerequisites and requirements. Zuly Feliz joined...

 

Wednesday, August 14, 2019

If you follow national news, you may have heard of the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement (SECURE) Act. Although the SECURE Act has yet to clear the Senate, it saw broad, bipartisan support in the House of...

 

Tuesday, August 6, 2019

Regardless of how the markets may perform, consider making the following part of your investment philosophy: Diversification. The saying “don’t put all your eggs in one basket” has real value when it comes to...

 

Monday, July 8, 2019

Inheriting wealth can be a burden and a blessing. Even if you have an inclination that a family member may remember you in their last will and testament, there are many facets to the process of inheritance that you may not have...

 

Monday, July 8, 2019

Many are the stories of family wealth lost. In the late 19th century, industrial tycoon Cornelius Vanderbilt amassed the equivalent of $100 billion in today’s dollars – but when 120 of his descendants met at a family...

 

Friday, June 28, 2019

Congratulations to our own Matthew Condon — a 2019 Five Star Award Winner seen in Forbes Magazine! View the feature by clicking here.

 

Saturday, June 15, 2019

From time to time, it is a good idea to review how your portfolio assets are allocated – how they are divided among asset classes. At the inception of your investment strategy, your target asset allocations reflect your tolerance...

 

Wednesday, June 12, 2019

A new term has made its way into today’s financial jargon: de-risking. Anyone with assets in an old-school pension plan should know what it signifies. De-risking is when a large employer hands over its established pension...

 

Thursday, May 9, 2019

What exactly is the “sequence of returns”? The phrase simply describes the yearly variation in an investment portfolio’s rate of return. Across 20 or 30 years of saving and investing for the future, what kind of...

 

Monday, April 1, 2019

America is enduring a data breach epidemic. The latest annual study of the problem from Javelin Strategy & Research, a leading financial analytics research firm, says that 16.7 million people across the nation were impacted by I.D....

 

Tuesday, January 22, 2019

Matthew J. Condon, CFP® has been selected as one of Boston's Five Star Wealth Managers. The Five Star Wealth Manager award program is the largest and most widely published wealth manager award program in the financial services...

 

Wednesday, October 10, 2018

Condon Sullivan Wealth Management & Planning is proud to sponsor the Best Buddies Friendship Walk in Boston on November 3, 2018. Join us walking that day or create your own team to support this worthwhile mission. Best Buddies...

 

Thursday, June 21, 2018

We are delighted to have James P. Turner, CLU, ChFC join Condon Sullivan Wealth Management & Planning as a financial advisor. He brings with him an impressive history — 40 years of success — and a wealth of knowledge in the...