Every four years, Washington D.C. and Wall Street converge as Americans elect a president and Wall Street tries to figure out what the outcome means for the stock and bond markets. And since so many hypotheses on this topic abound, it’s hard to keep track of them all. Part II in this series of ranking presidents might surprise you.

2020 has brought about quite a few challenges (to say the least). With so much uncertainty it can be hard to plan next month, let alone the distant future. This month Strong Valley is introducing a new tool and framework to help feel more prepared. We can't predict the future, but we can help you feel more prepared to take it on.

What if we ranked the best and worst presidents simply by the performance of the stock market? Surely that would settle the debate as to which president was best for investors, right? Well, while it sounds easy there are a few big caveats to consider.

Retirement is a major milestone that brings many life changes. One thing that doesn't change for most people: the fear of running out of money. According to the Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies, the most frequently reported retirement worry is outliving savings and investments. Across all ages, 51% of respondents cited this concern, and 41% of retirees claim the same fear. Additionally, only 46% of retirees think they've built a nest egg large enough to last through retirement.

We know that there are many reasons to have concern during these times, but we also believe that there are many reasons to celebrate and have hope for the future.

Planning for the transition of the business you have spent many years building is not an easy task. However, taking steps now to prepare a business "will" and the accompanying documents can help ensure your business continues according to your wishes. A business will is essential for sole proprietorships and partnerships because they must cease operation upon the death of an owner or partner. 

Millions of COVID-19 infections, with hundreds of thousands of them fatal, 30 million plus unemployed in the U.S., rising levels of anxiety, depression and substance abuse. Maybe now is a good time to talk about the Misery Index.

The SECURE Act has wide-reaching impact The “Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Security Act”, or SECURE Act, was signed into law on December 20th, after passing with bipartisan support (97% of the house, and 71% of the senate).  Whether you are an employee with a 401(k) or a small business owner providing retirement benefit […]

This end-of-year planning article covers multiple topics, such as why donating securities may be better than cash for both the receiver and the donor. We also cover some ideas for both employees and employers that can reduce 2019 taxes and set the stage for years to come.

The IRS has managed to pack a significant amount of complexity into a relatively simple change. Strong Valley clients should contact us directly to discuss how the new limits apply in your specific situation, and in the context of your retirement strategy.