Learning Center for Businesses
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Learning Center for Businesses
Podcast: How life insurance is used to help create successful Estate Planning outcomes
Aviva Sapers, President & CEO at Sapers & Wallack, and Andrew MacDougall, Partner & Managing Director of Wealth Management in conversation with Minerva Pinto, Private Wealth + Art Law Attorney at Holland & Knight LLP, around questions about how life insurance can be used as a vital tool in estate planning for tax liquidity, equalization,… Read More Read More
Sapers & Wallack Services Overview
Since 1932, we have helped hundreds of clients. For more than 80 years, our approach to client service has been predicated on the highest degree of integrity and professional ethics. We are located in Newton, MA and serve public and private businesses, family businesses, non-profits and high net worth individuals all over New… Read More Read More
Podcast: What Clients Should Ask Their CPA Before Asking Their Advisor About Retirement Income
Aviva Sapers, President & CEO at Sapers & Wallack, and Jonalyn Sullivan, CPA, & Partner at LGA, answer questions about what should ask their CPA before asking their advisor about retirement income. Read More
Beyond the Policy: Making Long-Term Care a Family Conversation
/// By Aviva Sapers November marks Long Term Care Awareness Month, a time not just to explore insurance options, but to reflect on how we prepare—emotionally, financially, and practically—for the realities of aging and caregiving. Why Long-Term Care Planning Is More Than Just Insurance Long-term care (LTC) isn’t just about facilities or policies—it’s about people.… Read More Read More
Year-End Wealth Planning Checklist: Early Financial Moves to Make Before December 31
/// By Joe Campedelli As the year draws to a close, now is the time to take control of your financial future. Whether you’re a high-net-worth individual or a business owner, making strategic moves before December 31 can help you optimize your wealth plan, reduce your tax burden, and set the stage for a successful… Read More Read More
Fundamental Benefits of Financial Literacy in the Workforce
/// By Jordan Smith Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, the teaching of financial literacy disappeared from American public schools, paving the way for three generations of under-educated, and ill-prepared adults to come. Nowadays, financial misinformation propagates online, and finding accurate and meaningful information is hidden behind the paywalls of online courses, professional services, and for-profit… Read More Read More
Women: Don’t Push Your Financial Needs Aside
/// By Ashley Agnew & Aviva Sapers With women living an average of five years longer than their male counterparts, and increasingly making more of the household financial decisions, the landscape of wealth management is shifting away from the historically male-dominated playing field. Despite this increase in financial responsibilities, women tend to have lower self-confidence… Read More Read More
Are Socially Minded Investments in ESG Right for You?
By Evan Macedo Recent years have seen an uptick in the desire for more “socially responsible investing,” with individuals and corporations alike focused, more than ever, on environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) concerns around where and how their money is spent. The basic idea is to emphasize impact investing which prioritizes financial returns in… Read More Read More
Sapers & Wallack Named to List of Nation’s Top DC Advisor Teams
Sapers & Wallack has been named to the National Association of Plan Advisors’ list of the nation’s top defined contribution (DC) Advisor Teams with Assets under Advisement over $100 Million. Unlike other lists, this focuses on individual firms, or what may, in a wirehouse environment, be referred to as a team, or office, and the… Read More Read More
October 2022 Participant memo: Market Trick and Treats
With the recent market volatility, it’s understandable that you may be concerned about your investments. Don’t let the market volatility spook you! Consider the following tips: Review your safe route. It is ok if your investment portfolio isn’t performing as you expected, but as you age closer towards your retirement, check out different investment options… Read More Read More
September 2022 Participant memo: Retirement Readiness: How will you Prepare?
Much has been made of the current state of the American worker as it pertains to their retirement savings. According to a recent study by the General Accountability Office, 29% of Americans 55 and older do not have any retirement savings or pension plan and those who have saved are woefully behind with 55-64 years… Read More Read More
How a Personalized Retirement Employer Plan Meets the Needs of an Evolving Market
The retirement plan landscape is rapidly changing and increasingly complex. Between volatile markets, the boom of remote work options, shifting worker demographics, and evolving challenges around hiring and retention—finding the right plan to balance performance with a reduced cost structure and mitigation of fiduciary risk and record keeping responsibilities can be a lot for an… Read More Read More
July 2022 Participant memo: Beneficiary Designations Who will get your money?
We know you are ready for summer! But how’s your retirement plan doing? Summer can serve as a preview of your retirement — long days in the sun and spending time with your loved ones! So, what better time to do a routine check-up on your retirement plan! Protect your loved ones and ensure… Read More Read More
June 2022 Participant memo: Beneficiary Designations Who will get your money?
Although not a pleasant topic, it is an important one – Who is the named beneficiary of your retirement account should you pass away? When you enrolled in your retirement plan, you were asked to select a beneficiary to receive your retirement plan assets in the event of your death. This step may be more… Read More Read More
May 2022 Participant memo: Millennials – The Time to Start Saving is Now!
Typically, younger people don’t make retirement savings a priority. Living expenses, student debt, rent or house payments, and other day-to-day expenses mean that retirement savings take a back seat. In fact, research from National Institute on Retirement Security says that 66 percent of millennials haven’t saved any money for retirement, and 66 percent haven’t started… Read More Read More
Podcast Q&A: Financial Matters for Women in Divorce
Aviva Sapers, CEO of Sapers & Wallack and Lisa M. Cukier, Partner & Co-Chair of Burns & Levinson LLP, answer questions about their blog “Financial Matters for Women Divorce” You can read the blog: “Financial Matters for Women in Divorce‘” here. LISA M. CUKIER is a Partner, Co-Chair of the Private Client Group, and Executive… Read More Read More
April 2022 Participant memo: Tax Saver’s Credit: Get the “Credit” You Deserve!
Tax Saver’s Credit: Get the “Credit” You Deserve! You may be eligible for a valuable incentive, which could reduce your federal income tax liability, for contributing to your company’s 401(k) or 403(b) plan. If you qualify, you may receive a Tax Saver’s Credit of up to $1,000 ($2,000 for married couples filing jointly) if you… Read More Read More
Department of Labor is Focusing on the Rollout of a Lifetime Income Product for Retirement—What Does that Mean for You?
In 2007, I worked at a large multi-national asset management firm and was asked to attend an annual retirement industry event with the executives of every major retirement company in the United States. Held at the Harvard Club, the theme of the meeting was “idea day,” where retirement focused asset management firms shared thought leadership… Read More Read More
It’s Time For Your Life Insurance Checkup
September is National Life Insurance Awareness Month, so i’s a great time to review your coverage.* If you don’t have any life insurance, you’re not alone. Life insurance is one of those “someday” things for many people – but the cheapest time to buy it is probably today. There are two kinds of life insurance:… Read More Read More
How to Utilize Technology Tools to Boost Financial Wellness
Stress is likely the largest contributor of health issues and loss of productivity at the workplace in America—and an estimated 84% of stress is derived from financial problems. That equates to huge financial ramifications for businesses of all sizes. A recently conducted Salary Finance survey found that American businesses are losing as much as 500-billion-dollars… Read More Read More
Retirement Times January 2021: 3(38) Advisory Services
The January issue of Retirement Times asks whether fiduciaries should outsource retirement plan investment responsibility, and discusses whether you should adopt a plan committee charter. This month’s Participant Memo discusses your financial wellness 101 – how much do you know about your retirement plan? Read the whole issue here. Read More
Using Life Insurance to Offer Diversified, Tax-Advantaged Retirement Savings
Regardless of your financial situation, for most of us, saving the right amount of money for retirement can be difficult. Establishing sources of replacement income that will allow you to consistently maintain your expected lifestyle after your working years often requires careful planning, financial discipline, and if those are not attainable, some creative solutions. Read More
Retirement Times December 2020: Post Election Investment Commentary
The December issue of Retirement Times gives us a post-election investment commentary as well as an article about cyber security issues for plan sponsors. This month’s Participant Memo covers the 10% Savings Goal, start small and grow. Read the whole issue here. Read More
Retirement Times November 2020
The November issue of Retirement Times gives us information about the Volatility of Investments in this Election Year; the results of a Retirement Income survey and an Auditor’s Perspective of an Annual Plan Audit. This month’s Participant Memo covers Retirement Plan Basics – 10 things to know about your employer’s retirement plan. Read the whole… Read More Read More
Reviewing Life Insurance Needs in the Time of COVID
As we enter Life Insurance Awareness Month, it seems a good moment to reevaluate why we have the insurance we do and whether it is the right amount to fulfill the needs we have. Against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic and with an election only months away that has the potential to greatly change… Read More Read More
Retirement Times August 2020
The August issue of Retirement Times focuses Collective Investment Trusts — The Fastest Growing Investment Vehicle Within 401(k) Plans – and also Allowable Plan Expenses. This month’s Participant Memo shares a Retirement Plan Check-Up. Read the whole issue here. Read More
Estate Planning Today for the World You Want Tomorrow
Often, when I begin a discussion with a client on estate planning, I remind them that they generally have three beneficiaries: family, charity, and Uncle Sam. I follow up with the question, “how much do you want to leave to each?” No one ever wants to leave their money to Uncle Sam, but the government… Read More Read More
Mitigating Downside Risk in the Market with Annuities and Life Insurance
There is a pervasive myth that insurance products produce mediocre returns. In truth, though life insurance has been purchased for many years to provide security and guarantees, there are some newer product lines that can be very attractive for investment purposes—particularly in volatile markets. In order to remain competitive and relevant, the insurance industry has… Read More Read More
Retirement Times May 2020
The May issue of Retirement Times focuses on if you are ready for an audit; if your company should implement a student loan assistance plan: complying with ERISA 404(c). This month’s Participant Memo shares Four Basic Steps for a Successful Retirement Read the whole issue here. Read More
Retirement Expenses memo
How Can you Prepare for Healthcare Expenses in Retirement? Rising healthcare costs are on everyone’s mind, even for affluent people. In fact, 69 percent of affluent pre-retirees cite rising healthcare costs as one of their top fears in retirement, according to a survey from the Nationwide Retirement Institute. In fact, 63 percent of these affluent… Read More Read More
Retirement Times April 2020
The April issue of Retirement Times focuses on Closing the Retirement Gender Gap: How Retirement Plan Advisors Can Help, along with Another Way to Save: New Tax Credit for Plan Participants. This month’s Participant Memo shares Five Key Decisions for a Successful Retirement. Read the whole issue here. Read More
Tax Efficiency: It’s Not What You Earn; It’s What You Keep
As a general rule, the more money you make, whether in work generated income or capital gains, the more you will pay in taxes. But rules are meant to be broken, and there are ways to mitigate tax losses with the right planning and advice. The after-tax return vs. the pretax return. Everyone wants their… Read More Read More
A Better Way to Give: Donor Advised Funds Auditing Your Donors to Maximize Donations for Your Not-For-Profit
Many people believe in giving back, but under the new tax laws, it may not be as tax advantageous as it used to be. With the steady appreciation in the stock market – the longest bull run in history – some folks have achieved a level of wealth they never imagined. Our Charitable Strategies work… Read More Read More
Mega Backdoor Roth Conversion Primer
Background There is growing interest in a design strategy known as the Mega Backdoor Roth Conversion (the Conversion). The Conversion allows 401(k) or 403(b) Plan participants who are already deferring the maximum allowed to contribute After-Tax funds to the plan. The participant may then convert the money from After-Tax funds to Designated Roth funds. This… Read More Read More
Why Retirement Planning Must Account for the Rising Cost of Healthcare
For most Americans in 2019, the idea of retirement is associated more with a sense of anxiety than the promise of relaxation it once inspired. Have I saved enough? When should I stop working? Will I have a guaranteed source of income? And more than ever before, how can I plan for the rising costs… Read More Read More
Roth Conversions for Retirement
On average, Americans are living longer than ever before. This reality has complicated the planning and saving stage of retirement as we struggle to secure enough income to cover our needs for the duration of our lifetime. One increasingly critical tool of financial planners for retirees is the use of Roth IRA conversions. A Roth… Read More Read More
IRS Contribution Limits 2015-2019
The Sapers & Wallack Retirement Team has developed an IRS Contribution Limits one pager to assist with any questions you might have. This is a great resource tool for you to keep on file in the event you or someone from your firm has questions about not only what the limits are in 2019 but… Read More Read More
Unclaimed Retirement Benefits
Unclaimed Retirement Benefits: Do you have money lost in old 401(k)s and pensions? There has been a wave of reporting over the last few years around the vast sums of money in unclaimed accounts in the US. Millions of Americans have forgotten or are completely unaware of money in their name from government payouts, bank… Read More Read More
Termination Death Benefit for Large Corporations
Termination Death Benefit for Large Corporations: How Not to Lose Benefits to Taxes, While Insuring Recovery of Accrued Liabilities It is a hard, somewhat morbid, topic to face, but the death of business executives at large companies is a financially fraught time for both the company and family of the executive alike. The financial payout… Read More Read More
Beware of One of the Most Costly “FREE” Employer Provided Benefits, Otherwise Known as the Fallacy of Group Term Life Insurance
One of the bread-and-butter staples of a well-conceived employee benefit program is the classic group term life insurance. You join a company, fill out a beneficiary form, and voila, you are provided with group term life insurance equivalent to a multiple of salary, such as two times annual earnings. You don’t think much of this… Read More Read More
Summer: An Unlikely Time for Changing CPAs
Last year my husband and I knew there was something wrong with our boiler, in the basement of our house. We knew this because we lost heat in the house during the winter – twice. We learned that repairing it would involve dismantling part of it and having no heat for a day. Our plumber,… Read More Read More
Defined Benefit Plans – A Wealth Accumulation Strategy for High Income Business Owners
With the end of the year approaching, now is the time for high income earners to assess whether a defined benefit plan makes sense. A defined benefit plan allows the highest deductible contributions of any retirement plan. This plan allows you to save for retirement on a tax-deductible basis. Investments made within the plan grow… Read More Read More
Contributing Women: Historic Benchmarks
Charity and “good works” have been part of American identity since before our country’s founding. To commemorate Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day on March 9, we take a look at some women whose charity enabled them to contribute to—and work for—causes they strongly believed in. In 1780, Esther Reed, the wife of the… Read More Read More
Resisting the Emotional Spin Cycle
As we look back over the first decade of the 21st century, we can draw one undeniable conclusion – it was a bear of a time for investors. Major market declines from 2000 to 2002 and then again in 2008 dragged equity returns well below their long-term averages. But research will show that, as disappointing… Read More Read More