Blog

Asset management and financial wellness can help develop long-term confidence when wealth transfers from generation to generation. Understanding and implementing financial wellness techniques is essential for effectively sharing wealth...

Our April 2026 Newsletter: Welcome to the SFS Team, Tim, The Ultimate Estate Planning Checklist, 15th Annual Shred Event, New RMD Feature in Account View, 7 Hobbies That Could Add Years to Your Life, Top 50 Economies by GDP, Local Events

Tim brings more than 25 years of experience in the financial markets and will be working closely with Bob and the rest of SFS to help clients with financial planning and investment decisions.

When you retire, you need your money to work for you. After years of saving and investing, you want to know: "How do I make my money last?"Wealthy retirees are already at a great starting point. But even with a strong financial base,...

Choosing and regularly reviewing your beneficiaries and asset distribution plan is critical for ensuring everything goes according to your wishes. This includes structuring your plan around cost-effective measures such as tax benefits...

March is Women’s History Month, a month-long celebration of female empowerment1. This effort includes advocating for better representation in the workforce, pay parity and improved work-life balance. There are some specific steps that...

Our March 2026 Newsletter. Topics include 2026 Capital Gains Tax Thresholds, DYK: OBBBA Provisions that Effect 2026 Taxes, Global Population Trends, Think Spring, Saratoga!

Financial wellness is a state of being when one is in control of their finances, can cover expenses, and save for future goals. Consider financial wellness as your relationship with money; it can be either healthy or unhealthy....

At what age should you start discussing inheritance with your children? Estate planning and inheritance, while complex topics, should be an ongoing discussion with your family. Even in their late teens, twenties, and thirties, children...

After years of saving and planning for their golden years, many people nearing retirement fail to consider the tax burden they may face on income they receive after they stop working. While you will likely see a reduction in the amount...

Let Us Help You Create Your IDEAL Plan for RetirementHaving a plan in place before you retire is crucial to make sure every aspect of your financial life is ready for that big step. The acronym IDEAL is a helpful way to remember the...

When you think of identity theft, you may think of unauthorized credit card payments or new lines of credit. However, tax identity theft is one of the most common types of identity theft — and it’s also the most common fraud attempt...

Many dream of working toward early retirement, but getting there generally doesn’t happen by accident. Retiring early requires financial independence that can last for decades, but that is much easier said than done. To get there...

Managing retirement strategies and creating goals can help you stay focused and consistent in your financial efforts. It creates a sense of achievement while you make progress toward the pursuit of a fulfilling retirement and financial...

Our January 2026 Newsletter. Topics include LPL 2026 Outlook: The Policy Engine, DYK: OBBBA Deductions that Effect 2026 Taxes, The World Economy in 2026, and The Average SS Benefit at Ages 62 & 70

The average family spends an extra $1,000 or more during the holiday season. From gifts and travel to dinners, shows, and decorations, each purchase adds up.1 How might you take full advantage of holiday cheer while avoiding the...

For many investors, the end of the year can be a good time to catch one's breath and look ahead to next year. Take the time to take stock of your investments, evaluating what worked, what didn’t, and what you might do better next year....

As the year comes to a close, there are some important deadlines that you shouldn’t ignore. These deadlines affect your taxes, savings, and, perhaps, your financial future. Here’s a simple guide to help you stay on track before this...

Our December 2025 Newsletter. Topics Include: 2026 IRS Contribution Limits, DYK: OBBBA Deductions that Effect 2025 Taxes, Which States Americans are Moving To, The Unlimited Marital Deduction

There are a number of different tax planning moves you can make before December 31 to reduce your owed taxes. But how can you know which ones are available to you? Here are five year-end tax planning questions you may want to ask your...

Year-end charitable giving is often associated with the spirit of doing good during the holiday season. It gives the donor a feeling of satisfaction and, in some cases, a substantial tax write-off.

As your world changes year by year, it is critical that you review your estate plan and update it to stay aligned with your long-term financial goals.

The holidays may still seem far away. But if you’re looking to save money and manage stress, now might be the time to start shopping, especially in today’s economic climate. Between rising prices, inflation-related cost increases, and...

Medicare 101 Medicare is a federal health insurance program for those 65 or older, or younger with certain disabilities. The initial enrollment period starts 3 months before the month you turn 65 and lasts for 3 months afterward. The...

Estate planning is critical for efficiently transferring your money, property, and assets to your beneficiaries after you die. The reason people choose an estate plan is that it avoids probate. One thing to keep in mind about your...

The way a living trust can avoid probate is by legally owning the assets that then get distributed to beneficiaries according to the terms of the trust, thereby bypassing the court-supervised probate process....

How compound interest works Compound interest is the interest you earn on interest. You deposit an initial investment at a particular rate of return that could vary each year. A basic example would be if you invested $10,000 at an 8%...

Our October 2025 Newsletter. Topics Include: 4 Tips to Shift Your Mindset from Save to Spend in Retirement, Converting 529s to a Roth IRA, Did You Know that SFS Offers CDs?, Fall is Fabulous in Saratoga Springs

Your credit and Social Security number are two of the most important pieces of personal information that you have when it comes to safeguarding your finances and even your identity.

If you’re nearing age 65 or already enrolled in Medicare, it’s important to stay up to date on how the program is evolving. Every year brings small changes, and 2025 is no different.

Periodically, companies will report massive data breaches, some impacting billions of records that contain personal information such as names, addresses, and Social Security numbers.

Our September 2025 Newsletter. Topics Include: The One Big Beautiful Bill Act: A Strategic Guide for Investors, Don't be Fooled... It's a Scam!, Cybersecurity Tips for Seniors, and September in Saratoga.

A 529 plan is a tax-advantaged savings plan designed specifically for education expenses. There are two types of 529 plans: pre-paid tuition and education savings.

Every so often we wake up to news reports of market volatility and global financial upheaval. Even though this is not unusual, we grow concerned and some investors panic as they watch their hard-earned money disappear before their eyes.

Once you are in your 60s, you are likely to focus less on growing your retirement funds than answering, "When do I retire?" And once you crack open your nest egg, how should you allocate its contents?

Our August 2025 Newsletter. Topics include: LPL Research Presents: 2025 Midyear Outlook, The "One Big Beautiful Bill Act", How Wealthy is NY?, and Summer Fun in Saratoga Springs!

We started 2025 on a high note, although we acknowledged that “no market environment is ever permanent, and that change is always potentially around the corner.”

Since it first became available in 2006, many employers have added the Roth 401(k) to their benefit packages as a retirement savings option.

Everyone wants a comfortable retirement, but the road you take there will depend on your specific situation. When you invest, you assume a certain level of risk (but like everyone you’re hoping that your holdings will increase in value).

Working towards financial independence can often be a lifelong process. But for many, financial freedom may come far sooner—and include some fun along the way.

Our July 2025 Newsletter. Topics Include: 62% of Retirees Don't Know How Long Their Money Will Last, Is Roth Conversion Right for You, 3 Kinds of Hobbies that can Help Us Thrive, DYK: Consumer Confidence Index, and a local events calendar.

Contributing to a 401(k) plan is an excellent method for saving for retirement. There are many benefits to having a 401(k) plan, and you often hear that you are supposed to max out your account.

Asset management and financial wellness can help develop long-term confidence when wealth transfers from generation to generation.

Over the next few decades, one of the most significant wealth transfers in history is that baby boomers will pass down an estimated $30 trillion in assets to their heirs.

Our June 2025 Newsletter. Topics Include: 11 Things to Tell Your Kids About Your Money, Inherited IRAs, Saratoga Springs Rotary Education Foundation, and a local events calendar.

Once you are in your 60s, you are likely to focus less on growing your retirement funds than answering, "When do I retire?" And once you crack open your nest egg, how should you allocate its contents?

Retirement seems like a long way off, but it arrives faster than you think. The big question is, are you ready? What exactly does retirement entail?

Read our infographic here.

Our May 2025 Newsletter. Topics include: How to Maximize Social Security with Spousal Benefits, What Percentage of Retirees Have $1.5 Million?, 14th Annual Shred Event, SFS Email Address Update, Springtime Fun in Saratoga

Choosing a financial professional is a major decision. Finding someone you trust enough to manage your money and your future may feel like a nerve-wracking choice.

Learning financial literacy, such as money management, budgeting, and investing, can seem daunting, but is no different than learning how to speak another language.

Those who receive an inheritance with the passing of a loved one are potentially given the gift of financial freedom if they choose to manage the wealth carefully.

Our April 2025 Newsletter. Topics include: Retirement Checklist for 2025, Facebook Giveaway Winners, Where Are Baby Boomers Moving in Retirement, our 14th Annual SFS Shred Event, , Local Events Calendar.

Suppose an emergency strikes and your family needs to quickly access important financial and personal information. Now, ask yourself—are these documents organized, secure, and easily accessible?

The Social Security Fairness Act, HR 82 is a bill that was recently signed into law that repeals several decades-old provisions and aims to increase Social Security payments for nearly 3 million former and current public employees...

Each year when tax season rolls around, it comes with the burden of figuring out how to file your taxes correctly.

Our March 2025 Newsletter: Topics Include: 5 Reasons to Consolidate Your Assets, Important Changes to Medicare for 2025, Worried About Outliving Your Savings, Retirement Statistics, and a Local Events Calendar.

Retirement planning is not just about saving money — it’s about surviving on the money you saved and may receive in retirement, such as Social Security benefits.

Our February 2025 Newsletter: topics include The 3 Documents Everyone in Retirement Needs, NVIDIA has Joined the DOW, Did You Know: S&P 500, When to Expect Your LPL Financial Tax Forms, and a local events calendar.

Outlook 2025: Pragmatic Optimism Happy New Year! The fresh start of a new year creates a desire to set new intentions and goals and presents a wonderful opportunity to reflect on the previous year’s achievements. That’s just what the...

The SECURE 2.0 Act is a piece of legislation, enacted in 2022, containing changes to be made to IRA and 401(k) rules being phased in over several years. The primary goal of The SECURE 2.0 Act is to encourage workers to save more for...

Fraud Awareness After working hard and strategically saving your money, the last thing you want is to fall for a scam. It never hurts to be extra cautious when you receive a suspicious phone call or email. Even when visiting a website...

The end of the 2024 is quickly approaching, and with a new year we can typically find new updates regarding Social Security benefits. Final adjustments to 2025 Social Security changes will be announced this month, but it is predicted..

When calling into SFS you will now hear the kind voice of Kate Fryer, our new Office Coordinator. Lauren and her husband moved to a new town in New York at the end of August but we thank Lauren for her dedication to SFS for the past 3 years

A required minimum distribution (RMD) is the minimum amount the IRS requires you to take out of your retirement accounts after a certain age to avoid a tax penalty.

The S&P 500 (Standard and Poor’s 500) and DJIA (Dow Jones Industrial Average) are commonly discussed stock indexes which can sometime be used as benchmarks for investment portfolios.

Determining when to retire is one of life’s biggest decisions. Reviewing your finances, lifestyle, goals and “playing out” various potential scenarios for retirement with your financial advisor can help guide your decision.