Planning Topics

Cash Flow Planning

Healthy cash flow is foundational to a solid financial plan. We’ll help you with the following and more:

• Budgeting tips and accountability
• School loans
• Debt payoff plan
• Emergency fund
• Home purchase
• Savings targets
• Credit score

Employee Benefits Planning

Business Owners – we will consider and/or recommend the various retirement plans (401k, SEP, pension, etc) that can be structured to meet both business and personal retirement goals.

Employees – We will provide review and analysis as to whether you are taking the maximum advantage possible of your employee benefits.

Insurance Planning

Lack of appropriate insurance can undo an otherwise well-designed financial plan. Since we do not receive commissions for recommending certain products, we can provide an unbiased opinion on the following types of insurance:

• Life
• Health
• Disability and Long-Term Care
• Personal and Business Liability

Tax Planning

Minimize current and future income taxes is an important part of your overall financial planning picture. We may make recommendations on:

• Use of tax deferred vs Roth vs taxable accounts
• Investment location – which type of accounts hold which type of investments, based in part on their relative tax efficiency
• Sell decisions – analysis of cost basis
• Use of municipal vs taxable bonds

We recommend that you consult with a qualified tax professional before initiating any tax planning strategy, and we may provide you with contact information for accountants or attorneys who specialize in this area if you wish to hire someone for such purposes. We will participate in meetings or phone calls between you and your tax professional with your approval.

College Savings

Includes projecting the amount that will be needed to achieve college or other post-secondary education funding goals, along with advice on ways for you to save the desired amount. Recommendations as to savings strategies are included, and, if needed, we will review your financial picture as it relates to eligibility for financial aid or the best way to contribute to grandchildren (if appropriate).

Investment Planning

Our investment approach is holistic in nature. We consider not only accounts managed by SwitchPoint, but other assets owned by the client in developing an asset allocation strategy to meet clients’ financial goals and risk tolerance. This includes reviewing:

• employee stock options
• defined contribution plans (401k, 403b, etc)
• real estate assets and other private investments

Retirement Planning

Before Retirement – we will analyze projections of the likelihood of achieving your financial goals. Some of the most important trade-offs we will discuss are:

• Retirement age
• Savings amount
• Retirement lifestyle goals
• Investment risk levels
• Legacy goals

In Retirement – we will do a thorough analysis of your social security and pension benefits, as well as retirement accounts and other assets available for retirement needs. Advice may be given on appropriate distribution strategies to minimize the likelihood of running out of money or having to adversely alter spending during your retirement years.

Estate Planning

We will discuss your current estate plan, which may include reviewing:

• Beneficiaries on insurance and retirement accounts
• Wills
• Powers of attorney
• Trusts and other related documents

Our advice also typically includes ways for you to minimize or avoid future estate taxes by implementing appropriate estate planning strategies.

We always recommend that you consult with a qualified attorney when you initiate, update, or complete estate planning activities. We may provide you with contact information for attorneys who specialize in estate planning when you wish to hire an attorney for such purposes. From time-to-time, we will participate in meetings or phone calls between you and your attorney with your approval or request.