Author Archives: Brian Lahr

Navigating Stock Awards as You Approach Retirement

For many professionals, especially those in executive or corporate roles, stock awards—such as stock options, restricted stock units (RSUs), or performance shares—can represent a significant portion of total compensation. As retirement approaches, these equity-based benefits can play a major role in your overall financial picture. However, they also come with important timing, tax, and diversification […]

2025 Contribution Deadlines: IRA, Roth IRA, and HSA

As the tax filing deadline approaches, it’s a great time to double-check your retirement and savings contributions. Even though the calendar year has ended, you may still have time to make or complete contributions for 2025 which could lower your tax bill. Below is a simple guide to the contribution deadlines for IRAs, Roth IRAs, […]

Health Insurance Before Medicare: A Guide for Executives Retiring Early

Retirement is a milestone that many people eagerly anticipate, but one of the most pressing questions facing retirees is how to manage health insurance costs. If you retire before age 65, you may face a coverage gap before becoming eligible for Medicare. Even after Medicare kicks in, understanding the enrollment process and choosing the right […]

What HNW Donors Need to Know About the OBBBA’s Tax Impact on Giving

The recently passed One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) has reshaped the landscape for charitable giving, and for high-net-worth individuals, the changes can be significant. In this video, I’ll explain some key points: How the new tax law impacts the value of your charitable gifts When it might make sense to itemize versus take the […]

Should You Roll Over Your Old 401(k)? The Hidden Costs of Leaving It Behind

If you’re a corporate executive, you might have at least one 401(k) plan lingering from a prior employer. It’s just sitting there—unwatched, unmanaged, and probably not doing anything wrong… but not exactly doing anything strategic, either. I get it — you’re busy. You have teams to lead, goals to hit, and maybe even inboxes you […]

Is a Roth 401(k) Appropriate for You? What Every Corporate Executive Should Consider

When it comes to building wealth for retirement, corporate executives often face a paradox: high income opens the door to many opportunities, but it can also close off access to some of the most tax-efficient savings tools—like Roth IRAs, which phase out at relatively modest income levels. But there’s one Roth strategy that’s still on […]

Unlocking the Power of the Mega Backdoor Roth: A Smart Strategy for Corporate Executives

If you’re a high-income executive who has maxed out your 401(k) contributions and still has room in your financial plan to save more for retirement in a tax-efficient way, there’s a powerful strategy that you might be able to use: the Mega Backdoor Roth. For many corporate executives, this tool can be a game-changer—allowing you […]

Understanding Deferred Compensation: Don’t Leave Money on the Table

When you’re going through a career transition—whether it’s a promotion, a company exit, or even early retirement—your financial to-do list can be long and complicated. Among the most overlooked (and misunderstood) elements of executive compensation are the non-qualified deferred compensation (NQDC) plans for a) salary reduction arrangements and b) bonus deferral plans. If you’re fortunate […]

Top 4 Critical RSU Stock Award Mistakes to Avoid: Tax Traps, Planning Errors & Investment Risks

Restricted Stock Units (RSUs), otherwise known as stock awards, can be a powerful component of your compensation package, offering the potential to build wealth over time. But, without proper planning and understanding, they can also lead to unintended financial consequences. If you’re not careful, RSUs can become a tax trap, expose you to too much […]

How Tariffs and Inflation Could Impact Your Portfolio: What Investors Need to Know

The Emotional Impact of Economic Change Headlines about economic changes, particularly those involving tariffs, can trigger strong emotions among investors. The uncertainty surrounding trade policies and inflation can lead to fear-driven decision-making, which can be detrimental to long-term financial health. Many investors are asking: How will recent tariffs impact my portfolio? While no one can […]