The scenarios below are emblematic of the client relationships that we build with
retirees, professionals, executives and those who are navigating complex transitions.
Executive
Clarifying Executive Compensation
The Background
A senior executive at a large corporation is looking to weigh her options with respect to her equity compensation package and map out a financial strategy for the long term.
She has worked with her current employer for many years and also holds assets from a previous corporate role, alongside a complex compensation and bonus structure.
Her work keeps her busy and she needs an efficient way to track and manage her wealth.
The Solution
As part of our discovery process, we assess her compensation, bonus structures, stock options and personal investments. We also discuss her long-term outlook in terms of lifestyle, goals, retirement and family.
Her equity compensation includes restricted stock units (RSUs) and performance stock units (PSUs). In addition, there is a detailed set of rules and restrictions that cover her employer’s stock. We sort through the minutiae to identify a few key steps that will help her maximize the value of these assets and save tax on the eventual payouts.
We also discover that she and her spouse have an outdated estate plan so we coordinate with their estate lawyer to update their documentation, avoid unnecessary estate taxes, and make sure they are on track to meet their wishes.
The Result
The executive has improved her financial well-being with respect to risk exposure, growth and tax efficiency.
We set up her portal, which allows her to log in to an intuitive all-in-one financial dashboard from any of her devices at any time. This provides her with invaluable comfort and clarity in her day-to-day life.
Widow
Embarking on a New Path
The Background
A woman in her 70s is referred to us after losing her husband. She has had limited involvement in the management of her finances, so she is anxious about taking it all on and making the right decisions.
The Solution
Our first priority is to take an inventory of her assets, liabilities and sources of income. We compile all the details in order to establish a clear picture of her current financial life. In the process, we discover inefficiencies in the way her assets are allocated, including a costly insurance policy, oversized tax burden and investments that exceed her personal risk tolerance.
We sit down with our client to discuss what matters most to her, in terms of both current lifestyle needs and future priorities. Once we have a strong understanding of where she wants to be, we begin to outline a plan and an investment strategy.
The Result
As a non-bank-owned firm, we are able to explore an unrestricted network of service providers to identify the appropriate investment solutions and insurance strategies for our client. We walk her through all the various aspects of her comprehensive plan, her investment portfolio and the implementation steps that we will manage for her.
In addition to the impact our strategies make on her tax-efficiency, risk exposure and capital preservation, the most significant change is her comfort level. She is now confident her finances are on track, that her cash flow is sustainable and that she can live her life without financial worry.
Retiree
Navigating Retirement
The Background
A retired professional comes to us with concerns about his financial longevity. He is living off the assets he has built over the course of his career and wants to define a clear strategy for how that wealth will support him and his goals for the years to come.
The Solution
We meet with him to get a thorough understanding of his current retirement lifestyle and the challenges and goals he has in mind. We defined several objectives related to cash flow as well as his desire to preserve and grow his estate for the next generation.
Inflation is a major consideration as we evaluate his options, and we pay close attention to tax efficiency and the need for rising cash flow. Working with his estate attorney, we also update his estate documentation and explore strategies to preserve a segment of his net worth to meet his legacy goals.
The Result
We present detailed projections for his cash flow, investments and estate, and outline several key strategies to combat inflation and other challenges in meeting his goals. We restructure his assets to improve tax-efficiency and create a portfolio designed to support his income needs for years to come.
We are able to help our client meet his day-to-day needs, while preserving his estate for his children and beneficiaries. We actively oversee his investments and strategies, meeting with him as needed to make adjustments based on new life changes and objectives.
Pre-Retiree
Building Long-Term Financial Well-Being
The Background
A couple in their 40s is looking to the long-term and considering their options. Firmly in the accumulation phase, they need a well-defined strategy to grow their wealth efficiently while also balancing spending demands involved with raising their family and cash flow.
The Solution
We discover that their portfolio has been concentrated in a fairly narrow range of investments. We designed investment solutions that would best align with their short- and long-term needs. The diversified portfolio includes traditional and alternative investments, and we create several buckets for retirement, their children’s education and specific goals like traveling.
We also looked for opportunities to reduce their tax burden, which included maximizing registered accounts and streamlining their cash flow process. Through our comprehensive review, we also identified gaps in their estate plan, and begin exploring ways to ensure their children will be taken care of in case of unforeseen events.
The Result
Since implementing their investment and asset growth strategies, the couple has been able to accumulate wealth more quickly and tax-efficiently. They have established a very clear understanding of what they are invested in, what amount they can spend, and what steps are needed to reach their long-term goals.
They have busy day-to-day lives, but their financial clarity and comfort allows them to focus on work and family knowing their finances are on track.
