Beneficiary Designations: When and Why They Matter and When to Review Them Beneficiary designations determine who receives certain assets when an account holder passes away. These designations apply to retirement accounts, life insurance policies, annuities, and some brokerage accounts. Many investors complete these forms when opening an account and may [...]
The 10-Year Rule for Inherited IRAs in 2026: How to Avoid Costly Tax Mistakes For decades, the “Stretch IRA” was one of the most effective estate planning strategies available. It allowed children and grandchildren to inherit retirement accounts and distribute assets over their own life expectancies, potentially deferring income taxes [...]
Concentrated Stock Positions: 3 Tax-Aware Strategies Chicago Executives Should Understand For many executives, a concentrated stock position represents years—even decades—of hard work. Restricted stock units (RSUs), stock options, employee stock purchase plans, or founder shares can create substantial wealth. They can also create significant portfolio risk if one company represents [...]
The 2026 Barrington Guide to Tax-Efficient Retirement Income Bridges For high-net-worth families in Barrington and the surrounding Chicago suburbs, the year 2026 marks a significant shift in the financial landscape. With the sunsetting of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) provisions, tax brackets are projected to revert to higher [...]
2026 Second Quarter Review & Outlook The S&P 500 rebounded during the second quarter of 2026 and is now up 10.21% year to date. The rebound was fueled by stronger-than-expected corporate earnings. First-quarter earnings increased 28.8% year over year, led by the technology sector, where earnings grew an impressive 54.8%. [...]
When It Makes Sense to Revisit Your Financial Plan A financial plan is not a document you create once and file away. It is a living framework that typically evolves as your life changes. At Virtue Asset Management, regular review and adjustment are part of our financial planning process. The [...]
When Does It Make Sense to Hire a Financial Advisor? (A Practical Guide for 2026) 1. The Inheritance / Windfall Moment An inheritance, legal settlement, or other sudden windfall can feel like a blessing and a burden at the same time. You may be grieving, fielding opinions from family members, [...]
The 5-Year Retirement Countdown: A Retirement Planning Checklist for Chicago Executives For many executives in Chicago, Barrington, Oak Park, and throughout the Chicagoland area, the five years leading up to retirement represent one of the most important financial planning periods of their lives. During this time, decisions regarding executive compensation, [...]
Beyond the Basket: Understanding the Risks of Stock and Sector Concentration For many successful investors, wealth was not built through broad diversification. It was often built through ownership in a business, long-term employment with a successful company, or concentrated investments that appreciated significantly over time. While concentration can play a [...]
The Executive’s Guide to Hedging Low-Cost Basis Stock in 2026 You have spent years, perhaps decades, building a significant stake in your company. Whether you are an executive at a Fortune 500 firm or a key leader in a high-growth Chicago-based enterprise, that concentrated stock position may represent a substantial [...]
