Tag: Financial Planning

Inside the Investor’s Brain: Biases That Cost You (Ep. 39)

Inside the Investor’s Brain: Biases That Cost You (Ep. 39)

Ever wondered how your mind affects your investments? Is your brain wired to work against you as you make financial decisions?

Join Jim McGovern of McGovern Wealth Group in the latest episode of ‘Maximizing Outcomes,’ as he teams up with Phil McGinnis, Chief Investment Strategist at Avantis Investors. Together, they navigate the intricate intersection of human psychology and financial decision-making, uncovering its profound impact on investment outcomes. This episode is a must-listen for anyone wanting to understand the basics of behavioral finance, and how to recognize when emotions and biases may be working against you.

Key Discussion Points:

  • The Psychology of Investing: Learn how emotional and cognitive biases can derail even the most carefully laid investment plans
  • Brain and Money Choices: Understand how innate biases affect our financial decisions and the crucial role of self-awareness and critical thinking
  • Debunking Investment Myths: Discover why conventional market wisdom might not always hold true and the importance of a comprehensive understanding of financial concepts
  • Emotions and Investment Decisions: Gain insights into how our feelings and past experiences influence our financial choices and the significance of setting realistic expectations
  • Navigating Market Volatility: Strategies for staying steady through market highs and lows, focusing on long-term investment gains
  • Recognizing Personal Biases: Learn the importance of understanding your own predispositions and using data and technology for smarter investing
  • Seeking Expert Financial Advice: Hear Jim McGovern’s perspective on the value of professional guidance in navigating complex investment landscapes
  • And much more!

Resources:

Connect with McGovern Wealth Group:

Connect with Philip McInnis:

About Philip McInnis:

Phil McGinnis, as Chief Investment Strategist at Avantis Investors, brings a wealth of knowledge in combining data-driven strategies with an understanding of behavioral finance. His expertise is pivotal in guiding investors through the maze of market complexities, ensuring a clear understanding of investment strategies and their performance across various market conditions.

The Art of College Planning (Pt. 2) (Ep. 38)

The Art of College Planning (Pt. 2) (Ep. 38)

Ever wondered how the FAFSA form could unlock hidden college funding?

Chart the unknown territories of college funding where host Jim McGovern unlocks the mysteries of the FAFSA form and beyond. Tailored for families on the journey of college financial planning, Jim reveals expert tactics for leveraging the FAFSA and unveils a treasure trove of funding strategies.

Key discussion points include:

  • Discover the latest shifts, key filing dates, eligibility secrets, and annual must-dos
  • Learn precise reporting, understand financial changes, and harness the Data Retrieval Tool
  • Insights on assets exempt from FAFSA and why all families should apply
  • Strategies for diverse family structures, including divorced parents and business owners
  • Insider tips on asset positioning and FAFSA reporting essentials
  • Dive into 529 plans, permanent life insurance, and Roth IRAs for college financing
  • And much more!

Resources:

Connect with McGovern Wealth Group:

High Earners, Low Coverage: Solving the Income Protection Gap with Tasha Jo Hill (Ep. 33)

High Earners, Low Coverage: Solving the Income Protection Gap with Tasha Jo Hill (Ep. 33)

Higher earning individuals are often left underinsured and shocked by the limitations of group disability policies. How confident are you that your income is optimally protected in the event of a disability?

In this episode, Jim McGovern welcomes Tasha Jo Hill, a seasoned expert in disability income planning and the Director of Income Protection Strategies at Lifetime Financial Growth, LLC. Together, they shed light on misconceptions with common group disability insurance policies, and identify the gaps that widen as income levels increase. 

In this episode, Jim and Tasha will:

  • Uncover often-overlooked misconceptions about disability insurance
  • Discover whether or not your current disability insurance truly covers your full compensation
  • Learn what constitutes a partial disability and reveal the essential role of supplemental insurance in bolstering this coverage
  • Explore how owning a disability insurance policy can be a safeguard to financial stability, particularly during employment transitions
  • Discover simple yet powerful strategies that can provide high quality coverage at a steep discount, without the typical medical underwriting challenges.
  • Explore specialized strategies for higher-income earners to ensure comprehensive protection
  • And more!

Resources:

Connect with McGovern Wealth Group:

Connect with Tasha Jo Hill:

About our guest:

Tasha Jo Hill serves as the Director of Income Protection Strategies at Lifetime Financial Growth, boasting over two decades of expertise in disability income planning. Dedicated to safeguarding individuals’ ability to earn, Tasha crafts personalized protection strategies, whether complementing existing benefits or as stand-alone safeguards. She is steadfast in her commitment to client excellence, educating and empowering a diverse clientele to secure their financial futures against unforeseen life events.

The State of the Economy and the Financial Markets with Mike Trudel, CFA, JD (Ep. 32)

The State of the Economy and the Financial Markets with Mike Trudel, CFA, JD (Ep. 32)

Ready to untangle the web between the Federal Reserve, Big Tech, and your investments?

In this episode, Jim McGovern from McGovern Wealth Group sits down with Michael Trudel, CFA, JD, Managing Director and Global Strategist at BlackRock, to explore the complexities of today’s markets – from the U.S. economy’s surprising resilience to the tech sector’s influence on the stock market this year. Armed with over two decades of industry experience, Mike offers an insightful, well-rounded perspective on the economy and what’s been the financial markets.

Throughout this episode, Jim and Mike discuss:

  • Why the U.S. economy is showing resilience despite Federal Reserve actions
  • How the major tech companies are driving stock market gains
  • How the corporate inventory restocking contributes to positive growth in GDP
  • The earnings outlook in the recent years compared to the past
  • The rising interest rates and their impact on the overall stock and bond market 
  • The economic picture outside of the U. S. and how things are looking around the world
  • An overview of the bond markets and what investors could expect in the future
  • And more!

Connect with McGovern Wealth Group:

Connect with Michael Trudel:

About our guest:

Michael Trudel is a seasoned financial expert with a dual background in law and portfolio management. Michael is a Chartered Financial Analyst and Managing Director at BlackRock’s Global Allocation team. With over two decades in the industry, he’s an authority on macro strategy and portfolio analysis, having previously served at Merrill Lynch and the Bank of New York. Armed with multiple degrees, including a cum laude JD and an MBA, Mike offers a well-rounded perspective on global financial trends.

Retaining Key Employees with Non-Qualified Retirement Plans, Part 2 with Thomas Wyatt, JD, CFP® (Ep. 29)

Retaining Key Employees with Non-Qualified Retirement Plans, Part 2 with Thomas Wyatt, JD, CFP® (Ep. 29)

For any business owner, losing key employees can be costly and disruptive. Retaining top-performing employees is crucial not only for growing your bottom line, but also for maximizing your enterprise value when it’s time to exit the business.

In the previous episode, we talked about qualified retirement plans. Today, we will discuss non-qualified retirement plans, which serve as an effective incentive to retain talent while simultaneously enabling your business to realize tax savings!

Join Jim McGovern and Thomas Wyatt, JD, CFP® and President of our Columbus office, in this two-part series as they share meaningful insights into various non-qualified deferred compensation plans, and their benefits for both the employer and employee.

Jim and Thomas discuss:

  • How non-qualified retirement plans differ from qualified plans
  • How Section 162 Executive Bonus Plans help retain employees for over a decade (and why they are easy to set up) 
  • A simplified explanation of split-dollar life insurance plans
  • Understanding Supplemental Executive Retirement Programs, which serve as “golden handcuffs”
  • How to reward employees without diluting your ownership using phantom stock plans
  • And more!

Resources:

Connect with McGovern Wealth Group:

Connect with Thomas Wyatt:

About our guest:

Thomas Wyatt, JD, CFP® is a highly skilled Certified Financial Planner, Professional based in Columbus, OH. With a strong focus on assisting businesses, business owners, and individual clients, Thomas has dedicated his career to helping them achieve their financial goals through effective and efficient tax-favored strategies.

Throughout his professional journey, Thomas has specialized in various areas, including Profit Sharing, 401(k) plans, Defined Benefit plans, Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plans, and essential employee benefits. By implementing these strategies, he empowers his clients to attract and retain talented individuals while maximizing tax advantages.

Recognizing the significance of individual financial aspirations, Thomas also works closely with individuals to help them shape the future they desire. Through comprehensive planning and personalized strategies, he assists clients in realizing their dreams and securing their financial well-being. With his extensive knowledge and unwavering dedication, Thomas Wyatt, JD, CFP® is a trusted financial partner committed to empowering businesses and individuals alike on their journey toward financial success.

Retirement Planning Essentials, Part 1 with Thomas Wyatt, JD, CFP® (Ep. 28)

Retirement Planning Essentials, Part 1 with Thomas Wyatt, JD, CFP® (Ep. 28)

In this two-part series, we’ll be covering qualified retirement plans in Part 1 and non-qualified retirement plans in Part 2. If you’re a business owner, these episodes are a must-listen, as they provide valuable insights into retirement income planning, plan designs, limitations, and how to administer them for maximum tax savings.

In part 1, we provide you with important information for navigating qualified retirement plans. Thomas Wyatt JD, CFP® and President of our Columbus office, will guide you through the complexities and help you make informed financial decisions for your business.

Here’s what you’ll learn in Part 1:

  • Understanding the intricacies of pre-tax IRAs and Roth IRAs, including income limitations and contribution rates
  • Exploring the benefits and limitations of SEP IRAs for small business owners and how they differ from traditional IRAs
  • What Simple Roth IRAs are, and how they compare to a 401k
  • Strategies for business owners on how they can design their 401k plans based on their business goals
  • What the 412(e)(3) plan is, and how it differentiates from other retirement plans
  • And a whole lot more!

Connect with McGovern Wealth Group:

Connect with Thomas Wyatt:

About our guest:

Thomas Wyatt, JD, CFP® is a highly skilled Certified Financial Planner based in Columbus, OH. With a strong focus on assisting businesses, business owners, and individual clients, Thomas has dedicated his career to helping them achieve their financial goals through effective and efficient tax-favored strategies.

Throughout his professional journey, Thomas has specialized in various areas, including Profit Sharing, 401(k) plans, Defined Benefit plans, Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plans, and essential employee benefits. By implementing these strategies, he empowers his clients to attract and retain talented individuals while maximizing tax advantages.

Recognizing the significance of individual financial aspirations, Thomas also works closely with individuals to help them shape the future they desire. Through comprehensive planning and personalized strategies, he assists clients in realizing their dreams and securing their financial well-being. With his extensive knowledge and unwavering dedication, Thomas Wyatt, JD, CFP® is a trusted financial partner committed to empowering businesses and individuals alike on their journey toward financial success.

Unlocking Retirement Security: How Annuities Can Help Protect Assets and Guarantee¹ Lifetime Income, Part 2 (Ep. 27)

Unlocking Retirement Security: How Annuities Can Help Protect Assets and Guarantee¹ Lifetime Income, Part 2 (Ep. 27)

In the second part of this two-part series, Jim McGovern discusses how annuities can help provide a secure “retirement salary” that cannot be outlived¹ and how to help position other assets to serve as a “bonus” component for retirement spending. Jim discusses some of the challenges retirees face when relying solely on market-based investments, limitations of the popular “4% Withdrawal Rate” concept, and different ways annuities can be structured to meet income, investment, risk, and protection objectives in retirement.

Jim discusses:

  • Why it is important to have a reliable source of guaranteed¹ lifelong income in retirement
  • The potential consequences of relying solely on market-based investments
  • The different types of annuities that provide guaranteed¹ lifetime income and some of their key features
  • Addressing the worry of retirement savings earning a poor return (and how to mitigate this risk!)
  • Other uses for annuities besides investing and retirement income
  • The fees and penalty withdrawals considerations for annuities
  • How to know which income strategy you should use in retirement according to your unique goals and objectives.
  • And more

 

1All guarantees including the death benefit payments are dependent upon the claims paying ability of the issuing company.

Resources:

Connect with McGovern Wealth Group:

How Much Life Insurance Can You Own? (Ep. 22)

How Much Life Insurance Can You Own? (Ep. 22)

It’s impossible to measure the value of a human life. Who you are as a person, and what you mean to your family, friends, and your community, cannot be measured or a dollar value placed upon it. If you suddenly died, such a loss would be permanent, profound, and irreplaceable. Your future earnings potential is about the only thing that is replaceable through proper life insurance protection.

In this episode, we discuss the different mindset people tend to have when insuring material possessions vs. their own life. We also discuss how much life insurance you may be able to acquire based on your age and income, and why trying to figure out coverage amounts based on a needs analysis is the opposite of what most people truly want.

By the end of this episode, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of how life insurance companies can determine the amount of coverage you’re eligible for, and what you can do to help protect the lifestyle you and your family worked so hard to create.

Jim discusses:

  • The importance of life insurance to help ensure that your family can maintain their lifestyle and financial security in the event of your death
  • Why insurance companies won’t allow someone to over-insure their property, income, or life
  • How trying to take a needs approach to determining your life insurance coverage is the opposite of how you treat your career
  • Life Insurance coverage amounts for business owners vs non-business owners
  • And a lot more!

Resources:

Connect with McGovern Wealth Group:

Retirement Accounts, Are They Worth the Investment? (Ep. 20)

Retirement Accounts, Are They Worth the Investment? (Ep. 20)

While retirement accounts have powerful tax advantages, they might also have significant disadvantages if we don’t understand the rules. 

In this episode, Jim McGovern discusses retirement accounts and how individuals need to think critically about how these accounts work, know the rules of the game as they stand today, and consider their circumstances before deciding to invest in them. 

Jim also warns against the misconception that investing in retirement accounts saves tax money.

Jim discusses:

  • The advantages and disadvantages of retirement accounts 
  • Understanding the impact of changing tax rates
  • Factors to consider when deciding to invest in retirement accounts
  • Additional insights and tips on retirement account planning
  • And more

Resources:

Connect with McGovern Wealth Group:

Estate Planning Built On Dynasty Trusts with Jerry Wegley (Ep. 18)

Estate Planning Built On Dynasty Trusts with Jerry Wegley (Ep. 18)

You want to make sure your protection in your estate plan is complete and it’s engineered with extreme conditions in mind. Yet many people have wills and trust with safety features that expire when the beneficiaries at a certain age.

In this episode, Jim McGovern talks with Jerry Wegley, an attorney with KnoxLaw about why dynasty trusts should be the centerpiece of a family estate plan. He explains where some of the traditional approaches to estate planning fall short and assets may be unnecessarily exposed to creditors, divorcing spouses, transfer taxes and other issues.

Jerry discusses:

  • The misconceptions with trusts
  • How trusts have evolved over the last 20 years
  • The specifics of creating a trust and the rules each position is to follow
  • Why efficient tax planning is built into a dynasty trust
  • And more

Connect With McGovern Wealth Group:

Connect With Jerry Wegley:

About Our Guest:

Jerry Wegley’s practice focuses on asset protection and business succession planning. He helps people protect their assets from taxes, creditors, future ex-spouses and ex-in-laws, and nursing homes, so they may choose who benefits from their assets (themselves, their children, charities, etc.). His previous experience as a CPA helps him advise business owners wishing to keep their business operating after their exit; whether it be by their child or other family member, their employees or another party that will carry on their legacy. He is available to speak on business and tax topics, sophisticated estate planning strategies, asset protection, wealth preservation, long-term care planning, business succession and special needs planning. He also serves as Vice President on Knox Law’s Board of Directors.