Blog
What California homeowners need to know about Proposition 19
On election day, the narrow passage of Proposition 19 in California brought good news for some homeowners. The new law allows homeowners who are over 55, or disabled, or victims of wildfires or other disasters to transfer the tax base of their primary residence to a replacement residence. This expands on the current law which allows homeowners over 55 to retain their tax base within their own county or some reciprocal counties,…
Inflation’s effect on 2021 retirement contribution limits
The IRS released the dollar limits for 2021 qualified retirement plan contributions. For 2021, employees’ and owners’ ability to defer compensation and invest for their future remains about the same as 2020. Because of low inflation, most of the common contribution levels were left unchanged, with defined contribution total dollar amounts (from employee and employer contributions combined) increasing by only $1,000. Although individual contribution levels have not increased, super savers ,who focus…
Create your own Blue Dot to experience Blue Zone benefits
What if you had the recipe of life choices that could help you live longer, healthier, and happier? That is exactly what studies show happens in “Blue Zones,” parts of the world with unusually high numbers of happy centenarians. If you don’t live in a Blue Zone, you do not have to move. You can strive to create your own Blue Dot right where you are. Read on for some of…
An opportunity within a crisis within a crisis within a crisis
In this time of national stress, the global coronavirus pandemic and the economy have taken a back seat to the centuries-old and often ignored and re-opened wounds of the Black community. Individuals, companies and other institutions have a new opportunity to listen and create a better path. We stand in support of equality and dignity WealthStep condemns racism and discrimination and stands in support of equality and dignity for all…
The rationale for investment manager changes
Sometimes, WealthStep needs to change the investments (i.e. mutual funds) held within 401k plan portfolios, or WealthStep Direct (for individual investors outside of retirement plans) portfolios. Rebalancing and tax loss harvesting for taxable portfolios are ways to keep portfolios’ allocation in check and lower tax bills, but what happens when a specific investment manager of a mutual fund or other vehicles needs a change? How does WealthStep decide when to…
Drawing from experience to navigate uncertainty
These past several weeks are a good reminder of the value of humility in facing something not seen before. There potential economic implications of COVID-19 are significant, and there are learnings from past crises, even if they were different. Back to basics It is very difficult, but especially important, to rely on fundamentals at times like this. The disruption that COVID-19 brought forces all people to get back to basics…
Volatility, Optimism, and Q1 Market Details
There’s no question we’re all living in unsettled times. Global citizens and the world economy are under stress, and uncertainty is heightened in all aspects of our lives. People are worried about their health, and that of family, friends, neighbors. Some have temporarily or permanently lost jobs or taken a hit to their income. Leaders of many companies are forced to make difficult decisions. Social distancing is impacting the human…