A New Administration Gets Down to Business January Recap and February Outlook January seemed to go...
For Individuals
The Social Security Fairness Act, HR 82
Signed into law January 5, 2025 This law repeals the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO) for everyone who has retired under Social Security (SS) beginning effective January 2024. These reductions in SS applied to those receiving...
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What to know about the SECURE Act
The SECURE Act ("Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement Act of 2019”) was passed in 2019 and took effect on January 1, 2020. The Act is a bi-partisan piece of legislation passed by Congress in an attempt address the lack of retirement savings among...
Advisors Weigh In: How to Increase Participant Contribution Rates
Source: Financial Advisor IQ What’s the most effective tool you’ve used to help increase contribution rates? Dennis Bielik works at TCG Advisors, a firm based in Austin, Texas that has been in business for 20 years and manages $3.5 billion. His response is below:...
2020 IRS Retirement Plan Contribution Limits
The IRS has released the Annual Plan Limitations for 2020 for defined contribution and defined benefit plans. The 403(b), 457(b), & 401(k) elective deferral limits, catch-up limits and other key limits for 2020 have changed and are listed below. ...
Return to the Wild West for Texas 403(b) Plans?
Written by Mike Cochran Eighteen years ago, the Texas Legislature implemented what could arguably be described as the best system in the U.S. for regulating 403(b) plans in Texas public schools. In 2019, the Legislature dismantled that system. The Legislature...
A Beginner’s Guide to College Funding
Written by: Matt EscalanteWe all know kids can be expensive when you add up the costs for everyday essentials such as food, clothing, daycare, etc. (just to name a few). The moment a child is born, the clock starts ticking on developing a proper plan for one of the...
Stop failing your financial plan
Written by: Dennis Bielik, CFA®, FRM“A goal without a plan is just a wish” – Antoine de Saint-Exupery. As a Financial Planner, I like to spend a couple weekends throughout the year to look back on the year so far and soak it in. Each time I do this, I find...
3 Steps to Improve Your Credit Score
Written by: Dennis Bielik, CFA®, FRMCredit scores will play an important part in many purchases you make throughout your life. It may not appear to be a flashing neon sign hanging over your head as you stroll down the sidewalk as seen on TV, but it is flashing bright...
Fixed-Income: Grab a Seat and Watch the Game Play Out
Written by: Dennis Bielik, CFA®, FRMThere is nothing more popular or prevalent than diversification and asset allocation in portfolio management. Whether you are an employee of the industry or an investor looking for a money manager, you cannot escape these terms....
4 Steps to Not Get Spooked by Holiday Volatility
Written by: Chris Jamail, CFP® & Dennis Bielik, CFA®, FRMFall is back again. It’s a season defined by transition and change, like the leaves changing color (admittedly rare in Texas), the infamous reappearance of Starbucks’ Pumpkin Spice Latte, and the fluctuation...
Emergency Savings
In 2017, 34% of American households experienced a major, unexpected expense – and only 39% of Americans said they would be able to cover even a $1,000 emergency. Every financial plan should start with an emergency savings – it’s the backbone, foundation, and buttress...