Employers: Why should you offer employee benefits?
Andy Reynolds
Most businesses find that the human capital is one of the most important aspects of a business’s success
Search Results for employee benefits
Employee Stock Ownership & Options
Cameron Hamilton
Key Takeaways: Company stock plans & stock options have many customizable details Employees should understand their stock plan’s features & tax consequences With correct utilization, employee stock can meaningfully increase compensation When evaluating a job offer, it is best not to focus only on salary or an hourly wage. We have the … Continued
Review Your Benefits as You Progress Through Life
Frank Yozwiak
Key Takeaways: Workers born between 1957 and 1964 changed jobs an average of once every two-and-a-half years and had an average of 11.7 jobs between ages 18 to 48. If you have employer-provided life insurance, you may have the option to take the policy with you if you leave your job, but the premiums will … Continued
Evaluating the Benefits of Flex Spending and Health Savings Accounts
John Boardman
Most employees face countless and confounding options each year when they select their benefits. There is no unanimous choice in any benefit area, it really comes down to what the employee needs and will benefit from most, particularly long-term. Flex spending accounts and health savings accounts are very common options these days, particularly as employers … Continued
Evaluating a Pension Buyout
Brian Burton
Key Takeaways: Calculating the “hurdle rate” of return is an important first step in determining whether staying in the pension or taking a lump sum is the best option for you. Beyond the math, there are other big-picture variables that should be considered before deciding. The pension vs. lump sum decision should be made … Continued
Tax Savings on Company Stock
Cameron Hamilton
If you work for a publicly traded company, chances are you can own company stock inside your 401(k) retirement plan. We’ve seen many workers nearing retirement who have accumulated substantial shares of company stock. These workers are often unaware that they have an option with the tax treatment of these shares that could potentially result … Continued
Atheneum – An institution for the promotion of learning
The Ballast Atheneum is a collection of our thoughts on the twelve most important topics in financial planning.
Protect. Plan. Prosper.
Protect: Estate Planning, Insurance, Retirement Income, Debt Analysis
Plan: Cash Flow, Monte Carlo, Retirement Savings, College Savings
Prosper: Asset Allocation, Taxes, Social Security, Employee Benefits
Protect
Plan
Prosper
- Social Security Income: Not-So-Simple Basics
- Social Security: Whether to Wait to Start Taking Retirement Benefits
- Most Couples Shouldn’t BOTH Delay Social Security
- Alternative Uses of Social Security Income
- Putting a Value on Your Social Security Benefits
- Should Business Owners Raise Their Salary to Earn More Social Security?
From the beginning, we have built our firm with one simple, guiding principle: build a company that we would want taking care of our family, as if we were the client. To accomplish this goal, it starts and ends with high-character, ethical people.
We are continually selectively seeking high-quality people who believe in our client-focused process. If you are interested in becoming a part of our team, please do not hesitate to reach out to us at info@ballastplan.com and include an updated resume and brief cover letter with an explanation as to how you would fit into our culture, as detailed below.
Our Core Values
Problem Solvers
In a dynamic and ever-changing industry, our team of expert financial advisors goes beyond simply mitigating your needs, but proactively anticipating and solving them. Our financial consultants can help you navigate complex financial matters.
Team-Based Approach
Our financial advisors work together to ensure the best outcome for our clients. We combine the unique perspectives and expertise of each team member to develop the best strategy. We also collaborate with other professionals on our client’s behalf, forging relationships with tax, legal, and insurance advisors to find the best solution for your needs. At Ballast, you have the support of our entire team behind you.
Acountability Partner
Our team of financial consultants goes beyond just managing our client’s investments; we serve as an accountability partner to ensure our clients are steadfast towards their financial goals. We work with you as a companion to make your goals a reality, guiding you through some of the most important financial planning steps and encouraging you to live fully. We provide guidance on the most important aspects of sound financial planning to ensure you can adapt and make adjustments as necessary:
Protect: Estate Planning, Insurance, Retirement Income, Debt Analysis
Plan: Cash Flow, Monte Carlo, Retirement Savings, College Savings
Prosper: Asset Allocation, Taxes, Social Security, Employee Benefits
Proactive Guidance
Through transparent and honest relationships with our clients, we proactively pursue ways to prevent and solve problems, easing worry in our client’s financial life. Once we have created a personalized pathway and financial plan, our expert financial advisors continually refine your plan, providing consistent monitoring, oversight, and accountability throughout.
Clients First
As fiduciaries, we are committed to always putting our client’s best interests first, with the highest standards of care. We are inspired by the trust our clients have in our firm and motivated to help our clients achieve peace and comfort in their financial lives. The Ballast experience is centered on a holistic approach, providing you with continuous refinement and accountability, so you can meet your goals.
Civically Involved
The Ballast team is composed of dedicated, active members of the community. As dedicated board members, committee members, chairmen, and trustees of various organizations, we are able to share our knowledge and learn from those in our community.
Thought Leaders
As life-long learners, we provide our clients with in-depth knowledge and expert financial advice through consultations, articles and webinars, written and curated by our advisors. Our financial advisors go beyond advising by offering innovative ideas and sophisticated solutions to complex needs in our clients’ lives.
Our Team Members
- Serve others as their financial advocate
- Establish relationships deep enough to anticipate needs and potential issues
- Proactively solve problems, rather than merely identifying them
- Continually grow as life-long learners, with a high level of expertise
- Desire to work on clients’ behalf with other professionals (tax, legal, insurance, etc.)
- Enjoy working as a part of a team to create the best outcome for clients
- Are creative, self-starters who contribute to the continuous improvement of the Ballast experience
Benefits
Similar to our belief of taking care of clients, we believe in taking care of our staff members. All staff is provided a suite of benefits up and above compensation. We want to attract and retain the best of the best and benefits are imperative to this mission.
The Ballast Atheneum is an anthology of our thoughts on the twelve most important topics in financial planning. We have organized these topics into three themed years of focus: Protect. Plan. Prosper. Our advocates are excited to share this e-book, Protect, which focuses on Estate Planning, Insurance, Retirement Income, and Debt Analysis. These four important topics can impact all families and individuals, no matter their phase of life or financial status.
Future Volumes:
Plan (Spring 2019): Cash Flow, Monte Carlo, Retirement Savings, College Savings
Prosper (Spring 2020): Asset Allocation, Taxes, Social Security, Employee Benefits
Plan (Spring 2019): Cash Flow, Monte Carlo, Retirement Savings, College Savings
Prosper (Spring 2020): Asset Allocation, Taxes, Social Security, Employee Benefits
Year-End Financial Planning & Investments Among Market Volatility
Andy Reynolds
By: Andy Reynolds, CFP®, MBA COO/Partner – Ballast, Inc. With the recent stock market volatility, many investors have, and understandably so, buried their heads in the sand, shredding investment statements without looking and focusing outside of their financial life. While many choose to simply not look, the volatility provides significant opportunities for financial improvement, … Continued
