Physician Retirement Planning: 5 Steps to Retire with Confidence
Physician retirement planning should feel exciting, not unsettling. Yet for many physicians, the idea of stepping away from clinical work, a steady paycheck, and a familiar routine can feel overwhelming. After decades focused on patients, family, and building financial security, how do you transition into retirement with clarity and confidence? Physician retirement planning presents unique […]
Should I Consider a Trust?
Trusts can be powerful tools for families across the financial spectrum to protect and manage assets, care for loved ones, and potentially realize generational tax savings. They can also provide privacy by avoiding public probate, and customized asset distribution, such as for health, education, maintenance, and support. For those with minor children, a trust can […]
Liquidity & Exit Planning
For many business owners, the sale of their company is a once-in-a-lifetime event that creates a sudden and significant infusion of wealth. While exciting, this new liquidity also presents both challenges and opportunities. To navigate the transition effectively, owners should address five critical questions. First, what is my after-tax liquidity? The headline number from a […]
Guest Commentary: Jeffrey Gehring on Estate Law and Planning
Jeffrey L. Gehring Dickinson Wright PLLC 300 W. Vine Street, Suite 1700 Lexington, KY 40507 (859) 899-8713 jgehring@dickinson-wright.com Personal & Professional Journey What inspired you to pursue a career in estate law, and what has kept you passionate about it over the years? I really love the intersection of the technical rules related to […]
Case Study: Building a Legacy
The Power of a Multi-Generational Family Financial Plan In today’s complex and fast-paced financial environment, families with substantial assets face a critical question: How can we ensure that our wealth not only endures, but also empowers future generations? The answer lies in the thoughtful design and disciplined execution of a multi-generational financial plan. For high-net-worth […]
Managing a Household Allocation
One of our mantras in planning is to “Know What You Own.” Peter Lynch popularized this term during his management of a Fidelity mutual fund in the 1980’s, and we think it applies to more than just investments. Your home, your health insurance, your business, and yes, your investments each have features, risks, and opportunities […]
Ballast Magazine – Issue 1
Introducing Ballast Magazine A new way to explore wealth, purpose, and planning from the Ballast advisory team. We’re proud to share the first issue of Ballast Magazine—a curated collection of insights, strategies, and real-world stories for individuals and families committed to building a meaningful financial legacy. And the best part? Every article was thoughtfully written […]
Magazine & Webinars
Ballast Financial Planning Resources: Free Webinars & Investment Magazine Read the Magazine Our quarterly wealth management magazine delivers timely financial planning insights written by our team of advisors. Read the latest issue! Read Issue 3 Watch Webinars Next Webinar: Tuesday, March 24 at 4:00 PMNavigating Medicare Register here Take the Quiz How does your financial […]
How Should Investors View AI?
As financial planners and investment managers, it is imperative to recognize that artificial intelligence (AI) is poised to be one of the most transformative forces in the global economy over the next 5 to 10 years. According to Goldman Sachs, AI investment is projected to approach $200 billion globally by 2025, underscoring its rapid […]
Finding the Best Order for Funding Retirement
With a task as important as funding your retirement, determining which accounts to fund and in what order should not be taken lightly. Whether it’s a company plan, individual retirement account or taxable account, there are a lot of ways to save for retirement. So how do you decide where to put each dollar you […]
Beware of Scams and Fraud Attempts!
At Ballast, safeguarding your financial future goes beyond smart investing—it also means protecting your assets from fraud. This week, we’re featuring insights from our Chief Compliance Officer, Jeff Lehmann, who shares essential strategies to help you recognize and avoid scams. Whether it’s identifying red flags in financial transactions or staying ahead of evolving threats, Jeff’s […]
Social Security Changes for People with Government Pensions
In January, President Biden signed the Social Security Fairness Act into law, which ends the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO). This change is significant for people whose Social Security benefits are reduced by a government pension from work where Social Security taxes were not collected. A Brief, High-Level Summary […]