Three Key OBBBA Tax Changes We Think Clients Should Know for 2025–2028
The One Big, Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), signed into law on July 4, 2025, introduced several new deductions that affect many workers and retirees starting with tax year 2025 (returns filed in 2026). Below, we summarize three changes you’re most likely to encounter: the new deductions relate …
Market Commentary: Inflation Is Hot but So Are Stocks—Why That Can Make Sense
The rally continued last week, with the S&P 500 now up seven weeks in a row for the first time since late 2023. Yes, we remain quite optimistic about the remainder of this year, but we also need to be realistic about near-term expectations, as the stock market has had a historic move of …
The Glass Half Full — Is This 1999 Again? (Ep. 011)
In this episode of The Glass Half Full, Ryan Detrick, Chief Market Strategist at Carson Group, and Sonu Varghese, Chief Macro Strategist at Carson Group, tackle the question on every investor’s mind: Is this 1999 all over again? The numbers are hard to ignore. The semiconductor index …
Your Money
MoreThree Key OBBBA Tax Changes We Think Clients Should Know for 2025–2028
The One Big, Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), signed into law on July 4, 2025, introduced several new deductions that affect many workers and retirees starting with tax year 2025 (returns filed in 2026). Below, we summarize three changes you’re most likely to encounter: the new deductions relate …
The 3-Lane Highway Approach to Financial Planning
Do you ever stop to consider if you’re getting the best financial advice? Are you receiving advice focused on solving your known—and unknown—problems? Are you on the road to living your fullest life? For many individuals and families, the answer is unclear. That’s because financial guidan …
Webinar: Tax-Smart Strategies — How Women Can Design Their Wealth Plan with Purpose and Intention
Over the next two decades, more than $51 trillion is expected to transfer to women as surviving spouses, making this one of the most significant wealth shifts in history. Yet many women tell us their biggest financial concern isn’t investing—it’s paying too much in taxes. This webinar is d …

2026 Calendar: Key Tasks & Financial Dates
Tackle 2026 with this month-by-month financial task list. We’ve also included important dates so you won’t miss any key deadlines.
Your Business
More3 Things All Valuable Businesses Have
Building a business that’s truly valuable takes more than hard work and good timing. It’s about creating something that can thrive, adapt, and grow—with or without you at the helm. Whether you’re planning for a future sale or succession or simply want to build long-term value, it’s importa …
Is Your Business Worth as Much as You Think?
As a business owner, you already know your company has value. It supports your lifestyle, pays your employees, and provides products or services your clients rely on. But here’s the big question: If someone asked you today what your business is worth, could you give them a confident answer? …
4 Unforeseen Third-Party Sales Challenges for Small Business Owners
Many business owners assume their exit path will be a sale to a third party. In fact, some entrepreneurs start their businesses with the goal of finding a larger buyer, selling the business, and moving on to their next business idea. A cash sale can definitely draw business owners toward th …

Business Succession Planning Checklist
You remember your first day of business. But what about your last day? Succession planning is more complex than it may seem. Our guide walks you through the details.
Your Retirement
MoreWhat to Do with Your Money 1, 5, and 10 Years Before Retirement
Regardless of whether you plan to retire in 10 years or are shooting for early retirement, there’s one main goal your planning should be working toward: saving enough so that you don’t outlive your money. But there’s no exact science for figuring out exactly how much money you’ll need to ac …
How to Leverage Tax-Advantaged Accounts
While each of us has our own set of financial goals and objectives, one smart strategy can be beneficial in any number of situations: tax-advantaged accounts. These are accounts such as IRAs, 401(k)s and HSAs—accounts specifically designed to help reduce your tax burden, whether that’s a be …
Next-Level Retirement Planning: Advanced Retirement Strategies
Becoming hyper-focused on only one aspect of a project is rarely a good approach. A racecar driver who only focuses on speed and ignores strategy likely won’t win many races. A carpenter who only hammers in nails won’t build strong structures. The same is true of retirement planning. If you …

Medicare and Managing Health Care Costs in Retirement
Health care costs in retirement aren't going anywhere. Naturally, as our bodies get older, it costs more to keep them running. Let's look at the parts of this vital program and how it plays a part in your financial plan.
Your Legacy
MoreWhy It’s Often Not a Great Idea to Name a Living Trust as the Beneficiary of Your IRA
When you’re building an estate plan, it’s natural to assume your living trust should be the beneficiary of everything—including your IRAs. After all, trusts can be great tools for controlling how your assets are managed, helping protect beneficiaries, and assisting in keeping your estate ou …
To Give Now or Give Later: When Is the Right Time to Gift to Your Heirs?
You’re in a good position in your life. You’ve built up your wealth, perhaps from a successful business or working in corporate America. You might feel it’s time to start winding down and considering whether to transfer some of those assets to the next generation. The question then becomes …
Estate Planning Simplified: Understanding Wills & Trusts
While it can be easy for people to back-burner estate planning due to busy schedules or thinking they have plenty of time to get around to it, doing so can result in property and financial assets passing to unintended heirs in unintentional ways. Without the proper planning, your heirs coul …

A Guide to Gifting to Your Heirs
Gifting to your loved ones now or posthumously each carries their own positives and negatives as they relate to your estate plan, taxes, your goals and your legacy.
Your Freedom
MoreWebinar: Tax-Smart Strategies — How Women Can Design Their Wealth Plan with Purpose and Intention
Over the next two decades, more than $51 trillion is expected to transfer to women as surviving spouses, making this one of the most significant wealth shifts in history. Yet many women tell us their biggest financial concern isn’t investing—it’s paying too much in taxes. This webinar is d …
How to Find Your Financial Freedom: A Guide for Every Stage of Life
Financial freedom is more than just a buzzword—it is the ability to live life on your own terms, free from constant financial stress. If you dream of an early retirement, world travel, or simply want confidence about your future, pursuing financial freedom is possible with the right mindset …
Compounding Wealth (and Wisdom): The Power of Compound Interest
No single strategy works forever, but you also don’t want to change your approach every time the markets shift slightly. How does investing work – not just for a season or a year or two, but for a lifetime? Time is a major factor when it comes to successful investing.

When Shifting Goals Mean Shifting Plans
Your financial plan shouldn't look the same at 55 as it did when you were 35, right? So how do you know when it's time to adjust your plan?
Market & Investments
MoreMarket Commentary: Inflation Is Hot but So Are Stocks—Why That Can Make Sense
The rally continued last week, with the S&P 500 now up seven weeks in a row for the first time since late 2023. Yes, we remain quite optimistic about the remainder of this year, but we also need to be realistic about near-term expectations, as the stock market has had a historic move of …
The Glass Half Full — Is This 1999 Again? (Ep. 011)
In this episode of The Glass Half Full, Ryan Detrick, Chief Market Strategist at Carson Group, and Sonu Varghese, Chief Macro Strategist at Carson Group, tackle the question on every investor’s mind: Is this 1999 all over again? The numbers are hard to ignore. The semiconductor index …
Market Commentary: Strong Earnings, Labor Market Improvement Help Send S&P 500 to Sixth Straight Week of Gains
We might sound like a broken record, but stocks had another great week last week and made more new highs. The S&P 500 traded above 7,300 for the first time ever and now has 15 all-time highs in 2026. The main catalyst for this rally has been an incredible Q1 earnings season, with 84% of …

Market Outlook 2026: Riding the Wave
Our Market Outlook 2026: Riding the Wave is geared toward helping investors navigate the ongoing bull market as we enter the new year. Carson Investment Research provides crucial insights and analysis of the opportunities and challenges facing investors.
In the News
More3 Roth Conversion Traps To Avoid After The SECURE Act
Roth conversions can be a powerful tax and retirement planning technique. The idea behind most Roth conversions is to take money from an IRA and convert it to a Roth IRA. Essentially, you’re paying taxes today instead of paying taxes in the future.
10 Common Estate Planning Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)
Estate planning and end of life planning are about taking control of your situation. Death and long-term care later in life might be hard to fathom right now, but we can’t put off planning out of fear of the unknown or because it’s unpleasant. Don’t wait for life to happen to you, though.
4 Ways To Improve Your Estate Plan
Most people want to plan for a good life and a good retirement, so why not plan for a good end of life, too? Let’s look at four ways you can refine your estate plan, protect your assets and create a level of control and certainty for your loved ones.
