DecisionMap Wealth Management

Estate planning tends to get deferred until circumstances make it urgent, and by that point, some of the most meaningful decisions have already been made by default. Without the right documents in place, state law steps in to make decisions that could have been made intentionally, and the people closest to you are left to manage the consequences.

In our latest blog, we cover the core documents that belong in a well-structured plan, the mistakes that commonly undermine even carefully drafted intentions, and several planning considerations that tend to go overlooked.

Read the full article: https://decisionmap.com/estate-planning-fundamentals-what-documents-do-you-need-and-what-mistakes-should-you-avoid/

Wishing a Happy Father's Day to all the dads, father figures, and mentors who show up every day, not just for their families, but for the people who look to them for guidance, patience and support.

In observance of Juneteenth, our office will be closed today and reopen Monday, the 22nd. We take this day to honor the significance of June 19, 1865, and the milestone it represents in American history.

Recently, the team made it out to Washington, D.C. to catch a UFL game and cheer on the DC Defenders. It made for a great afternoon all around, with good energy, great company, and a stadium full of excitement. A big thank you to everyone who joined us for the outing!

Consumer discretionary stocks have quietly told a very different story than the broader market this year. The equal-weighted U.S. consumer discretionary index has underperformed the S&P 500 by roughly 10x since 2021, with its relative ratio now at a 20-year low and below levels seen during both the 2008 financial crisis and the 2020 pandemic.

What makes the current environment particularly worth noting is the sentiment backdrop. U.S. Consumer Sentiment has dropped nearly 9 points over just two months, landing at an all-time low of 44.8 in May. Meanwhile, the S&P 500 recently closed within half a percent of its all-time high. Whether this is a leading indicator for broader market weakness or simply a reflection of a bifurcated economy where high-income households drive equity gains while lower-income consumers retrench, the gap between Wall Street and Main Street has rarely been wider and is worth factoring into any forward-looking portfolio conversation.

For federal employees, executives, and high-income professionals, a workplace retirement plan is often one of the most significant savings vehicles in the financial picture. Even so, contribution timing, match structure, and investment allocation are details that frequently go unexamined, and their cumulative effect over time is worth understanding.

In our latest blog, we walk through several areas that may warrant a closer look:

- How the timing of contributions across the calendar year relates to employer match eligibility
- Why professionals with bonus compensation may need a distinct approach to their deferral elections
- How professional management inside a TSP or 401(k) can be coordinated with a broader portfolio and tax strategy, without requiring assets to leave the plan

Read the full article: https://decisionmap.com/are-you-leaving-money-on-the-table-with-your-tsp-or-401k/

Today we pause in remembrance of those who lost their lives while serving. Memorial Day is a time to reflect on their sacrifice and honor the legacy they leave behind.

The 529 plan is not a static tool, and for families who established their education savings strategy even a few years ago, the landscape has changed in meaningful ways. Recent legislation expanded qualified expenses, raised K-12 withdrawal limits, and broadened eligibility to include vocational training and professional credentialing, details that can affect how these accounts fit into a broader financial plan.

In our latest blog, we explore how 529 accounts work today, what has changed, and how contribution strategy, tax efficiency, and integration with the rest of your financial picture factor into a well-considered approach. Read the full article: https://decisionmap.com/is-a-529-plan-still-the-right-tool-for-your-familys-education-strategy/.

Turning 65 comes with an increased standard deduction, which can play an important role in managing taxable income during retirement. However, income-based strategies such as Roth conversions can interact with this benefit in ways that are not always immediately apparent.

Additional considerations to keep in mind:

- The deduction phases out as income rises, so a large conversion may reduce or eliminate a benefit you were already entitled to

- Higher conversion amounts can also trigger IRMAA surcharges and affect other income-based thresholds, compounding the tax impact

- Spreading conversions across multiple years and coordinating with other income events can help manage the overall tax cost

Evaluating how Roth conversions fit within the broader tax and retirement picture can help avoid unintended consequences and support more informed decision‑making.