Innovative Financial Solutions, Inc.

01/12/2026

Honored to announce that IFS has again been selected as a Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Management Team for Indiana. Congratulations to my Partners Chris Harmon and Bill Verhagen as well as advisors Mark Kraus, CLU®, ChFC®, CASL®, RICP®, David Moon CFP®, Tyler Mattox and all of our team members. Thank you to the families that we serve for your continued trust and confidence!

Discover Forbes' 2026 ranking of the best-in-state wealth management teams. Explore top-rated financial firms renowned for their expertise and personalized wealth management.

09/18/2025

Talking money with family can feel awkward, but retirement conversations are too important to skip. Start with your “why,” share your vision for the future, and be honest about what you do and don’t want. Learn how to start these talks:

Talking to your family about your wealth and retirement plans can be uncomfortable, but the conversations are too important to avoid.

09/17/2025

Who says retirement means slowing down? Many Baby Boomers are launching passion projects into thriving businesses, proving that age is an asset in entrepreneurship. See inspiring stories of retirees turning experience into opportunity:

For these entrepreneurs, later life has little to do with winding down. Find out how they turned hobbies and passions into businesses — and how you can, too.

09/16/2025

Inheriting an IRA can be both a gift and a challenge. The rules are complex, but knowing the basics can help protect your retirement:

The 10-Year Rule: Most beneficiaries must fully withdraw all funds within 10 years of the original owner's death.
Minimize Taxes: Spreading out withdrawals over the 10-year period can help you manage your tax bracket and reduce your tax burden.
Consult & Communicate: If there are multiple beneficiaries, consider separating the account.
Learn what steps to take when managing an inherited IRA:

Managing inherited IRA distributions can be a tricky proposition. Take the time to learn the process and avoid prohibitive tax penalties.

09/15/2025

SECURE Act 2.0's Roth catch-up rule starts January 1, 2026—are you ready? ⚠️

High earners ($145k+) must make ALL catch-up contributions as Roth post-tax
Recordkeeper elections won't match payroll deposits, creating audit risks
Misalignment could trigger compliance findings or litigation exposure
Check out this step-by-step guide to prepare your plan—and your people—for 2026: #401(k)

Starting January 1, 2026, Section §603 of SECURE Act 2.0 takes effect, requiring employees aged 50+ who earned $145,000 or more in F**A wages during 2025 to make all catch-up contributions as post-tax Roth contributions.

09/12/2025

09/11/2025

What if the true value of AI isn’t the technology itself, but the business problems it solves? Microsoft’s Tereza Nemessanyi shares how firms are testing, iterating, and uncovering high-impact use cases. Explore the takeaways in the full conversation:

In a recent episode of Where AI Works, Wharton’s Serguei Netessine spoke with Tereza Nemessanyi from Microsoft about how the firm is trying to help its customers deploy and monetize AI.

08/18/2025

In July, markets saw strong corporate earnings and GDP growth, but also weakening job numbers and persistent tariff concerns. Find out what Commonwealth’s chief market strategist, Chris Fasciano, thinks this could mean for investors and the Fed's next move:

Tariffs, the Fed, and jobs have dominated the news. What does it all mean for markets? Commonwealth's Chris Fasciano looks beyond the headlines.

08/15/2025

Buying your first home? You may be able to unlock exclusive benefits that can save thousands on this big purchase:

💰 Down payments as low as 3% (some lenders offer 1%) vs. the traditional 20%

🎁 Government grants & assistance programs you don't have to repay

📊 Credit score flexibility that regular buyers don't get

Learn how to take full advantage of these perks:

First-time home buyers often qualify for unique benefits. Learn what to expect as a first-time home buyer when it comes to buying a house and getting a mortgage.

08/14/2025

A new charitable deduction is coming in 2026: up to $1,000 for singles and $2,000 for married couples, even if you don’t itemize. One small timing change to your giving could unlock big tax savings. Learn how to make the most of it:

President Donald Trump’s ‘big beautiful bill’ added a new tax break for charitable gifts worth up to $2,000. Here’s the best way to claim it.

08/13/2025

Thinking of skipping long-term care insurance? Rising premiums and better portfolios have many retirees planning to self-fund, but the real costs may surprise you. See how much to budget, and why you may need to revamp your strategy:

Home-based care is more expensive than it looks.

08/12/2025

Protecting wealth isn’t just for the ultra-rich. Smart estate planning can help shield your assets from lawsuits, creditors & bad timing. Learn the 4 key principles to build a flexible, affordable strategy that lasts:

An important gap in many financial plans is failing to review with an estate planner the potential risks to losing assets and the ways available to protect those assets.