Empowered Financial Strategies

06/05/2026

Love, identity, and authenticity deserve to be celebrated—today and every day. 🌈

This Pride Month, we recognize and honor the LGBTQ+ community for the strength, courage, and joy they bring to every space they’re part of.

06/03/2026

If you're a pre-retiree with a child who has special needs, you already understand that your planning horizon is different. You're not just mapping a retirement income strategy — you're simultaneously designing a care infrastructure that may need to function for decades after you're gone.

That complexity is compounded by one of the most important and often overlooked variables in the equation: taxes. The decisions you make in the five to ten years before retirement about account types, trust structures, asset titling, and income sequencing will determine how much of your wealth actually reaches your child — and whether it does so in a way that protects their government benefit eligibility.

This is not a simple checklist. Done well, it is a coordinated architecture of tax planning, benefit preservation, and legacy design. The goal isn’t simply to minimize your tax bill for this year, it’s to maximize lifetime value of your estate to your family, including leaving assets behind to a child whose financial wellbeing depends on your assets and public benefits.

To learn more, read on here in Joanna's latest Blog article.

For high-net-worth families, the intersection of retirement security and lifelong care planning demands a precise, layered tax strategy — one that protects your wealth, honors your intentions, and preserves your child's eligibility for...

06/01/2026

June is here, and with it comes National Annuity Awareness Month! Annuities can play a role in your retirement income planning when strategically placed into your overall financial plan. Each annuity comes with different benefits and each annuity serves a unique purpose. You don't have to research the universe of annuities alone. Reach out to [email protected] to see how annuities might benefit you.

05/29/2026

☀️📚 Summer vibes with a twist of finance! What's on your money reading list? 📖 Whether you're an armchair sociologist or a budding historian, find the perfect beach books for the summer. Dive into wealth history, timeless tactics, strategic thinking, and epic trades. Turn some pages and level up your financial reading!

05/27/2026

Have you heard the term Tax Alpha? Here is why it's important!

When most people invest, they have a certain rate of return expectation. However, most do not include taxes into that number. for example: Let's look at a traditional 401k. Let's assume a rate of return of 6%. However, you will pay ordinary income tax when you take withdrawal. if you pay 25% in income taxes; your net return is 4.5%. If you invest in a non-retirement account, your gains can be taxed at your income tax rate or at a capital gains rate. It can get complicated pretty quickly.

Here is a blog, written by our own Carolyn Humphrey, on this subject. Carolyn has earned the Retirement Income Certified Professional designation, the Tax Planning Certified Professional as well as the Wealth Management Certified Professional from The American College. She uses the knowledge learned through this course work to help build tax efficient retirement income strategies for our clients.

Many clients think Financial Advisors only build investments or craft insurance products. Here at EFS, we build strategies first with the goal of maximum efficiency, less erosion of wealth and more education and awareness. If you have not had a conversation about these topics with your financial advisor, you may want to start the conversation or maybe look for a new one!

Retirement planning is not just understanding if you have enough saved; it's also understanding how much of what you have saved is yours to keep. That is why tax planning becomes essential in retirement income planning.

05/25/2026

Memorial Day is a time to pay tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to the United States. They will always be remembered. Wishing you and your loved ones a peaceful Memorial Day holiday.

05/22/2026

🎓 Do you have college students who are home for the summer? Or future college-bound children? Summer is a great time to talk to them about money!

💬 Whether it's learning to budget, building credit, or understanding paychecks, a little financial education at home sets the stage for smart choices later.

🤝 Parents + students: Let's use this time to help build habits that last well beyond graduation. Reach out today or tag a friend below!

05/20/2026

Tax reminder! Your second-quarter estimated income tax payment is due on June 16, 2026.

If you're self-employed or earn income that isn't subject to withholding, now is the time to make sure your payment is on track. Don't wait until the last minute—a missed or underpaid estimated tax payment can mean penalties come filing season.

Not sure how much to pay? A good rule of thumb is to pay at least 90% of what you'll owe this year, or 100% of last year's tax liability—whichever is smaller. If you want more specific information, check with your tax, legal, or accounting professional.

05/18/2026

Congratulations to all Graduates!

Graduation represents both an ending and a beginning. As you reach out and grab your diploma, you are stepping into a new world. Whatever opportunities you pursue or paths you travel, you will take what you’ve learned with you. The achievements you are celebrating now will inform the achievements of your future.

As you start your new life, be sure to get started by building a good emergency fund, pay down debt as you start to save for the future. Understand your spending and your income so you can be intentional with your cash flow.

05/15/2026

What could your IRA actually produce in retirement income? Enter your balance and assumptions to see a projection of monthly withdrawals over time.

While this calculator can give you estimated withdrawals, you will need to factor taxes owed from these withdrawals and this amount will depend on other income and assets in retirement.

Estimate the potential monthly income your IRA balance could generate in retirement.