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Align Wealth Advisory

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Galax, VA
Align Wealth Advisory

Our thoughtful, transparent guidance evolves as your life changes. Securities offered through Cetera Wealth Services, LLC, member FINRA/SIPC.

Align Wealth Advisory is a wealth management firm based in Galax, Virginia, helping families navigate retirement, manage & transfer wealth, and develop strategies to preserve assets that are tax efficient.--- Aligning your wealth with what matters most We show engineers and high-income professionals within 5–10 years of retirement figure out exactly when they can retire, and turn their 401(k)s and

stock compensation into a tax-efficient income plan that lasts

Align Wealth Advisory is an independent private wealth management firm built around one guiding principle: aligning your wealth with what matters most. We place your needs at the center of every decision through a fully integrated, one-stop approach where experienced wealth advisors and tax professionals collaborate to focus on your after-tax wealth. Advisory Services offered through Cetera Investment Advisers LLC, a registered investment adviser. Cetera is under separate ownership from any other named entity.

07/20/2026

Are you thinking about retiring but keep delaying it because you are unsure of how you will live on your assets?

You’re not alone—this is one of the biggest concerns people have when they get close.

It’s not just about having enough money piled up.

it’s about knowing where to take it from,

how much to take,

how to do it without creating a big tax bill or running out too soon.

That’s where a written income plan matters.

You want to know how much you need each month,

when to take distributions,

how often,

and how to plan for taxes and larger one-time expenses like a new car, home repairs, or travel.

A simple way to think about it is the “bucket approach.

One bucket is for safety—cash or conservative investments that cover the next 1–3 years of income so you’re not forced to sell when the market is down.

The second bucket is for income—more stable investments that generate steady cash flow over the next several years.

The third bucket is for growth—long-term investments that continue to grow your portfolio and help you keep up with inflation.

07/17/2026

About to retire and have a ESOP plan?

This strategy could be the difference between you retiring at regular retirement age or retiring early.

If you have company stock in an ESOP and are getting close to retirement, you have options.

When you retire, you can roll it into an IRA to delay taxes and pay ordinary taxes when you start living on the money, or use a Net Unrealized Appreciation (NUA) strategy to pay capital gains taxes later instead of ordinary income taxes.

What is NUA?

Net Unrealized Appreciation (NUA) is a tax strategy that can allow you to move company stock out of the plan and pay ordinary income tax only on what you and your employer invested, while the gains are taxed at long-term capital gains rates.

You don't have to recognize the capital gain until you sell the stock.

The downside? You have to pay the ordinary taxes today.

So why would I want to do this?

Capital gains rates are significantly lower than ordinary tax rates.

Capital gains can also be offset by previous years tax losses...

So it is possible to pay $0 in capital gains taxes.

If you have a financial plan in place before you do this, you could pay very little in capital gains taxes.

The difference can be significant—so understanding your options before you retire can have a big impact on how much you keep.

07/14/2026

“Should I transfer my house and assets out of my name for long-term care planning?”

Be very careful.

When you transfer assets to someone else—like your kids—it’s considered a gift.

That means you’re giving up control and ownership.

On top of that, there are rules like the Medicaid lookback period (5 years) that can create penalties if not done correctly.

But the bigger risk?

Once those assets are no longer in your name, they’re exposed to their life.

If they go through a divorce, get sued, or run into financial trouble, those assets could be at risk.

This isn’t a DIY decision.

There may be better strategies that protect your assets and keep control where it belongs.

07/13/2026

“Just left your job—should you roll your 401(k) into an IRA?

Here are a few things to consider before you make a switch...

07/10/2026

I'll go on that trip when I hit {insert goal}...

At some point, the goal can’t just be to keep saving more—it has to be to enjoy what you’ve built.

Yes, saving and investing are important.

For the high achievers, you don't want to enjoy and rest for a period of time because then you feel guilty.

But if all you do is maximize accounts and delay experiences, you may miss the years where you can actually enjoy them the most.

Taking that trip, spending time with family, or creating meaningful experiences can be just as, if not more, valuable than growing your portfolio.

Have a plan that allows you to save for the future and live in the present.

Because money is a tool—not the end goal.

07/09/2026

“When should I take Social Security? And how does it incorporate into my income plan for retirement?

Most people say "take it at 65" but the answer isn’t the same for everyone. It depends on key factors like whether you’re married, the age gap between you and your spouse, each of your benefit amounts, when you plan to retire and when you pass away.

For example, let’s say a husband and wife both retire and claim Social Security at their full retirement age of 67.

The wife receives $2,000/month, and the husband receives $3,000/month.

Two years later, the husband passes away—now the wife doesn’t keep both checks; she steps up to the higher benefit and receives $3,000/month, losing her original $2,000 benefit.

She now has to rely on their investments to cover the $2,000/mo. drop in income she just lost and also higher taxes, as she is now single.

How do you prepare for a situation like this?

You can't always prepare for what life throws at you, but in a situation like this,

Make sure you’re not relying solely on Social Security. Having investments you can draw income from gives you flexibility to replace lost income, manage taxes, and maintain your lifestyle—even after a major life change like losing a spouse.

Decisions like this can have a major impact on long-term income, especially for couples. It’s not just about when you take Social Security—it’s about how that decision affects both of you over time.

07/07/2026

How do I view my child's Trump account, and how does it work?

Starting July 4, 2026, for every baby born between 2025 and 2028. The government will put $1,000 into a Trump account.

Claiming the $1,000 takes one form with your tax return. (IRS Form 4547) or download the app and submit the form there.

Link-https://www.trumpaccounts.gov/

Is a Trump account best for your child? Should you stop contributing to a 529 and do this instead? If you have these questions, follow for more.

07/06/2026

Planning to leave money to your kids or grandkids? You may want to rethink when you give it.

Many parents plan to leave money to their kids or grandkids when they pass away.

A lot of parents want to leave their kids better off financially, but are unsure of how much to give and when without having to pay gift or estate taxes.

But the question is—when will that money actually make the biggest impact?

Sure, inheriting several hundred thousand dollars can be life-changing, but getting a smaller amount earlier in life can be more beneficial than getting it late in life.

Take from the example below on ways to gift money to your heirs:

They can give $19,000 each ($38,000) total to each person per year and pay $0 in gift and estate tax.

If the grandparents wanted to give as much as possible in one year, they could do it for the son's spouse as well.

That is $76,000 they can gift to the young family and pay $0 in taxes.

Whether it’s helping with a first home, paying down student loans, or giving them a financial head start, gifting during your lifetime can be far more meaningful, and you get to see the impact on their lives.

07/03/2026

Happy 4th of July!

This year marks 250 years of independence—a reminder of the freedom, opportunity, and resilience that have shaped this country.

Enjoy time with family, appreciate the moments that matter, and reflect on the blessings around you. God bless America.

Our office will be closed on July 3rd.

07/02/2026

Here are the top 5 mistakes Engineers make with their Restricted Stock Units (RSU's) and how to fix them.

Not understanding the tax implications: RSUs are taxed as income when they vest—not when you sell—often leading to unexpected tax bills if you’re not prepared.

How do you prepare for this?- Get a copy of your vesting schedule and send in estimated tax payments when your options vest.

Holding too much company stock: The company is doing great, and you see your portfolio skyrocket; it feels uncomfortable to sell something that is doing well, but this one holding is now 50%+ of your entire net worth.

How do you fix this? Have a built-out plan to sell some of your stock and invest in other things that aren't as highly correlated with that company (diversify).

Failing to prepare for the “withholding gap”: Companies may only withhold around 20% for federal taxes, but your actual rate could be closer to 30% when your RSU's vest, leaving you with a tax bill due in April.

How do I prepare for this tax bill before April?- Do a tax plan, estimate your effective tax rate, and send in estimated tax payments when your RSU's vest so you won't owe any penalties.

Forgetting double taxation on 1099-B forms: RSUs are already taxed as W-2 income at vesting, but if the cost basis isn’t reported correctly on your tax return, you could end up paying taxes again when you sell.

How do I make sure the cost basis is reported correctly?- Your tax preparer should be able to assist with this, but if not, your basis should be the fair market value of the stock when it vested.

No long-term strategy: Without a clear plan, RSUs can create missed opportunities—aligning them with your broader financial goals is key to building real wealth.

How do I use my RSU's to get closer to where I want to be?- It may be retiring early, buying a rental property, or going on your dream vacation. Whatever it is, you need to create a plan for the things you want and align your money to those things.

Address

29 Melrose Lane
Galax, VA
24333

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 5pm
Tuesday	9am - 5pm
Wednesday	9am - 5pm
Thursday	9am - 5pm
Friday	9am - 5pm

Website

https://www.alignwealthadvisory.com/

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