Sia Dowlatshahi of Gateway Financial Partners

06/03/2026

Perfect plans don’t exist. But purposeful planning? That’s where real progress begins.

Not sure where to begin?
I'd be happy to help you on your road to financial freedom.

860-657-2686
[email protected]

05/28/2026

Younger generations often get a reputation for spending more than saving.

But recent research suggests nearly half of Gen Z workers may be on track for retirement, slightly ahead of older generations in terms of preparedness.

https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/21/gen-z-prepared-for-retirement-than-baby-boomers-study.html?&qsearchterm=retirement

A higher share of Gen Z is on track to be ready for retirement at age 65 than any other adult generation, and time isn't the only factor on their side.

05/26/2026

Your will may be doing less work than you think.

A will can name guardians, appoint an executor, and direct certain assets.

But many assets may pass outside of your will, including:

Retirement accounts
Life insurance
Annuities
Jointly owned property
Payable-on-death accounts
Transfer-on-death accounts
Trust assets

That means your will and your beneficiary forms need to work together.

A few questions to ask:

Do my beneficiaries match my will?
Are my backup beneficiaries current?
Are any accounts titled in a way that no longer fits?
Does my executor know where to find everything?

05/22/2026

Your estate plan should reflect the life you are living now.

A plan created ten years ago may not account for:

Marriage.
Divorce.
New children or grandchildren.
A death in the family.
A business sale.
A major inheritance.
A move to another state.
A health diagnosis.
A change in who you would want as executor, trustee, or guardian.

It may also need to account for changes in tax laws or retirement account rules.

A helpful rhythm is a full review every three to five years, plus a check-in after any major life event.

Estate plans are not meant to sit untouched forever.

05/19/2026

A beneficiary is the person or entity you name to receive assets after you are gone.

You may have beneficiaries listed on life insurance, retirement accounts, annuities, bank accounts, brokerage accounts, HSAs, and trusts.

Here is the part people often miss:

Beneficiary designations usually pass outside of your will. So if your will says one thing and your 401(k) form says another, the form often wins.

Common mistakes to look for:

An ex-spouse still listed
No backup beneficiary
A minor child named directly
No updates after marriage, divorce, death, or a new child
“My estate” listed by default

A form from fifteen years ago may not reflect what you want today.

05/14/2026

Today, longer life expectancies, changing work patterns, and shifting market conditions mean those guidelines need to be personalized.

Kiplinger has more!

https://www.kiplinger.com/retirement/the-new-rules-of-retirement

Popular guidelines about how to save, invest and spend need to be updated and personalized to ensure you'll never run out of money.

05/11/2026

When someone passes away, families may need cash quickly for estate taxes, probate fees, final expenses, or business needs.

The challenge? Wealth is often tied up in property, retirement accounts, or a business, which may not be easy to access right away.

Life insurance can help create liquidity for things like:

Estate or inheritance taxes
Income replacement
Buy-sell agreements
Unequal inheritances
Certain long-term care needs, depending on the policy

What worked five years ago may not fit your life today.

If your coverage has not been reviewed in a few years, it might be time for a check-in.

860.657.2686
[email protected]

05/10/2026

Happy Mother’s Day to all the mothers. Enjoy your day. You deserve it.

05/06/2026

Your legacy does not have to wait.

For many people, legacy is built in real time through the choices they make, the people they support, and the values they pass on.

Financial planning can be part of that conversation by helping you think through how your resources align with what matters most to you.

If you’d like to talk through what that could look like in your own planning, I'd be happy to help.

860.657.2686
[email protected]

05/04/2026

The 2026 Gateway Shred event was a success!

A great day of spring cleaning and community connection.