Integrated Wealth Strategies

07/20/2026

December is the busiest month for RMDs.

But waiting until then can mean you miss some chances with charitable giving or with estate ideas.

For anyone age 73 or older, the required minimum distribution is mandatory, and the penalty for missing a deadline can be steep. If taken before age 59½, withdrawals are taxed as ordinary income and may be subject to a 10 percent penalty.

But the timing of the withdrawal and which accounts it comes from can shape the tax bill in ways a December scramble can’t.

A few things worth knowing:

👉 Multiple IRAs can be aggregated; retirement plans cannot. Each RMD must come from that specific plan.

👉 In 2026, a Qualified Charitable Distribution may allow up to $111,000 per individual to go directly from an IRA to a qualified charity, satisfying the RMD without adding to taxable income. Check with your tax, legal, or accounting professional if you’re considering this approach.

👉 A QCD has to be a direct transfer. Once the money lands in a personal account, the option is gone.

👉 Coordinating across accounts, spouses, and inherited IRAs is where most of the value might sit.

Mid-year is when there is still room to model it.

If RMDs are part of your plan this year, this is a good time to map them.

Let’s check-in on your RMD timing. Call us at 303-927-7201 or book a time at www.iwsadvisors.com.

07/20/2026

Looking to create a financial legacy for your heirs while managing taxes? Grantor Retained Annuity Trusts (GRATs) may be the solution you're looking for. Explore how GRATs can help you transfer wealth and reduce gift tax liability.

Explaining Grantor Retained Annuity Trusts (GRATs) and their benefit to estate strategy.

07/17/2026

Is it possible to avoid a loss? Not entirely, but you can take steps to manage risk. Learn more here.

Is it possible to avoid loss? Not entirely, but you can attempt to manage risk.

07/16/2026

Travel fraud gets worse every summer, and we hear more stories from clients every year.

A quick login from the lobby.

A brokerage app checked from the airport lounge.

A bank balance pulled up at a cafe.

Public networks are where accounts can get exposed.

A few habits worth building before the next trip:

🛑 Skip public WiFi for anything financial. Use cellular data or a personal hotspot.

🛑 Turn on real-time transaction alerts for every card.

🛑 Consider using credit, not debit.

🛑 Watch for skimmers (devices attached to gas pumps and ATMs that copy card data).

A few minutes of preparation before the trip can help prevent months of cleanup after.

07/15/2026

SpaceX has joined the Nasdaq-100, a major stock market index that tracks many of the largest nonfinancial companies listed on Nasdaq.

The move could make the company a holding in more index-based funds, including some funds used in retirement accounts.

Index inclusion can matter because index-tracking funds may need to add shares of a newly included company. That can affect demand for the stock, though it does not guarantee future performance.

The company recently went public and has seen notable stock-price movement since its initial public offering.

The broader takeaway is that index changes can indirectly affect what investors own, especially through mutual funds, exchange-traded funds, and retirement account holdings.

For investors, this is a reminder to understand what is inside the funds they own—not just the name of the index or account.

The move could add the Elon Musk-led firm to many retirement portfolios.

07/15/2026

Trump Accounts opened on July 4. A few questions are worth considering:

➡️ Our baby is 18 months old. Do we qualify for the $1,000?

Yes. Every U.S. citizen baby born since January 1, 2025, qualifies for a one-time $1,000 federal contribution.

➡️ Is there an income maximum?

No. Eligibility is based on the child's citizenship and birth date, not family income.

➡️ Our child is 7. Did we miss it?

Not entirely. Any U.S. citizen under 18 can have an account opened. The federal $1,000 payment applies only to children born in 2025 through 2028, but everything else still applies.

➡️ Can grandparents contribute?

Yes. Up to $5,000 per year combined across parents, grandparents, family, and the child themselves.

➡️ What is the catch?

State tax conformity varies; California, for example, does not currently conform.

Whether to contribute, how much, and how to coordinate it with what you already have are all worth talking through. Our team is here for that.

Working with a Certified Financial Planner Professional CFP® is key. A CFP® professional can help you navigate the road to retirement safely. If you'd like to discuss how this may fit into your financial goals, call us at 303-927-7201—we’re here to help.

07/15/2026

Valuation is important for business succession, estate taxes and even qualifying for a loan.

Ascertaining the value of your business is important for a variety of reasons.

07/13/2026

Federal Reserve officials were divided on where interest rates could go next, according to minutes from the June meeting.

At that meeting, the Fed voted unanimously to keep its benchmark interest rate in the 3.5% to 3.75% range.

The minutes show that some officials saw a case for lower rates if inflation eases, while others saw a case for higher rates if price pressures remain elevated.

Inflation was a major part of the discussion. Officials noted that tariffs, energy prices, and supply disruptions tied to the Strait of Hormuz could keep inflation elevated in the near term.

They also discussed how demand for artificial intelligence infrastructure could put upward pressure on prices for technology products and electricity.

For households and businesses, the broader takeaway is that interest rate decisions remain closely tied to incoming economic data. Inflation, energy costs, employment, and market conditions can all influence how policymakers approach future rate moves.

The Federal Reserve on Wednesday released minutes from its June 16-17 meeting.

07/13/2026

🗓️ "Let's talk about it in December."

By December, choices can be limited. Mid-year is often the sweet spot for preparation.

✅ The bracket picture is clearer than it was in January.

Roth IRA conversion timing is flexible within the calendar year, but the bracket math can influence the outcome.

Six months of runway means scenarios can be modeled, not rushed.

If the market dips before year-end, the same tax math may change. Those windows rarely give notice. Keep your tax, legal, or accounting professional in the loop if you see an opportunity.

December conversions can be reactive.

Mid-year conversions can be designed.

If you’re wondering about timing, we welcome a discussion.

📋 To qualify for the tax-free and penalty-free withdrawal of earnings, Roth IRA distributions must meet a 5-year holding requirement and occur after age 59½. Tax-free and penalty-free withdrawals can also be taken under certain other circumstances, such as the owner's death. The original Roth IRA owner is not required to take minimum annual withdrawals.

Call us at 303-927-7201 or email [email protected] to schedule a time to review your options.

07/13/2026

How far will your savings actually go? Enter your numbers to see how long your money could last depending on how much you withdraw each year.

See how long a lump sum of savings could last based on your withdrawal rate and return.