Category: 529 College Savings Program

Donor-advised funds and charitable remainder trusts are often viewed as mutually exclusive philanthropic strategies. And while many debate the advantages of each, combining them offers leveraged tax deductions, income back to the donor and, in the end, a legacy gift to charitable organizations on your terms. So, how does one maintain the flexibility to freely

May is National Inventors Month and a time to honor the incredible inventions that have changed our lives. In the last decade, there have been countless innovations that have transformed the world we live in. From smartphones and social media to streaming services and electric cars, these inventions have made our lives more convenient and

Olson Wealth Group is proud to announce that Sharon Olson, our Founder and CEO, has been recognized as a 2023 Notable Woman in Wealth Management by Twin Cities Business. Twin Cities Business’ Notable Women in Wealth Management list recognizes outstanding women professionals who are making a significant impact in the wealth management industry in the Twin Cities area.

As we approach the 2022 Tax Filing Deadline on April 18th, we would like to share a tax guide that might be helpful as you finalize your tax filing.

We are honored to share that Olson Wealth Group has been included in LPL Financial’s Chairman’s Council. This elite award is presented to a very select number of high-performing enterprises with exceptional client, financial planning, and investment services. The Olson Wealth Group team is proud to be recognized for this distinctive honor and thank our clients and

As we approach March 4th, we once again are reminded to take a moment to reflect on our past successes and focus on what brings us personal fulfillment. March 4th marks a day to “march forth” towards future goals and refocus on ambitions that are most important to us.   It is during these times of

For C-suite executives, contemplating a job offer (or a promotion within an existing company) is about more than just weighing salary and title. Myriad factors can play into executive compensation: stock options, restricted stock units, long-term incentive plans, vesting schedules, insurance benefits, restricted covenants and releases. The list goes on. While most executives are rightfully

For 2023, the IRS has updated annual contribution limits, contribution eligibility thresholds, tax-deductibility guidance, and plan features for retirement plans and accounts, reflecting the latest cost-of-living adjustments. These changes will impact retirees and retirement savers. The tables below provide an overview of key retirement planning numbers for 2023.

Congress recently passed new legislation to expand the Secure Act of 2019. The recent provisions are referred to as the Secure Act 2.0. Many of these provisions are effective as of this year, while some will not become effective until 2024 or even years later. The recent change includes tax incentives to encourage more employers

As you may know, Congress passed SECURE 2.0 as part of the fiscal 2023 spending package. This bipartisan retirement security legislation could present opportunities for your retirement savings strategy and incentivize you to save for retirement. The new law includes a number of provisions intended to benefit individuals as well as small business owners. We

Sharon Olson was recently featured on the podcast, Poised for Exit, hosted by Julie Keyes. The podcast features business owners and professionals who discuss topics, experiences, and lessons relevant to small businesses with actional steps. During her episode, Sharon talks about how she got her start as an entrepreneur at the ripe old age of 9 years old, when

While some teens excitedly await getting their first job, others dread it, as the minimum wage they earn does not stretch very far considering the amount of time they put in. While it’s difficult to make enough at a first job to pay for daily expenses, let alone contributions toward college or retirement, there is

Read the 2023 Outlook Here

The sale or transition of a business to new ownership is a complicated and fraught experience in any situation. Throw in the family dynamics of family-owned businesses, and things can get really complicated. At Olson Wealth Group, we work with many family businesses who are approaching a transition, and we believe from experience that taking

Trusts can help families gain greater financial clarity, protection, and privacy while supporting and complementing tax planning and charitable giving strategies. Sharon Olson explores with readers five reasons creating a trust could be a smart move for you and your family in her recent article in the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal. When many people hear the term

In this Forbes article, Olson Wealth Group President Sharon Olson, CFP®, CEPA shares her perspective on how a formal family meeting can provide a cohesive opportunity for family to discuss their goals and continue to promote family unity, harmony, and happiness among future generations. Over time, family offices have evolved from something more than money management, into something much

Olson Wealth Group founder, Sharon Olson, CFP®, CEPA, shares her perspective in The Experts section of The Wall Street Journalregarding 20 Ideas for Adjusting Your Stock and Bond Portfolioon how to manage your portfolio in these volatile markets. #wealthmanagement #olsonwealthgroup By Cristina Lourosa-Ricardo Updated Aug. 7, 2022 6:00 am ET Is it time to rethink the percentage of stocks you hold in

The burden of saving for retirement in the U.S is heavy for most people, but it’s generally more cumbersome for women, who, thanks to a number of factors, have a greater likelihood of running out of money in their golden years. For starters, women, on average, live longer than men. Surely it’s no guarantee, but women need

Markets rarely give us clear skies, and there are always threats to watch for on the horizon, but the right preparation, context, and support can help us navigate anything that maylie ahead. So far, this year hasn’t seen a full-blown crisis like 2008–2009 or 2020, but the ride has been very bumpy. We may not

It’s sometimes referred to as “sudden wealth,” but more often than not, it’s been years in the making. Many business owners and entrepreneurs spend decades building their businesses, plowing their profits back into the business while living a rather modest lifestyle themselves. They don’t consider themselves wealthy by any means. Then, inevitably, the day approaches

As part of our ongoing tactical approach to managing our clients’ portfolios, we are taking this opportunity to turn losses into wins. Tax planning is not just something to consider at year-end. Our investment team works year-round to manage our portfolios with a particular acuity to tax efficiency and tax-adjusted returns. In doing so, we are

Over the last week, the markets have delivered extreme volatility, with the S&P 500 Index approaching bear market territory as it flirts with a peak to trough decline of almost 20%. The concerns that have contributed to the poor start are well-known. Historically high inflation, supply chains disruptions, China in another lockdown, geopolitical concerns, an

For many successful women executives and business owners, the services of a family office or a multi-family office can help bring together what is often an incredibly complex financial picture. In this Forbes article, Olson Wealth Group President Sharon Olson, CFP®, CEPA shares her perspective on how and why family offices can and should cater to the unique needs of

It has been a turbulent 2022 so far for investors. The S&P 500 Index is on track for its worst April in more than 40 years, the Nasdaq entered a bear market on April 26 with its more than 20% decline, and bonds, which typically provide ballast for diversified portfolios during periods of stock market

We are proud to share the following article, recently published in Forbes Magazine. Read Article Here

Nikki Scanlon, J.D. 1.  Save early and aggressively Women, on average, live 2 years longer than men, yet historically, women earn less than their male counterparts. These two factors can lead to insufficient funds during retirement if saving is not prioritized early and often. Additionally, women are more likely than men to stop working to

Andrew brings extensive international and domestic business and legal experience to the role of Chief Operating Officer of Olson Wealth Group where he focuses on delivering value for the company and its clients by building strong, scalable, client-centric business operations and framing and operationalizing long-term company growth strategy and vision.  Prior to joining Olson Wealth

As a personal wealth manager, I work with many families who come to me with questions about how best to prepare future generations for wealth transfer while ensuring that family values of stewardship and generosity are passed on along the way. While some families have created family foundations, others can opt for a much simpler

This is a reminder that if you are a business owner, one of the many provisions within The Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement (SECURE) Act (signed into law on December 20, 2019) that helps businesses, is the ability for companies to establish certain tax-qualified retirement plans beyond the end of the year. Under

As we continually strive to support our commitment to growth and pursuit to meet our clients’ unique objectives with comprehensive planning, Olson Wealth Group is proud to announce that Sharon Olson, CFP has achieved Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA) designation through the Exit Planning Institute of Columbus, OH. This distinguished accolade will provide sophisticated guidance and further advance