Viewpoints

Viewpoints is Beacon Hill Private Wealth’s library of articles on financial planning and long-term investing. We publish practical, research-informed guidance to help individuals and families think more clearly about long-term financial decisions.

Topics commonly covered include:

Retirement planning and distribution decisions
Tax planning and after-tax strategy
Estate planning and legacy considerations
Risk management and wealth protection
Charitable giving and philanthropic planning
Behavioral finance and decision-making
Investment management principles

Use the categories below to explore topics most relevant to your situation.

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Some readers find it helpful to explore how these planning concepts relate to their own circumstances. If that would be useful, you’re welcome to request a brief introductory conversation to discuss fit and approach.

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The SECURE Act Has Passed. What Does it Mean for Your Retirement?

January 2, 2020 Retirement Planning Tax Planning

New legislation has passed. Discover what has changed and how it could make a major impact on your retirement savings.

How to Estimate What Your Social Security Payments Will Be

January 2, 2020

You've imagined your dream retirement, but how can you know if you’ll be able to afford it? Estimating your Social Security benefits is an important component to any retirement plan.

How to Get Your Adult Children to Stop Relying on You Financially

January 2, 2020

Are you still paying your children’s phone bill or offering financial assistance when they ask for it? Supporting your adult children can decrease your chances of a quality retirement and inhibit their growth. If it’s time to smoothly cut the cord — follow these 4 steps to ease the process!

Hindsight Is 20/20. Foresight Isn’t.

December 12, 2019 Investment Management

This year has been yet another reminder that the prediction game can be a losing one for investors.

15 Ways to Teach Kids About Giving During the Holidays (While Doing Something Together as a Family)!

December 11, 2019

Show your kids the importance of giving back during the holiday season with these 15 fun and simple ways to help those in your community.

Recency Bias Erodes Discipline and Destroys Investor Returns

December 9, 2019 Behavioral Finance

Recency bias is the tendency to overweight recent events/trends and ignore long-term evidence. This leads investors to buy after periods of strong performance—when valuations are higher and expected returns are now lower—and sell after periods of poor performance—when prices are lower and expected returns are now higher. Buying high and selling low is not exactly a prescription for successful investing. Yet, it is the way many individuals invest. What disciplined investors do is the opposite—rebalance to maintain their well-thought-out allocation to risk assets.

How to Talk to Your Kids About Money

December 2, 2019 Most Read

Only 16.4 percent of U.S. high school students are required to take a personal finance course. It's up to you as a parent to teach your children financial basics. Here are 5 steps to get you started on the right foot.

Selling a Business? 3 Common Valuation Methods to Determine Worth

December 2, 2019

Determining the worth of your company is a crucial component to selling. While there are many ways to consider value, here are 3 methods that will help you get started.

What is a Family Business Succession Plan and Do I Need One for My Business?

December 2, 2019

Family business succession planning doesn't have to cause headaches. Learn 4 key tips to developing a plan for a smooth transition for the next generation.

How to Be a Good Steward of Your Inheritance

November 26, 2019 Behavioral Finance Estate Planning

When receiving an inheritance, you’ll likely experience a flood of emotions. However, you have many options when it comes to being a good steward of your inheritance and you shouldn’t make these big decisions alone.