Over the past few years, the health savings account (HSA) has increasingly been referred to as an exceptional retirement savings option. But what exactly are HSAs, who is eligible to open them, and what makes them so great? And—most important—how can you, as an advisor, get involved in the HSA business?

Beneficiary designations are vital in executing a client’s estate plan, and an advisor’s understanding of all the beneficiary options available is equally as important. When a client names his or her spouse or children as beneficiaries of an IRA, most advisors are comfortable with the options those beneficiaries will have when it comes time for them to receive assets and take required minimum distributions (RMDs). Things become far less clear, however, when a client wants to break from the norm and use a more complex beneficiary designation—particularly naming a trust as an IRA beneficiary.

Today's post is the third in our case study series, showcasing the many creative solutions you can take when you’ve landed clients with complex planning issues. Here, we’ll explore strategies for unlocking value in specialty assets through charitable giving.

As an advisor, part of your value proposition is educating your clients on financial planning strategies that they may be unfamiliar with but that could benefit their long-term financial picture. Occasionally, some of these strategies may also be foreign to you! One prime example is the net unrealized appreciation tax strategy (also known as NUA).

Aristotle once said, “To give away money is an easy matter and in any man's power. But to decide to whom to give it and how large and when, and for what purpose and how, is neither in every man's power nor an easy matter.” This sentiment may be especially true for many of your high-net-worth clients who would like to make a positive impact with their wealth. As their financial advisor, you have the potential to provide some much-needed guidance, especially if they’re willing to incorporate the philanthropic conversation into their financial planning discussions. But where do you start?