If you’re thinking about going independent or are ready to make the leap, there are a few important (and exciting!) steps to consider next. Of course, you might worry about losing name recognition after leaving the wirehouse. But just think about what you get to do now: create and tell your brand story for the first time. Why do you do what you do? Whom do you do it for? What support do you rely on from the new firm you’ve partnered with, and how does it help you better serve your clients and evolve as an advisor and business owner?

Looking to position your firm for growth? Then focusing on financial planning for millennial women is a path you may want to explore.

Student loan debt rose to $1.51 trillion last year, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. For many clients, dealing with their share of this burden is a major planning concern.

Fortunately, many programs exist to help student borrowers with repayment. If you have clients who are managing student loans or have a family member who is doing so, they might welcome talking about the student loan relief solutions reviewed below. In particular, it’s important to remind clients that the relief provisions offered by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act are set to expire on December 31, 2020.

Estate planning with intentionally defective grantor trusts (IDGTs)—despite the moniker—has many advantages. In fact, this well-established technique isn’t defective at all; the term “defective” describes the effect of income taxation rules on these instruments. Here, we’ll discuss the ins and outs of IDGTs, including how they may be a part of developing comprehensive estate plans and how they can be very tax “effective” for estate tax purposes.

Signed into law almost a year ago, the SECURE Act bestowed IRA owners with some new perks—they can take more time to build up tax-deferred savings and growth, for instance, before they have to start making distributions from their retirement accounts. On the flip side, however, the act also spelled the end of the stretch IRA. Fortunately, your clients have options when it comes to mitigating the negative effects of this change on their financial plans.