The Trusted Advisor

Content originally featured in Western NY Physician Magazine - navigate to page 20 to view.

With the recent passage of the $1.9 Trillion American Rescue Plan, many Americans will receive needed financial relief as we continue to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic. While many provisions of the plan are complex, there are several pieces of the legislation that will directly affect many families right here in our local community.

The COVID-19 Pandemic has presented countless challenges for our country. Whether you’re a seasoned professional, an empty nester, a fresh college graduate, or anywhere in between; many of us have had no choice but to change the way we think about budgeting.

February is a time to come together in celebration of the contributions that Black Americans have made throughout American history and a time to pause and reflect on the ongoing struggle for equality and social justice. The theme of Black History Month this year is, The Black Family: Representation, Identity and Diversity. As we take into consideration all that Black History Month represents, I cannot help but think about how timely and appropriate this theme is given all that our country, and specifically our Black neighbors, endured in 2020. While the year has ended, the work for racial justice continues.

You may have heard that several points related to the SECURE Act of 2019 have been clarified. As your community-based financial advisors, we wanted to take a moment to bring you some of the most important pieces of the Act for your reference.

As 2020 nears an end, many of us are reflecting on both personal and professional accomplishments, challenges, and opportunities. We make similar reflections as seasoned investors to continually improve our skillset. While the following list is not inclusive, it highlights important points to remember in times of high uncertainty in the markets: