Opal Blog

Four Proactive Year-End Strategies for High-Net-Worth Families

Four Proactive Year-End Strategies for High-Net-Worth Families

When it comes to managing wealth, the end of the year is a critical time to take stock and ensure your financial strategies are aligned with your goals. For high-net-worth families, the stakes are higher, given the complexity… more

Purpose-Driven Wealth Transfer: Aligning Your Values With Your Legacy

Purpose-Driven Wealth Transfer: Aligning Your Values With Your Legacy

What will make your life most meaningful? It’s a question we always ask our clients, and the answers inevitably revolve around family, connection, and the pursuit of fulfilling experiences.   In other words, money isn’t the ultimate destination.   True… more

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act: What it Is and What An Extension Might Mean for You

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act: What it Is and What An Extension Might Mean for You

As we move to a Republican-controlled Congress, there’s an increasing likelihood that the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, passed in 2017 by the first Trump administration, will be extended beyond its current sunset date at the end of… more

Three Ways to Maximize the Tax Benefits of Charitable Giving

Three Ways to Maximize the Tax Benefits of Charitable Giving

According to Giving USA's Annual Report on Philanthropy, Americans donated $557.16 billion to charitable causes in 2023—up from $499.3 billion in 2022—demonstrating an ongoing collective commitment across the nation to giving back.1  But we’ve seen time and again… more

Funding Your Retirement as a Member of the Sandwich Generation

Funding Your Retirement as a Member of the Sandwich Generation

More than half of Americans in their 40s are part of the “sandwich generation” – that is, sandwiched between supporting an aging parent and still raising children under the age of 18 (or financially assisting an older child). … more

Do You Need to Sign Up for Medicare at 65 if You’re Still Working?

Do You Need to Sign Up for Medicare at 65 if You’re Still Working?

As you approach your 60s, a number of important questions begin to present themselves: When should I retire? How can I optimize my Social Security benefit? And, our focus today: when should I sign up for Medicare?   Medicare… more

Managing the Costs of Long-Term Care: Your Guide to Navigating Medicare & Medicaid Coverage

Managing the Costs of Long-Term Care: Your Guide to Navigating Medicare & Medicaid Coverage

No matter what your current health status is, it’s always important to be realistic about what the future could hold. Why? Because around 70% of Baby Boomers will need long-term care at some point in their lifetime, and… more

Net Investment Income and Additional Medicare Tax: Everything You Need to Know

Net Investment Income and Additional Medicare Tax: Everything You Need to Know

In addition to the standard Medicare tax of 1.45% (or 2.9% for self-employed individuals), high-income earners may also be subject to the Medicare Surtax, or Net Investment Income Tax (NIIT), and the Additional Medicare Tax, depending upon their… more

How Do U.S. Elections Affect Stock Market Performance?

How Do U.S. Elections Affect Stock Market Performance?

With the presidential election quickly approaching, it’s safe to say this has been a campaign season unlike any other. Even during less newsworthy election years, investors come to us asking how the election might impact the stock market… more