John Welsh - Financial Advisor - Commonwealth Financial Group

“It depends.”

This is the answer you should be getting from a financial planner in an initial meeting. For example:

“Am I saving enough for retirement?”

It depends… Do you want to retire at 55 or 65? What does your current budget look like, adjusted for inflation? How do you want to spend your time? travel, hobbies, time with family?

“Is my portfolio too risky?”

It depends… When will you need to use these funds? What do you want to accomplish with these funds? What does “risk” actually mean to you? volatility, loss of principal, or something else?

“Do I have enough life insurance?”

It depends… Do you have debt that would outlive you? Are there people relying on your income to meet their needs?

Rule of thumb recommendations can be helpful to a point. But real clarity comes from working through a comprehensive financial plan. Be cautious of "one size fits all" advice!

Financial Planning opportunities can pop up anytime tax law changes.
A new temporary deduction for taxpayers 65+ starting in 2026 could affect the timing of Social Security, IRA withdrawals, and Roth conversions!

Starting in 2026, taxpayers age 65 and older may qualify for a temporary senior deduction of up to $6,000 (single) or $12,000 (married filing jointly). This deduction applies for 2026 through 2028 and reduces total taxable income. It is not the same as eliminating taxes on Social Security benefits, which remain subject to existing rules. For retirees, the opportunity lies in thoughtful income timing during this limited window.

Reach out to your Commonwealth advisor to see whether this new deduction changes the best timing for Social Security, IRA withdrawals, or Roth conversions.

Over the weekend, President Donald Trump imposed tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China. Join CIO Gene Goldman, CFA, as he discusses the potential impact of these tariffs on the U.S. and global economies as well as on inflation and financial markets.

The Week Ahead | Cetera “Cetera Financial Group” refers to the network of independent retail firms encompassing, among others, Cetera Advisors LLC, Cetera Advisor Networks LLC, Cetera Investment Services LLC (marketed as Cetera Financial Institutions or Cetera Investors), and Cetera Financial Specialists LLC. All firms...

Check out the latest commentary from which discusses the stock market sell-off caused by questions abound high valuations in tech stocks. Click here to read more:

Investors Start to Question High Valuations In this commentary we discuss today’s stock market sell-off which was caused by questions around high valuations in tech stocks. These stocks account for a significant portion of many indices. Diversification is prudent.