Blog

Major changes to HSA eligibility are coming in 2026—here's what you need to know to take advantage of this powerful retirement savings tool. Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) have long been one of the best-kept secrets in retirement...

You've worked decades to build your portfolio, carefully planned your retirement withdrawals, and then—surprise—the IRS wants an extra 3.8% on your investment earnings. Many retirees are surprised to discover that their investment...

How Women Can Make Their Retirement Savings Last

Jeannette Bajalia, BPC

Friday, September 5, 2025

Are you a part of 81% of women who aren't confident their money will last in retirement? I ask because it’s more important than ever. 90% of women will be solely responsible for their finances at some point in their lives. They also...

When it comes to saving for education expenses, many families find themselves weighing two popular options: Roth IRAs and 529 education savings plans. Both offer valuable tax advantages, but they work quite differently and serve...

5 Ways Medical Practices Can Maximize Tax Savings in 2025

Jeff Warnkin, CFP, CPA, NSSA, BPC

Thursday, August 7, 2025

If you're an independent medical practitioner who's been in practice for 5-15 years, you're likely in your peak earning phase. But are you keeping as much of that income as possible? Successful physicians in your position can overpay...

The One Big Beautiful Bill: Your Strategic Guide

Bryan Bibbo, AIF, NSSA, BPC, CEPA

Thursday, July 24, 2025

President Trump has formally signed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act into law, delivering the most comprehensive tax reform we've witnessed in years. According to federal analysis, this groundbreaking legislation provides over $600...

Can IRAs be used to benefit a charity? IRAs can be an excellent source of funds to provide meaningful support for your favorite charities, but using these funds requires careful planning to avoid costly mistakes and maximize benefits...

CLEVELAND, June 27, 2025 — JL Smith Holistic Wealth Management is proud to announce that Bryan Bibbo, AIF®, NSSA®, BPC®, CEPA®, President and CFO, has been named an AdvisorHub 2025 Advisor to Watch in the RIA category as part of...

Do you want assets in your IRA to go to more than one person or entity? Naming multiple beneficiaries is a smart and efficient way to do that without the added paperwork or fees of creating separate accounts. But to ensure each...

Why Women Need Different Retirement Strategies (And How Annuities Can Help)

Jeannette Bajalia, BPC

Thursday, June 12, 2025

Women are living longer than ever before—but are we prepared for what that really means? Margret thought she had retirement figured out. At 62, she had built a respectable 401(k), would receive Social Security, and felt confident about...

5 Questions for Business Owners to Consider Before Retirement

Bryan Bibbo, AIF, NSSA, BPC, CEPA

Thursday, May 22, 2025

As a business owner, you've built something valuable that often represents both your life's work and a significant portion of your net worth. As a result, you face unique considerations when it comes to planning for and transitioning...

CLEVELAND, May 20, 2025 — JL Smith Holistic Wealth Management is proud to announce that Bryan Bibbo, AIF®, NSSA®, BPC®, CEPA®, President and CFO, has been recognized as a 2025 InvestmentNews Excellence Awardee and named a Regional...

How can I avoid making costly mistakes when I inherit an IRA from a person who was not my spouse? Inheriting an IRA can be a financial windfall, but it’s important to understand the complex, specific rules that apply to non-spouse IRA...

When it comes to retirement savings, what you don't know about IRA rollovers can cost you unexpected taxes and penalties. Whether you're changing jobs, inheriting retirement assets, or consolidating accounts, one misstep can set your...

Staying Confident Through Market Volatility: How The Bucket Plan® Strategy Provides Stability

Bryan Bibbo, AIF, NSSA, BPC, CEPA

Friday, April 11, 2025

In today’s unpredictable environment, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by what you hear on the news—tariffs, inflation, elections, stock market swings, and global uncertainty. When markets bounce dramatically from day to day, no matter if...

Tax Planning For 2025: Staying Ahead of Changing Tax Laws

Seth Meisler, CFA, CFP, CPA, BPC

Thursday, March 27, 2025

If you're retired or approaching retirement, the 2024 tax season might have you focused solely on your current return. However, preparing your tax return is primarily backward-looking, while effectively reducing your future tax burden...

Navigating the complex financial landscape during a divorce requires careful planning, especially when it comes to retirement accounts. When a divorce occurs, the financial assets of a couple, including their retirement accounts, are...

How Life Insurance Helps Women Bridge Retirement Gaps & Build Wealth

Jeannette Bajalia, BPC

Monday, March 3, 2025

Financial planning, including life insurance for women, presents unique challenges that require careful consideration. On average, women are more likely to live longer than men, earn less over their lifetimes, and take career breaks...

New RMD Rules Are Here Important Updates to Required Minimum Distribution Rules That May Affect Your Retirement Planning On July 18, 2024, the IRS issued both final regulations under the 2020 SECURE Act and proposed regulations under...

Social Security Updates in 2025: Info for Public Servants to Know

Bryan Bibbo, AIF, NSSA, BPC

Thursday, January 23, 2025

In December 2024, Congress passed one of the most significant Social Security reforms in recent history. The Social Security Fairness Act of 2023 (H.R. 82) brings welcome changes for millions of Americans, particularly those who...

The Threat of Identity Theft

Jason L Smith, CEP, BPC

Thursday, January 9, 2025

The Threat of Identity Theft As a financial professional, I've witnessed firsthand the effects of identity theft on individuals and families. These incidents underscore the need for proactive measures to protect against this pervasive...

Bryan Bibbo Shares Expertise on Managing Wealth

Kailyn West

Thursday, December 26, 2024

We're proud to announce our President, CFO and Partner, Bryan Bibbo, AIF®, NSSA®, BPC, was interviewed in WealthManagement.com where he highlighted the importance of holistic wealth management for high-net-worth individuals.

The Smart Way to Keep More of Your Retirement Money: Year-Round Tax Management

Jeff Warnkin, CFP, CPA, NSSA, BPC

Thursday, December 12, 2024

If you're like most retirees and pre-retirees, you've spent decades building your nest egg. But have you considered how much of that hard-earned wealth might go to taxes instead of funding the retirement lifestyle you've always dreamed...

JL Smith Team Raises Over $1,000 for Alzheimer's

Nikki Glynn

Thursday, November 14, 2024

JL Smith Holistic Wealth Management is committed to community support which extends beyond financial services. On November 9, our wealth management team and their clients proudly participated in the 2024 Walk to End Alzheimer

Seven in ten people over age 65 can expect to need extended care services at some point in their lives. So understanding the various types of extended care services – and what those services may cost – is critical.

Social Security can be complicated, and as a result, many individuals don't have a full understanding of the choices they may have. Adding to that, the Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) for 2025 is the smallest increase in benefits the past

At JL Smith Holistic Wealth Management, we believe in not just supporting our clients but also championing the causes that resonate with our community. This year, we proudly participated in the 2024 Walk to Cure Arthritis.

How to help determine life insurance needs to provide for your family after you pass away. If your family relies on your income, it's critical to consider having enough life insurance to provide for them after you pass away.

Our team at JL Smith Holistic Wealth Management is thrilled to announce that we have been named a 2024 NorthCoast 99 award winner by ERC, the Employers Resource Council.

Learn the first stage of The Bucket Plan® financial planning process that sets the foundation for holistic wealth management. Understand our 5-pillar approach and start your journey to financial wellness today,

In times of market uncertainty, it's natural to feel concerned about your investments. However, as Bryan Bibbo, AIF, NSSA, BPC, our President and CFO of JL Smith Holistic Wealth Management, reminds us — market volatility is a normal...

The desire to leave a legacy may be the height of altruism for it is a gift to the future, the benefit of which you may never witness, nor ever feel its appreciation by others. Creating your legacy does not happen overnight.

At JL Smith Holistic Wealth Management, community support is more than a commitment—it's a heartfelt endeavor. This was vividly demonstrated on Monday, June 24, as our team hosted an unforgettable charity golf outing.

Breaking Down the Myths Around Annuities for Retirement Planning Annuities can be a useful tool for securing retirement income, but they're often misunderstood or overlooked by investors and financial advisors. Why all the confusion?

Taking withdrawals from a traditional portfolio exposes fixed-income investors to “sequence of returns” danger. In other words, experiencing negative returns early in retirement can deplete your portfolio more quickly than expected.

Trying to save for a loved one’s education or looking to optimize your existing plans? Consider a tax-efficient strategy known as a 529 plan. A 529 plan is a tax-advantaged savings plan designed to encourage saving for education expenses.

Explore why annuities, holding $2.2 trillion, might be a valuable addition to your retirement plan, outpacing even Roth IRAs. Learn about their unique benefits and phases.

If you're like most of our clients, you're diligently socking away money for retirement in accounts like 401(k)s and IRAs. But simply accumulating assets isn't enough — it is also important to proactively plan to minimize taxes.

Does Your Portfolio Fit Your Retirement Lifestyle? Most portfolios are based on an individual's investment objective, risk tolerance, and time horizon. However, as a retiree, how you choose to live in retirement may be an additional factor

We are proud to announce our partner and top-producing advisor, Bryan Bibbo, AIF®, NSSA®, BPC, has been named to President and CFO of JL Smith Holistic Wealth Management. Bryan has been a pivotal figure at JL Smith since 2009.

Discover the power of compounding in health and wealth: Learn how seemingly small decisions today can lead to significant outcomes tomorrow, whether in fitness routines or financial investments.

Unlocking Financial Mastery: A Deep Dive into Tax Planning Strategies for High-Net-Worth Individuals In the latest episode of the “Holistic Wealth and Health Podcast," hosted by Jason L Smith, we had the privilege of...

Elevating Wellness and Prosperity: Unveiling the Potentials of Transformative Power of Weight Loss and Well-being provides the insightful realm of "Holistic Wealth and Health," where prosperity transcends financial abundance to...

Unveiling the Essence of Holistic Wealth Management: Walking Through the Lens of Comprehensive Approach to Financial Well-Being. In this replay episode of the Holistic Wealth and Health Podcast, we had the pleasure of hosting Dave Alison...

Explore the vital link between family unity and generational wealth in our podcast with Chris Smith, founder of Family Brand. Learn actionable principles and discover why a strong family culture is key for high-net-worth individuals.

In our latest episode of the Holistic Wealth and Health Podcast, we dove deep into the critical subject of year-end tax planning and investment strategies. Tailored for high net-worth individuals, this episode is a treasure trove of...

Cleveland, Ohio – September 1, 2023 – JL Smith | Wealth & Tax Planning has been named a 2023 NorthCoast 99 award winner by ERC, the Employers Resource Council. The NorthCoast 99 award honors 99 great Northeast Ohio...

Ready to make the most out of tax season? Learn about seven different tax-efficient strategies to help you save money.

Ready to take the next step toward improving your financial health in the new year? Set these financial goals to set yourself up for future success.

1 in 3 Americans overspend during the holiday season. Check out these financial tips from JL Smith on how to plan your holiday budget.

There are a lot of myths surrounding social security, which can lead to endless questions. JL Smith is here to debunk a few social security myths.

JL Smith advisors can help you feel financially secure during your retirement years. Explore the benefits of a retirement bucket strategy.

Financial document shredding aids in financial security and can protect you against identity theft. Discover more about how to secure your finances.

A financial advisor can help you secure your financial future. Check out these FAQs to provide you with some clarity on working with JL Smith!

As a parent or grandparent, paying for college can feel like a daunting task. Luckily, saving up enough money to send your child to the school of their dreams doesn’t have to keep you up at night.

Not everyone knows the best time to start working with a financial advisor. Here are some situations to look for that may signal it is time to find an advisor.

Despite Ohio being ranked one of the least expensive places to retire in the United States, Ohioans are still at risk of having their financial security tested if they don’t properly prepare for retirement.

We take security seriously and consider it a partnership. We follow rigorous protocols to help protect your information. You can do the same by following these cybersecurity tips and best practices. Keep software up to date:...

The recent conflict between Russia and Ukraine is an important reminder that geopolitical risk is a part of investing in global markets. Navigating geopolitical events requires expertise and flexibility.

With health insurance open enrollment well underway, many are registering to receive Medicare for the first time. Medicare, which is a federally funded health insurance program, offers subsidized healthcare services to individuals that...

In 1960, healthcare costs took up $27.2 billion, or 5%, of the United States’ gross domestic product (GDP). By 2018, U.S. healthcare hit an astonishing $3.5 trillion, which was 17.7% of the country’s GDP. In the United...

In the United States, real estate has been—and continues to be—one of the most valuable financial investments a person can make. When estate planning; however, planning the transfer of that property can feel like a...

If you are looking for ways to save money, refinancing your home may feel like a no-brainer. Lowering your interest rate, shortening your loan term, and tapping into your home’s equity are just a few possible outcomes for those...

When you think about Social Security, it can feel like an endless puzzle game to determine which Social Security benefits strategy is right for you and your family. When and how you apply for your benefits can result in a difference of...

Throughout your career you have worked hard so that you could enjoy retirement properly without having to worry about money. Unfortunately, the financial advisor you choose to work with can ultimately have a huge impact on whether the...

Many people assume there is a timeline they should follow when it comes to working with a financial advisor. However, this isn’t the case at all. There are different events and scenarios throughout a person’s life where it...

Turning 65 means that a lot of new opportunities are available to you. One item that most people will need to decide on when their 65th birthday arrives is what to do about Medicare. While everyone who is 65 or older has access to...

As you near retirement, it is common to become more concerned with your savings and investments. Unfortunately, unless you are a finance professional, some of the terminology that is often thrown around can be quite confusing. Coupled...

It’s that time of year again when peoples’ hands start to get sweaty as they try to locate their W2s. It’s tax season. The thought of flipping through countless documents while figuring out which box to check on your...

Every one of us who spends years saving and building a nest egg does so with the purpose of either using the money during retirement, leaving it for family when we pass, or donating it to causes we believe in. Regardless of which...

Nearing retirement? Have a 65th birthday coming up? If you answered “yes” to either, you may be wondering what your healthcare options are—and what you need to do to ensure proper health coverage. Of course, most...

What happens after you die? Admittedly, it’s something not many of us like to think about nor necessarily know the answer to. Often, one of the biggest concerns people have is whether their spouse, children, and/or loved ones...