August 2023 ~ To further our commitment to assisting our business owner clients navigate complex transitions, we are thrilled to announce that Monica and Chrissy have earned the Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA®) designation. With the CEPA® designation, financial professionals help business owners: understand the value of their business; determine how ready and attractive their company is; quantify business and personal wealth metrics that could be improved; and collaborate with other professionals to develop a strategy to help them realize those goals. Building on our role as wealth managers, we help make sure business owners know what they’ll need as well as what they’ll realize from a liquidity transaction. If you or someone you know is considering the ultimate realization of their years of work in and dedication to their business, please have them contact us. We are excited to leverage our CEPA® expertise to make a positive impact in the realm of business transitions.
August 2023 ~ The IRS has announced certain relief for required minimum distributions (RMDs) for 2023 with respect to the recent change in the RMD age to 73 and provided guidance with respect to certain specified RMDs for inherited accounts. Please read on to learn more and call us with questions!
July 2023 ~ Seascape Capital Management was a proud sponsor of the Cross Roads House 21st Annual Benefit by the Sea at the Wentworth by the Sea. The Benefit by the Sea gala is a vital part of securing the necessary funds to continue providing shelter and life changing services for men, women, and children in our community who are experiencing homelessness.
July 2023 ~ The IRS recently released the 2024 contribution limits for health savings accounts (HSAs), as well as the 2024 minimum deductible and maximum out-of-pocket amounts for high-deductible health plans (HDHPs). Please read on to see what's changed for 2024.
May 2023 ~ For what it’s worth, in the past almost thirty years, I have managed three registered investment advisory firms. In each instance, I introduced or converted our custodial services to the institutional arm of Schwab. Their conservative approach to the management of their business is not a new one — nor is their affirming that approach anything other than genuine. Last evening, Bernie Clark, the Head of Schwab Advisor Services, forwarded the link below. It connects to a recording as well as the transcript of Walt Bettinger’s interview with CNBC on Tuesday. Walt is the Co-Chair and CEO of Schwab. At Seascape, we were otherwise occupied so didn’t see the interview live. Andrew and I watched it today though and decided it was worth sharing. During market turmoil, understanding whether you are in the middle of the battlefield or safely ensconced in your bunker makes an enormous difference. Please read on for the link to the interview and transcript.
May 2023 ~ Please be aware of a new scam campaign combining computer pop-up messages and phone calls. This advanced scheme combines elements of electronic tech support scams with impersonations of real personnel at the Federal Reserve and Schwab to attempt to obtain your assets and sensitive data. Please click to read more about how this scam works.
May 2023 ~ A March 2023 survey found that more than 90% of Americans worry about the Social Security program, and about half of those said they worry a great deal. A separate survey the same month found that more than 80% of Americans worry Medicare will not be able to provide the same level of benefits in the future. These concerns are well-founded, because both of these programs — the cornerstones of "America's Safety Net" — face serious fiscal challenges that require Congressional action. And the longer Congress waits to act, the more extreme the solutions will have to be. Even so, it's important to keep in mind that neither of these programs is in danger of collapsing completely. The question is what type of changes will be required to rescue them. Please read on to learn more.
May 2023 ~ At Seascape Capital Management, we place a high value on professional development. We love learning how better to help our clients. So naturally, we are pleased to congratulate the Seascape Team on recent accomplishments: Andrew Litzerman, CFA®, CMT® continued his love of learning by completing his Masters in Computer Science from Northeastern University in May 2023. Chrissy Sullivan, CFP®, CDFA®, CTFA, CEPA continues to stay plugged in to the needs of our business owner clients with her newest credential, the CEPA, Certified Exit Planning Advisor in April 2023. Our business owner clients will benefit from our expertise in maximizing business value, planning life after business, and working through tax reduction strategies --- and will also appreciate our work with their trusted network of advisors to build a strategic framework for executing an exit with a holistic approach and creating a financial foundation with pre-transaction planning. Suzanne Russo, FPQP® deepened her 18 years of experience and demonstrated her knowledge and expertise by earning her Financial Paraplanner Qualified Professional designation in April 2023.
March 2023 ~ With the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank, worries surrounding your accounts at Schwab may be top of your mind. Schwab is committed to staying financially independent, and we are confident in its ongoing financial health. To address client concerns, Schwab recently published a piece "Perspective on recent industry events". Please click to read the article and to learn more about Schwab's FDIC insurance for cash and bank sweep holdings, SIPC insurance for securities portfolios and additional insurance through Lloyd's of London of $150 million.
March 2023 ~ This month our firm celebrates 20 years of growth and working with discerning clients and talented partners. It was wonderful to see so many friends and colleagues at the One Hundred Club Member Social as we kicked off our year of celebration.
