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.
March 2023 ~ The SECURE 2.0 legislation included in the $1.7 trillion appropriations bill passed late last year builds on changes established by the original Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement Act (SECURE 1.0) enacted in 2019. SECURE 2.0 includes significant changes to the rules that apply to required minimum distributions from IRAs and employer retirement plans. Here's what you need to know.
January 2023 ~ Last November, Seascape Capital invited Mariana Budjern, a gifted Senior Research Associate with the Project on Managing the Atom at the Harvard Kennedy School Belfer Center to speak at an event we hosted at the One Hundred Club. She spoke about the war in Ukraine and the influence of nuclear weaponry on the balance of power. What made her presentation so intriguing and relevant — besides that her doctoral thesis had analyzed the forces that led to Ukraine’s 1994 nuclear disarmament — was that she is Ukrainian. Her book, on the topic, Inheriting the Bomb, became available in December. The audience sat engrossed in her presentation and couldn’t stop asking questions when she finished her prepared remarks. Mariana and I have kept in touch. I would like to think we will remain friends for a long time. After Christmas in the US, she returned to Ukraine to celebrate the holidays with her family and friends there. Upon her return to the states, she sent me a link to an essay she wrote documenting the very poignant and often visceral experiences of her trip. Holidays in a war-torn country still fighting for its freedom….not exactly a storybook scene. Whether or not you were able to attend our event, I invite you to read her account of the courageous and resilient people of Ukraine who make up her family and friends. It can’t help but strengthen your belief in the human spirit. Click to read Mariana's essay.
