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The most useful money question might be: what do you want this to change about your life? Maybe you want the freedom to step away from work while your kids are still young. Maybe you want to help your parents without putting your own future at risk. Or maybe you want the option to work less, sell the business or spend more time doing something you care about. Those are the conversations that give the numbers meaning. Retirement accounts, investments and tax strategies all matter. But they’re tools. The bigger question is what you want your money to make possible. - My Team: thrivent.com/ascend Disclosures: thrivent.com/social

Ascend National Wealth Advisors, Financial Advisors in Bellevue, WA | Thrivent

Most raises don’t feel as big a few months later. The extra money gets absorbed pretty quickly into everyday spending. That’s why a raise can be a good time to make a financial change before the bigger paycheck starts feeling normal. Maybe that means increasing retirement contributions, building cash reserves or putting more toward another goal. You don’t have to save the whole raise. But deciding where some of it should go before your spending adjusts can make it easier to turn higher income into actual progress. - My Team: thrivent.com/ascend Disclosures: thrivent.com/social

Ascend National Wealth Advisors, Financial Advisors in Bellevue, WA | Thrivent

If you’re planning to max out your 401(k) this year, now is a good time to check the math. It’s easy to assume the percentage coming out of each paycheck will get you there. But raises, bonuses, job changes or a few months at a lower contribution rate can leave you further off track than you realize. Take a look at what you’ve actually contributed so far and compare it with your year-end goal. There’s still time to adjust. By December, there’s a lot less room to work with. - My Team: thrivent.com/ascend Disclosures: thrivent.com/social

Generosity feels different when it comes from joy instead of pressure. Summer has a way of bringing more opportunities to the surface. Community needs become more visible, churches and nonprofits are active, and there are often more chances to support people and causes close to home. For many of us, generosity is connected to gratitude. We give because we’ve been given much, and because we want to be part of the good God is doing around us. That's also why planning matters. When generosity has a place in your financial plan, it becomes easier to respond with confidence when the opportunity comes, rather than feeling caught off guard or stretched thin. Have you made room in your plan to say yes when God puts an opportunity to serve in front of you this summer? . Disclosures: thrivent.com/social My Team: thrivent.com/ascend

One thing that surprises a lot of people nearing retirement is that spending often becomes less predictable right when the paycheck stops. Most people assume retirement expenses naturally go down. Sometimes they do, but in practice I often see spending simply shift categories. Less commuting turns into more travel. Less saving gets replaced by healthcare costs, family support, hobbies, or experiences people finally have time for. The early retirement years are also usually the most active, which means they are often the years with the highest discretionary spending. That’s why retirement planning is not just solving for a single number or withdrawal rate. The timing of expenses matters too. A good plan should account for higher spending early on, potential healthcare increases later, and the one-time expenses that never show up in online calculators. I’ve found retirement tends to work better when people build margin into the plan instead of trying to make every year fit a perfect projection. . . . Disclosures: thrivent.com/social My Team: thrivent.com/ascend

I really enjoyed connecting with Carson Hartzog for a Minnesota Star Tribune piece on how companies are using AI. At Ascend and Thrivent, we’re using AI in a practical but extremely beneficial way. It helps us be more efficient behind the scenes so we can spend more time focused on our clients and their goals. I appreciate the opportunity to share more about how my colleagues and I are working to better serve our clients. Give it a read: https://www.startribune.com/ai-training-budgets-not-enough-causing-workers-stress/601838280?utm_source=gift.

One of the more interesting planning conversations lately has been around Roth 401(k)s. A lot of people still default to pre-tax contributions because “the tax deduction feels better today.” And sometimes that absolutely makes sense. But I’ve also seen many high earners spend 30+ years building large pre-tax balances without realizing how concentrated their future tax exposure is becoming. By retirement, their income sources can end up looking something like this: IRA withdrawals Required minimum distributions Pension income Taxable Social Security Then one surviving spouse ends up filing single with the same account balances and higher effective tax pressure. That’s why the Roth vs. pre-tax conversation is rarely just about this year’s tax bracket. It’s really about creating flexibility later. For many people, the best answer is not all Roth or all pre-tax. It’s having options. . . . Disclosures: thrivent.com/social My Team: thrivent.com/ascend

One of the biggest retirement risks most people overlook: Sequence of returns risk. Two retirees can earn the exact same average return over retirement and still end up with completely different outcomes. The difference is often the timing of those returns. A major downturn early in retirement, while someone is actively taking withdrawals, can have a lasting impact on a portfolio in a way that a downturn later may not. That’s why retirement income planning is about more than chasing an average rate of return. It also matters where withdrawals come from first, how much cash is held aside, whether income sources are diversified, and how flexible spending can be during down markets. This is also why “just earn 8% annually” is not really a retirement strategy. The average matters. But the order matters too. . . . Disclosures: thrivent.com/social My Team: thrivent.com/ascend

A lot of high earners assume they’re behind on retirement because most of their wealth is tied up outside their 401(k). But net worth and retirement readiness are not always the same thing. I recently reviewed a plan for someone with a strong income, healthy savings, and significant equity in real estate and business interests. On paper, they looked financially successful. The issue was liquidity. Most of their assets were difficult to access without creating taxes, debt, or major lifestyle changes. Meanwhile, the accounts designed to actually produce retirement income had not been prioritized to the same degree. That’s a conversation I’m having more often lately, especially with business owners and professionals in their peak earning years. Building wealth is important. But retirement planning also requires asking: “How usable is this wealth when I actually need income from it?” There’s a big difference between being asset rich and retirement ready. . . . Disclosures: thrivent.com/social My Team: thrivent.com/ascend

Welcome! You are invited to join a webinar: Prepare Wisely: Estate Strategy Essentials. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the webinar.

Estate planning is about more than documents. It’s about helping make things easier for the people you care about most. Join us on May 26 for a free webinar, “Prepare Wisely: Estate Strategy Essentials,” where will discuss practical ways to make your wishes known around healthcare decisions, end-of-life planning, and asset distribution. 🗓️ May 26, 2026 🕛 12:00 PM PT Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/7117793198869/WN_4Utgaj4UQxWzH9dtfJ6q-A - No products will be sold. Thrivent and its financial advisors and professionals do not provide legal, accounting, or tax advice. Consult your attorney or tax professional. See for important disclosures.

If most of your investing is happening automatically, it is worth asking one question in April: “Do I own the same thing in three different places?” It is common to see the same large tech names across: 401(k) index funds personal brokerage RSUs or ESPP It looks diversified because there are multiple accounts. But it can still be one crowded trade. Awareness is the win. Then you can choose whether to rebalance or leave it. . . . My team: thrivent.com/ascend Disclosures: thrivent.com/social

If you work for a public company and have RSUs or an ESPP, here’s a risk check most people skip. You can end up betting on your employer three ways at the same time: 1. Your paycheck 2. Your benefits 3. Your investment portfolio That is concentrated risk, even if you love your company. A simple way to measure it: Add up all your company exposure across accounts. RSUs you are holding ESPP shares Company stock in your 401(k) Any options or vested shares sitting in a brokerage Then ask one honest question: “If the stock drops 30% and layoffs hit, what happens to my plan?” This is not about panic selling. It’s about having a rule before emotions show up. Common rules that reduce stress: Sell a portion at vesting automatically and diversify Cap how much company stock you will hold as a percentage of your total investments Use ESPP as a short-term benefit, not a long-term holding, depending on your situation When income and investments are tied to the same place, diversification isn't a buzzword. It’s a safety feature. . . . My team: thrivent.com/ascend Disclosures: thrivent.com/social

If you get a raise or promotion this year, do not just celebrate it. Update the plan around it. Because the paycheck changes fast. The defaults do not. A few things that quietly get out of sync: - Withholding is suddenly off - Your 401(k) stays at the same percentage even though income grew - Your monthly spending expands to match the new number - Bonuses or equity push you into a different tax situation than last year One of the best moves after a raise is simple: Increase your savings percentage before you get used to the new take-home pay. Let your plan grow at the same pace as your career. . . . My team: thrivent.com/ascend Disclosures: thrivent.com/social

Ascend National Wealth Advisors, Financial Advisors in Bellevue, WA | Thrivent

Most people only look at benefits during open enrollment. But a lot can change between then and now: A new job opportunity. A move. A wedding. A baby. A change in income or responsibilities And benefits are one of the easiest places to accidentally leave money or protection on the table. Two things I see get overlooked all the time: 1. Disability coverage If your paycheck depends on you showing up, this matters more than most people realize. 2. HSA strategy Not just “do you have one,” but whether you are using it the best way for your situation. A quick benefits check in April can prevent a lot of “I wish we knew that” later. . . . My team: thrivent.com/ascend Disclosures: thrivent.com/social

The most expensive phrase in personal finance is "we’ll figure it out later.” Later becomes: After the next bonus After the next promotion After the house move After things calm down at work And then one day you are making decisions under pressure. For most professionals, the issue is rarely a lack of income. It’s a lack of systems. If your money plan requires a free weekend and a clear head, it will not happen consistently. The plan has to be simple enough to run in the background. If you are only looking at your finances when something breaks, that is a sign the system needs a tune up. . . . My team: thrivent.com/ascend Disclosures: thrivent.com/social

Most people file taxes and move on. High earners should not. Because your return is basically a scoreboard of what happened with: withholding bonuses RSUs side income retirement contributions and the way your benefits were set up If you just filed, here are the three questions worth asking this week while it’s fresh: 1. Did you owe more than you expected, or get a refund that felt weirdly big? That usually means your withholding is off. 2. Did any “one-time” income show up this year (bonus, RSUs vesting, relocation, backdoor Roth steps, side hustle)? Those are common reasons a high earner gets surprised. 3. Did you miss any easy levers you can still pull for next year? Examples: adjusting W-4, setting an HSA strategy, increasing 401(k) percentage, planning for RSU tax withholding, cleaning up quarterly estimates. Make the change now. Avoid the surprise later. . . . My Team: thrivent.com/ascend Disclosures: thrivent.com/social

If a big chunk of your income is commission, bonus, or equity, your emergency fund should not be based on your base salary lifestyle. It should be based on your real monthly burn rate. A lot of high earners are one bad quarter away from: Using a credit card as an emergency fund, or Selling investments at the wrong time. If your income is variable, a bigger cash buffer is not conservative. It’s practical. - Learn more about how our team can help: thrivent.com/ascend Disclosures: thrivent.com/social

Before you change jobs, negotiate a new offer, or take time off, do a quick benefits audit. A job change can quietly impact: Health insurance timing HSA eligibility 401(k) match and vesting Life and disability coverage Equity vesting schedules Your salary is only part of the deal. If 2026 might include a move, a promotion, or a break, this is one of the highest ROI planning conversations you can have. - My Team: thrivent.com/ascend Disclosures: thrivent.com/social

If you got a bonus recently and thought, “Where did the rest go?” You are not crazy. Bonuses are often withheld differently than regular pay, so the paycheck can look shockingly light even when your income is strong. Two quick takeaways: 1. Withholding is not always your final tax bill. 2. A bonus can push you into a higher marginal bracket, even if only for part of your income. Before you change your 401(k) or savings plan because “taxes are brutal,” look at the full-year picture. A one-time paycheck is not the whole story. - My Team: thrivent.com/ascend Disclosures: thrivent.com/social

Welcome! You are invited to join a webinar: Will Your Taxes Affect Your Retirement?. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the webinar.

Most retirement tax mistakes come from waiting, assuming, and thinking there will be time later to adjust. For many families, those assumptions create higher lifetime taxes than expected. We’re hosting a live, complimentary webinar this month to explain how tax efficiency fits into retirement planning and what proactive decisions can influence long-term outcomes. Tuesday, February 24 at 12 PM PT Thursday, February 26 at 6 PM PT Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/3017694624221/WN_IPBQEj7aQS6vyLhJIYZ7sw - Meet the team: thrivent.com/ascend Disclosures: No products will be sold. Thrivent and its financial advisors and professionals do not provide legal, accounting, or tax advice. Consult your attorney or tax professional.