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Insights

I've got valuable information and resources to share. Explore away! And check back often.

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Updating your life insurance: 7 life events that may affect your coverage

If you’re in one of these 7 life stages, it may be time to update your life insurance coverage. ⬇️

How much life insurance should you have? As life changes, so does the answer to that question.

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What to know about opening a custodial Roth IRA for a child

How many people wished they started saving for retirement earlier? What is the earliest you can start retirement savings? Check out this article that highlights the possibilities of a Custodial Roth IRA. A small contribution could turn into hundreds of thousands of dollars of tax-free retirement income! https://www.thrivent.com/insights/investing/custodial-roth-ira-for-a-child

What was your first job? Maybe you bagged groceries, mowed lawns or babysat the neighborhood kids. In any case, you remember just how exciting it was to dip...

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Benefits of Roth Conversions A valuable strategy we frequently review with clients is Roth Conversions. For many people, their Traditional 401(k) and Traditional IRA hold a major piece of their retirement assets. These accounts grow tax free but normal distributions are considered income and taxed accordingly in retirement. We sometimes refer to these distributions as a “Tax Alarm” that will hit most everyone at some point in retirement. However, with proper planning, we may find ways to reduce or virtually eliminate these tax issues. https://www.thrivent.com/insights/retirement-planning/pros-and-cons-roth-ira-conversions If you have not had this discussion with your advisor, you are potentially missing out on $10,000s or even $100,000s of dollars! This analysis is standard practice for our clients and something that consistently adds value. But it isn’t a strategy that every household is ready for. There is foundational work that needs to be tackled first. If you would like to discuss specifics for your financial situation, please reach out to me directly. I would love to have the discussion! Thrivent and its financial advisors and professionals do not provide legal, accounting, or tax advice. Consult your attorney or tax professional. See thrivent.com/social for important disclosures. Roth IRA contributions are not tax-deductible, but withdrawals of contributions and earnings are tax-free, if you follow the rules. To withdraw earnings without penalties, you must first have the account for five years and be age 59½.

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Benefits of Roth Conversions A valuable strategy we frequently review with clients is Roth Conversions. For many people, their Traditional 401(k) and Traditional IRA hold a major piece of their retirement assets. These accounts grow tax free but normal distributions are considered income and taxed accordingly in retirement. We sometimes refer to these distributions as a “Tax Alarm” that will hit most everyone at some point in retirement. However, with proper planning, we may find ways to reduce or virtually eliminate these tax issues. https://www.thrivent.com/insights/retirement-planning/pros-and-cons-roth-ira-conversions If you have not had this discussion with your advisor, you are potentially missing out on $10,000s or even $100,000s of dollars! This analysis is standard practice for our clients and something that consistently adds value. But it isn’t a strategy that every household is ready for. There is foundational work that needs to be tackled first. If you would like to discuss specifics for your financial situation, please reach out to me directly. I would love to have the discussion! Thrivent and its financial advisors and professionals do not provide legal, accounting, or tax advice. Consult your attorney or tax professional. See thrivent.com/social for important disclosures. Roth IRA contributions are not tax-deductible, but withdrawals of contributions and earnings are tax-free, if you follow the rules. To withdraw earnings without penalties, you must first have the account for five years and be age 59½.

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Longevity risk: What it is & how to prepare for it in retirement

A long life is a blessing to enjoy, but it also requires careful preparation. Living longer than expected (also known as longevity risk), can put pressure on your retirement savings. Here's how to protect your future. ⬇️

A long life is an amazing blessing to enjoy, but without proper planning, it can throw a wrench into your long-term retirement plans. Longevity risk is the...

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Car Insurance – Yes, I need this in case I get in an accident and it costs $50,000 Home Insurance – Yes, I need this in case something happens to my house and costs $500,000 Income Insurance – Yes, I have the $10,000 work group policy, that should cover me right? Life insurance is a complicated topic that in many cases is uncomfortable to discuss. We are going to keep today’s post simple and just talk about Term Insurance. Term is the lowest cost insurance and is a cost-effective way to protect your income. Term provides coverage for a set period of time. If you have people depending on your income such as a spouse and children, you should consider protecting your income. Imagine what financial goals would need to be changed if something happened to you? Could your family still afford your house? Could they afford their school or plans for college? Would they be able to make the car payments and buy groceries? As I mentioned, Term insurance is the most cost effective to cover income replacement. You can also structure the term policy lengths to better match need and lower costs further. If you would like to discuss specifics for your financial situation and see which type of insurance product suit your needs, please reach out to me directly. I would love to have the discussion! If requested, a licensed insurance agent/producer may contact you and financial solutions, including insurance may be solicited. See thrivent.com/social for important disclosures.

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Car Insurance – Yes, I need this in case I get in an accident and it costs $50,000 Home Insurance – Yes, I need this in case something happens to my house and costs $500,000 Income Insurance – Yes, I have the $10,000 work group policy, that should cover me right? Life insurance is a complicated topic that in many cases is uncomfortable to discuss. We are going to keep today’s post simple and just talk about Term Insurance. Term is the lowest cost insurance and is a cost-effective way to protect your income. Term provides coverage for a set period of time. If you have people depending on your income such as a spouse and children, you should consider protecting your income. Imagine what financial goals would need to be changed if something happened to you? Could your family still afford your house? Could they afford their school or plans for college? Would they be able to make the car payments and buy groceries? As I mentioned, Term insurance is the most cost effective to cover income replacement. You can also structure the term policy lengths to better match need and lower costs further. If you would like to discuss specifics for your financial situation and see which type of insurance product suit your needs, please reach out to me directly. I would love to have the discussion! If requested, a licensed insurance agent/producer may contact you and financial solutions, including insurance may be solicited. See thrivent.com/social for important disclosures.

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Thrivent has been named one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies by Ethisphere for the 14th year in a row. It’s an honor to work for an organization that’s committed to serving its clients, its workforce and its community with integrity. Learn more about this recognition: https://bit.ly/43B6P2o

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Thrivent has been named one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies by Ethisphere for the 14th year in a row. It’s an honor to work for an organization that’s committed to serving its clients, its workforce and its community with integrity. Learn more about this recognition: https://bit.ly/43B6P2o

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Missouri becomes the first state to make capital gains tax free. What does this mean for your investment strategy? Should you make any adjustments? Reach out and let's have the conversation! Missouri Senate Website SB 46 - For all tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2025, this act authorizes an income tax deduction for one hundred percent of all income reported as a capital gain for federal income tax purposes. Thrivent and its financial advisors and professionals do not provide legal, accounting, or tax advice. Consult your attorney or tax professional. See thrivent.com/social for important disclosures.

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Missouri becomes the first state to make capital gains tax free. What does this mean for your investment strategy? Should you make any adjustments? Reach out and let's have the conversation! Missouri Senate Website SB 46 - For all tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2025, this act authorizes an income tax deduction for one hundred percent of all income reported as a capital gain for federal income tax purposes. Thrivent and its financial advisors and professionals do not provide legal, accounting, or tax advice. Consult your attorney or tax professional. See thrivent.com/social for important disclosures.

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This last Sunday we used one of our Action Teams to help fund our church Serve Sunday event! See the post from Elevation STL for more information! Our son Jay had a blast filling the packs and supervising Mom and Dad. If you are a client and would like more information about how to use these Action Team funds for your church, please reach out! Thrivent wants you to be generous! https://www.facebook.com/share/p/19Xog2yTfW/

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This last Sunday we used one of our Action Teams to help fund our church Serve Sunday event! See the post from Elevation STL for more information! Our son Jay had a blast filling the packs and supervising Mom and Dad. If you are a client and would like more information about how to use these Action Team funds for your church, please reach out! Thrivent wants you to be generous! https://www.facebook.com/share/p/19Xog2yTfW/

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2025 Midyear Market Outlook

Will market volatility continue into the second half of 2025? Thrivent leaders share thoughts on what may happen in the Midyear Market Outlook.

We don’t anticipate the market roller coaster will get less bumpy in the second half of 2025.

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Love paying taxes? I have yet to meet with a client who wants to give the government more of their money. Roth and Traditional retirement accounts are designed to improve your tax efficiency and help you save for retirement. But not everyone has been explained the difference. Roth accounts are funded with after tax dollars (no tax deduction), grow tax free and have tax free distributions at retirement. Traditional accounts are funded with before tax dollars (tax deduction), grow tax free and the distributions are taxed as ordinary income at retirement. Why would you want to pay taxes now with a Roth account? Why not get a tax deduction this year with the traditional contributions? Well it depends… The way we work with clients is to review your current tax efficiency mix and then project forward to what this mix will look like in retirement. For example, you would pay 32% on income over $197,300 for single filers and $394,600 for married joint in 2025. It can save you tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars to pay the tax this year and avoid that 32% bracket in the future. It is hard to say what tax rates will be in the future but $37 trillion in national debt makes it hard to believe it will be lower. This review can be extremely beneficial! If you would like to discuss specifics for your financial situation, please reach out to me directly. I would love to have the discussion! Thrivent and its financial advisors and professionals do not provide legal, accounting, or tax advice. Consult your attorney or tax professional. See thrivent.com/social for important disclosures. Roth IRA contributions are not tax-deductible, but withdrawals of contributions and earnings are tax-free, if you follow the rules. To withdraw earnings without penalties, you must first have the account for five years and be age 59½.

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Love paying taxes? I have yet to meet with a client who wants to give the government more of their money. Roth and Traditional retirement accounts are designed to improve your tax efficiency and help you save for retirement. But not everyone has been explained the difference. Roth accounts are funded with after tax dollars (no tax deduction), grow tax free and have tax free distributions at retirement. Traditional accounts are funded with before tax dollars (tax deduction), grow tax free and the distributions are taxed as ordinary income at retirement. Why would you want to pay taxes now with a Roth account? Why not get a tax deduction this year with the traditional contributions? Well it depends… The way we work with clients is to review your current tax efficiency mix and then project forward to what this mix will look like in retirement. For example, you would pay 32% on income over $197,300 for single filers and $394,600 for married joint in 2025. It can save you tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars to pay the tax this year and avoid that 32% bracket in the future. It is hard to say what tax rates will be in the future but $37 trillion in national debt makes it hard to believe it will be lower. This review can be extremely beneficial! If you would like to discuss specifics for your financial situation, please reach out to me directly. I would love to have the discussion! Thrivent and its financial advisors and professionals do not provide legal, accounting, or tax advice. Consult your attorney or tax professional. See thrivent.com/social for important disclosures. Roth IRA contributions are not tax-deductible, but withdrawals of contributions and earnings are tax-free, if you follow the rules. To withdraw earnings without penalties, you must first have the account for five years and be age 59½.

Licensing is available through your State Insurance Department’s website, which can be located through the National Association of Insurance Commissioners website.

Thrivent and its financial advisors and professionals do not provide legal, accounting or tax advice. Consult your attorney or tax professional.

Thrivent financial advisors and professionals have general knowledge of the Social Security tenets. For complete details on your situation, contact the Social Security Administration.

Thrivent provides advice and guidance through its Financial Planning Framework that generally includes a review and analysis of a client’s financial situation. A client may choose to further their planning engagement with Thrivent through its Dedicated Planning Services (an investment advisory service) that results in written recommendations for a fee.

Thrivent is the marketing name for Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. Insurance products issued by Thrivent. Not available in all states. Securities and investment advisory services offered through Thrivent Investment Management Inc., a registered investment adviser, member FINRA and SIPC, and a subsidiary of Thrivent. Licensed agent/producer of Thrivent. Registered representative of Thrivent Investment Management, Inc. thrivent.com/privacy-and-security/disclosures.

Insurance products, securities and investment advisory services are provided by appropriately appointed and licensed financial advisors and professionals. Only individuals who are financial advisors are credentialed to provide investment advisory services. Visit Thrivent.com or FINRA’s Broker Check for more information about our financial advisors.

Designations

For additional information on professional designations and the requirements to earn them, visit https://www.thrivent.com/designations

Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Center for Financial Planning, Inc. owns and licenses the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®, and CFP® (with plaque design) in the United States to Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc., which authorizes individuals who successfully complete the organization's initial and ongoing certification requirements to use the certification marks.

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