Whether you’re looking for our perspective on current market conditions, the global economy, retirement, or a specific sector or trend, here we give you access to some of our latest thinking from Griffin’s brightest portfolio managers.
Building a Foundation Thoughtful retirement income strategies are especially key during periods of volatility, for they can help reduce the impact of market fluctuations while affirming that the financial plan in place can withstand periods of uncertainty. Although no strategy can eliminate investment risk, several approaches may help create a more stable foundation for long-term … Continued
How a Custodial Account Works Saving for a child’s future is one of the most meaningful financial gifts you can make, and one option that offers both flexibility and simplicity is a custodial account. Unlike education-specific savings vehicles, custodial accounts allow funds to be used for a wide range of purposes that can benefit the … Continued
How a Living Trust Works If you’re seeking flexibility during your lifetime and help simplifying the transfer of assets after death, consider an estate plan that incorporates a living trust. While a living trust might not be appropriate in every situation, understanding how one works can help you determine whether it can be an effective … Continued
Can Financing Support Wealth Transfers? For many families, wealth transfer strategies include operating trusts destined for children, grandchildren, or charitable organizations. While some fund these transfers by selling assets outright, strategic borrowing can provide an alternative that allows individuals to preserve their investment portfolios while meeting their wealth transfer objectives. Borrowing against personal assets — … Continued
Why Succession Planning Matters While the family business accounts for a significant share of the global economy, many struggle to find strategies to cope with leadership transitions and the shifting family dynamics that occur over time. By focusing on a few foundational principles, though, families can position their businesses for long-term success while preserving the … Continued
Tax-Advantaged Accounts Implementing effective tax-efficient investment strategies can help your money compound over time, a key to building wealth. Here’s how to get started. First, consider maximizing contributions to retirement accounts, such as 401(k)s and IRAs. These accounts offer valuable tax advantages that can help investments grow more efficiently over time. Traditional retirement accounts allow … Continued
What is the wash sale rule? Understanding the wash sale rule is key for those looking to harness the benefits of tax-loss harvesting, which can help investors reduce capital gains taxes by selling investments at a loss and using those losses to offset taxable gains. While this strategy can become especially valuable during volatile markets, … Continued
What are investment policy statements? Investment policy statements serve as the foundation for a versatile portfolio. The IPS outlines financial goals, investment objectives, risk tolerance, governance structure, and portfolio guidelines. Perhaps most importantly, it creates alignment between the client and the advisors responsible for managing assets. This structure has become increasingly important in today’s investment … Continued
Planning for Volatility If you have questions during market volatility, you’re not alone. And while market swings can feel unsettling, they are not unusual. Since 1980, the S&P 500’s average drawdown in a given calendar year has been over 14%. Yet it’s still finished positive roughly 75% of the time, with average annual returns near … Continued
Risks Wealth Can’t Ignore Affluent families typically plan for how market cycles impact investments and taxes, but real-world risks can come as a shock. Think about how a wildfire, a liability claim, or a cyber breach can create sudden, outsized financial exposure, and the panic that may cause. Standard insurance often falls short in these … Continued
Your 401(k) Options, Explained Before changing jobs or stepping away from work, one of the first things on your to-do list should be to weigh the options for your 401(k). And while the choices may sound simple, the implications can have long-lasting impacts. Typically, there are four paths: Each option comes with tradeoffs. Staying put … Continued
Why planning matters With women contributing more to household income than ever before, some as the primary earners in their families, strong financial planning can help alleviate the social and financial pressures that can complicate investing decisions. Research shows that many women primary earners still encounter assumptions that their spouse is the higher earner. Some … Continued
Changing Tradeoff For years, delaying Social Security benefits was treated as a no-brainer. Wait until age 70, collect roughly 24% more income, and come out far ahead over time. It made perfect sense. That logic still mostly holds, but the advantage is smaller than many expect. Future dollars carried more weight when interest rates were … Continued
Avoid This Trap Building a global investment portfolio involves allocating funds in investments that extend beyond the U.S. The benefits of adopting this philosophy include risk reduction, access to growth markets, and improved long-term returns. Global investment portfolios often begin with benchmarks. The so-called “World Portfolio,” which represents a broad mix of global assets, is … Continued
Financial Protection Choosing life insurance coverage is a key cornerstone of any financial plan. Let’s start by understanding its purpose. Life insurance provides a death benefit to designated beneficiaries. This coverage can help support financial stability during a difficult time while offering piece of mind that loved ones will be protected. Proceeds may be used … Continued
1. Optimize Tax Deductions To reduce taxes on income, begin with deductions. Recent tax law changes included in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) increased the standard deduction, while making tips, overtime, and car loans tax-deductible. For those who itemize, higher state and local tax limits may apply. Charitable deduction rules have also changed. … Continued
Standing Pat Federal Reserve cuts in 2026 are a distinct possibility, but not a certainty. The central bank started the year by standing pat. At its first meeting of 2026, the Federal Open Market Committee left its benchmark borrowing rate unchanged at 3.50%-3.75%. But there was little consensus among central bankers. The Fed minutes showed … Continued
1. Calculate Income Needs When offering tips for retirement planning, most experts start with some simple math. Many households underestimate how much income they will need to maintain their lifestyle for the long haul. But by establishing a defined income replacement target, you can decide how much of your retirement contributions should come from savings … Continued
What Long-Term Care Includes Long-term care costs refer to expenses associated with personal care and support as people age. These services typically assist with activities of daily living, such as bathing, dressing, eating, and mobility. Long-term care is not limited to medical treatment and may involve ongoing personal support over extended periods. Care can be … Continued
Unpredictable Outlook vs. Historical Precedence Investing during geopolitical uncertainty can create anxiety for individuals and managers alike. But while the headlines can feel destabilizing, historically speaking, market reactions are often more muted than expected. To be sure, past performance never guarantees future results. But CIO Research finds that most geopolitical events have not led to … Continued
1. Start Early The new year may still feel fresh, but April has a way of creeping up on us. Here are a few tips to consider as you begin preparing for tax season. First and foremost, start early. Waiting until the deadline can increase both stress and the risk of costly mistakes. Organizing documents … Continued
Wall Street Remains Constructive As banks release their year-ahead views, the 2026 stock market outlook from Wall Street remains broadly constructive. Most large institutions expect U.S. equities to move higher, supported by earnings growth, easing monetary policy, and continued investment in artificial intelligence. In other words, while forecasts vary in magnitude, the predicted direction of … Continued
How Irrevocable Trusts Function Irrevocable trusts are common and crucial tools in long-term wealth planning. On the simplest level, they do what it says on the tin. These trusts move assets from one’s ownership (the grantor) to another’s (the beneficiary) permanently, or irrevocably, albeit with similarly enduring guidelines for how they may be deployed. Irrevocable … Continued
Why Tax-Loss Harvesting Benefits Fade Tax-loss harvesting is a tried-and-true strategy to help reduce taxes by selling investments at a loss to offset gains elsewhere in a portfolio. Tax-loss harvesting strategies are key considerations for high-net-worth individuals looking to reduce their tax burden. However, the opportunity set can shrink over time, primarily for two reasons. … Continued
Falling Rates Change the Math As interest rates move lower, strategic borrowing may be front-of-mind for many investors looking to adapt to the changing economic environment. The US Federal Reserve has cut interest rates twice in as many meetings, and the majority of observers expect one more 2025 rate cut at the central bank’s December … Continued
What Are Medicare Penalties? The transition into Medicare is complex, and missteps can lead to costly consequences. To avoid Medicare penalties, it’s crucial to understand how those penalties are triggered, to ensure coverage aligns with your long-term priorities. People who begin Social Security at 65 are typically automatically enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B. … Continued
What Is a Donor-Advised Fund? Donor-advised funds, or DAFs, can help high-net-worth investors maximize charitable contribution deductions. With year-end rapidly approaching and key changes to charitable giving on the horizon, now is an ideal time to explore DAFs and how they may enhance your financial strategy in 2025 and beyond. A DAF allows donors to … Continued
What Is a Donor-Advised Fund? Donor-advised funds, or DAFs, can help high-net-worth investors maximize charitable contribution deductions. With year-end rapidly approaching and key changes to charitable giving on the horizon, now is an ideal time to explore DAFs and how they may enhance your financial strategy in 2025 and beyond. A DAF allows donors to … Continued
What Is Sequence-of-Returns Risk? Sequence-of-returns risk describes the elevated impact of market volatility in the early years of retirement. And as market uncertainty abounds and concerns of inflated tech valuations grow louder, it’s an increasingly key consideration today for high-net-worth investors nearing their golden years. When you are 20 years out from retirement, a negative sequence … Continued
Understanding Capital Gains As another record-setting year for the stock market comes to a close, many high-net-worth investors may find themselves looking for ways to minimize capital gains tax. After a year of strong performance, realizing capital gains can lead to significant tax exposure, if not managed properly. Long-term gains on assets held more than … Continued
What Are the New Tax Brackets? The IRS in early October unveiled its new 2026 tax brackets, updated to reflect inflation. The seven tax brackets at 10%, 12%, 22%, 24%, 32%, 35%, and 37% will not change, due to the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) that President Donald Trump signed in July. However, the … Continued
New Year, New Rules As year-end rolls around, high-net-worth individuals may be looking to offset tax obligations with charitable giving. However, that process will change in the year to come, with the passage of President Donald Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). The OBBBA covers a lot of ground, but here we’re interested in … Continued
What is the Wash Sale Rule? The wash sale rule is an IRS rule that prohibits investors from claiming a tax loss from the sale of an investment if they repurchase the same or a “substantially identical” security within a 61-day window, starting from 30 days before the sale and ending 30 days after. This … Continued
The Complacency Trap A bull run may stoke optimism for investors, but for pre-retirees, it also raises a pressing question: how do you keep your retirement savings safe? The S&P 500 recovered from its nosedive this spring, and at the time of writing, hovers near record highs. But some experts caution that record stock market … Continued
Powell Signals Possible Shift There’s a growing conviction in the market that the Federal Reserve will cut rates in September. A lot depends on critical labor and inflation reports in the weeks leading up to its next meeting. Falling rates can bring both opportunities and risks, particularly for high-net-worth individuals. It may be a good … Continued
Why a Home Away From Home Makes Sense In 2025, there’s simply no reason to be tied to a single city, so we’re taking a look at the best cities to buy a second home. This might be an investment, a place to share with friends and family, or somewhere to escape the winter. Real … Continued
Women Report Inheritance Challenges A recent UBS report found that the vast majority of high-net-worth women aren’t prepared for inheritance. The Swiss investment bank surveyed 2,000 female investors with at least $1 million in assets for its 2025 Global Wealth Report. A quarter of them expected to inherit over $5 million. However, around 8 in … Continued
Why Domicile Changes Appeal to More and More Wealthy Families If you’re a high-net-worth individual, opting to change your state of residence — also called domicile change — can be a key strategy to minimize taxes. Some people may move because of a new job or family reasons. But financial perks can also be a … Continued
Pessimism Doesn’t Reflect Reality Right Now Pessimistic investors are urging people to “Sell America.” But there are many reasons why high-net-worth individuals should consider laying a bet on America instead. Some may want to ‘Buy America’ for patriotic reasons, but it’s also just plain business sense. The market remains uncertain today. But it’s worth looking … Continued
The Hidden Risk of Concentrated Stock Many high-net-worth investors find themselves with a large portion of their net worth consisting of a single highly concentrated stock. This can be the result of things like early investment success, an inheritance, or long-term equity compensation. Relying on one company too heavily can expose portfolios to significant risk … Continued
Wealth Can Make You a Target for Fraudsters Identity theft among wealthy individuals happens more than we’d like to admit. Unfortunately, both high-net-worth individuals and those in the later stages of life are frequently targeted by criminals. That makes it doubly important to take steps to protect yourself. A recent study in the UK found … Continued
What Is a Family Succession Plan? A recent report by investment banking company UBS found that about half of the clients of family offices have not prepared for succession. Forty-seven percent of these offices did not have a plan in place for the family members, according to the annual report that surveyed more than 300 … Continued
What Wealthy Retirees Need To Know The right RMD strategy can be an important part of your retirement tax plan, especially if you are a high-net-worth individual. RMDs, or required minimum distributions, to give them their full name, are minimum amounts that you have to take from your retirement accounts once you reach a certain … Continued
U.S. markets are closed today in honor of Juneteenth National Independence Day. Also called the “Second Independence Day”, Juneteenth commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. On June 19, 1865, Major General Gordon Granger issued General Order No. 3, enforcing the Emancipation Proclamation in Texas. The Union Army arrived more than two years … Continued
Investment Ideas The U.S. Federal Reserve has held interest rates steady since December 2024. Most market observers expect there could be some shifts coming in 2025, most likely starting in September. But how quickly rates fall, how low they will go, and whether they accompany a soft landing or a recession remain to be seen. … Continued
A Look Into Sustainable Investing Sustainable investing, or investing in companies that prioritize certain social and environmental outcomes, remains popular across the globe. Morgan Stanley recently found that nearly 90% of investors in the U.S. and abroad are interested in the practice. Environmentally conscious investors analyze environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors to gauge the sustainability … Continued
Financial Foundations Hiring a money manager is always a big decision. And that’s especially true for high-net-worth individuals with a multitude of financial responsibilities. It’s important to find someone you trust with the experience to advise you on how to build wealth, minimize tax liabilities, and navigate economic and political shifts. A good money manager … Continued
Implications of the Act The Social Security Fairness Act was signed into law by former President Joe Biden in January. But most impacted recipients didn’t begin to see the benefits until April 2025. Here’s everything to know about this substantial change to Social Security. The new act repealed both the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and … Continued
What Are Tariffs? Lately, economists, politicians, and foreign policy experts have highlighted the pros and cons of tariffs. Tariffs seem to be all anyone can talk about right now. And for good reason. President Donald Trump has threatened or imposed tariffs on nearly all of the United States’ trading partners. His on-again, off-again policies have impacted … Continued
Big Changes in Estate Planning 2025 is the year for high-net-worth families to focus on estate planning, specifically with 529 plans. Here’s why. You might have heard about the lifetime gift tax exemption’s sunset. It’s an end to a provision in the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which significantly boosted the amount you could … Continued
New tariffs and trade wars are creating uncertainty in the stock market. A well-diversified portfolio can help spread risk amid this shifting global economy.
Some companies have already reduced their Q1 2025 earnings expectations amid growing uncertainty. From AI to extreme weather, here are some trends to watch this earnings season.
Tax regulations are constantly changing. Here’s how you can stay ahead of the changes and prepare for this tax season.
The lifetime gift tax exemption is set to be cut in half at the end of 2025. Take these steps today to maximize your tax-free giving.
Maximizing after-tax returns means you get to keep more of your money. It starts with optimizing your accounts and asset allocation.
Before the “great wealth transfer”, there may be a “horizontal wealth transfer” from male spouses to their female partners. How might that affect the economy?
Having a successful retirement is more than just dollars and cents. These four behaviors help retirees thrive even with life’s curveballs.
The new year is a great time to revisit your retirement strategy — and that’s especially true for those starting a new job in 2025. If the latter is true for you, this could be the perfect time to reevaluate your retirement savings strategy and ensure it is in alignment with your new role. The 411 … Continued
Buying a home, whether your first or your fifth, is a major financial move — and not always for the reasons you think. You already know the big-ticket expenses: down payments, closing costs, and mortgages. But the true cost of home ownership goes beyond these line items. Hidden costs can add up quickly, sometimes turning a seemingly … Continued
A new generation is nearing retirement. Generation X is defined as those born between 1965 and 1980. That means the oldest members of Gen X will turn 60 this year. Here’s what Gen X needs to know about an exciting chapter of life that is quickly approaching. Assessing Obstacles Younger generations may be more open … Continued
Here are the essential steps for the beneficiary of an inherited trust to take, to stretch funds further for longer.
Here are some key strategies of the ultra-wealthy to help build and protect their wealth.
Estate planning can seem like a daunting task. But putting in the work ahead of time will prove beneficial to your heirs in the event of your death.
Affluent retirees are increasingly aging in luxury, made possible by “life plan” communities.
Did you recently start making 7 figures? Here are 7 steps that might help you manage your new financial situation effectively.
Investors have long been comparing market-cap and equal-weight indices. But what are the distinctions, really?
From lagging to leading the charge, millennials have seen a surprising financial turnaround, outpacing prior generations at their age. Why?
Here are some year-end tax planning strategies that may help you keep more of what you make and optimize your wealth.
A growing family is both exciting and overwhelming. Putting a solid financial plan in place can give families peace of mind.
Opening and managing joint accounts is all about being on the same page, from choosing an account type to managing risk.
The family office scene has increased globally in recent years, but what circumstances make this move right for you?
Understanding the importance of prenups can help couples identify financial goals and control how their assets are treated in the event of a divorce.
Tuition inflation has pushed college out of favor in recent years, but there are alternatives that students (and concerned parents) should consider.
Roughly $72 trillion in assets could transfer to the younger generation by 2045, with major implications for the U.S. economy.
You and your partner both want to be successful financially, but you have different ideas of what exactly that means. What next?
The stock market is closed today in honor of Juneteenth. At Griffin Asset Management, Juneteenth is a very important holiday for us. It marks the last day African Americans slaves were freed from slavery and is also called the “Second Independence Day”. The origins of Juneteenth date back to June 19, 1865 – more than … Continued
Managing the responsibilities and bearing the weight of being a trustee requires understanding, preparation, and likely a little professional help.
With regulations constantly in flux, required minimum distributions pose a tricky puzzle for investors planning for retirement.
Strategic allocation of assets is key to diversifying your investments and “de-risking” your portfolio.
An SMA can provide a personalized portfolio tailored to your unique goals and risk tolerance.
Forming a SLAT allows you to transfer assets outside your estate while maintaining their accessibility (and without triggering taxes).
If recessionary concerns are keeping you up at night, read on for how to prepare for all market cycles.
Low to moderate risk investments that boast reliable returns over time are great choices for investors looking to capitalize on all market conditions.
Looking to hire a money manager? Follow these 10 do’s and don’ts.
The generous lifetime exemption amounts provided by the 2017 Tax Cut and Jobs Act expire at the end of 2025.
Protect your purchasing power by making investments in these categories that historically perform well during periods of inflation.
We break down 5 characteristics of a successful long-term investment strategy and 5 strategies to invest $1 million to optimize your retirement income.
Despite banking failures, credit downgrades, and recessionary fears, the U.S. economy defied the odds in 2023, showing resilience amid economic uncertainties.
The second quarter of 2026 marked a dramatic turnaround for U.S. equity markets as all major indices – including the S&P 500, Nasdaq, and DJIA – posted their strongest gains since the post-pandemic recovery in 2020.
U.S. equity markets underperformed in the first quarter of 2026 as geopolitical risks weighed heavily on investor sentiment. As we head into Q2, continued volatility is likely but there are several factors that we believe could create positive tailwinds for equity markets.
2026 equity markets are expected to benefit from last year’s interest rate cuts, continued corporate earnings growth, and a further broadening of market leadership. Our optimism is tempered, however, by ongoing geopolitical tensions and the ever-changing policies coming out of Washington D.C.
The market rally continued in the third quarter driven by growing investor confidence in long-term investments in AI infrastructure. Gains were not just limited to large cap tech stocks, as the rally was supported by improving market breadth with many other sectors seeing significant gains as well.
Despite a sharp drop at the beginning of the quarter, the U.S. equity market has shown steadfast resilience. Data suggests that solid economic underpinnings and strong corporate earnings may continue to propel markets in Q3.
It was a rough start for equity markets. Volatility persists as we wait out the uncertainty of the U.S.’s aggressive trade policies, inflationary pressures, and declining consumer sentiment.
It was a good year for equity markets but can it continue? A new U.S. President and changes to foreign policy will likely create some volatility in the coming year of which investors need to be mindful.
U.S. equities advanced to new highs during the third quarter. Learn what’s in store over the next few quarters as the U.S. Presidential election is decided.
Q2 was another positive period for equity markets but the economy is showing signs of cooling off. Our investment team provides their full download on what’s in store for Q3 and Q4.
The resilient economy and recent uptick in domestic inflation have given investors pause. Learn what our investment team believes is in store for Q2 and the remainder of 2024.
Several factors may influence the market’s performance in 2024, including the risk of recession, the Presidential election, and the long-awaited expansion of the stock market’s breadth. Learn what our experts have to say.
