Forefront

Several years back, we had a client who had around $1 million to invest. With retirement on the horizon, he wanted to manage market risk more intentionally.

When we reviewed his portfolio, he had the traditional pieces covered.

Stocks.
Bonds.

That’s when we noticed something missing.

His portfolio did not have a hedge.

At Forefront, we use a 3DX approach to investing.

It consists of three disciplines. Each discipline has a different purpose.

Core investments.

Thematic investments.

Hedging strategies.

For this client, we helped incorporate structured notes as part of the hedging discipline in his portfolio.

Structured notes may allow an investor to participate in some market upside while adding a predetermined level of downside protection.

For this client, adding that missing discipline helped him feel more confident as he moved toward retirement.

Today, he is fully retired.

Afterward, he said something that stayed with us,

"I don't know why other advisors haven't talked to me about this sort of strategy."

Every investment should have a purpose within your financial plan.

"You can't see the picture when you're in the frame."
— Les Brown

One of the biggest benefits of working with a financial advisor isn't access to investments.
It's perspective.

When you're living your own life, it's hard to see where your actions have drifted away from your goals.

You say family comes first.
But there's no estate plan.
No life insurance.
No time set aside for the people you care about.

You want financial freedom.
But every financial decision is focused on today instead of where you want to be ten years from now.

A good advisor doesn't judge you for where you are.
They help you take the next right step.
Then another.
Then another.

Over time, those small decisions begin to align your finances with the life you're trying to build.

Financial planning isn't just about growing wealth.

It's about helping your money support what matters most.

The SALT deduction cap has increased from $10,000 to $40,000, and it could mean tax savings for some.

For tax years 2025 through 2029, the cap on state and local taxes you can deduct on your federal return increased from $10,000 to $40,000.

The SALT deduction lets taxpayers who itemize deduct certain state and local taxes, like income (or sales) taxes and property taxes, when calculating their federal taxable income.

The people most likely to benefit:
- Homeowners with meaningful property taxes
- Residents of high-tax states
- Higher earners who itemize

Here’s what else you need to know:

The expanded cap phases out for high earners.

The benefit starts shrinking once modified adjusted gross income exceeds $500,000 ($250,000 if married filing separately), and the very highest earners are still limited to the original $10,000.

There's also an opportunity here for people who haven't typically itemized. A bigger SALT cap may tip the math toward itemizing for the first time.

This is temporary. The expanded cap is scheduled to stay in place through tax year 2029, then revert to $10,000 in 2030, unless Congress acts again.

When tax law changes, it creates planning windows. The strategy starts with understanding how the rules apply to your situation.

If you think this could affect your tax picture, it's worth a conversation with your CPA or financial advisor.