BCSWM’s The Benchmark

Daily Drive | Qualified Charitable Distributions

As the end of the year approaches, many folks have charitable giving on the mind. In this episode, Scott and Philip discuss how you might be able to use your IRA when making contributions to your preferred charities by utilizing qualified charitable distributions, or QCDs. Scott and Philip discuss what a QCD is, the requirements and limits around QCDs, and the financial advantages of utilizing QCDs. They wrap up by discussing the kinds of charities that qualify for a QCD. Join them as they pack a lot of information into this short Daily Drive episode!

What is a Fiduciary?

John and Philip provide insight into the how the investment advisory industry is regulated and the standards of care that its professionals abide by. They discuss what it means to be a fiduciary financial advisor. Additionally, they chat about the two distinct regulatory frameworks that cover Registered Investment Advisory firms and Broker-Dealer firms. As more firms and professionals move into the fiduciary obligation due to industry trends and regulatory enhancements, this episode reassures listeners that the investment advisory industry is more client-centered than ever.

Year-End Planning Strategies

With the year drawing to a close, it’s a great time to evaluate your tax situation, investments, retirement plans, and estate strategies. Join Nick, Scott, and Nathan in this insightful episode as they dive into year-end planning strategies that can help you make the most of your financial situation.
In this episode, we cover:
Key income and tax considerations to optimize your financial position
Investment strategies to limit your tax and keep your financial plan on track
Effective estate planning and wealth transfer methods to protect your legacy
Whether you're looking to reduce your tax liability or ensure a smooth transfer of assets, this conversation is filled with actionable insights to set you up for success in the coming year.

Daily Drive | Cybersecurity and Identity Protection

Nathan and Philip offer tips about safeguarding your identity and credit report information in today’s digital age. They discuss common cybersecurity threats and what to look out for. They review cybersecurity best practices. Lastly, Nathan and Philip share the names of five companies that provide identity theft protection and monitoring.

Timely Topic | Perspective on Election 2024

Nick and Philip share viewpoints on October 3, 2024 about the upcoming U.S. elections. They offer historical perspective about presidential leadership and the stock market’s long-term performance. Moving beyond the president, they also discuss the significance that Congress has in policymaking. They summarize how the stock market has responded historically to different mixes of political parties across the executive and legislative branches. Throughout the episode, Nick and Philip encourage long-term investors to stay unemotional about their investment portfolio despite the noise surrounding the election.

Disability Insurance 101

Join Nick and Scott as they discuss safeguarding your most important financial asset during your working years, your ability to earn and collect an income. Tap in for a high level overview of income protection with a handful of realistic case study examples at the end.

Gold 101

Humanity has revered gold throughout history for its beauty, durability, and utility as money. But what is gold like as an investment in the modern age? How might gold fit into a diversified investment portfolio? In this episode, Philip and Nathan present historical perspective and discuss gold from an impartial standpoint. They chat about gold as a portfolio diversifier, the gold’s price volatility characteristics, and events that gold historically has been a hedge against. Tune in for a primer on gold as seen through the lens of our financial advisors.

Daily Drive | What Should I Do With My Old 401k?

In this episode, Scott and John discuss a popular question we often hear at BCS Wealth Management. They dive into the four options one likely has with their retirement plan once they leave a job, and discuss the pros and cons of each option.