Insights

One of the most common surprises retirees face is learning that their Social Security benefits may be taxable. Many clients come to me with the assumption that Social Security is simply a return on a lifetime of contributions, money they already paid taxes on, and therefore should be tax-free. Unfortunately, that is not how the IRS sees it.

Stocks surged last week with the easing of geopolitical tensions that had weighed on equities for weeks. The S&P 500 crossed the 7,000 point barrier, while the NASDAQ achieved its longest winning streak (12 straight sessions) since 1992.

The market backdrop has shifted quickly in 2026, with AI disruption, rising oil prices from geopolitical tensions, and growing concerns around private credit replacing earlier optimism.