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The Fine Print

The foregoing content reflects the opinions of WH Cornerstone and is subject to change at any time without notice. Content provided herein is for informational purposes only and should not be used or construed as investment advice or a recommendation regarding the purchase or sale of any security. There is no guarantee that these statements, opinions or forecasts provided herein will prove to be correct.

Past performance may not be indicative of future results. Indices are not available for direct investment. Any investor who attempts to mimic the performance of an index would incur fees and expenses which would reduce returns.

All investing involves risk, including the potential for loss of principal. There is no guarantee that any investment plan or strategy will be successful.

Financial planning tools

As we get further and further away from ever balancing a physical checkbook, a few people may hold on to old Excel spreadsheet methods of controlling their finances, but most have moved on. Michelle sat at the big walnut desk in the home office. She slid open the drawer next to her right leg and looked at the hanging file […]Read More...

Making a difference with ESG investing

Tanya is getting more and more interested in what is in the investment portfolio she inherited when Frank died. While the returns have been good, she wants the portfolio to be about more than just numbers. Now that she understands the market better, she is ready for baby steps: changing a very small portion of the portfolio to make a […]Read More...

The widow's penalty

There are ways to rein in the additional impact of the Widow’s Penalty on the survivor’s finances. For couples, planning for this now is essential. The phone rang, and Barbara saw her tax accountant’s name pop up. She had worked closely with him after Jim died and he had helped her figure out how she could cover all her expenses […]Read More...

At WH Cornerstone Investments, we never stop learning!

Recently, the College for Financial Planningawarded Dawn Gorman, our Director of Customer Experience, the designation of Financial Paraplanner Qualified Professional (FPQP™). “I wanted to pursue the FPQP™ designation to better serve the needs of our clients. Having a better understanding of the complete financial planning process and its terminology allows me to keep our clients organized and on track to […]Read More...

Rise Up | A Woman's Retreat to Re (charge)

When Paula Harris first came up with the concept for an intimate retreat for women who were in going through a transitional period in their live, she knew she wanted to create an experience which could grow into a community of on-going support, but she never thought her retreat would be changing the lives of dozens of women each year […]Read More...

Reverse mortgages: Seeing them with different eyes

Reverse mortgages – also known as Home Equity Conversion Mortgages (HECMs) – have had a bad rap for many years. Every morning, Monique wakes up feeling overwhelmed by all the financial changes that have hit since Chuck died. Her CPA keeps talking about a coming Widow’s tax, something about her now being a single filer. And how will she afford […]Read More...

Binge-Worthy TV for those hot summer nights

Our list of TV shows for some much needed downtime… After a long day in the sun, a long-anticipated TV series or movie is always a good choice. This our round-up of tv shows we’re tuning into lately. Here it is: TV Watch List for SummerRead More...

Next up, 2019 Summer Podcasts

2019 Summer Podcast List Whether you’re taking a road trip or relaxing on a beach chair, invite one of these podcasts to join you. We’ve curated a mixed bag of podcasts we love. Download, plug-in and enjoy! Click here: 2019 Summer Podcast ListRead More...

Our 2019 Summer Reading List

Click on the Summer Reading List to see the what the team at WH Cornerstone is diving into this summer… 2019 Summer Reading List Reading is what feeds our minds, and I’m excited to share what I plan to feed mine. – Bill Harris What do you have on your list for the summer? Need some extra inspiration? Check out one […]Read More...

Playing "catch-up" the safe way

IRS rules around retirement savings favor those who are over 50. Contributions above the normal limits are referred to as “catch-up” contributions. Recently, a prospect came to our office for an initial consultation. Sally had read this column and was eager to enhance her retirement saving strategy. Sally sat down at our conference table and said, “Bill, one day I […]Read More...

Paula Harris presents at NVNA and Hospice 2019 Estate Planning Seminars

Paula Harris is participating in… NVNA and Hospice 2019 Estate Planning Seminars You and a guest are invited to: Ask a Professional  Michael T. Baker, Principal, Baker Law Group, P.C. Paula Harris, Co-Founder, WH Cornerstone Investments Michelle Hatch, CPA, Partner, blumshapiro Christine McDonough, LPN, PPA, CDP, Executive Director, NVNA Works Bonnie Simmons, CPA, Partner, Citrin Cooperman Topics will include: Navigating […]Read More...

Tax planning and the mystery of the disappearing tax refund

So, were the tax cuts good or bad for you? Tax refunds feel like free money, a windfall. A check appears a few weeks after you file your taxes, and you don’t remember having to do anything painful – like working – to earn it. But that’s not true. It’s just money you overpaid to Uncle Sam, and that is […]Read More...

Power of Attorney

Having a will is rarely enough. Life brings us too many unique situations that would not be resolved by a will. Sometimes we need a more robust framework of documents. And one of the all-stars in that framework is a power of attorney. From the time they married, Marisa and Edgar did things right, especially when it came to insurances […]Read More...

Griffin Brayer joins WH Cornerstone Investments

A new addition to WH Cornerstone Investments Meet Griffin Brayer: WH Cornerstone Investments’ intern Griffin graduated from Duxbury High School in 2016 and went on to attend UMass Amherst, in Amherst, MA. He is a Junior concentrating in studying electrical and computer engineering. During his senior year of high school, Griffin was named captain of the Duxbury Sailing Team. He […]Read More...

The toughest talk

Everyone loves someone. And when you go, wouldn’t you want to know you left that someone in good hands? Trish sat down on the edge of the bed, on Pete’s side. “Never again” thoughts raced through her mind, all the things they had taken for granted that they’d never share again. In that disorienting grief, she slid open his night […]Read More...

Get ready for ‘whatever’

Could ignoring financial resolutions lead to a richer life? The trajectory of our lives is a pretty straight line. Yet any particular day could be the one when everything changes. A new day, a leaf turned – a turn in the straight line. New Year’s is no different. Except that it’s when ambitious proclamations of change are made – most […]Read More...

5 ways to support a widow on Valentine’s Day

Romantic holidays, such as Valentine’s Day, are especially hard for widows. Holidays are often a challenging time for people but even more so when someone has lost their spouse or life partner. Romantic holidays, such as Valentine’s Day, are especially hard for widows. It is another reminder of being alone and missing their loved one. Here are a few ways […]Read More...

Let's redefine Valentine's Day: A luncheon for widows on the South Shore and Cape Cod

Life threw you a curve ball. Dear widow, now that Valentine’s Day is around the corner, and you may want support. Grab a friend who might also benefit and join Paula Harris of WH Cornerstone and Rise Up Retreats for an afternoon of friendship and community. Darren Humphreys of Travel Sommelier will transport you through the power of travel, while […]Read More...

What’s better? Giving to family or giving to others?

What’s better? Giving to family or giving to others? During this holiday season, we shopped for gifts for family and friends and made year-end contributions to charities. This concept of giving is intriguing. When giving thanks takes on a monetary aspect, how and to whom can call for a little forethought. “Giving” is part of a much larger conversation. Figuring […]Read More...

2018 Rise Up Re(treat): a transformational weekend

This year’s Rise Up Re(treat) was everything we had hoped for and more: uplifting, transformational and filled to the brim with love. On November 9th, 17 women joined Ken Nelson, Jane Pollak, and Paula Harris at the luxurious and impeccable Wequassett Resort on Cape Cod for a weekend retreat. Many arrived “not knowing what to expect but left with just what they needed”. […]Read More...

Money talks and the holidays: how to navigate

Christmas is approaching, and anxiety levels are already rising. Everyone has that one difficult relative that always manages to throw a verbal hand grenade partway through holiday dinner. In a nutshell, a successful holiday weekend is defined as making it to the football games still speaking to your relatives. Cooler heads might see the holidays differently: as an opportunity to […]Read More...

Financial freedom playbook

Financial freedom is a goal that most of us shoot for. Yet only a small percentage of people will ever get there. “Say yes!” “Say Yes!” “SAY YES!” It was nearing midnight. Tony Robbins had been on stage for nearly 12 hours – nonstop – motivating an audience of 14,000 raving fans. “SAAAAAY Yes!” was the mantra that Robbins used […]Read More...

Grateful for you

“When you make being grateful a true habit, you’ll feel true joy and contentment—no matter what you have or don’t have in your life.” –Jack Canfield Grateful for you. Sharing our appreciation and offering a Thanksgiving challenge.  We make it a habit to express our gratitude for the honor of projecting the wealth and building the dreams of clients throughout […]Read More...

Chess and the art of taxes

“Chess is everything: art, science and sport”- Anatoly Karpov So what do chess, taxes and the IRA have in common? In the height of the Cold War, an odd character by the name of Bobby Fischer took the world by storm. He won the World Chess Championship in 1972, defeating Boris Spassky of the USSR. Arguably, Fischer’s win is one of […]Read More...

Retire to a "Blue Zone"

I wondered if there was something in the water keeping these seniors so youthful and fit. I soon found out there was. It was early in the morning, but it was already close to 100 degrees. I heard howler monkeys off in the distance. I dodged iguanas as they ran back and forth across the path. As I hiked toward […]Read More...

How to master the “ART” of retirement

Retirement is not an end. It’s an experiment in Activity, Relationships, and Time (ART). And like all experiments, the ART of retirement involves some trial and error. It’s not easy leaving behind the routine, the people, and the places that were such a big part of your life while you were working. But a successful retirement is “work” too, especially […]Read More...

Does your savings match your reality?

“The only money that’s really yours is the money you spend. Everything else goes to somebody else.” – Teddy Chafolious   That piggy bank we remember from childhood wasn’t just a place to store our birthday money and spare change: it was a lesson, a way our parents encouraged us to get into the habit of creating savings. Many parents even […]Read More...

Will solar panels affect your real estate value?

It’s almost fall and the Sox are hot. New Englanders have been Red Sox fans since the beginning of the franchise, and we will probably do so until the end of time. As a kid, the extraordinary season of the 1975 Red Sox cemented my allegiance. The Sox had a handful of colorful characters. One of my favorites was Bill […]Read More...

Simplifying your investment strategy

It’s not just individual investors that fall prey to the complexity trap. “Any intelligent fool can make things bigger and more complex… It takes a touch of genius – and a lot of courage – to move in the opposite direction.” -E.F. Schumacher “Finnegan’s Wake” is a work by Irish writer James Joyce. It considered one of the most difficult […]Read More...

Lessons from a former tentative retreat attendee

If you told me ten years ago that retreats would be a source of pure happiness and joy for me, I would have laughed out loud. When I went on my first retreat, I was tentative, nervous and not really “all-in.” I wasn’t sure what to expect but I let go and just “did it.” My first retreat was to […]Read More...

Elder Care: Act early, plan now

Most people become frantic at the thought “the nursing home taking all of my assets.” “Always be nice to your children because they are the ones who will choose your rest home.” – Phyllis Diller On a regular basis, I have conversations with prospects and clients about the subject of aging and the cost of long term care. Most people […]Read More...

Books to make your summer

I’m always eager to trade suggestions on great books to read, whether it’s something new or something old. I’m now excited to share this year’s summer reads. Schools out! It’s time for the summer slowdown and time to catch up on good books. As an enthusiastic reader, I’m always eager to trade suggestions on great books to read, whether it’s […]Read More...

How will you find a new financial advisor?

When it comes to making a change with your financial advisor, chances are you may be forced to make a change at some point in time.   Forty-three percent of financial advisors are over age 55. The Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc., which includes 77,000 CFP certificants, states there are more CFPs are over age 70 than under […]Read More...

Transitional retreat scholarship offered

Have you ever wished that your life would stop for just a minute so you can catch your breath? This is common, especially for women in transition, and if you need that minute, consider taking a whole weekend to regroup, recharge, and renew your wellspring within. We are so excited to be hosting Rise Up: Re(treat) November 9-11, 2018, at the […]Read More...

Louis NeJame joins WH Cornerstone Investments

A new addition to WH Cornerstone Investments Meet Louis NeJame: WH Cornerstone Investments’ marketing summer intern (He’s bringing us to new heights!) Louis graduated from Duxbury High School in 2016 and went on to attend Babson College, a small, private business school in Wellesley MA. He is now a rising Junior concentrating in marketing and finance. During his senior year […]Read More...

Stick to the plan in retirement

William Bengen introduced the concept of safe withdrawal rates from retirement portfolios.   After a 286-day journey, a Lockheed-Martin spacecraft, the Mars orbiter probe, was approaching the target destination. On a key segment of the journey, the Mars probe was supposed to fire up its engines and blast itself into Mars’ orbit. Upon command, the engines fired but a major […]Read More...

Retirement. Are you really ready?

Are you really ready? Listen as Paula Harris discusses the reality of retirement with WATD. Paula Harris joins Leslie Noymer of Boomer Being on WATD for a two-part series on retirement. You can listen below for the complete interview. PART 1 PART 2  Read More...

Dawn Gorman joins WH Cornerstone Investments

A new addition to WH Cornerstone Investments Details don’t scare this former anti-crime council member. Meet Dawn Gorman: WH Cornerstone Investments’s Director of Client Experience (and the one keeping us in check!) Dukakis. Weld. Baker. Name any high profile Bostonian in the last two+ decades and it’s likely Dawn has worked with them. A graduate of Northeastern University, Dawn quickly […]Read More...

Frozen Dead Guy Days: Is your estate plan updated?

As financial planners, our mind always wonders if the deceased had a good estate plan in place (a hazard of the job, we guess). More importantly, are their estate plans being carried out as directed. Was it Bredo Morstøl’s final wish to be packed in ice, shipped to the United States and cryogenically frozen? In 1989, a Norwegian citizen shipped […]Read More...

Massachusetts estate tax hits the middle class

Massachusetts has an unexpected estate tax that’s catching lots of unsuspecting families. And you might be one of them. The Massachusetts calculation to determine the tax is dramatically different than most states and the federal government’s method. Furthermore, it is out of date and arguably unfair. If you think the estate tax is only for the wealthy, think again. The […]Read More...

David Shactman joins WH Cornerstone Investments

A new addition to WH Cornerstone Investments There are many words to describe David I. Shactman: lawyer, advisor, and lifelong learner. There’s just one that he is not ready to use: retired. When we met David Shactman over a year ago, we were struck by all the similarities in our thought process—professionally and personally. When he approached us about teaming […]Read More...

Common divorce mistakes for women

We see divorce as the biggest negative impact on finances for a couple. For women, the impact is bigger and mistakes are all too similar. Here are five common mistakes women are making in divorce. 1) Settling for the home. Most women want to settle for the house, however, that may not always be the best deal. House payments and […]Read More...

2017 Summer Reads

Here’s my annual summer reads for 2017. Awhile back I stumbled across this great blog site called “Wait But Why.” One of the creators of the site is a cheeky philosopher by the name of Tim Urban. In 2015 Tim crafted an essay titled “The Tail End.” Through a series of infographics and charts, the author jolts you into realizing […]Read More...

What If Your Husband Died?

Loss of a spouse is the number one stressor according to Holmes and Rahe Stress Scale. Compound that stress with the shorter, darker, colder days of winter and the holiday season and you are talking about some serious stress for this group of people. According to the 2011 U.S. Census, the median age of widowhood was 59. Other statics claim […]Read More...

Rise Up: A Reinvention Retreat for Widows

An invitation to relax, rejuvenate and reinvent Rise Up: A Reinvention Retreat for Widows Saturday, January 28, 2017 + Sunday, January 29, 2017 at the Mirbeau Inn and Spa at The Pinehills presented by WH Cornerstone Investments with special guests + speakers The loss of spouse or life partner is difficult. In fact, it’s life changing. You once knew who […]Read More...

Nutrition & You: an "investment" in your health

Join Dr. Alexie from Wellspring Chiropractic in Duxbury for an evening around nutrition. Rather than dictating exactly what you should or shouldn’t be eating, we will discuss empowering wisdoms and tools to better understand our own individual needs, as well as concepts around restoring balance and cause & effect. Did you know that blood type and genetics influence our response […]Read More...

Have You Had the Conversation Yet?

WH Cornerstone Investments is grateful to be included in this important discussion. Join us and bring a friend. Did you know that 60% of people say that making sure their family is not burdened by tough decisions is “extremely important”? At the same time, according to the California HealthCare Foundation, 56% have not communicated their end-of-life wishes. Communicating such wishes […]Read More...

Money Mindfulness: a conversation about money matters for women

Join the Women Mean Business of the Plymouth Area Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday, October 12 from 12:00 – 1:30 p.m. for a dynamic conversation about Money Mindfulness presented by Paula Harris of WH Cornerstone Investments. Our relationship with money impacts every aspect of our lives, especially for women. Through this interactive discussion we will cover several areas of focus […]Read More...

Work vs. Retirement

Let’s explore the five areas that work provides in our lives and how we need to think about each of them as we prepare for retirement. Work until you die! That was the way it was until the late 19th century. Farming was the mainstay of our economy, and men worked as long as their health allowed them to work. […]Read More...

Ripples: death is more than dying!

Death is more than dying! Life’s foundation is not solid, like the earth, But fluid, like a pond. And when the large SPOUSE DEATH ROCK plunges Into your part of life’s pond, Where you have been floating Peacefully, with only the usual minor ripples, GIANT WAVES are created! You are tossed up and down and sideways. You are suddenly out […]Read More...

Consider Grief Like Your Elephant

Remember the old joke “How do you eat an elephant?” “One bite at a time.” Consider grief/mourning like your elephant. One thing you can’t deny is the presence of an Elephant. When it stands next to you, It’s there! “Shoo” won’t make it go away. It has to be eaten. You can only eat a bite at a time. Digestion […]Read More...

Brexit Market Commentary

Fasten your seat belts! That was going to be our advice as we approached summer and the Independence Day holiday weekend, however, keep them fastened for the entire summer. The markets are likely to continue to be volatile. Global financial markets are still digesting the “Brexit” vote. The fallout has been most dramatic for U.K. and European markets. The U.S. […]Read More...

Widowed: My Grin is Thin

My grin is thin. My laughter is skin deep. Just below the surface Is this bubbling caldron of tears. Many triggers cause the volcanic eruption. Of emotional water supplied by the suppressed Memories of forty-seven years. My response to old friends who ask “How ya’ doin’?” Is what I know they want to hear, “I’m Okay.” They have no way […]Read More...

Spend all your time making money

There is an Eagle’s song with the line “you can spend all your time making money” and many of us have embraced that concept. We work really hard so we can get the bigger house, the nicer car, and memberships to “the right” clubs. To be able to enjoy all this money, we need to “free up” our “free time” […]Read More...

Proud Fiduciaries

We are excited about the Department of Labor Fiduciary ruling! The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) is about to reveal the most significant change in the retirement and IRA marketplace – a controversial new rule intended to raise investment advice standards on retirement accounts. We think that is a good idea and should benefit the consumer. The financial world is […]Read More...

Money Mindfulness Workshop

Money can be complicated. It can be even more complicated when we have not taken the time to think about our values and align our spending to meet them. Once we determine our values, the next steps is to set goals we want to achieve. Then it becomes easy to align our spending. Here’s an example: One of my values […]Read More...

Knee-jerk Reaction No Way To Invest

Recently, I returned from a trip from Washington D.C. Peter Forman, president and CEO of the South Shore Chamber, arranged a trip of local business owners and leaders to visit our congressional delegation to discuss the business climate and hurdles the business community is facing. While I had taken this voyage before, this year was particularly interesting primarily because of […]Read More...

Strategizing Social Security

“I’ll go to Congress and fight for you.” How many times have we heard that from our politicians? There’s a lot of tough talk on the floor of the House of Representatives, but how often do these officials actually back it up? Almost never. But that wasn’t always the case. On Feb. 15, 1798, U.S. Reps. Roger Griswold of Connecticut […]Read More...

The Single Life: a poem

Every once and a while we like to feature a post by a colleague or friend. George Weir writes poetry, shares his professional knowledge about the moving industry and wonderful, heartfelt stories from WWII. Enjoy. The Single Life Doing Things For Each Other The only rules are the rules you make for yourselves. Rule:  Don’t ever use the word “SHOULD” as in…YOU […]Read More...

Being mortal: you can't escape death

Two certainties exist in this world: death and taxes. We can find ways around improving our tax situation, however we will all be equal in the end when we are dead. Yes. It’s true. Two certainties exist in this world: death and taxes. We can find ways around improving our tax situation, however we will all be equal in the […]Read More...

Wealth Mastery

Recently, I finished a four-day journey of Wealth Mastery at a Tony Robbins seminar on Marco Island in Florida and wanted to share a few highlights with you. Wealth comes from the word welfare, which means: the state of doing well especially in respect to good fortune, happiness, success, or prosperity. Wealth is 80% psychology. You can have plenty of […]Read More...

Emotional Behavior and Investing

“A Walk in the Woods” was released earlier this month. If you’ve read this column over the years, you know I have a fond appreciation for the Appalachian Trail (a.k.a. “the AT”). I often threaten to drag my wife out for a weeklong hiking extravaganza, surviving on nothing but nuts, berries and drinking water from cool mountain streams. Nevertheless, we […]Read More...

Women and Money Mindfulness

Money can be complicated. It can be even more complicated when we have not taken the time to think about our values and align our spending to meet them. Once we determine our values, the next steps is to set goals we want to achieve. Then it becomes easy to align our spending. Here’s an example: One of my values […]Read More...

Cornerstone Cottage Open House

On Friday, September 11th we were joined by clients, business colleagues and friends for a casual backyard open house.                         The day was filled with rain but at party time the sun popped out.                               […]Read More...

Widowhood: When Life Throws You a Curve Ball

One thing we know for sure is life throws many curve balls. It’s why our firm is passionate about empowering people to see their future as greater than their past, especially in times of transition. We created this video to share some important and practical advice if you find that life has thrown you a curve ball, especially if you’ve […]Read More...

The Rise of Social Media and Finance

“BOOYAH!” “Sell,” screamed Jim Cramer, the host of “Mad Money.” “Exit Hewlett Packard and Best Buy immediately.” Ironically, both companies surged upward in the opposite direction, more than 100 percent, six months after Cramer’s call in 2012. “One thing I know, that I know nothing. This is the source of my wisdom,” stated Socrates in fifth century BC. If only […]Read More...

Choosing a Financial Services Professional

Caveat emptor is Latin for “Let the buyer beware.” The phrase arises from the fact that buyers often have less information than the seller, or more importantly, about the seller. When choosing a financial services professional, buyer beware! A local radio talk show host who is a financial services professional is finding himself in hot water these days. According to […]Read More...

Summer Reads Can Make You Fiscally Fit

The Fitbit craze, yet another trend I just don’t get! I’ll stick to reading! Fitbit went public last week. In its first moments of trading, it shot out of the blocks surging more than 50 percent. Fitbit is an amazing story, not only about a trendy wearable-Internet-connected fitness device, but also about fiscal fitness. Fitbit’s been getting in shape. It […]Read More...

Lonely: A widowers perspective

A lot of our practice focuses on supporting widows as they transition to managing their finances and life on their own. One of our friends reached out to share this beautiful, raw and very real poem of what it was like for him to lose his spouse of many, many years. He shared it and we share it in the […]Read More...

Giving Circles

You’ve tried the book club, but the guilt of not finishing the book was too much. Ladies Night Out was a great idea but all the small talk just didn’t do it for you. Volunteering in the community has been great but you don’t always have the time commitment and you would like to make a greater contribution. What about […]Read More...

Donor-Advised Funds: Feeding the Soul

You’re working hard, making good money and yet, rather than feeling like a total success, you’re a bit empty inside. There is a way you can feed your soul – by using your financial resources to establish a personal charitable giving strategy. Donor-advised funds (DAFs) offer a way to make significant charitable gifts over the long term while allowing you […]Read More...

Financial Steps to Take in Widowhood (or Not to Take)

It could be said that February is all about the heart. The American Cancer Society promotes heart awareness and wellness during the month. Celebrate National Wear Red Day with Go Red For Women, promoting helping save women’s lives from heart disease and stroke. We also celebrate love with Valentine’s Day. But for many, this time of year is difficult. More […]Read More...

5 Incredible Facts About the Current Retirement Market

1. Did you know that … Americans have an estimated $24.2 trillion in retirement assets(1)? To put that into perspective, the entire gross national debt is only about $18.1 trillion, making the U.S. retirement market about 33% larger. 2. Did you know that … IRAs make up the largest single share of the retirement market with an estimated $7.3 trillion1? […]Read More...

Allowance: Saving, Sharing, and Spending

Learning how to deal with money takes practice. You didn’t know how to ride a bike when you first got one but you learned by trying.  Allowances can be so much more than paying your children for chores accomplished around the house or just giving them pocket money. Allowances can be a tool to really help your child develop a […]Read More...

It's 1099 time!

Soon, you’ll be getting a copy of your 2014 IRS Form 1099-R, Distributions From Pensions, Annuities, Retirement or Profit-Sharing Plans, IRAs, Insurance Contracts, etc., if you took an IRA distribution last year. Our great friend, Joe Cicchinelli, IRA Technical Expert from the Ed Slott organization wrote this quick synopsis. Your IRA custodian is generally required to send you a copy […]Read More...

Life's Greatest Lesson

This past year I read a book for personal growth and it had such a profound impact on me. As I read it, I kept thinking about the ties to the advice we often give as part of financial planning. Life’s Greatest Lesson by Dr. Alan Hunt is written from a young boy’s perspective at the death of his Grandma […]Read More...

H.R. 5771: Taxes and year-end

Congress has been busy these last few weeks of December cleaning up the tax code – retroactively for 2014. Year-end is a busy time for all of us. The holiday season is in full swing, and everyone is zipping around picking up gifts, wrapping them, shipping packages and getting those cards in the mail. Truth be told, I actually don’t […]Read More...

Getting Financially Fit

In November, I’ve helped the Duxbury Council on Aging deliver the financial educational portion of the Aging Mastery Program, or AMP for short. AMP is a national program that aims to help millions of older adults take key steps to improve their welfare and add stability to their lives. AMP focuses on health, stronger financial security and overall well-being. Joanne […]Read More...

Do You Have a Required Distribution From Your Inherited IRA?

Did you inherited IRA? Was the person you inherited it from over the age of 70 ½? If yes, then you may need to take a year of death distribution. If the deceased account owner did not take all of his required minimum distribution (RMD) for the year, the beneficiaries must take any remaining RMD by the end of the […]Read More...

Planning Your First Required Minimum Distribution (RMD)

Did you turn 70 ½ this year? If yes, its time to start withdrawing funds from your traditional IRAs, including SEP IRAs and SIMPLE IRAs. These mandatory withdrawals are known as required minimum distributions (RMDs). Here are some things to keep in mind: The first deadline is April 1, 2015 (not April 15).  That is called required beginning date (RBD). […]Read More...

Spousal Roth IRA Contributions

If you’re married and filing jointly with your spouse, even if only one of you has job with income, you might both be eligible to contribute to a Roth IRA using the spousal IRA contribution rules. You need to have compensation or earned income to make a Roth IRA contribution. Compensation, including earned income, is income you earn from your […]Read More...

Divorce and Social Security

“The clearest way into the Universe is through a forest wilderness.” – John Muir Over the summer, I had the experience of a lifetime visiting Alaska. I climbed mountains in the Chugach National Forest, got up close to glaciers the Kenai Fjords National Park, hiked the tundra that traversed the Katmai National Park and fished the rivers that feed Bristol […]Read More...

Behavioral Finance

It’s Halloween season! That time of year when mysterious creatures arrive at my door dressed in all types of fascinating costumes demanding candy. Halloween is one of my favorites traditions. I camp out in front of the house with a space heater and a crock of chili. I dispatch candy to the walking dead and may even hand out an […]Read More...

2015 IRA Contribution Limits

The IRS issued a news release (IR-2014-99) that announced the 2015 cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) for IRAs and other retirement plans. While many of these limits increased, some did not. The IRA contribution limit for 2015 did not change from the 2014 amounts. It remains at $5,500 if you are under age 50. If you are age 50 or older in […]Read More...

Are You Paying “The Idoit Tax”?

Quarterly taxes were just due so taxes may still be on your mind like they are on ours. However, many pay “The Idiot Tax” everyday and don’t even think about it. “The Idiot Tax” quietly erodes our wealth. By now you are scratching your head wondering what the heck is it? And, am I paying it too? Well, “The Idiot […]Read More...

How an Estate Planning Issue Led Me to Mozzarella

In 2004 the Wildlands Trust of Southeastern Massachusetts began a campaign to save the last working dairy farm, the Historic O’Neil Farm, on the South Shore. At the time I was serving on the Open Space Committee in Duxbury. One of my colleagues asked me to come to project planning meeting. From 1921 through her death in 1963 Rosa Chandler […]Read More...

Economic Advisory Panel answers: Where's the Smart Money Headed Next?

A few years back, The Patriot Ledger pulled together a group of local business folks to comment on economic and business issues facing our region and the country. I am grateful to serve with these distinguished business leaders. The recent question posed to the Economic Advisory Panel dealt with “where’s the smart money headed next”? Here’s what I had to […]Read More...

Modern Family & Per Stirpes

One of the most popular shows on TV today is Modern Family. As you know, Modern Family is a about an extended, non traditional family and their interactions. While it is a sitcom, the new non-traditional family is anything but a make believe TV show. I am defining traditional family as a husband (man) and wife (woman), legally married and […]Read More...

The Chef Run Restaurant Experience

Explaining the difference between what our firm does rather than other financial services firms can be challenging. So here’s an analogy we hope helps. Think about a national restaurant chain, like Olive Garden, and then think about a local chef run restaurant in your area. Our firm, WH Cornerstone Investments, is like a chef run restaurant and the big wire […]Read More...

FPA Weekend Retreat

Last weekend a group of about 200 financial planners from around the country and world gathered in Miami to learn and share at the Financial Planning Association 2014 Retreat. Most of them were CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ Practioners–the industries gold standard of designations. Although we attend lots of industry conferences, it was our first time joining this retreat. We came away […]Read More...

Heroes, Monsters and Madmen...Oh My!

Don’t be scared. This is not going to be a post about any financial heroes, monsters or madmen–despite a few being out there. Rather, WH Cornerstone Investments is delighted to be a sponsor of this weekend’s Spring Pops concert by the Plymouth Philharmonic Orchestra. The Phil is wrapping up its 98th season this weekend with a fabulous show starring Craig […]Read More...

'File and Suspend'

We are so honored to have a monthly newspaper column that runs in the local papers in Kingston, Plymouth, Marion, Plympton and on several WickedLocal.com sites. We hope you are enjoying them. This month, Bill Harris talks about a very hot topic in Social Security planning: ‘File and Suspend’. “File and suspend” is a strategy that can raise benefits for […]Read More...

An Investment Selfie

Selfies are the rage these days. They’ve been around for a while. But selfies really went mainstream recently because of two reasons: How easy it is to take one on the new iPhone or Samsung Galaxy, and, Ellen DeGeneres snapping one of herself and a bunch of stars at the Oscar’s that went viral on Twitter. We recently received Morningstar’s […]Read More...

How The Stock Market Is Like A Soap Opera!

When I was a teenager, I would spend our summers at our family’s beach house. I would be up early to lay claim to my favorite spot on the beach spending hours reading, walking, talking, swimming and napping. Lunchtime was spent watching All My Children then back to the beach for an hour before General Hospital started. I was hooked! […]Read More...

Kickstarter & Cheese

Want to feel inspired? Visit Kickstarter to learn about all of the ambitious, innovative, and imaginative projects that are brought to life through the direct support of others. Kickstarter is a new way to fund creative projects. It is an online funding platform for everything from films, games, and music to art, design, and technology. Each project is independently created. Together, […]Read More...

Kripalu: Quiet the Mind, Body & Write!

“Quieting your life is the key to your writing,” said instructor Eric Maisel at the end of the workshop. A group of about two-dozen writers gathered this past week at Kripalu in Stockbridge, MA, to participate in a Deep Writing Workshop. I was one of them. Kripalu is a very special place for me. It’s where I come to renew, […]Read More...

She Did It!

Recently, I gathered at Babson College with a hundred fabulous women for a conference geared for women. A group called BetterAfter50.com put on the conference. The event, SHE DID IT, helps women in their mid-forties and up to figure out the answer to: “What now? What next?” The conference was filled with a range of speakers to help you figure […]Read More...

“Harmonize” the RMD rules for Roth IRAs and other retirement accounts

According to the President, it’s time “Harmonize” the RMD rules for Roth IRAs and other retirement accounts.  Yikes.  That could place many planning decisions, like Roth conversions, in jeopardy. Yesterday, President Obama unveiled the Fiscal 2015 budget. Many of the proposals relating to retirement and financial planning are repeats from previous years.  Because of Congressional gridlock, very little gets passed. […]Read More...

The President's Proposed Budget and The Impacts to Your Retirement Plans

Yesterday, President Obama unveiled his fiscal-year 2015 budget and below are the potential impacts to retirement plans. Last year, six out of the seven provisions detailed below, or similar versions of them, were included in President Obama’s fiscal-year 2014 budget. Repeat: none of them were enacted from last year’s budget. These are proposals only. This year’s proposals: “Harmonize” the RMD […]Read More...

The Fiduciary Standard and You

In the investment field, there are two primary parties who are able to offer investment advice to individuals. These parties are investment advisors and investment brokers who work for brokers-dealers. Many consumers may consider the investment advice they receive from each party as similar, but there is a key difference that may not be completely understood by the investing public. […]Read More...

A New Way to Save for Retirement: myRA

Maybe you caught the President giving the State of the Union address last week. One thing that caught my ear was this notion of a “myRA”. I decided to do a bit of research and found immediately following the address, the White House released details of “myRA” in “The State of the Union Fact Sheet: Opportunity for All”. I wrote […]Read More...

The Wolf of Wall Street and 5 Financial Planning Tips

It’s official. The Wolf of Wall Street has been named a finalist for Best Picture for this year’s Oscars. While Hollywood loves to hammer Wall Street, the Wolf is not about Wall Street. It is about a persuasive character’s vices and his eventual downfall. It has nothing to do with financial planning. In any case, here are five tips to […]Read More...

Goodbye 2013, Hello 2014

The calendar change over is always a time of reflection. We closed out 2013 by attending a program with author/speaker Tony Robbins. It’s called Date with Destiny and it was fantastic. Paula even had the good fortunate of being called up on stage out of 2200 participants to meet Tony and spin “the wheel” and she won a ticket to […]Read More...

New Treasury Notes A Solid Investment

This month’s column in the Duxbury Reporter rounds out four years of a monthly column called: Investors, Plans and Money. It’s been such a joy to share some financial insight, fun stories and current events with readers every month. Last week our auto mechanic asked how long Bill has been writing a column. He had just read it for the […]Read More...

Happy Thanksgiving

It’s is the season of giving thanks. And we are so grateful for our clients, colleagues, family & friends for helping us a make 2014 a very special and memorable year. In this year’s Thanksgiving card we announced the new home base for our company: the Cornerstone Cottage. Above is a graphical image of the new building. Want to know […]Read More...

Denver: the home of Westcore Funds and our recent visit

We just sent out our consecutive 124 enewsletter. It’s always full of fun financial facts & finds. The type of stuff that you need to know about every day, like “What NOT to buy at the dollar stores” or “How to save $1000 by Black Friday” (one reader suggested you just stay home and you’ll save even more!). We get […]Read More...

What Do IRAs and Bull Riding Have in Common?

by Bill Harris Twice a year I gather with colleagues from around the country to study with Ed Slott. Ed established the IRA Leadership Program and Ed Slott’s Elite IRA Advisor Group to share his group’s knowledge and expertise with advisors. This time it was Dallas. For two straight days, we studied the tax code, retirement plans, case law, new […]Read More...

Open Season For Confusion

Medicare open enrollment began October 15 and lasts through December 7. It’s a hot topic but it’s a confusing subject. We took the time to focus our latest newspaper column, in the Duxbury Reporter, to dive a bit deeper. We hope it helps you gain a bit of clarity. Let us know your thoughts.Read More...

The 10Event

WH Cornerstone Investments was a proud supporter of Crossroads for Kids 10Event held on October 24, 2013 at Blackrock Country Club in Hingham. Crossroads for Kids inspires youth to develop their innate potential to become members of the next generation of diverse young leaders in Boston and Massachusetts, breaking the cycle of poverty and under-achievement and yielding systemic change in […]Read More...

Avoiding Mistakes in a Divorce in 5 Easy Steps

Retirement accounts and divorces When a divorce occurs, the financial assets of a couple, including their retirement accounts, are often split. If mistakes are made during this process, the stress of a divorce can be compounded when one or both spouses find they are subject to unnecessary taxes or penalties. IRAs in divorce. To properly divide an IRA as a […]Read More...

Debt Ceiling Debate, You & the Market

We expect continued drama and volatility as the debt ceiling deadline approaches. As we speak, the U.S. Congress continues to negotiate the terms of a compromise that would re-open the federal government and, lift the “debt ceiling”. The debt-ceiling breach is far more important than the government shutdown. A breach could trigger chaos, but its doubtful it will happen. What […]Read More...

Naming Beneficiaries on an IRA

We are often asked about naming beneficiaries on an IRA. Should it be a person or a trust? Bill does a lot of studying with Ed Slott–the IRA “guru” in this country. It will probably be a living breathing person vs. a trust.  Individuals designated as beneficiaries of IRA can “stretch” out distributions over their lifetime.  For example, if you […]Read More...

Washington Lawmakers?

Washington lawmakers? They probably have you concerned about your portfolio. Because of the news cycle, it’s impossible not to see some unpleasant news about the government shutdown and its impact on the markets.  However, based on the past, the market impact should be a yawn. Take 1995 and 1996 for example, when the government shut down due to differences between […]Read More...

Government Shutdown and the Financial Markets

If you believe the media, the government shutdown is making financial markets turbulent. Do not believe it.  In the trading pits, no one sees a “specialist’s book”.  Traders do not put comments on their trades. Bottom line, no one in the media knows for sure the reason why a market moves.  They may speculate correctly, but they do not know […]Read More...

The Value of Brands

As you’ve watched the news over the last week, have you noticed how important brands are? I’m sure some egg-head, PhD has volumes of information on quantifying that question.  I love brands.  We all do.  I’m not a Harley motorcycle guy, but I love the fact people get tattoos of this brand on their bodies. Strange? Yes, but impressive.  So […]Read More...

WH Cornerstone is a Proud Sponsor of the Phil

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The Dow Then and Now

Each month we contribute an article to some of the Wicked Local papers and sites in our neck of the woods. We aim to be current & creative in the content. Recently the Dow made some changes to the 30 companies they track. We provide a little history in this article. Let us know what you think.Read More...

The Widow's Penalty

Widows are obviously faced with a period of grieving, sadness and remembrance.  However, when that first new tax bill comes in, they are going to get ticked off.  Most financial professionals have heard of the marriage penalty, but the widow’s penalty is even more inequitable. Here’s an example of the marriage penalty: the 3.8% surtax on net investment income kicks […]Read More...

Tuesday's With Phil

Tuesday’s with Phil was a fabulous, free concert series held this summer at the Laura’s Center for the Arts at the South Shore YMCA’s Hanover branch. It was a collaboration between the South Shore YMCA and the Plymouth Philharmonic. WH Cornerstone Investments was excited to be a series sponsor for this inaugural venture. We were so excited to get the following […]Read More...