Articles and Publications

A library of topical publications and articles written by CCM team members specifically for our clients.

Lifestyle Inflation — the Impact of an Inflating Lifestyle on Retirement Planning Forecasts

Andreas Scott
Andreas Scott
Integrated Wealth Advisor
Published April 20, 2017

At varying ages and stages in life, people experience the impact of inflation at different rates. These varying rates of inflation and their subsequent expenses have a direct impact on the income needed from an investment portfolio. They must be accounted for within a holistic wealth management plan to ensure a successful outcome.The phenomena of experiencing the impact of inflation rates at varying stages of life is primarily observed through lifestyle expenses. For example, the inflation ... [Continue Reading]

An Update from the Tax Team: Tax Planning for 2017

Kevin Koski
Kevin Koski
Director of Tax Services
Published April 18, 2017

As the preparation of your 2016 income tax returns are completed and filed (due by April 18, 2017), it is the ideal time to be thinking about 2017 planning.Following are a few notes and considerations we wanted you to be aware of:Contribution limits to 401(k) and 403(b) accounts remain unchanged for 2017 at $18,000, with an additional $6,000 catch-up contribution allowable for those age 50 or older.These limits apply to contributions to either a Traditional or Roth option within the ... [Continue Reading]

What the Fiduciary Rule and Telling the Truth Have in Common – and Why Both Are So Freeing

Gregory Carlson
Gregory Carlson
CEO and Founder
Published March 15, 2017

Many of you have been hearing or reading in the news the discussion on what is referred to as the “Fiduciary Rule.” A version of the Fiduciary Rule was originally proposed in 2010 by the Department of Labor (DOL), then quickly withdrawn amid great protest in the financial industry. Essentially, the concept is and was to overhaul ERISA (Employee Retirement Income Security Act)—originally enacted in 1974 to regulate the quality of financial advice surrounding retirement. In 2015, President Obama ... [Continue Reading]

The Importance of Low Costs, Understanding Data, and the Value of Trusted Advice

Adam Hoffmann
Adam Hoffmann
Director of Investments & Research
Published March 9, 2017

Throughout the years we’ve come to appreciate the different perspectives held by firms and service providers within the financial services industry that vary from ours at CCM. We believe that varying viewpoints lead to meaningful conversations that ultimately produce better advice, products and service for our clients. This point is timely this week, as a recent Wall Street Journal story, “DFA Funds Are Booming, but That Adviser Fee Matters,” rightly highlighted the benchmark beating performance ... [Continue Reading]

401(k) Plan Fees – Are You Getting A Fair Shake?

Bryan Webster
Bryan Webster
Director of Institutional Client Services
Published March 1, 2017

It is interesting to observe how perceptions vary from reality when it comes to 401(k) plan participant retirement account fees. In a survey conducted by Rebalance IRA, they found 46 percent of employed baby boomers believed that they do not pay any retirement account fees at all, 19 percent thought their fees were less than 0.5 percent and only 4 percent of those surveyed believed that they pay more than 2 percent in retirement account fees.1According to the 401(k) Averages Book, the ... [Continue Reading]

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