Planning for retirement can feel like a daunting task, and when you’re doing it as a couple, it becomes even more important to get on the same page. Retirement isn’t just about reaching a financial milestone; it’s about creating a shared vision for your future together. Whether you’ve been together for decades or are recently married, building a retirement plan as a team requires open communication, thoughtful planning, and a strong financial strategy. Here’s how to prepare for this exciting chapter of life as a couple. 1. Align on Your Vision for Retirement Before you dive into the numbers, take…

Name: Diane Hart Firm: UBS Wealth Management Location: Pasadena, CA Team Custodied Assets: $1 billion Background: Diane Hart grew up in Taiwan in a traditional Chinese family where she says she didn’t initially have much hope of having a career. Her big break came when she was 20-years-old and got a job as a secretary at a branch of Security Pacific bank in Taiwan. She saved up and eventually moved to the United States to get her finance degree from Golden Gate University, where she graduated in 1994. She was recruited by Bank of America in 1997 to help with…

Forbes’ top advisor rankings, developed by SHOOK Research, are the only advisor rankings with a focus on quality, including interviewing advisors in-person, virtually and by telephone. Unlike other advisor rankings, SHOOK is not a “robo-ranker.” Numbers such as production and assets don’t tell the whole story, especially when much of the data is self-reported. SHOOK Research creates rankings of role models—advisors that are leading the way in offering best practices and providing a high-quality experience for clients. A focus on both qualitative and quantitative factors is imperative. How We Rank The Forbes ranking of America’s Top Women Wealth Advisors and…

Tech startups are often overlooked as a potential investment vehicle, yet they can serve as a valuable component of a diversified wealth strategy. While index funds typically offer predictable returns and real estate syndications provide middle-ground risk and returns, tech startups—similar to cryptocurrency—occupy the far end of the risk spectrum, offering significantly higher risks but with the potential for tremendous rewards. Some individuals who initially earned $100,000 to $200,000 annually have experienced sudden nine-figure windfalls, achievements that were not realized through passive real estate or index funds. How Tech Startup Investments Work Over the past decade, tech startup investments have…

In today’s digital-first world, investors expect more than generic thought leadership orone-size-fits-all advice. They want relevant, actionable insights that align with theirfinancial goals and personal values. Wealth managers who deliver high-quality, client-centric content won’t just stand out in a competitive market—they’ll build lastingrelationships with clients. Despite this demand, wealth management firms are falling short. In a recent AccentureAsia survey, most Chief Experience Officers agreed that investment content iscrucial—yet only 8% were satisfied with what their firm produces. So, how can firms move beyond stale marketing playbooks that favor broad industrycommentary over personalized, engaging and start delivering the insights that clientsactually…

President Donald Trump signed an executive order last week, setting in motion the development of a U.S. sovereign wealth fund (SWF). The idea behind a sovereign wealth fund is that rather than relying solely on taxes or debt to finance government operations, a country can invest a portion of its national wealth in financial markets, using the returns to strengthen long-term fiscal stability. Sovereign wealth funds have grown into major global financial institutions in recent decades. Norway’s Government Pension Fund Global, which was built on oil revenues, now holds $1.7 trillion in assets and recently recorded $222 billion in annual…

With almost two-thirds of the fourth-quarter earnings season complete, the pace slows slightly with 77 S&P 500 companies scheduled to report. 77% of S&P 500 firms reported better-than-expected earnings for the quarter. Two of the Magnificent 7 reported earnings last week, with only NVIDIA (NVDA) remaining on February 26. The Magnificent 7 consists of Microsoft (MSFT), Meta Platforms (META), Amazon.com (AMZN), Apple (AAPL), NVIDIA (NVDA), Alphabet (GOOGL), and Tesla (TSLA). Despite robust earnings growth and a noisy but solid jobs report, concerns about President Trump’s threatened additional tariffs and some worries about artificial intelligence (AI) spending caused some market consternation.…

In a significant shift for the legal and financial services landscape, KPMG Law US has applied for an Alternative Business Structure (ABS) license in Arizona. If approved, KPMG would become the first of the Big Four accounting firms to establish a law firm in the United States. This move underscores a broader trend of integrating legal, tax, and financial services under one umbrella—raising critical questions about the future of estate planning, wealth management, trust administration, and succession planning for family businesses. The potential ripple effects extend far beyond KPMG. If banks, multifamily offices, and wealth managers follow suit by obtaining…

When it comes to sustaining wealth and influence across generations, family enterprises face a unique set of challenges. Some thrive for centuries, evolving into dynasties, while others crumble within a generation or two. The difference often lies in how they view themselves—not just as businesses, but as long-term stewards of wealth. A recent article from the Family Firm Institute, Sustaining Family Legacies: What Family Enterprises Can Learn from Asset Management Firms, by Dr. Isabella Otero offers an intriguing perspective. It argues that family-owned businesses should take a page from asset management firms by adopting a structured, professionalized approach. Rather than…

Retirement often feels like the light at the end of the tunnel—a time to relax, enjoy life, and finally pursue the dreams that were put on hold during the busy years of work and family life. For many, this dream centers around travel: exploring new cultures, revisiting favorite places, and soaking in experiences that fill the soul. But achieving a retirement that’s full of travel takes more than daydreams and wanderlust. It requires thoughtful planning, financial discipline, and a clear roadmap. Here’s how you can design your retirement to turn those travel dreams into reality. 1. Envision Your Ideal Travel…