The Month in Brief
July was a positive month for stocks and a notable month for news impacting the financial markets. The S&P 500 topped the 3,000 level for the first time. The Federal Reserve cut the country’s benchmark interest rate. Consumer confidence remained strong. Trade representatives from China and the U.S. once again sat down at the negotiating table, as new data showed China’s economy lagging. In Europe, Brexit advocate Boris Johnson was elected as the new Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, and the European Central Bank indicated that it was open to using various options to stimulate economic activity.1
Domestic Economic Health
On July 31, the Federal Reserve cut interest rates for the first time in more than a decade. The Federal Open Market Committee approved a quarter-point reduction to the federal funds rate by a vote of 8-2. Typically, the central bank eases borrowing costs when it senses the business cycle is slowing. As the country has gone ten years without a recession, some analysts viewed this rate cut as a preventative measure. Speaking to the media, Fed Chairman Jerome Powell characterized the cut as a “mid-cycle adjustment.”2
The latest hiring and consumer spending reports from the federal government suggested an economy in good shape, and the latest data on consumer prices showed no great inflation pressure. Employers had expanded their payrolls with 224,000 net new jobs in June, a rebound from the paltry 72,000 gain in May. Both the headline jobless rate and the U-6 rate (a broader measure of joblessness that includes the unemployed and underemployed) ticked up 0.1% to a respective 3.7% and 7.2%. Personal spending was up 0.3% in July, and the pace of retail sales increased 0.4%, taking the yearly gain to 3.4%. Annualized inflation was running at just 1.6% through June, down from 1.8% in May.3,4
The Conference Board’s monthly Consumer Confidence Index reached a year-to-date peak in July: 135.7, a gain of 11.4 points from June. (The final July University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index had yet to be released when the month ended.)4
The pace of American manufacturing had slowed in June, according to the Institute for Supply Management’s latest monthly Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) for the sector. It declined 0.4 points to 51.7. ISM’s Non-Manufacturing PMI came in at 55.1, 1.8 points lower than it was in May. On a positive note, the federal government said that hard goods orders rose 2.0% in June, and industrial production had improved 0.9% in May.1,3
In late July, the Bureau of Economic Analysis announced that the economy grew at a 2.1% rate in the second quarter. This was the lowest gross domestic product (GDP) number seen since Q1 2017; it was also 1.0% lower than the previous quarter. The drop was primarily attributable to reduced business spending. Consumer spending increased at a 4.3% pace in Q2.5
By the end of July, China and the U.S. had resumed face-to-face negotiations on trade matters. A new trade pact did not appear to be quickly forthcoming: Secretary of the Treasury Steven Mnuchin told the media in late July that he expected there would be “a few more meetings before we get a deal done.” On July 31, Chinese state media agency Xinhua reported that high-level discussions would resume in September.6,7
Global Economic Health
On July 25, the European Central Bank stated its expectation that borrowing costs would likely remain at current levels or “lower” through the second quarter of 2020. The ECB also stated that it would examine its “options for the size and composition of potential new net asset purchases” – in other words, it was leaving the door open to possibly restarting the monetary stimulus campaign it had ended only months before. Economists polled by Bloomberg see the ECB making a minor rate cut in September and resuming its bond-buying program in January.8
One day earlier and just 99 days prior to the European Union’s Brexit deadline, Boris Johnson assumed the office of Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. When Parliament returns from its summer break in September, Johnson will be tasked with motivating lawmakers to approve a Brexit deal – which, in his words, will be “a new deal, a better deal” than those proposed by his predecessor, Teresa May. That said, he also told the media that a no-deal Brexit could occur if the E.U. leadership “refuses any further to negotiate.”9
China’s gross domestic product declined to 6.2% in the second quarter. That was a 27-year low. This implies some present and near-term difficulties for other Asia-Pacific economies, as China imports large quantities of electronics, palm oil, iron, copper, and petroleum products from nations within the region, and less economic activity means less demand.10
Real Estate Sales
Both new and existing home sales reversed direction in June. The National Association of Realtors announced a 1.7% retreat in residential resales, following a 2.9% May advance; the median sales price was $285,700. The Census Bureau said that new home sales rose 7.0% in the sixth month of 2019, after an 8.2% setback in May.3,15
By late July, interest rates on home loans had crept up just a bit from late June. According to mortgage reseller Freddie Mac, a 30-year, fixed-rate home loan carried an average of 3.73% interest on June 27, while 15-year, fixed mortgages had an average interest rate of 3.16%. By Freddie’s July 25 Primary Mortgage Market Survey, the mean interest rate for a 30-year FRM was 0.02% higher at 3.75%; for a 15-year FRM, it was also 0.02% higher at 3.18%.16
30-year and 15-year fixed rate mortgages are conventional home loans generally featuring a limit of $484,350 ($726,525 in high-cost areas) that meet the lending requirements of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, but they are not mortgages guaranteed or insured by any government agency. Private mortgage insurance, or PMI, is required for any conventional loan with less than a 20% down payment.
The Census Bureau’s latest monthly recap of residential construction activity showed June declines for both housing starts (0.9%) and building permits (6.1%).3
Disclosures
Securities and advisory services offered through Centaurus Financial, Inc. Member FINRA & SIPC, Registered Broker Dealer and a Registered Investment Advisor. Centaurus Financial Inc. and Five Pine Wealth Management are not affiliated. This is not an offer to sell securities, which may be done only after proper delivery of a prospectus and client suitability has been reviewed and determined. Information relating to securities is intended for use by individuals residing in (OR, OH, ID, CA, WA, MT, UT, NY). Centaurus Financial Inc. does not provide tax or legal advice. A portion of this material was prepared by MarketingPro, Inc., and does not necessarily represent the views of the presenting party, nor their affiliates. The information herein has been derived from sources believed to be accurate. Please note – investing involves risk, and past performance is no guarantee of future results. Investments will fluctuate and when redeemed may be worth more or less than when originally invested. This information should not be construed as investment, tax or legal advice and may not be relied on for the purpose of avoiding any Federal tax penalty. This is neither a solicitation nor recommendation to purchase or sell any investment or insurance product or service, and should not be relied upon as such. All market indices discussed are unmanaged and are not illustrative of any particular investment. Indices do not incur management fees, costs, or expenses. Investors cannot invest directly in indices. All economic and performance data is historical and not indicative of future results. The Dow Jones Industrial Average is a price-weighted index of 30 actively traded blue-chip stocks. The NASDAQ Composite Index is a market-weighted index of all over-the-counter common stocks traded on the National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotation System. The Standard & Poor’s 500 (S&P 500) is a market-cap weighted index composed of the common stocks of 500 leading companies in leading industries of the U.S. economy. NYSE Group, Inc. (NYSE:NYX) operates two securities exchanges: the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”) and NYSE Arca (formerly known as the Archipelago Exchange, or ArcaEx®, and the Pacific Exchange). NYSE Group is a leading provider of securities listing, trading and market data products and services. The New York Mercantile Exchange, Inc. (NYMEX) is the world’s largest physical commodity futures exchange and the preeminent trading forum for energy and precious metals, with trading conducted through two divisions – the NYMEX Division, home to the energy, platinum, and palladium markets, and the COMEX Division, on which all other metals trade. The MERVAL Index (MERcado de VALores, literally Stock Exchange) is the most important index of the Buenos Aires Stock Exchange. The MSCI World Index is a free-float weighted equity index that includes developed world markets and does not include emerging markets. The MICEX 10 Index is an unweighted price index that tracks the ten most liquid Russian stocks listed on MICEX-RTS in Moscow. The FTSE Straits Times Index (STI) is a capitalization-weighted stock market index that is regarded as the benchmark index for the Singapore stock market. It tracks the performance of the top 30 companies listed on the Singapore Exchange. The Bovespa Index is a gross total return index weighted by traded volume & is comprised of the most liquid stocks traded on the Sao Paulo Stock Exchange. The FTSE TWSE Taiwan 50 Index is a capitalization-weighted index of stocks comprises 50 companies listed on the Taiwan Stock Exchange developed by Taiwan Stock Exchange in collaboration with FTSE. The CAC-40 Index is a narrow-based, modified capitalization-weighted index of 40 companies listed on the Paris Bourse. The Hang Seng Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization-weighted stock market index that is the main indicator of the overall market performance in Hong Kong. The Korea Composite Stock Price Index or KOSPI is the major stock market index of South Korea, representing all common stocks traded on the Korea Exchange. The DAX 30 is a Blue-Chip stock market index consisting of the 30 major German companies trading on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange. The SSE Composite Index is an index of all stocks (A shares and B shares) that are traded at the Shanghai Stock Exchange. The Nifty 50 (NTFE 50) is a well-diversified 50-stock index accounting for 13 sectors of the Indian economy. It is used for a variety of purposes such as benchmarking fund portfolios, index-based derivatives and index funds. The BSE SENSEX (Bombay Stock Exchange Sensitive Index), also-called the BSE 30 (BOMBAY STOCK EXCHANGE) or simply the SENSEX, is a free-float market capitalization-weighted stock market index of 30 well-established and financially sound companies listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE). The U.S. Dollar Index measures the performance of the U.S. dollar against a basket of six currencies. Additional risks are associated with international investing, such as currency fluctuations, political and economic instability and differences in accounting standards. This material represents an assessment of the market environment at a specific point in time and is not intended to be a forecast of future events, or a guarantee of future results. MarketingPro, Inc. is not affiliated with any person or firm that may be providing this information to you. The publisher is not engaged in rendering legal, accounting or other professional services. If assistance is needed, the reader is advised to engage the services of a competent professional. CITATIONS:
1 – cbsnews.com/news/stock-market-today-record-s-p-3000-as-u-s-stocks-rise-on-interest-rate-optimism/ [7/12/19]
2 – cnbc.com/2019/07/31/fed-cuts-rates-by-a-quarter-point.html [7/31/19]
3 – investing.com/economic-calendar [7/31/19]
4 – reuters.com/article/us-usa-economy/moderate-u-s-consumer-spending-inflation-back-fed-rate-cut-idUSKCN1UP1FD [7/30/19]
5 – cnbc.com/2019/07/26/us-gdp-second-quarter-2019.html [7/26/19]
6 – reuters.com/article/us-usa-trade-china/top-us-china-trade-negotiators-to-meet-in-shanghai-next-week-idUSKCN1UJ1JI [7/24/19]
7 – cnbc.com/2019/07/31/trade-talks-to-continue-in-september-in-the-us-chinese-state-media-says.html [7/31/19]
8 – bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-07-25/ecb-signals-rate-cut-qe-ahead-as-global-stimulus-push-picks-up [7/25/19]
9 – apnews.com/18957b2a83e14a31865610cf1ee20579 [7/24/19]
10 – dw.com/en/asias-triple-whammy-china-slowdown-trade-war-and-chips/a-49748052 [7/25/19]
11 – markets.on.nytimes.com/research/markets/worldmarkets/worldmarkets.asp [7/31/19]
12 – msci.com/end-of-day-data-search [7/31/19]
13 – money.cnn.com/data/commodities/ [7/31/19]
14 – barchart.com/stocks/indices?viewName=performance [7/31/19]
15 – nar.realtor/research-and-statistics/housing-statistics/existing-home-sales [7/24/19]
16 – freddiemac.com/pmms/archive.html [7/26/19]
17 – investing.com/indices/us-spx-500-historical-data [7/31/19]
18 – markets.wsj.com/us [12/31/18]
19 – treasury.gov/resource-center/data-chart-center/interest-rates/Pages/TextView.aspx?data=yieldAll [7/31/19]
The post Monthly Economic Update – July 2019 appeared first on Five Pine Wealth Management.
“Should I convert my traditional IRA or 401(k) to a Roth?” If you’ve asked yourself this question lately, you’re in good company. Perhaps you’re a high-earner who makes too much to contribute directly to a Roth IRA but wants access to tax-free growth. Or maybe you’re concerned about future tax rates and want to ensure more tax-free income in retirement. With market volatility and changing tax laws on the horizon, many of our clients are wondering if a Roth conversion could be a smart money move to save on taxes and provide more flexibility down the road. While we think Roth conversions are a great strategy, they don’t make sense for everyone. Let’s break down when Roth conversions actually make sense — and when they don’t — in plain English. Back to Basics: What is a Roth IRA? Before we dive into strategy, let’s recap the differences between a Roth retirement account and a traditional one. Traditional retirement accounts, such as a traditional IRA or 401(k), provide you with a tax deduction when you contribute. You save on taxes now , but you’ll pay taxes on that money in the future when you withdraw it as income in retirement. A Roth IRA allows you to contribute money that you’ve already paid income taxes on. You don’t enjoy savings this year, but the interest you earn on that money grows tax-free, and the withdrawals are 100% tax-free in retirement once you meet certain eligibility requirements. For many people, these lifetime tax savings are significantly greater , which is why a Roth conversion is such an intriguing strategy. What Is a Roth Conversion? Imagine you’ve been making retirement contributions to a traditional 401(k) for the past 25 years. You’ve enjoyed income tax deductions each year as you squirrel away money for your future. But as you’re scrolling through your newsfeed one night after dinner, you come across an article about the unexpected tax bills many retirees are faced with in retirement, significantly eating into their retirement income. The article suggests making contributions to a Roth account instead, in order to avoid this scenario in the future. But you’ve already been making contributions to a traditional account for 25 years. Have you missed out? Not necessarily. With a Roth conversion, you can move money from another retirement account, such as a Traditional IRA or 401(k), into a Roth IRA. Essentially, a Roth conversion allows you to “pre-pay” taxes so your future self won’t have to. For many people, this can be a smart move. But there are caveats: Convert too much at once, and you might push yourself into a higher tax bracket this year. Convert too little over time, and you might miss opportunities to lower your lifetime tax bill. The challenge lies in finding the right balance. When Roth Conversions Make Sense In general, Roth conversions can make sense for individuals in the following circumstances: 1. You’re a High Earner For 2025, direct Roth IRA contributions are phased out for single filers with incomes between $150,000-$165,000 and for joint files with incomes between $236,00-$246,000. If your income exceeds these thresholds, you can’t contribute directly to a Roth IRA. However, Roth conversions have no income limits. This creates a powerful opportunity for high-income earners to still enjoy tax-free growth in retirement. By making non-deductible contributions to a traditional IRA (which has no income limits) and then converting those funds to a Roth IRA — often called a “backdoor Roth” — you can effectively circumvent the income restrictions. 2. You’re in a “Tax Valley” You may be in a “tax valley” if you’re currently experiencing a period where your income is lower than you expect in the future. For example, you may be early in your career, taking a sabbatical from work, or starting a business. These can all be opportune years to make a Roth conversion. New retirees may also find themselves in a temporary “tax valley.” For example, if you’re recently retired but haven’t yet started collecting Social Security or required minimum distributions (RMDs), this window from your early 60s to 70s could be a golden opportunity to convert portions of your traditional retirement savings into a Roth. By strategically moving money over a few years, you can fill up the lower tax brackets and reduce your future RMDs, which might otherwise push you into a higher bracket later. This can also help reduce the tax burden on your Social Security benefits once you begin collecting them. 3. You Have a Long Time Horizon Younger investors in their 30s and 40s may benefit from a Roth conversion if they have decades for that money to grow tax-free. For example, $100,000 converted to a Roth at age 35 could potentially grow to over $1 million by retirement age — all of which could be withdrawn tax-free. That same conversion done at age 60 might only have time to grow to $140,000-$150,000 before withdrawals begin. 4. You Want to Leave a Tax-Free Legacy Roth IRAs are powerful estate planning tools. Your spouse can treat an inherited Roth IRA as their own, allowing the assets to continue growing tax-free without requiring distributions during their lifetime, creating the potential for decades of additional tax-free growth. Kids or grandkids who inherit a Roth IRA will also enjoy a tax-free inheritance, at least for a time. In contrast, inheriting a traditional IRA means your beneficiaries would pay taxes on every dollar they withdraw — potentially during their peak earning years when they’re in a higher tax bracket. When Roth Conversions Don’t Make Sense Of course, just because you can convert doesn’t mean you should . Here are a few situations when a Roth conversion strategy might not work in your favor: 1. You’re Currently in a High Tax Bracket If you’re currently in your peak earning years and already paying taxes in the 35% or 37% federal tax brackets, converting could mean handing over a substantial portion of your retirement savings to the IRS. For example, a $100,000 conversion for someone in the 35% federal tax bracket could trigger an additional tax bill of $35,000 or more. If you expect to be in a lower bracket during retirement — say 22% or 24% — waiting to pay taxes then might be more advantageous. 2. You Don’t Have Cash to Pay the Taxes The most efficient Roth conversion strategy requires having cash outside your retirement accounts to pay the resulting tax bill. Here’s why this matters: If you have to withdraw extra money from your traditional IRA to cover the taxes on the conversion, you’re reducing your future growth potential. For instance, if you want to convert $50,000 and are in the 24% tax bracket, you may need an additional $12,000 for taxes. If you take that $12,000 from your IRA too, you’d pay taxes on that withdrawal as well, creating a compounding tax problem. Even worse, if you’re under age 59½, you could face a 10% early withdrawal penalty on any funds used to pay the taxes, further reducing the effectiveness of your conversion. 3. You’ll Need the Money Soon In general, Roth IRAs have a five-year rule that states you must wait five years from the beginning of the tax year of your first contribution to make a withdrawal of the earnings. (You can withdraw contributions , not earnings, tax-free and penalty-free at any time.) For Roth conversions, however, a new five-year rule starts separately for each conversion. While there are exemptions to this penalty, such as disability and turning age 59½, it’s worth considering if you plan to use the converted funds in the near future. Enter: The Roth Conversion Ladder One strategy we often recommend to clients who want to implement a Roth conversion is the Roth conversion ladder. This approach helps work around the five-year rule while building a tax-efficient income stream, especially for those planning an early retirement. Here’s how it works: Year 1: You convert a portion of your traditional IRA to a Roth (let’s say $30,000). Year 2: You convert another $30,000. Year 3: You convert another $30,000. Year 4: You convert another $30,000. Year 5: You guessed it — you convert another $30,000. Year 6: Now the Year 1 conversion is available for withdrawal without penalties. Each following year : A new “rung” of the ladder becomes accessible while you continue adding new conversions at the top. Over time, you build a steady stream of tax-free income in retirement that you can predictably access. This strategy is particularly valuable for early retirees who need income before the traditional retirement age or for anyone looking to minimize RMDs down the road. For example, a couple retiring at 55 might build a conversion ladder to provide $30,000 of annual tax-free income starting at age 60, giving them a bridge until they begin taking Social Security benefits at age 67. Meanwhile, they can use other savings for the first five years of retirement while the initial conversions “season.” The ladder approach also allows you greater flexibility to manage your tax bracket each year by controlling exactly how much you convert, rather than converting a large sum all at once and potentially pushing yourself into a higher tax bracket. Making Your Roth Conversion Decision As you’ve seen, Roth conversions are far from a one-size-fits-all strategy. The right approach depends on your unique financial situation, current and future tax bracket, retirement timeline, and long-term goals. When considering a Roth conversion, remember that it’s not just about the math. Many of our clients initially hesitate at the thought of writing a big check to the IRS today, even when they know the long-term benefits. That emotional response is completely normal. This is where thoughtful financial planning comes in. At Five Pine Wealth Management , we help you look beyond the immediate tax bill to see how today’s decisions impact your retirement income, Social Security strategy, and even your legacy plans. Sometimes, what feels uncomfortable at the moment creates the greatest long-term benefit for you and your family. So, should you do a Roth conversion? The answer depends on: Your current and projected future tax brackets Whether you’re above income limits for direct Roth contributions Your retirement timeline Whether you have cash available to pay the conversion taxes Your estate and legacy goals Your comfort with paying taxes now versus later A Roth conversion can be either a powerful wealth-building tool or an unnecessary tax expense. The difference comes down to proper planning and timing. The Next Step If you’re wondering whether a Roth conversion makes sense for your situation, let’s talk. Our fiduciary advisors will help you evaluate your options and develop a conversion strategy that aligns with your comprehensive financial plan. We’ll walk through different scenarios, look at the numbers together, and help you feel confident in your decision — whether that means converting, waiting, or taking a gradual approach with a conversion ladder. Ready to explore whether a Roth conversion is right for you? Give us a call at 877.333.1015 or send us an email at info@fivepinewealth.com to schedule a conversation.
You've been diligently saving for retirement, and your portfolio has hit the quarter-million mark—congrats! But now you're wondering: How do I take this to the next level? Hitting $250K in retirement savings is a major milestone, but getting from there to $1 million requires a shift in strategy. When you're just getting started, the focus is often on simply contributing as much as possible. But as your nest egg grows, things like asset allocation, tax efficiency, and long-term investing strategies become just as important as how much you save. The good news? With the right approach, reaching $1 million in retirement savings is not just a dream, but a realistic goal well within your reach. At Five Pine Wealth Management, we guide investors through this journey every day. As fiduciary financial advisors , we're legally obligated to put your interests first—you won't find product pitches or commission-driven recommendations here. Just straightforward strategies designed to help you reach your goals efficiently. So, let's talk about how to optimize your approach and make that million-dollar milestone a reality. Step 1: Investing for Retirement - Why Growth Matters More Than Ever When you had $50K or $100K saved, your main focus was likely getting more money into your accounts. However, once you cross the $250K mark, your portfolio's growth rate becomes a key factor in your future wealth. To illustrate this, let’s look at two different scenarios: If you have $250K saved and earn a 6% average annual return while contributing $15,000 per year, you’ll reach $1 million in about 15 years. If you have the same starting balance but earn an 8% return, you’ll hit $1 million in just under 12 years. That’s a three-year difference—just by optimizing your investment strategy. So, how do you make sure you’re maximizing growth? Max Out Your Tax-Advantaged Accounts Retirement accounts like 401(k)s, IRAs, and HSAs come with tax benefits that accelerate your savings. If you haven’t already, aim to max out contributions each year: 401(k): Up to $23,500 in 2025 (plus a $7,500 catch-up contribution if you’re over 50 or $11,250 for ages 60 to 63). IRA (Traditional or Roth): Up to $7,000 in 2025 (or $8,000 if you’re 50+). HSA (for those with a high-deductible health plan): $4,300 for individuals, $8,550 for families. HSAs are the only triple-tax-advantaged accounts. Max them out to use during retirement. Increase Your Savings Rate Over Time Even if you’re already contributing a healthy percentage of your income, small increases each year make a big difference. If you currently save 10% of your salary, try increasing that by 1% each year until you hit 20% or more. If you get a raise or bonus, direct at least half of it toward your retirement savings instead of lifestyle upgrades. These seemingly small changes can make a significant difference, potentially shaving years off your journey to $1 million. It’s all about the power of incremental progress. Step 2: Asset Allocation Strategies - The Right Mix of Investments Your asset allocation (the mix of stocks, bonds, and other assets in your portfolio) plays a huge role in whether or not you hit your financial goals. At $250K, you still have time before retirement, meaning your portfolio should be focused on growth. Here’s what that looks like: Stock-heavy allocation: Most mid-career investors should have at least 70-80% of their portfolio in stocks, with the remainder in bonds and alternative assets. Stocks historically provide higher long-term returns, which is key to reaching $1 million. Global diversification: Investing across U.S. and international stocks helps manage risk while still capturing growth. Low-cost index funds & ETFs: These offer broad market exposure with low fees—meaning more of your money stays invested. Remember that proper diversification isn't just about owning different stocks—it's about owning investments that behave differently under various economic conditions. Many portfolios we review are far less diversified than their owners realize, with multiple funds holding essentially the same underlying investments. Avoid These Common Mid-Career Investment Mistakes Being too conservative too early: Some investors start shifting too much into bonds and cash once they hit mid-career, but if you have 15+ years until retirement, you need growth-oriented investments. Chasing “hot” stocks or trends: Stick to a solid long-term strategy instead of jumping into whatever’s trending. Forgetting to rebalance: Market movements can throw your asset allocation off balance over time. Rebalancing once or twice a year keeps your portfolio aligned with your goals. Need help figuring out the best allocation for you? A retirement planning financial advisor (like us!) can help you fine-tune your strategy. Step 3: Using Tax-Smart Strategies to Boost Growth When you’re working your way toward $1 million, tax efficiency matters. The less you pay in taxes on your investments, the more your money can grow. Consider these tax-smart moves: Utilize Roth accounts: If you expect to be in a higher tax bracket later, Roth contributions or conversions can save you tens of thousands in future taxes. Use a tax-efficient withdrawal strategy: If you’re drawing from your portfolio, pull from taxable accounts first before tapping tax-advantaged ones. Harvest tax losses: If you have investments that lost value, selling them to offset capital gains can reduce your tax bill. Many mid-career investors start thinking about Roth conversions in their 40s and 50s. Doing small annual conversions allows you to pay taxes now at potentially lower rates and enjoy tax-free growth in retirement. Step 4: Leveraging Employer Benefits & Alternative Investments If you’re earning a healthy income, your employer might offer additional investment opportunities that can help speed up your progress toward $1 million. Employer Benefits to Take Advantage Of After-tax 401(k) contributions (if your employer allows) let you save beyond the normal contribution limits. Backdoor Roth conversions enable you to convert after-tax 401(k) dollars into a Roth IRA for tax-free growth. Stock purchase plans or equity compensation can be another valuable tool—just be sure to diversify. Alternative Investments for Higher Earners For investors with additional funds beyond traditional retirement accounts, other options might include: Real estate investing for rental income or appreciation. Private equity or venture capital for high-growth opportunities. Tax-efficient municipal bonds for those in high tax brackets. These strategies aren’t for everyone, but for higher-net-worth individuals, they can provide valuable diversification and growth potential. Step 5: The Psychological Game - Staying the Course Here's something we've noticed after working with hundreds of successful savers: the journey from $250k to $1 million is often more psychological than mathematical. Market volatility will test your resolve multiple times on this journey. When (not if) markets drop by 20% or more, your $250,000 could temporarily become $200,000 or less. This is precisely when many investors make costly mistakes. The clients who reach their goals fastest are those who: Have a clear plan they trust. Understand that volatility is the price you pay for growth. Can distinguish between temporary market noise and true financial risks. Take the market downturn of early 2020, for example. Clients who stayed invested or even added to their investments during that scary time saw their portfolios not only recover but significantly grow in the following years. In many cases, those who sold at the bottom are still trying to catch up. Building Your Million-Dollar+ Retirement Plan Turning $250,000 into $1 million+ is within reach for many mid-career professionals—particularly those who implement a strategic, disciplined approach. The difference between reaching your goals on schedule or falling short often comes down to having a customized plan that addresses your specific situation. At Five Pine Wealth Management , we've guided numerous clients through this critical growth phase of retirement planning. We believe financial advice should be straightforward, jargon-free, and focused on what works. Are you ready to accelerate your path to financial independence? Let's talk. Schedule a no-obligation consultation by calling 877.333.1015 or emailing info@fivepinewealth.com . Together, we can build a plan to help you pursue that million-dollar milestone—and potentially well beyond.
