Planned Solutions

In this episode of the Planned Solutions podcast, with the reopening of the federal government, the Department of Labor is once again publishing jobs data. The most recent reports show that the job market remains reasonably strong and may be accelerating after a brief period of weakness earlier in the year. The US economy added 119,000 jobs in September, the unemployment rate ticked up but remains fairly low, and initial claims for unemployment insurance benefits, the forward-looking indicator, remain at low levels. The IRS increased the standard deduction that taxpayers are allowed to use to shelter income from taxation for 2026. In addition, the limitation on the amount of State and Local Taxes (SALT) that can be claimed as an itemized deduction was increased. So, going forward, taxpayers will need to pay closer attention to whether they will benefit from claiming the standard deduction or should itemize their deductions. Retirement plan contribution limits will increase in 2026 in most cases. Therefore, those who seek to contribute the maximum amount allowable under the law should make sure to adjust their contributions to ensure that they will contribute the maximum amount by the end of the 2026 tax year. In addition, some new rules for taxpayers age 60-63 will be implemented, which may impact the amount that those taxpayers may contribute for 2026. Plus, a look at the Planned Solutions Incorporated Office Bulletin Board - A client recently used Planned Solutions tickets to take his son to the Kings game. His son was excited to see one of his favorite players, Domantas Sabonis, play live. They got there early and were fortunate enough to run into Sabonis coming out of the tunnel. The Kings’ star was gracious enough to take a picture and sign the young man’s hat. What a great heart-warming moment. Go Kings! Carter and Matt both sat for the Certified Financial Planner ® exam recently. After years of studying and hours of preparing for the exam, we are excited to announce that they both passed. Now they just need to complete the required number of hours working in financial planning to fulfill the requirements to hold the Certified Financial Planner ® designation. Great jobguys! To subscribe to the Personal Finance Review (the written form of all the content we discuss on the podcast), please e-mail ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠ ⁠ Planned Solutions, Inc.ADDRESS: 1130 Iron Point Road, Suite 170 Folsom, CA 95630 PHONE: (916) 361-0100 or (800) 750-2111E-MAIL: ⁠[email protected]⁠ FAX: (916) 361-0191WEBSITE:www.PlannedSolutions.com

In this episode of the Planned Solutions podcast, with the official government economic data currently unavailable, the private data sources are getting more attention. This includes the ISM reports on the manufacturing and services sectors in the US. These reports show that the manufacturing sector is contracting at a slow pace, while the services sector is growing at a slow pace. Given that the US is primarily a services-centric economy, the whole of this data is slightly positive. However, this data is based on surveys, which have become decreasingly useful over time. The advantages of using a private fiduciary rather than tasking friends or family with the difficult job of overseeing the administration of a trust and/or will have made this option increasingly popular. Private fiduciaries bring a professionalism to the tasks of making financial and health care decisions for an individual without the influence of family dynamics that can sometimes make the process even more difficult. The Social Security Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) for 2026 will be 2.8%, a number in line with the official inflation statistics. However, Medicare premiums will increase 11.6% which means the average Social Security recipient will see their take-home Social Security benefit increase by much less than the 2.8% COLA. Plus, a look at the Planned Solutions Incorporated Office Bulletin Board - Daryl, Carter, and Matt recently attended a Pension and 401k Seminar hosted by a local Third-Party Administrator. This is an annual event that we look forward to so that we can stay up to date with current Retirement Plan rules and limits. This is the 400th newsletter Planned Solutions has produced since we started publishing our own newsletter in-house over 15 years ago. If you are enjoying the newsletter or have some feedback on how we can improve it, please feel free to let us know. To subscribe to the Personal Finance Review (the written form of all the content we discuss on the podcast), please e-mail ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠ Planned Solutions, Inc.ADDRESS: 1130 Iron Point Road, Suite 170 Folsom, CA 95630 PHONE: (916) 361-0100 or (800) 750-2111E-MAIL: ⁠[email protected]⁠ FAX: (916) 361-0191WEBSITE:www.PlannedSolutions.com ⁠Intro 00:00 Institution for Supply Management Reports 01:46 Private Fiduciaries 11:09 Social Security Updates 16:45 Bulletin Board 19:42

In this episode of the Planned Solutions podcast, even with the federal government shutdown, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported the September inflation data. The headline inflation rate rose slightly from 2.9% in August to 3.0% in September, but continues to show signs that inflation has stabilized in the 2-3% level. The impact of tariffs remains uncertain as the annual numbers are low but recent months have been elevated. Shelter prices show the opposite, with higher annual numbers but lower monthly numbers in consecutive reports. Despite a high level of political, economic, and financial uncertainty, US businesses continue to report strong earnings. Second-quarter earnings increased 11%. So far, 85% of companies that have reported for the third quarter have beaten their earnings expectations. Now, analysts estimate that earnings will increase 18% year-over-year in the third quarter. Medicare open enrollment started on October 15th and runs until December 7th. This is the time period that individuals can make changes to their Medicare insurance plans. Those who are happy with their current plan do not need to take any action. Those who are not happy with their current plan because they want to see different providers, had a change in their health status, or want to switch to a lower cost plan, should take action to review their options during open enrollment. Plus, a look at the Planned Solutions Incorporated Office Bulletin Board - Chase and Daryl attended the Financial Planning Association of Northern California Winter Symposium. This year, the program consisted of a presentation on the costs of aging and how to prepare clients for those costs, a panel discussion on the benefits of working with a private fiduciary, and the need for succession planning within financial planning firms. Matt traveled to Philadelphia to attend an in-person program to prepare him to take the Certified Financial Planner exam. This is after Carter attended a similar event in Southern California. With the exam date in November approaching quickly, they are both cramming to be as prepared as possible. To subscribe to the Personal Finance Review (the written form of all the content we discuss on the podcast), please e-mail ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠ Chase Armer's book- Financial Planning Insights is now available at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.amazon.com/Financial-Planning-Insights-Decades-Planner/dp/1098306279⁠⁠ ⁠ Planned Solutions, Inc.ADDRESS: 1130 Iron Point Road, Suite 170 Folsom, CA 95630 PHONE: (916) 361-0100 or (800) 750-2111E-MAIL: ⁠[email protected]⁠ FAX: (916) 361-0191WEBSITE:www.PlannedSolutions.com

In this episode of the Planned Solutions podcast, Gold prices have surged in recent years, causing some to ask: What is driving the increase in prices? While there is no single factor alone that is driving the demand for gold, there are several possible reasons why gold prices have increased. These trends may also reverse, which could make buying gold at such elevated levels very risky, as many of the investment manias of the past that led to sharp increases in prices also led to equally sharp corrections.The US government is entering its third week of the government shutdown. So far, the impact of the shutdown has been fairly limited, with some areas impacted more than others, but the impact will likely grow if the shutdown continues. Most important are the upcoming payroll deadlines for the military and other federal workers, which make up a meaningful amount of US employment and consumer spending.Recent tax law changes include a provision that will allow taxpayers to deduct up to $10,000 in interest on a loan for the purchase of a new vehicle. However, vehicles must meet the provisions of the law to qualify. In addition, higher-income taxpayers will not be eligible, as the deduction begins to phase out at higher income levels.Plus, a look at the Planned Solutions Incorporated Office Bulletin Board -The Harlan D. Wood and Debbie Druivenga Memorial Cancer Charity Golf Tournament was once again a big success! The tournament was full of new twists, including a professional long driver on Hole 15 that helped raise additional funds for cancer charities. The dinner was great as always, and the staff at Rancho Murieta Country Club did a great job of making everyone feel welcome.More importantly, this year we raised over $10,890 for cancer charities, bringing our cumulative total to $189,199. We would like to thank everyone who supported the event this year, and in past years, by attending the tournament, bidding on auction items, and contributing to cancer charities.We look forward to next year, when hopefully we will be able to continue to grow the tournament and the donations raised for cancer charities.To subscribe to the Personal Finance Review (the written form of all the content we discuss on the podcast), please e-mail ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠ Chase Armer's book- Financial Planning Insights is now available at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.amazon.com/Financial-Planning-Insights-Decades-Planner/dp/1098306279⁠⁠ ⁠Planned Solutions, Inc.ADDRESS: 1130 Iron Point Road, Suite 170 Folsom, CA 95630 PHONE: (916) 361-0100 or (800) 750-2111E-MAIL: ⁠[email protected]⁠ FAX: (916) 361-0191WEBSITE:www.PlannedSolutions.com

In this episode of the Planned Solutions podcast, Labor market data has been questioned recently, with the Bureau of Labor Statistics announcing that it is having difficulty obtaining the necessary data and has been forced to make significant revisions to past data. However, there are other data sources that economists and financial analysts can utilize to gain a better understanding of the labor market's health. While these other sources have their flaws as well, the preponderance of the evidence appears to point to a fairly healthy and stable labor market in the US.Financial planning can be a very long journey as it often takes many years, or even decades, of consistent saving, investment, and debt payments to reach long-term financial goals. This can make progress appear slow at times and become disheartening when it feels like the finish line is still so far away. For this reason, it is important to track progress to see the cumulative success over time and celebrate small wins along the way.The IRS recently issued new guidance that suspends the implementation of a new rule until 2027. The rule in question will require higher-income savers who are eligible for the catch-up contributions for those age 50 and over to make their catch-up contributions to the Roth plan. So, the delay of implementation will give savers one more year of potential tax deferral on their catch-up contributions and will give businesses more time to make sure their 401 (k) plan is ready for these changes.Plus, a look at the Planned Solutions Incorporated Office Bulletin Board -Planned Solutions recently did a two-day workshop with consultant Lori Frasier. The first day of the workshop was focused on helping team members understand each other’s personality types and preferred communication methods.Planned Solutions sponsored the Future Foundation of Sacramento Charity Golf Tournament recently.To subscribe to the Personal Finance Review (the written form of all the content we discuss on the podcast), please e-mail ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠ Chase Armer's book- Financial Planning Insights is now available at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.amazon.com/Financial-Planning-Insights-Decades-Planner/dp/1098306279⁠⁠ ⁠Planned Solutions, Inc.ADDRESS: 1130 Iron Point Road, Suite 170 Folsom, CA 95630 PHONE: (916) 361-0100 or (800) 750-2111E-MAIL: ⁠[email protected]⁠ FAX: (916) 361-0191WEBSITE:www.PlannedSolutions.com