Special Needs Planning
Special Needs Financial Planning

We understand that Financial Planning can seem overwhelming and maybe even unsurmountable. And sometimes day-to-day life can require all the energy you have. So much so, that it's hard to look past the everyday tasks and look to the future.
But, it doesn't have to be this way. Let us help take care of your loved-one while also taking care of you, the caregiver, and your future.
Let us take some of the weight off your shoulders with a holistic plan Designed to:
- Determine the available amount for your Special Needs heir should you pass away
- Ensure enough assets are available for their care and longevity while making sure you will be adequately provided for
- Simulate the future impact of taxation on saved assets based on how an asset is owned, how it's invested, and how it's saved
- Balance state and federal aid eligibility with earned income and saved assets
- Simulate the flow of assets at your death and determining if changes need to be made to your estate plan
Special Needs and disability Planning Webinar Series
Starting in February 2023 we started hosting a webinar series on Special Needs and Disability Planning as resources for the community. Videos of these webinars are posted below. If you would like to attend one of our webinars go to our Events Page to register.

Special Needs Planning Essentials
Click HERE to view the replay of our webinar from Febraury 2023 on a high level overview of the importance of special needs planning. We discuss how to maximize available benefits, understanding the necessary legal structures, and building your team. Also included is a brief introduction to dealing with inheritance, account titling and beneficiary designations, Special Needs Trusts, employer benefits and more.

Special Needs Planning Deep Dive
Click HERE to view the replay of our webinar from February 2023 on a more sophisticated dive into Special Needs Planning with Dera Johnsen-Tracy, Estate Planning Attorney and Partner at Horn & Johnsen. We discuss how best to leave funds to a Special Needs individual, or how best to inherit money if you're on the receiving end, and strategies to determine the appropriate amount to leave to your loved one so you can properly fund the estate plan.

529ABLE- A Less Expensive Special Needs Trust Alternative
Click HERE to view the replay of our webinar from early March 2023 where we give an in-depth presentation of the 529ABLE account, often considered a more cost-effective alternative to a Special Needs Trust. Discussion of who is eligible for this plan, how having one impacts the ability to receive Government Benefits, and the many reasons why they are an excellent tool regardless of whether or not you already have a 529 college account and/or a Special Needs trusts.

Lifetime Income for Mom, Dad and Kids
Click HERE for the replay of our webinar from late March 2023 to learn how to get predictable and continuous income for you and your spouse in retirement that can carry over to the next generation, including a Special Needs Trust. See the various ways an annuity living benefit rider can provide a predictable income stream, as well as offer guarantees backed by the integrity and strength of an insurance company so the income can’t be outlived, has a guaranteed minimum level of investment growth, and/or offers a guaranteed minimum accumulation value over time.

Growing Assets on Top of market Growth to Provide for a Special Needs Heir
Click HERE to watch our video from March 2023 on a strategy to help grow your assets in addition to potential growth from the market. This can be done by using a special death benefit rider that can result in benefits payable above and beyond the contract value at death making it so there's more available to go to a Special Needs Trust.
*Product riders can come at an additional cost

Creating the Estate with Life Insurance
Click HERE to watch our webinar from April 2023 on strategies designed to create enough money to pass on to your loved one that can sufficiently meet their financial need upon your death. Leverage through life insurance can can be done many different ways and can fit most any budget. Watch the video to learn about the various different kinds of life insurance, when to consider one type rather than another, and be introduced to a few strategic ideas on how to utilize the cost effective coverage like taking a mix-and-match approach.

Protecting the caregiver's Estate
Click HERE to watch our webinar from April 2023 on protecting the caregiver's estate. In this video you'll learn about some of the various ways different insurance products can help protect an estate from the high costs of long term care to help ensure there's something left when you're gone.
Downloadable informational booklets

Special Needs Trust Video
Click HERE to watch this short video to learn about the Special Needs Trust- what it is and why you might want one.

Creating a Financial Strategy for Your Child with special Needs
Click HERE to download an informational booklet on creating a financial strategy for your child with special needs.

Special Needs Planning Checklist
Click HERE to download a checklist from our partners at Voya Financial's Voya Cares department specially designed for Special Needs families starting the Financial Planning process.
Read more on this topic with the articles and blog posts below

Coming Soon: 529ABLE for Ages 26 - 46
· Current law only allows for disabled individuals to open a 529ABLE account if their disability began before reaching age 26. In a few years that age will rise up to 46, which will allow for many more disabled individuals to qualify. Read abou the details of this change and how it might improve the 529ABLE landscape overall.

A Word on SSI & SSDI
Years of experience have prepared us to guide you through your life transitions.

Support Neurdiversity Through Investments!
Investing in support of Neurodiversity has just become easier! There is a new index called the Neurodiversity Index that helps you invest in companies that are generally benefitting the Neurodivergent community. Learn about how the index can make the world a better place!

529ABLE Day: This Year, Let's Focus on Our Friends With Special Needs
May 29th (or, 5/29) reminds us of the importance of 529s and their ability to help us provide a meaningful future for our little ones. 529ABLE is a subset of the Section 529 Plan designed to help people with disabilities Achieve a Better Life Experience by allowing the individual to have assets above aid thresholds without sacrificing their eligibility for benefits. The 529ABLE is relatively new, so this post should be shared with

We All Know Someone Who Could Benefit From a 529ABLE
In this blog post Carrie challenges you to open your mind and realize all the people you may know that could qualify from a 529ABLE savings account, and why that matters.

A Word on SSI & SSDI: What's the Difference?
There is a distinct difference between Social Security, SSI, and SSDI. Not only are they different payments but they come from different pools of money. Read this post to learn more about the different benefits and the typical progression of such benefits.