January 13, 2020
December 16, 2019
‘Tis the Season to Be Bunchy
December is a busy time of year…holiday parties, shopping for gifts, and family gatherings. It is also a busy time of year for charitable giving. In fact, approximately one-third of charitable gifts occur in the month of December. As an advisor, it is very enjoyable to see the generosity of clients in support of charitable […]
Read MoreDecember 16, 2019
Estate Planning in Low and High Interest Rate Environments
Some estate planning or wealth transfer strategies work well in a low interest rate environment, like the one we are in now, while others are more effective when rates are higher. It may be advantageous to implement those strategies that are most effective in a low interest rate environment now while preparing to implement other […]
Read MoreDecember 16, 2019
What It Means To Be a Fiduciary
The term fiduciary is used regularly in communications, but seldom do individuals actually know what it means to be a fiduciary. Often fiduciary refers to the role in which one serves another, such as the personal representative of an estate, a funeral representative, a conservator, a guardian, or the trustee of a trust. A deeper […]
Read MoreDecember 16, 2019
2019 Greenleaf Notables
It’s hard to believe that 2019 is almost over. Time sure does fly, and it seems even more so for me considering the late submission of this article. I ask forgiveness from our newsletter editor as it has been a busy year for Greenleaf Trust. By many measures, this has been a successful year for […]
Read MoreDecember 16, 2019
December 2019 Perspectives Newsletter
November 14, 2019
Year-End Tax Planning Strategies
It’s hard to believe, but the end of 2019 is quickly approaching. For most Americans, the season is filled with time with family and friends, last minute online orders with the hope Amazon’s two day delivery doesn’t fail you now, and for those lucky enough to call Michigan home, dusting off the snow blower for […]
Read MoreNovember 14, 2019
Avoiding Probate with Proper Asset Titling
A common question I get asked by clients and prospects is, “How do I avoid probate?” Probate is the process that a state uses to settle the estate of a deceased person, referred to as the decedent. One of the main objections many people have with the probate process is that it often violates their […]
Read MoreNovember 14, 2019
Capital Gains Distributions: A Seasonal Affair
As the last vestiges of summer quickly fade, people throughout the region begin turning their attention to winter activities and the impending holiday season. Accompanying every change in seasons is a unique set of to-do items, and one such activity that Greenleaf Trust advisors actively anticipate this time of year is the emergence of annual […]
Read MoreNovember 14, 2019
The Advance
We believe diverse, critical thoughts and candid discussions are necessary components of the decision making process. Decisions at Greenleaf Trust are made with these components, especially when it comes to strategic decisions. And since the focal point of our strategic planning process is our Advance, diverse critical thoughts and candid discussions are required. Our Advance […]
Read MoreNovember 14, 2019
November 2019 Perspectives Newsletter
October 21, 2019
Greenleaf Trust Scholarship Turns 20
We could not be more proud that the Greenleaf Trust Scholarship at the Haworth College of Business envisioned by our founder and Chairman, William D. Johnston, is turning twenty years old. We are so excited that we celebrated with cake at our annual reception honoring current and past scholarship recipients. The Greenleaf Trust Scholarship awards […]
Read MoreOctober 21, 2019
Dealing with Sudden Wealth
It is your wealth and you should be able to leave it to whomever you want on your death and in whatever fashion you consider appropriate. Most individuals intend that the purpose of their wealth, often transmitted by a trust, is to enhance the lives of their trust’s beneficiaries. Estate planning, however, focuses on when […]
Read MoreOctober 21, 2019
Philanthropy After the 2017 Tax Act
The long-term impact on philanthropy of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 remains unclear. While lower income taxes and eased income tax administration would seem to be desirable ends, one area that has raised concern is the effect these changes have on charitable giving, and the services that charities will be able to […]
Read MoreOctober 21, 2019
Super-Size Your Roth IRA
Comprehensive and insightful retirement planning advice will typically encourage you to fund an emergency savings account, maximize your annual contribution to your workplace 401(k), collect your employer’s match, contribute to a health savings account and fund a Roth IRA if you’re eligible. Once you’ve maximized your allowable contributions to these accounts, saving in an after-tax […]
Read MoreOctober 21, 2019
Easy For You To Say
Imagine you’re offered an investment. A prospective borrower explains the deal. You will loan them $101.00. In twenty years, the borrower promises to pay you back, but only $100.00. The borrower will not pay you any interest over the twenty years. Do you make the loan? I know what you’re thinking. “Of course not! If […]
Read MoreOctober 21, 2019
October 2019 Perspectives Newsletter
September 17, 2019
US Federal Budget Deficit, Tax Rate Risk, and Your Retirement Savings
In a 1789 letter, Benjamin Franklin wrote, “our new Constitution is now established, and has an appearance that promises permanency; but in this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.” It makes one wonder if Mr. Franklin could have imagined the varied tax rates that would apply over the coming […]
Read MoreSeptember 17, 2019
The “Do Nothing” Default
There are countless statistics proving that Americans have not traditionally saved enough prior to their retirement years. Even though total assets in retirement accounts have now breached $26 trillion, the average employee’s 401(k) balance rests around $100,000, which is a little light for 30-40 years of retirement. In an effort to assist with this well-documented […]
Read MoreSeptember 17, 2019
Corporate Sustainability: The Climate is Changing
Private enterprise is often lauded for the speed at which it recognizes and addresses society’s needs. However, the seeming failure of the business community to recognize and respond to the climate crisis and other mounting sustainability challenges has caused some to question whether business will play a positive role in addressing environmental challenges. Below, we […]
Read MoreSeptember 17, 2019
What Is Your Trust’s Material Purpose?
If you read the Michigan Trust Code (admittedly not a particularly riveting read!), you will frequently encounter the terms material purpose. A trust’s material purpose will guide a trustee in the administration of the trust. If a probate judge is called upon to interpret the trust instrument, or the judge is asked to order a […]
Read MoreSeptember 17, 2019
The Certainty of Uncertainty
The ever quotable Yogi Berra, who brought us such philosophical gems as “when you come to a fork in the road, take it,” and “you can observe a lot just by watching,” is also credited with the insightful idiom that “predictions are difficult, especially when they’re about the future.” This difficulty in predicting the future […]
Read MoreSeptember 17, 2019
Greenleaf Trust Core Values
Integrity first, service before self, and excellence in all we do are the core values that each Airman commits to when joining the Air Force. At Greenleaf Trust, we also have core values that all new team members make a commitment to before joining our team. Greenleaf Trust’s core values form the foundation of how […]
Read MoreAugust 13, 2019
The Doom Loop
The doom loop is the circle of vulnerability where a country’s banking system can be severely hurt by volatility in the price of the sovereign bonds they hold for reserves resulting in a contraction in lending provided by the banks.
Read MoreAugust 13, 2019
Keeping Your Retirement Plan Beneficiary Up to Date
When was the last time you reviewed your retirement account beneficiary election? Many people forget to update their beneficiary after important life events such as marriage or divorce. However, it is very important to ensure your retirement beneficiary information is current. Greenleaf Trust makes updating your beneficiary information easy by offering an online option to […]
Read MoreAugust 13, 2019
The SECURE Act?
In late May 2019, with bipartisan support, the House of Representatives passed the SECURE Act (Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement Act) by a vote of 417-3. This legislation, if passed, is likely to have an impact on workers, retirees, and heirs. The SECURE Act aims to improve the nation’s retirement system by providing […]
Read MoreAugust 13, 2019
Greenleaf Trust Book Club
Do you remember writing book reports in school? I often felt the structure of the specific questions, required formatting, and deadlines associated with the report took away from the enjoyment of actually reading the book. The joy in reading for me has always been the creative thoughts inspired by the content of the book, not […]
Read MoreJuly 16, 2019
July 2019 Perspectives
July 16, 2019
Servant Leadership
It seems fitting to me that a man whose last name was Greenleaf first coined the term “servant leader” in 1970. Robert Greenleaf’s concept was that a servant leader focuses primarily on the growth and well-being of people and the communities to which they belong. While traditional leadership generally involves the accumulation and exercise of […]
Read MoreJuly 16, 2019
Mid-Year Market Review
In our 2018 year-end seminar we recapped a period where almost every major asset class posted disappointing returns as investors grew increasingly concerned by the prospect of a global economic slowdown. We also provided our outlook for the key themes we expected to influence markets in the near- term, and the capital market assumptions shaping […]
Read MoreJuly 16, 2019
Employer Review of Retirement Plan Benefit
What employers can do to help employees to utilize benefits as they near and enter retirement. For many years, you have helped employees save for their retirement by offering an employer sponsored retirement plan benefit. You have encouraged savings through ensuring education sessions were held, individual consultations were available, and maybe even set up automatic […]
Read MoreJuly 16, 2019
Topics for Your Nonprofit Committee Meetings
Volatility in the financial markets has increased, and the returns that we expect from equity and fixed income markets globally are lower than over the recent market cycles. What are the topics that should be on the meeting agenda for the Finance and Investment Committees for nonprofits? Sustainable Spending Rates One of the more difficult […]
Read MoreJuly 16, 2019
Repurposing Life Insurance Policies
Over the decades many families purchased life insurance, either to act as an income replacement vehicle when the breadwinner died, or to provide immediate liquidity to pay federal estate taxes on the breadwinner’s death. With the 2017 Tax Act’s temporarily doubled federal estate tax exemption amount to $11.4 million per individual, many believe that they […]
Read MoreJuly 16, 2019
Partnerships for Impact – the Nonprofit Perspective
A strong nonprofit sector is critical to the success of any community. Yet, there is an inherent power dynamic that enters many of the conversations between funders and the potentially fund-receiving nonprofits which can hinder the development of open and trusting relationships. To truly provide impactful support to our community, funders must recognize this dynamic […]
Read MoreJune 13, 2019
June 2019 Perspectives
June 13, 2019
Traverse City Growth
June 13, 2019
Opportunity Zones
June 12, 2019
Benefits of Data Aggregators
June 12, 2019
Pending Legislation: Tenants-By-The-Entireties
June 12, 2019
Warning: 401(k) Loans Can Be Hazardous to Your Health
May 15, 2019
May 2019 Perspectives
May 15, 2019
Greenleaf Trust Gives – Our Communities
May 15, 2019
Corporate Debt, a Rising Concern?
May 15, 2019
Capacity Planning: Is Your Agent Up to the Task?
May 15, 2019
Spring into Retirement Savings
May 15, 2019
Take a Holiday from Fake Holidays
May 15, 2019
Recent Michigan Legislation Regarding Directed Trusts
April 16, 2019
April 2019 Perspectives
April 16, 2019
Monetary Policy 2019 World Tour
April 16, 2019