Will Social Security Run Out? Balancing Your Three-Legged Stool During Uncertain Times

No matter where you are in your Social Security timeline, if you are concerned about how this will affect your current and or future lifestyle, ask your financial advisor to run an analysis and model your retirement with a reduction in Social Security benefits and or reduced after-tax income. What you might find is that, while it is not ideal to face reduced benefits, you are still able to live comfortably. If not, start planning now to address that shortfall and bring balance back to your three-legged stool.

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Protect Your Identity This Tax Season: Request a Tax Filing PIN

The IRS Tax Filing PIN, also known as an Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN), is a six-digit code provided by the IRS to help taxpayers verify their identity. This code adds an extra layer of security to your tax return, ensuring that only you or your authorized representative can file under your Social Security Number (SSN).

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Student Loan Payments – You Can Match on That!

Secure Act 2.0 made numerous changes in the retirement industry. One of those changes brought us the Qualified Student Loan Program (QSLP) that became effective for plan years starting on or after January 1, 2024. This optional provision allows employers to provide a matching contribution to eligible plan participants that are making qualified student loan payments. Many participants may be unable to defer into the plan due to repayment of student loan debt.

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Transition to Retirement: Run Your Own Race

A key step to making a successful transition to retirement is to work with excellent advisors including an estate planning attorney, a strong CPA, and a wealth manager such as Greenleaf Trust. These firms can help with important tasks such as preparing estate planning documents, candidly discussing needs and goals, and preparing a sustainability analysis to evaluate potential spending levels. Access to such advice can provide tremendous peace of mind as a person moves forward with retirement. Life is a journey and seeking wisdom from others can help you tremendously. Remember to run your own race as you move forward!

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February 2025 Perspectives Newsletter

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January Jobs – Moderating But Healthy

January job gains below expectations, but solid. Nonfarm payrolls increased 143K in January following a (revised) gain of +307K in December and the unemployment rate is 4.0% to start the year.

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Greenleaf Trust Named an Inclusive Workplace by COLOR Magazine

Greenleaf Trust is proud to announce its selection as an Inclusive Workplace by COLOR Magazine in 2025.

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2024 Year in Review & 2025 Outlook

Chief Investment Officer, Nicholas Juhle, and Vice President, Assistant Director of Research, Christopher Burns, present the 2024 year in review and 2025 outlook presentation.

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December Retail Sales – Broad Advance Caps Solid Holiday Season

U.S. retail sales broadly advanced in December indicating a healthy end to the holiday shopping season.  Entering 2025, the labor market and consumers appear to be on solid footing.

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December Inflation – Encouraging Print

In December, consumer prices as measured by CPI, rose 2.9% compared to a year ago, up from 2.7% in November and in line with expectations.

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December Jobs – Hot Print: Payrolls Pop; Unemployment Down

December job gains advanced by the most since March and the unemployment rate unexpectedly fell, capping another year of resilience for the labor market.

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Recognizing Growth and Impact

One of the things that makes Greenleaf Trust unique is our talented team. They are deeply committed to the work they do for our clients and worth meaningful recognition for their achievements. At the end of the year, we announced the following 32 promotions. These were teammates from throughout the organization that successfully executed customized […]

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2024 Review and 2025 Outlook

Economists have largely shelved their recession forecasts, which last year registered 50% odds of a downturn in 2024. The outlook for corporate earnings growth is rosy. Predictions for inflation remain marginally concerning, but overall, the outlook for the coming year is positive.

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Survey Says…

Continuous improvement is one of Greenleaf Trust’s core values – it is a pillar of our culture and has become part of our DNA. Every tangible improvement we have made on behalf of our clients stems from a disciplined review of our practices.

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Strong Partnerships for a Fiduciarily Sound Retirement Plan

Offering employees a solid retirement plan can be a vital component of a larger benefit package to entice people to join your company team and stay.

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January 2025 Perspectives Newsletter

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US News and World Report: 7 High-Return, Low-Risk Investments for Retirees

Seth Kritzman provides commentary to US News and World Report regarding high-return, low-risk investments for retirees.

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Greenleaf Trust announces 33 promotions

Greenleaf Trust is pleased to share the promotion of over thirty of our teammates.

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Your Financial Planning Checklist

Download your financial planning checklist today, and be better prepared for life’s opportunities and challenges.

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November Retail Sales – Cars & Clicks Underpin Strength

U.S. retail sales accelerated and rose more than expected in November. Strong auto sales and a jump in e-commerce owing to healthy Black Friday and Cyber Monday receipts suggests consumers remain resilient during the crucial holiday shopping season. Retail spending, unadjusted for inflation, rose 0.7% topping expectations for 0.6%.

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CBS News: Considering a CD for 2025? Here’s what experts say to know.

Wealth Management Advisor, Mike Laske’s commentary was included in a CBS News article on CD’s.

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Yahoo! Finance: How much should I contribute to my 401(k)?

Participant Services Coordinator – Team Lead, Lisa Hojnacki provided commentary included in the Yahoo! Finance article on 401(k) contributions.

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Mike Laske

Mike Laske always had a keen interest in financial analysis and strategy, and in his case, it spans all the way back to elementary school. It was shortly after morning chores that he would ask to borrow his parents’ newspaper, look through the stock pages, carefully analyze trends, then pick a few to play with. His hobby portfolio did well enough to catch the attention of his teachers and parents, and a spark was soon a flame for a successful career in financial planning.

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Adam Mangiapane

Adam’s career journey allows him to provide unique client counsel informed by perspectives spanning accounts service, trust administration and fiduciary compliance.

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November Inflation – Steady as She Goes

In November, consumer prices as measured by CPI, rose 2.7% compared to a year ago, up from 2.6% in October and in line with expectations.

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November Jobs – Rebound After October Strikes/Storms

The U.S. job market rebounded from an anemic October clouded by strikes and storms.

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Serve Clients More

Our new goal is focused on what we are passionate about and built with a deep understanding of our core competency.

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Economic Commentary

Campaign proposals are one thing, but actual policy implementation can be quite another. It’s easy to draw oversimplified conclusions based on assumptions that only account for the first order impacts of policy decisions.

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Ensuring Your Child’s Care: How Michigan Parents Can Use a Power of Attorney for Parental Consent

A Power of Attorney under MCL 700.5103 is an effective legal tool for parents needing to temporarily delegate their decision-making authority.

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Unlock Financial Success:
Year-End Planning Tips You Can’t Ignore

Year-end financial planning is about setting the stage for a prosperous new year.

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Cost-of-Living Adjustments to Retirement Plans and More in 2025

The Internal Revenue Service recently announced contribution and benefit limits for qualified retirement plans effective January 1, 2025.

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Who is Your Descendant?

Interpretation problems can arise when the trust instrument refers to distributions of a trust’s income or assets to a person who is related to and survives the named beneficiary as his or her descendant.

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December 2024 Perspectives Newsletter

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Greenleaf Trust Recognized as Metro Detroit’s Best and Brightest Small Business to Work For

Greenleaf Trust is proud to announce its selection as Metro Detroit’s Best of the Best Small Business to Work For at the annual Metropolitan Detroit’s Best and Brightest Companies to Work For awards.

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Detroit Free Press: 198 companies named 2024 Michigan Top Workplace: List of winners

Greenleaf Trust is top 10 for Midsize 2024 Michigan Top Workplaces.

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Greenleaf Trust announces the addition of two team members

Greenleaf Trust is pleased to welcome Jim Ripley and Amari Williams to the team.

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Advisorpedia: Family Emergencies: How Advisors Can Help Ease the Pain

Wealth Management Advisor, Steve Davis, discusses the importance of planning for unforeseen events with Advisorpedia.

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Trustworthy: Estate Planning for Irresponsible Children

Trust Relationship Officer, Adam Mangiapane, provides commentary to Trustworthy on planning your estate for heirs.

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October Retail Sales – Strong Print Ahead of Holiday Season

U.S. retail sales rose more than expected in October and September figures were revised higher suggesting consumers are entering the start of holiday season with strong momentum. 

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October Inflation – In Line Report Supports December Cut

In October, consumer prices as measured by CPI, rose 2.6% compared to a year ago, up from 2.4% in September, but in line with expectations.  Core CPI (excludes volatile food and energy prices) rose 3.3%, unchanged from September and in line with expectations.  These readings are arguably less useful in the eyes of the market […]

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US News & World Report: How Much Should You Contribute to a 401(k) in 2025?

Participant Services Coordinator – Team Lead, Lisa Hojnacki, provides insight on allocating to 401(k) plans while maintaining balance with other financial priorities.

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The Hedgehog Concept

In 2015, we constructed our long-term strategic goal to be Top of Mind in the Michigan markets where we serve. Now we’re looking ahead to the next 10 years.

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Economic Commentary

With policy actions at the Fed shifting from tightening to loosening monetary policy, we thought now would be an ideal time to add historical context to the current anticipated rate cutting cycle.

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The Silent Treatment: Navigating Michigan’s Undisclosed Trust Law

A trustee is obligated to adhere to the instructions outlined in the trust instrument while simultaneously complying with the regulations set forth in the MTC to fulfill the objectives defined within the trust instrument.

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Passive Aggression: Actively Wielding Index Funds

Building a portfolio that incorporates passive investment vehicles requires active fiduciary care and diligence; it is neither unmanaged nor unmonitored.

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Pension Plan Termination Time?

The idea of terminating DB plans is not new, as more than $300 billion in pension plan liabilities have been transferred to insurance companies since 2012. However, this decision requires careful consideration of the current interest rate environment, plan funding status, and broader economic factors.

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November 2024 Perspectives Newsletter

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October Jobs – Distorted by Strikes and Storms, But Soft Nonetheless

Strikes and storms contributed to the slowest pace of hiring since 2020; prior months revised lower; unemployment steady.

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Greenleaf Trust announces the addition of two team members

Greenleaf Trust is pleased to welcome two new members to the team in Kalamazoo, Michigan.

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Strategic Wealth Management for Business Owners: Essential Planning Guide

A comprehensive guide to business succession, wealth transfer, and long-term financial planning for entrepreneurs

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