Hightower Westchester

06/24/2026

Maxing out your 401(k) and still feel behind on retirement? You may not be alone — and it might not be a discipline problem. The 401(k) simply has a ceiling. A cash balance plan is a tool that may work alongside it, helping some business owners save well beyond standard limits.

06/22/2026

What if the biggest risk to your retirement isn't market performance, but not having a clear plan for replacing your paycheck? As you shift from earning income to generating it, understanding where your money will come from becomes critical. Peter Lang walks you through key considerations to help you think strategically about retirement income.

As you start to think about retirement, there are a lot of things to consider like what you are going to do to fill your time, where are you going to live, and most importantly, where is your income going to come from? Throughout your career, you likely relied on a single job with a […]

06/17/2026

The phrase 'tax shelter' sounds aggressive. But most legitimate strategies — retirement accounts, municipal bonds, charitable giving, real estate planning — are standard tools in thoughtful wealth management. The key is understanding where the line is. Dawn Israel explains it simply.

06/16/2026

You can max out your 401(k) year after year, save aggressively, and still feel like you’re not getting ahead on retirement. For many business owners, that’s not a discipline problem — it’s a ceiling problem.

A cash balance plan is a hybrid retirement tool, funded by the employer, that may allow contributions well above standard 401(k) limits. For a high-earning owner already maxing out, that can be a meaningful way to accelerate savings — and employer contributions may be tax-deductible.

It isn’t for everyone. These plans involve required annual contributions, investment risk for the employer, and ongoing administrative oversight. But for the right situation, they’re worth understanding.

Curious whether it could fit your plan? The Hightower Westchester team is happy to talk it through.

06/11/2026

Opportunity Zones allow investors to reinvest capital gains into a Qualified Opportunity Fund — and potentially exempt the fund's appreciation from federal capital gains tax after 10 years, subject to applicable rules. These investments carry meaningful risk and illiquidity. But for the right situation, they're worth understanding.

05/28/2026

Smart investing matters. But so does understanding what happens at tax time. Capital gains taxes can take a meaningful bite — even from well-timed, well-executed decisions. Watch to learn why tax planning belongs in every investment conversation.

05/22/2026

Your portfolio review may be on the calendar—but life and markets don’t always stick to the schedule. Big life changes, market swings, or tax considerations can create moments where waiting to check in may mean missing something important. In this month's blog, Richard Flahive highlights five situations when it may be worth revisiting your portfolio sooner, offering practical insights to help you stay informed, aligned, and ready to have the right conversation with your advisor.

Waiting for Your Next Portfolio Review Might Not Be Enough If you’re working with a financial advisor, you likely meet once or twice a year to review your portfolio and make adjustments based on your goals and market conditions. These scheduled check-ins are valuable—but they’re not always ...

05/19/2026

Most investors focus on what they make. Fewer think carefully about what they keep after taxes.

Capital gains taxes don't have to disrupt a well-built investment plan — but that requires knowing which strategies may be available, and how they actually work.

In our latest video, Dawn Israel walks through two real estate strategies that often come up in this conversation: 1031 Exchanges and Opportunity Zones. She also covers the broader landscape of legitimate tax planning — and the important distinction between appropriate strategies and abusive shelters.
If you're thinking about a property sale, a business exit, or simply want to understand how the tax side of investing fits into your overall plan, this is worth 4 minutes of your time.

05/19/2026

Building a business is one challenge. Thinking about what it means for your future is another.

Running a business means carrying real responsibility — for your people, your clients, and your future. Many business owners eventually ask:

• With most of my wealth tied up in the business, what does that mean long term?
• How do I prepare for retirement while staying focused on growth today?
• Is my insurance coverage aligned with the needs of my business and my family?

These are common questions at every stage. Our role is to help business owners think through them thoughtfully over time.

05/14/2026

Leaving money directly to someone puts it in their hands immediately — with no structure around how it's used.

A trust may allow you to support your loved ones' health and lifestyle, while also providing structure around how assets are distributed over time.

You worked hard to build what you have. It's worth thinking about how it holds together.