Most people assume wealthy retirees got rich by finding the next big thing — tech startups, cryptocurrency, speculative real estate, or perfectly timed investments. But when you actually study the data, a different pattern emerges. The most financially successful retirees often didn't rely on brilliance, luck, or extraordinary investing skill. They relied on systems. And according to research from Vanguard, one of the most powerful systems may also be one of the simplest: aut

You vest Sanofi RSUs. You may also have the chance to buy shares through Sanofi’s employee stock purchase plan. The stock comes from a large, global biopharma company with established commercial products, multiple therapeutic areas, and a deep clinical pipeline. That can make the decision feel different from working at a small, development-stage biotech that lives or dies on one or two trial readouts. So should you hold the shares? The better first question is not, “What do I

“Why would I pay a financial advisor an ongoing fee when I could just manage the money myself?” It is a fair question. In fact, it is probably one of the most important questions someone can ask before hiring an advisor. Many people frame this question around the “1% advisor fee.” That phrase is often used as shorthand for an assets-under-management, or AUM, fee model. But actual advisory fees vary by firm, service model, account size, and scope of work. At Parkmount Financia

First: The Problem Hiding in Plain Sight For most of our working lives, retirement planning is framed around accumulation. How much should we save? How should we invest? What rate of return is realistic? Will the portfolio be large enough? These are sensible questions. Necessary questions. For decades, they sit at the center of financial life, shaping decisions large and small—how aggressively to save, how much risk to take, when to exercise stock options, whether to pay down

We often meet people who have maximized their 401(k), and built sizable pre-tax accounts. And this is a great accomplishment. Saving is the first and hardest part, but the next critical step is an entirely different challenge. Not overpaying tax is the new problem that good retirement savings and investing creates. A thoughtful Roth conversion plan is one way to help save on tax in your retirement accounts The truth is this: Roth conversions are not just a tax strategy—they a

For many people, retirement represents freedom from the grind. But what often comes as a surprise is that retirement isn’t a single decision — it’s an ongoing process . When you are preparing for or in retirement, you need a clear plan to monitor and adjust over time. Even financially successful individuals can fall off track or feel uncertain, or unmoored. As a Certified Financial Planner® , I’ve seen this pattern repeatedly. And this article will break down the antidote an

Many people go shopping online for and advisor and properly do their research. But, believe it or not, most people don’t wake up and decide to “hire a financial advisor.” They meet one. A friend introduces them. A coworker makes a referral. Someone says, “You should talk to my advisor — he works with Northwestern Mutual.” That feels safe. Recognizable brand. Established company. Professional presentation. And that’s often where the relationship begins. But here’s something mo

Most people want to retire due to exhaustion of the daily grind. But, here’s the part that surprises many people: the transition into retirement can be more disruptive—emotionally, psychologically, and physically—than they expect. Research shows that in the first year after retirement, the risk of a heart attack or stroke increases dramatically compared to peers who are still working. Study Link Here: Transition to retirement and risk of cardiovascular disease: Prospective an

Here’s the surprise most people don’t expect: The people who save the most for retirement are often struggling the most to enjoy it. Not because they didn’t do enough. Not because they made poor decisions. But because the habits that made them successful don’t turn off just because they retired. As a financial planner, this is something I see repeatedly. Smart, disciplined retirees reach retirement with more than enough—and yet find themselves anxious, hesitant, and second-gu

This is a highlight of financial strategy considerations for RTX employees

Most people don’t struggle with retirement because the math is complicated. They struggle because they’ve been handed answers that were never meant for them in the first place. Somewhere along the way, retirement planning became a collection of shortcuts: a million dollars, two million dollars, the 4% rule, 20 times your expenses. Each one sounds reasonable. Each one feels concrete. And none of them actually know you. They don’t know what you spend. They don’t know what incom

If you’re in your late 50s or early 60s and approaching your Social Security decision , you’ve probably heard a version of this advice more times than you can count: “If you can afford to wait, delaying Social Security is always the responsible move.” This article is for individuals who are actively preparing for retirement and want to make an informed, thoughtful Social Security claiming choice before filing. The challenge is that most guidance around Social Security timin

For decades, the 4% rule has been treated as a near-universal guideline for retirement withdrawals. It shows up in articles, podcasts, retirement calculators, and media segments, often presented as a dependable benchmark for how much a retiree can “safely” spend each year from their portfolio. But the truth is more nuanced. There are surprising weaknesses of the 4% rule that most people overlook The original research behind the 4% rule was never intended to serve as a full r

Roth conversions have become one of the most commonly discussed strategies in retirement planning. If you’ve searched the internet recently, you’ve likely seen a wide range of opinions—I have personally seen a lot of people online talking about how to “never convert anything because you might be paying unnecessary taxes today.” I think any view that is that strong is misleading. The reality is more nuanced. Unfortunately, certainty and simplicity are going to sell much better

By Parkmount Financial Fiduciary Wealth Management & Financial Planning – Based in Boston & Serving Virtual Nationwide Introduction: Cutting Through the Noise in Finance If you’re a professional in Massachusetts or the greater Boston area — perhaps earning W-2 income with RSUs or stock-based compensation — you’ve probably wondered: How much do I really need to retire? Everyone wants to know what their number is. Scroll through YouTube or social media, and you’ll hear countle

Most people delay retirement out of fear — even when they could retire comfortably. The irony? By the time they feel “ready,” many have...

Ever since the advent of the 401(k), we have seen a growing cohort of 401(k) millionaires. This is great, it meaning our society is becoming more literate and more people are taking advantage of programs designed to help them secure their retirement, BUT it creates a new problem. Taxes owed on these large pre-tax retirement account balances can be significant. This is the exact reason that Roth Conversions have been such a hot topic lately. Nobody wants to pay more tax than n

If you're rolling into your 60s with a high net worth (around $1+ million saved ), you're likely pondering a critical question: Should you claim Social Security at 62, wait until full retirement age (FRA), or defer to age 70? Most advice out there defaults to “wait until 70,” but that avoids the reality of your actual financial situation—including your savings, taxes, health, and lifestyle. While I would suggest reaching out to an advisor for a more detailed assessment of y

If you work at Sanofi —especially in hubs like Cambridge , Framingham , or Bridgewater, NJ —you likely have access to a generous employee benefits package . But are you maximizing the long-term value of your 401(k), stock grants, and other retirement benefits ? This guide will walk you through the key areas where we've seen biotech and pharma professionals leave money on the table—and how you can take action. As fiduciary financial planners with experience working directly wi

Market at Record Highs — Should You Be Worried? U.S. equity markets have recently reached new highs. It naturally raises this question: Is the market overvalued in 2025? One of the most common questions I get is: are stocks too expensive right now? If you're concerned about buying when valuations feel lofty—you're not alone. But the key here is what is most logical and rational path forward. Facts like PE ratios sound smart and can trigger emotions if we are not stepping ba