The Jenkins Group

03/30/2026

Inside Look: Retirement Income Planning

Ever wondered what retirement income planning really looks like? Pay attention if you’re close to retirement or retired!

The 5 things we prudently monitor.

1. Distribution Management – (Pension, Social Security, Roth, 401(k), IRA, After-Tax Brokerage, Deferred Comp, Etc.) You have accumulated these funds for 20, 30, 40 years, and now it’s time to monetize them into retirement income.

2. Risk Management – We protect your capital against the sequence of return risk. Negative rates of return in the early years of retirement can derail your retirement income.

3. Tax – We plan for the net after-tax dollar amount that needs to be deposited in your checking account each month to maintain your standard of living.

4. Investments – Monitor investments to make sure they aren’t too conservative or overly aggressive to reach your income goals.

5. Legacy – Plan for the distribution of the estate after the second spouse’s death. Does it go to humans/charities, or to both?

This process is executed year over year. Ongoing monitoring ensures that income is being distributed tax efficiently and assets are invested appropriately to support income distributions and legacy goals. Your financial situation changes over time just like the Fed/State income tax laws.

Do you expect all of this to fall into place without a plan? Plan accordingly!

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03/25/2026

Small Business Owners!!

Top Strategies to Maximize the 2026 QBI Tax Deduction

•Manage Taxable Income (Below Thresholds): The deduction is most easily maximized when taxable income is below certain thresholds ($400,000 for married filing jointly, $200,000 for others in 2026, estimated). Reduce taxable income by maximizing contributions to:
o Traditional IRA/401(k) / SEP-IRA
o Health Savings Account (HSA)

•W-2 Wage Optimization (High Income): For business owners above the income threshold, the deduction is limited to 50% of W-2 wages or 25% of wages + 2.5% Qualified Property (UBIA).
o Hire employees rather than independent contractors, if feasible.
o Optimize S-Corp Salary: For S-Corps, a low salary can eliminate the deduction, while an excessively high salary triggers unnecessary payroll taxes. Aim for a "reasonable" salary that maximizes the deduction while optimizing tax savings.

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03/10/2026

Maxing out your 401(k) is an incredible habit.

Often when people are maxing out their 401(k) it creates a sense of progress.

But for high earners, it's often mistaken as the plan (instead of part of the plan).

If you're making $500k+, a maxed-out 401(k) might fund 20% of your lifestyle in retirement.

We still need to fund the other 80%.

Your 401k should be a puzzle piece of your financial plan…not your entire plan.

Saving solely in a 401k will put you at the mercy of the Federal and State income tax rates when you retire. You saved every dollar pre-tax, so every dollar you withdraw is subject to ordinary income.

It’s your job to proactively diversify your savings and be prepared to financially pivot if tax laws or financial regulations adversely change your situation.

Cash is not the answer when inflation is running at 2-3%. Cash purchasing power is eroding daily.

A financial plan based on your goals and regularly reviewed with your advisor gives you the best chance to be financially successful.

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02/24/2026

“We are publicly rewarded for what we practice intensely in private.”

And for so much of life, it’s true…it’s visible: diet, exercise, relationships, homes, cars, work quality, hobbies.

BUT……
It’s so hard to tell the real story of 💸finances publicly.

Financial advisors are in the unique position to see the result of intense private work and years of discipline. An experienced financial advisor is worth their weight in Gold. They have seen hundreds of ordinary people become millionaires.

We are a window into financial truth.

We know why and how clients have accumulated millions of dollars.
We also know exactly what they avoided.

If you’ve been on the fence, go find yourself an experienced advisor. It can make all the difference in the world. There is no reason to carry the load by yourself.

02/10/2026

The DOW is sometimes considered the "boring" investment. Yet, it has more than doubled in 10 years!

i.e., An individual earned over $300,000 a year for seven years... yet has almost nothing saved. It isn’t a result of wild spending.

The real culprit?

Chasing every "get rich quick" trend: crypto, day trading, hot stocks, now silver and gold. Calls steady investing "too boring" and "too slow," so skips the one strategy that actually builds lasting wealth. Many high earners fall into this trap. They treat the market like a casino, get burned, and then give up entirely.

Hard truth: Chasing shortcuts is usually the slowest way to build real wealth. Consistent, disciplined investing wins every time.

12/31/2025

Tax planning never stops because tax laws are constantly changing. Don't fall behind in 2026!

Here’s how to avoid rampant confusion about MAGI, tax-free Roth IRA withdrawals and charitable donations using IRA funds.

12/29/2025

Looking Ahead to 2026: Is Your Retirement Plan Ready?

Every retirement journey is unique, which is why we take the time to ask the right questions and gather the financial details that matter most. Our goal is to help you build a personalized retirement plan that aligns with your lifestyle, values, and long-term goals.

As the new year approaches, now is the perfect time to reflect, reset, and prepare for the future you envision. Let’s start building your custom retirement strategy one step at a time. Contact us today to help: https://www.jenkinsgroup.net/contact

12/25/2025

🎄 Merry Christmas from all of us at The Jenkins Group!

Wishing you a season filled with joy, rest, and meaningful moments with the people who matter most.

Thank you for your continued trust and partnership. We look forward to serving you in 2026!

12/15/2025

As 2025 draws to a close, these eight year-end tax strategies can help you lower your tax bill today and increase your savings for tomorrow.

12/08/2025

At the end of the year, it is necessary to reflect on your financial picture, review the last 12 months, and plan for the future. Consider breaking up the responsibilities over 12 days, focusing on one each day, and ensuring it gets a comprehensive review.

12/03/2025

Check out this week's Weekly Market Commentary: https://www.jenkinsgroup.net/weekly-market-commentary