Loren Paul Fiffik, CFP Wealth Manager

04/21/2026

Join our Retirement Plan Services Team for a virtual event.

Balancing It All: Strategies for Building Wealth While Managing Family and Career Demands. This session is designed to help you think through competing priorities, align daily financial decisions with long term objectives, and approach family conversations with greater confidence.

Open to the public. All are welcome to attend.

Thursday, April 23
12:00 PM to 12:30 PM

Register to attend: https://ow.ly/Gzzr50YMUS5

04/16/2026

Someone recently asked me, “How do I know if my financial plan is working?”

It’s easy to look at performance. If your portfolio is up, it feels like things are on track. But a financial plan isn’t built just to perform. It’s built to get you somewhere.

-Are you on pace for retirement?
-Are you making real progress toward your goals?
-Do you feel confident in the decisions you’re making along the way?

That’s the real measure.

Because strong returns don’t mean much if they aren’t aligned with where you’re trying to go.

If you’re not sure your plan is actually doing that, it’s worth taking a closer look.

04/09/2026

Over 50 and ready to take control of your finances? Start here.

Recently I spoke with someone in their mid-50s who said:
“I’ve saved for 30 years and still don’t know if I can stop working.”

That often isn’t a math problem.
It’s a coordination problem.

Here’s a framework we often start with:

First, the number.
What could they realistically spend if they stopped working at 62? We built a simple baseline and stress-tested it against healthcare costs and inflation.

Then the savings strategy.
Some people evaluate whether new savings should go pre-tax or Roth. And later, which accounts should be drawn down first?

Healthcare can matter more than expected.
Pricing coverage before 65 can change the plan, so we built a bridge to Medicare and confirmed doctors and prescriptions before choosing a path.

Taxes were next.
Some people explore whether a window exists for Roth conversions before RMDs and Medicare IRMAA thresholds become an issue.

Finally, the basics.
Beneficiaries. Powers of attorney. A real cash reserve.
Control often comes from getting the sequence right, not adding complexity.

If you're in your 50s and wondering whether you're actually on track, it may be worth running the numbers sooner rather than later.

04/02/2026

200+ client reviews as a firm.
What matters more is the trust behind them.
Grateful for the relationships.

With over 200 reviews, Confluence Financial Partners has maintained a 5-star average rating. We are honored by our clients’ trust and feedback and are committed to delivering the highest level of service.

*100% of survey responses are included when calculating the overall average rating that we display on our website, and ratings are automatically updated when new survey responses are processed. Please visit our website for testimonial disclosures.

03/24/2026

Are Investors Focused on the Right Risks?

Some investors assume the biggest risks to markets are the ones dominating the headlines.

History suggests the opposite is often true.

Over the past few weeks the news cycle has been filled with escalating tensions in the Middle East and the conflict involving Iran. When geopolitical events like this unfold, investors naturally start asking what it might mean for markets.

It’s a reasonable question.

But market history shows a consistent pattern. Highly visible events like wars, political crises, and international conflicts often feel like the greatest threats in the moment, yet they don’t typically shape long-term market outcomes.

Consider a few examples.

The invasion of Kuwait in 1990
The Iraq War in 2003
Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014

Each created significant uncertainty at the time. But in these cases, markets eventually moved past the geopolitical shock and returned their focus to broader economic forces.

Over longer periods, markets tend to be driven less by headlines and more by factors like economic growth, interest rates, corporate earnings, and innovation.

In investing, events that feel most urgent may not always have a significant impact on long-term outcomes.

The forces that tend to shape markets over time are usually quieter and slower moving. And they typically aren’t on the front pages.

What market risks do you think investors worry about too much today?

03/10/2026

When one stock becomes 38% of your portfolio

Hypothetical scenario:
A tech-adjacent professional watched a small position grow into 38% of their portfolio.

The pride was real.
So was the pit-in-the-stomach question:

“If I sell, what if I miss the next run?”

The decision frame
Goal: Retire on time with a portfolio they can actually stick with.

Temptation: Fancy hedges and collars that add new timing decisions.

Reality: One ticker plus one paycheck tied to the same industry is too much riding on one square.

The plan-aligned path
Examples of planning considerations may include:

• Establishing a target allocation and a maximum single-stock range.
• Gradually reducing concentration over time, where appropriate.
• Reinvesting proceeds into a diversified allocation consistent with a long-term plan.
• Reviewing concentration around earnings or vesting events.

Why it mattered
• Lowered concentration and “double exposure” risk without an all-in, all-out move.
• Managed taxes with awareness of potential tax implications.
• Most important: helped support alignment with the long-term retirement timeline.

The win was not a clever hedge.

It was a rules-based process that traded concentration risk for reliability on a tax-aware timeline.

Question:
At what percentage would one stock make you uncomfortable?

There is no universal right answer. But having a rule before emotions take over is often considered more effective than reacting after emotions take over.

02/20/2026

That gap matters. When participants lack clarity, it can impact confidence, engagement, and long-term outcomes.

At Confluence, education is a core part of how we support retirement plan participants. Through annual meetings and ongoing webinars, we cover a wide range of financial topics, from understanding investments and plan features to navigating major life transitions, so employees can make informed decisions at every stage of their career.

Because better understanding leads to better outcomes. Learn more: https://www.confluencefp.com/services/retirement-plan-services/

02/19/2026

Most big financial choices feel less overwhelming when you look at them through the right lens.

Two lenses that make tough decisions easier.

When a choice feels fuzzy, I look through two lenses:

Today Lens: How does this affect stress, cash flow, and time in the next 90 days?
Decade Lens: Will I be glad I chose this 10 years from now?

In planning, we try to pick the move that keeps stress livable today and compounding alive for tomorrow.

Question: Which lens do you default to - Today or Decade?

02/11/2026

A job change touches more than your paycheck. Before you sign an offer or give notice, it may be helpful to review these five areas:

1. Benefits
HSA vs. FSA, 401(k) match timing, ESPP eligibility.

2. Equity
RSU, ISO, or NSO vest schedules and forfeiture rules.

3. 401(k)
Leave it, roll it, convert it, or consolidate it. Consider taxes, costs, and backdoor Roth implications.

4. Cash
Many people consider maintaining several months of cash reserves, particularly when transitioning to a new role or commission-based pay structure.

5. Insurance
Disability and life. Avoid unintended gaps during a transition.

6. Pro tip
Calendar your last day and next payroll dates. Align equity and bonus timing before you sign.

If you are in the middle of a job change or thinking about one this year, I put together a simple 1-page ‘Job Change Money Map’ to help organize these considerations. Happy to share it with anyone who would find it useful.

02/10/2026

Ready to unlock insights that can help shape your financial future? Join us for an evening of Conversations, Clarity, & Cocktails. Our live panel discussion will cover key topics that include:

-A forward-looking perspective on planning considerations for your future
-Key considerations for family meetings and estate planning
-Thoughtful approaches to charitable giving
-Lessons learned and common pitfalls families face
-Current trends in the global economy and portfolio management considerations
-How technology can help coordinate complex financial planning elements

📍 Three opportunities to attend:
Feb 17 – Pittsburgh Marriott North
Feb 24 – Valley Brook Country Club
Feb 25 – Grove City Country Club

🕕 Schedule (all locations):
6:00 PM – Cocktails & Light Refreshments
6:30 PM – Panel Discussion
Followed by Hors d’Oeuvres & Drinks

Reserve your spot and get full details: https://bit.ly/PanelFeb2026

02/03/2026

I bought an expensive watch and it became one of the best money lessons I’ve had.

Not because of what it’s worth.
But because of what it taught me about trust.

This was a milestone purchase. I saved for it, thought about it, and looked forward to wearing it for years.

Then I needed a couple of extra bracelet links.

Calls went unreturned. Emails unanswered. When I finally reached someone, I got defensiveness instead of help.

That’s when it clicked: trust isn’t broken by price.
It’s broken when empathy disappears.

To the store, I was another transaction.

To me, it was personal.

The excitement faded and was replaced by feeling overlooked.

And it made me think about our work as financial advisors.

For us, a retirement plan, account transfer, or tax strategy can feel routine.

For a client, it represents decades of saving, stress, and sacrifice.

We believe great service isn't perfection.
It’s connection.
Slowing down to see the moment through the client’s eyes.

That’s the real luxury.

Question: When has a small service moment made or broken your trust in a brand?

11/10/2025

Join us for an inside look at how collaboration drives our approach to wealth management.

Hear from Confluence leaders as they discuss how our Wealth Management and Investment teams work together to guide clients through every stage of their financial journey.

We’ll also explore timely topics shaping the months ahead, including philanthropy and planning opportunities within the Big Beautiful Bill and key insights for 2026.

📅 Thursday, November 20
⏰ 11:00AM
🔗 Register here: https://hubs.la/Q03Scm640