Nicholas Savas,CFP RICP at SixPoint Financial Partners

02/04/2026

You don’t need a crystal ball to plan retirement.

What really matters is this:
👉 understanding your spending
👉 building a cash buffer
👉 thinking through how you’ll draw income

I chat with people all the time who are paralyzed by questions like:
• “What if the market tanks soon?”
• “What if I start Social Security at the wrong time?”
• “What if I run out of money?”

Those are real concerns — but most plans never test these questions.

If you build a cushion and a flexible strategy, you’ll sleep a lot better — even when the future feels uncertain.

Call now to connect with business.

09/04/2025

Before working with a planner vs. after:

What 8 years from retirement can look like.

A recent conversation with someone in their early 50s reminded me how much clarity a good financial plan can bring—quickly.

Here’s where she started:

BEFORE (54 years old, 8 years from retirement):
• $350K in a traditional 401(k)
• $50K in bank savings earning minimal interest
• A monthly pension of $1,573 expected at retirement
• Social Security benefit of $2,200 if taken at 63
• Two homes—paid off
• $2,500/month in total expenses
• No debt
• No advisor
• No tax or withdrawal plan
• Unsure whether to start Roth conversions while still working
• Overwhelmed by the idea of hiring a financial advisor and not sure who to trust

After 2 planning sessions together:

Created a clear 8-year glide path to retirement

→ We mapped out exactly how much to save, how to invest it, and when she could start winding down work with confidence.

Built a tax-smart Roth conversion plan

→ We decided to wait on conversions until after retirement, when income (and taxes) will be lower—saving tens of thousands in taxes over time.

Reallocated her cash savings

→ We kept enough for emergencies, but moved the rest to earn real interest while staying low risk.

Integrated her pension + Social Security into a cash flow plan

→ Now she knows how her income will be structured from ages 62–90+, and what “work optional” really looks like.

Built a withdrawal strategy that fills the 12% tax bracket every year

→ Because it’s not just what you withdraw in retirement… it’s how and when.

Took the first step toward a comprehensive estate plan

→ With two homes, retirement accounts, and no debt, she wanted to protect her legacy and reduce stress for loved ones down the road.

The result?

→ She went from feeling uncertain and overwhelmed to having a clear 8-year retirement roadmap—and confidence that everything was now working together.

If you’re in your 50s and feel like you’ve “mostly done the right things” but aren’t sure how to bring it all together—this is exactly what we do.

The first step is simple—and usually takes just a few conversations to start seeing results

07/05/2025

Trump’s New Tax Bill Just Passed

Here’s What You Need to Know

Whether you’re still working or already retired, this new legislation comes with big implications. Here are the highlights made simple:

1. Tax brackets are now permanent
The 2017 rates (10%–37%) won’t expire in 2025 after all.
Without this bill, brackets were set to increase (e.g., 24% → 28%).

2. Standard deduction increase (2025)
• Single: $15,750
• Head of Household: $23,625
• Married: $31,500
This will now adjust with inflation annually.

3. $6,000 Senior Deduction (age 65+)
Starts in 2025, but phases out if income exceeds $75k (single) or $150k (married). Good news for retirees with moderate income.

4. Child tax credit bumped to $2,200
Becomes permanent and indexed for inflation starting in 2026.

5. Business owners — QBI deduction is here to stay
Phaseouts raised for service businesses:
• Single: $75k
• Married: $150k

6. SALT deduction jumps (temporarily)
Goes from $10k to $40k in 2025 and increases 1% annually through 2030.
Reverts back to $10k after that.

7–9. Temporary income exclusions (2025–2028):
• $25k deduction for tips
• $25k deduction for overtime (joint filers)
• $10k car loan interest deduction (U.S.-assembled cars only)
Note: All phase out at higher incomes.

10. New “Trump Account” for kids
A non-deductible IRA for minors under 18. Max contribution: $5,000/year. No withdrawals until 18.

11. Dependent Care FSA expanded
• Contribution limit jumps from $5,000 → $7,500
• Up to 50% of qualifying expenses can now be claimed starting in 2026

12. 529 plans expanded
Starting in 2026, you can use 529s for elementary and secondary education—not just college. Also includes trade school credentials.

13. Charitable deduction even if you don’t itemize
Up to $1,000 ($2,000 if married) now deductible with the standard deduction.

14. 1099-K threshold rollback
Venmo, CashApp, PayPal reporting threshold reverts to $20,000 and 200 transactions (no more $600 limit).

15. EV and clean energy tax credits are ending
All sunset in 2025 (used/new EVs, windows, solar, etc.).

16. Bonus depreciation made permanent
100% write-off allowed if placed in service after Jan 19, 2025.

17. Estate & gift tax exemption increased
Now $15 million (up from $13.99M), inflation adjusted starting in 2026.

For mid- to late-career professionals:
Take advantage of temporary deductions now — especially if you expect higher income later. And keep an eye on SALT limits rolling back in 2030.

For retirees:

The senior deduction and permanent brackets could help you reduce taxes on IRA withdrawals and Social Security — but be mindful of phaseouts.

Curious how these changes affect your tax planning strategy?

Feel free to reach out — happy to walk through how this could impact your situation

04/21/2025

Most high earners are saving aggressively.
But many are doing it in a way that sets them up for a massive tax bill later.

Let’s say you're making $600,000 a year.

You’ve maxed out your pre-tax 401(k.

Maybe you’re saving into a brokerage account.

But if all of your retirement income is going to be taxable…

You could lose a lot of flexibility later on.

That’s where Roth strategies come into play.

No—you probably can’t contribute directly to a Roth IRA.

But there are still two powerful ways to build tax-free income:
• Backdoor Roth IRA – a workaround for those over the income limits
• Mega Backdoor Roth 401(k) – if your plan allows for after-tax contributions

These strategies won’t lower your tax bill today.

But they can be a huge win for future you.

They create optionality.

Tax-free income.

And protection from future tax rate increase

03/07/2025

Stubborn inflation and mixed economic signals continue to shape markets. This month's Market Insights breaks down what drove performance and what investors are continuing to watch in 2025.

Monthly Market Insights | March 2025 U.S. Markets Stocks stumbled in February as stubborn inflation, mixed economic signals, and an evolving trade policy weighed on investors’ minds. The Dow Jones Industrial Average declined 1.58 percent while the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index fell 1.42 percent. T...

02/07/2025

Steady Fed policy and unexpected tech news shaped February's markets. This month's Market Insights breaks down what drove performance and what investors are continuing to watch in 2025.

Monthly Market Insights | February 2025 U.S. Markets Stocks rallied in January on upbeat Q4 corporate reports and solid economic news that quieted talk of an inflationary comeback. The Dow Jones Industrial Average led, tacking on 4.7 percent. The Standard & Poor’s 500 stock index picked up 2.7 per...

01/28/2025

Just Got a Big Raise? Here's What to Do First

Let’s say you just went from $70,000 to $200,000.
You’ve got two kids, a house, a car, and some money in the bank.

What’s next?

Here’s exactly what I tell my clients in this situation:

1️⃣ Beef up your emergency fund.
For sales professionals with variable income, having a solid safety net is critical. The general rule is 3–6 months of expenses, but for high earners with families, I recommend aiming for a full year of expenses.

If your monthly expenses are $8,000, that’s $100,000 in savings.

Yes, it’s a grind to get there, but it’s the foundation for everything else.

2️⃣ Keep it separate.
The easiest way to avoid dipping into your emergency fund? Create one extra step to access it.
→ Use an account at a different bank (like Capital One).
→ Consider a non-retirement investment account with conservative growth.
→ Partner with someone who acts as a gatekeeper—like an advisor—to make sure withdrawals align with your long-term goals.

Most of my clients love having this extra layer of accountability. It protects their goals while still giving them access when they really need it.

3️⃣ Open the floodgates.
Once your emergency fund is in place, you can focus on the exciting stuff:
→ Investing in retirement accounts.
→ Saving for big purchases.
→ Building long-term wealth.

The key is checking the first box before moving to the next.

If you’ve recently hit a new income milestone and want to ensure you’re making the right moves, let’s talk.

What’s the first thing you’d do with a big raise? 👇

01/23/2025

In sales, your income can feel like a rollercoaster

One month, you're earning a steady base salary.

The next, you’re hit with a massive commission check.

Then… back to square one.

So how do you create financial stability with such unpredictable income?

Here’s the approach I take with my clients in sales:

1️⃣ Build a solid foundation – We base your financial plan on your guaranteed income, ensuring your essentials are always covered.

2️⃣ Prioritize windfalls – When those big commission checks come in, we follow a clear plan that aligns with your goals, whether that’s:

→ Investing 50% for long-term growth

→ Paying down high-interest debt

→ Setting aside funds for taxes (because withholding isn’t always enough)

3️⃣ Plan with purpose – By identifying your values and financial priorities

Before the money arrives, you can make confident, informed decisions when it does.

Success in sales isn’t just about closing deals—it’s about making your income work for you, no matter how unpredictable it may be.

If you're in sales and looking for a financial plan that grows with you, let’s chat.

What’s your biggest challenge when it comes to managing variable income? 👇

01/08/2025

From Fed rate cuts to record highs, Q4 wrapped up a strong year for markets. Our January Quarterly Market Insights breaks down what drove performance and what investors are watching in 2025.

Quarterly Market Insights | January 2025 U.S. Markets Stocks posted solid gains in Q4 as investors navigated the presidential election, overseas unrest, and Fed rate cuts. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index rose 2.07 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite surged 6.17 percent. By contrast, the Dow Jones ...

09/19/2024

Here are 3 takeaways from the Fed rate cut

The Fed cut rates by 50 basis points yesterday and signaled there are more cuts in store for later in the year

You probably heard the news yesterday but if you don’t know what it actually means for you

Here we go

1️⃣ Lower borrowing costs

It will now be cheaper to borrow money.

Rate cuts typically lead to lower interest rates on loans

This means that if you take out loans for a mortgage, car, etc

You could potentially have a lower payment for loans

2️⃣ Refinancing Opportunities

With lower interest rates on the horizon

Current homeowners may have an opportunity to refinance to a lower rate

However, keep in mind that there are additional closing costs that are a factor here as well

I did a post a few weeks ago on what to consider when refinancing your mortgage

Refi opportunities could come for other debt like student loans as well

3️⃣ Savings Rate Decrease

Your high yield savings rate will probably decrease.

This could make it less attractive to hold extra money in cash

What can you do?

—> Review your debt situation and look for opportunities
—> Develop or alter your plan for major purchases that are coming up that you planned on financing
—> Review your savings and investment strategy

If you don’t have a financial advisor

Send me a DM and I will review this with you

If you do have an advisor and want a second opinion I can help there as well

08/07/2024

Financial planning is much more than investing

If your annual reviews with your advisor are spent going over your performance from last year and his/her "takes on the economy"...

Well it may be time to see what else is out there

08/02/2024

This is a framework we use to focus clients who are in the accumulation phase
(Age 35 -55)

We have made it simple and action oriented

Retirement Planning

👉🏼Maximizing Employer Retirement Benefits
👉🏼Creating a future tax plan to drawn income from
👉🏼Establishing after tax retirement income goals with age targets
👉🏼Recommend exact savings amounts aligned with goals set

Survivorship / Estate

👉🏼Protecting the family's standard of living if one of you die
👉🏼Protecting the family's standard of living if one of you becomes disabled
👉🏼Properly structuring assets so they transition at death
👉🏼Having the necessary estate documents drafted to protect your family in the event of death or incapacity
👉🏼Having a general plan of what the surviving spouse would do with life insurance death benefit proceeds if the worst happened
👉🏼Having a plan in place to care for minor children if both parents die at the same time

Investments

👉🏼Selecting the right investments to drive the returns needed based on the plan
👉🏼Managing those investments for you

Tax
👉🏼Paying the least amount in income tax as possible
👉🏼Understanding how income taxes work and what drives your tax bills
👉🏼Selecting the proper investments for your tax situation