Austin Berning - Northwestern Mutual

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Austin Berning - Northwestern Mutual

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06/16/2026

Is your money working or sitting still?

Keeping all your savings in a traditional savings account may feel safe, but inflation quietly reduces its purchasing power over time.

To build real wealth, your money needs to work for you.

Why investing matters:
▪️ Outpace inflation
▪️ Benefit from compound growth
▪️ Create passive income opportunities

Saving is important, but investing is what helps you grow.

Ready to make your money work? Let’s start the conversation.

06/10/2026

Your ability to fly is your greatest asset, so protect it like one.

For pilots, your income depends on more than just skill, it depends on your FAA medical certification. If you lose it, you could be grounded indefinitely.

What many pilots overlook:
- Loss of medical = immediate loss of income.
- Not all policies protect your pilot-specific duties.
- Employer coverage may not fully replace income.

The right LTD coverage helps protect your income, your lifestyle, and your long-term financial security, no matter what happens.

If you fly for a living, this isn’t optional.

It’s essential planning.

04/26/2026

To the pilots we serve...

Thank you!

Happy Pilot Appreciation Day.

For the responsibility you carry, the standards you uphold, and the risks you take every day.

You handle what happens in the air. We make sure the plan on the ground is just as strong.

Proud to work alongside you!

04/13/2026

Your RSU's and ESOP aren’t just upside, they’re exposure. If your paycheck, bonus, and equity are all tied to the same company, you’re not diversified, you’re making a single, concentrated bet on one outcome. That works great until it doesn’t.

RSU's get taxed the moment they vest, which means holding them is an active decision to reinvest in your company. If you were paid that same amount in cash today, would you buy the stock? If the answer is no, then holding isn’t a strategy, it’s just default behavior.

ESOP's can quietly build real wealth, but they come with less control and limited liquidity. You’re tied to one company for both growth and timing, which amplifies risk whether you realize it or not.

A smarter approach is simple: don’t let one company dominate your net worth, treat RSU's like income instead of identity, and build assets outside your employer that you actually control.

This isn’t about loyalty. It’s about risk.

04/08/2026

If you’re a regional pilot looking at legacy airlines like Delta, United, or American. One of the biggest financial advantages isn’t just pay, it’s the direct 401(k) contribution.

Unlike most jobs, these airlines don’t rely on traditional pensions anymore. Instead, they use a direct contribution model, and it’s incredibly powerful.

Here’s how it works:

The airline automatically contributes around 16–18% of your eligible earnings into your 401(k). No match required. No contribution required from you. It’s just built into your compensation.

So, if you’re making $300K as a senior pilot, that’s roughly $50K+ per year going into retirement, even before you add your own savings.

On top of that, there are additional layers:
• Profit sharing in strong years (can be significant).
• Spillover plans when you exceed IRS limits.
• Deferred compensation options (especially strong at Delta).

Because pilot salaries are high, many end up exceeding normal 401(k) limits. That’s where cash balance plans and non-qualified deferred comp come into play, allowing total retirement contributions well beyond standard caps.

Bottom line: The legacy airline 401(k) system is one of the most underrated wealth-building tools in aviation. Over a 25–30 year career, it can quietly compound into a multi-million dollar retirement.

04/05/2026

Happy Easter! 🐰

Wishing everyone a wonderful Easter and a season of growth, positivity, and meaningful moments.

03/31/2026

Most people think disability means something extreme. In reality, it's often much more common things that take people out of work longer than expected.

-Back issues
-Injuries
-Burnout

Why it matters:
• Your income is your biggest asset
• Disabilities are more common than expected
• Government support from the Social Security Administration is limited and hard to qualify for.

The question isn't will something happen? It's what's the plan if it does?

03/23/2026

Last week was a great reminder of why I care so much about what I do.

Financial planning isn't just about growing accounts. It's about having the freedom to step away, spend time with people you care about, and actually be present.

That's the part most people don't realize until it's too late.

03/18/2026

Pre-Tax vs. Post-Tax Contributions: What’s the Difference?

Understanding how your retirement contributions are taxed can make a big impact on your future finances.

Here’s a simple breakdown:

Pre-Tax Contributions (Traditional 401(k), Traditional IRA)
• You contribute before taxes are taken out
• Lowers your taxable income today
• Your money grows tax-deferred
• You pay taxes when you withdraw in retirement

(Best if you expect to be in a lower tax bracket later)
________________________________________

Post-Tax Contributions (Roth 401(k), Roth IRA)
• You contribute after taxes are taken out
• No immediate tax break
• Your money grows tax-free
• Withdrawals in retirement are tax-free (if qualified)

(Best if you expect to be in a higher tax bracket later)

03/13/2026

Roth Conversions: A Smart Tax Move Many People Miss

A Roth conversion lets you move money from a Traditional IRA or 401(k) into a Roth IRA. You’ll pay taxes now on the amount converted, but future growth and withdrawals can be tax-free.

Here’s why some use Roth conversions strategically:

Tax Diversification
▪️ Having both Pre-Tax and Roth money gives you flexibility when deciding which accounts to withdraw from in retirement.

Potentially Lower Taxes Later
▪️ If you expect to be in a higher tax bracket in the future, paying taxes now could save one money long term.

No Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs)
▪️ Unlike Traditional IRAs, Roth IRA's don't have forced withdrawals during your lifetime.

Estate Planning Benefits
▪️ Roth assets can pass to heirs tax-free (though heirs still follow withdrawal rules).

Important Considerations:
• The conversion amount is taxable in the year you convert
• Converting too much at once could push you into a higher tax bracket
• Ideally, taxes are paid from cash outside the IRA, not from the account itself

Address

705 36th Street S
Saint Cloud, MN
56301

Website

http://austinberning.nm.com/

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