Tom Sunny, Financial Advisor & Planner, Sunny Financial Strategies LLC

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Tom Sunny, Financial Advisor & Planner, Sunny Financial Strategies LLC

Financial Advisor offering investment advisory services through Eagle Strategies LLC, A RIA Firm. I am not licensed in all jurisdictions.

Our mission is to provide financial security and peace of mind through our insurance, annuity and investment products and services. Every decision we make, every action we take, has one overriding purpose: To be here when our clients need us. Please do not hesitate to reach out to me to help you fully analyze your needs and recommend appropriate solutions. In addition to a Financial Advisor offering investment advisory services through Eagle Strategies LLC, A Registered Investment Adviser, I am an Agent licensed to sell insurance through New York Life Insurance Company and may be licensed with various other independent unaffiliated insurance companies. I am also a Registered Representative of and offer securities products & services through NYLIFE Securities LLC, (Member FINRA/SIPC), A Licensed Insurance Agency. Neither Sunny Financial Strategies LLC nor New York Life Insurance Company, or its agents, provide tax, legal, or accounting advice. Please consult your own tax, legal, or accounting professionals before making any decisions. Sunny Financial Strategies LLC is not owned or operated by New York Life Insurance Company or its affiliates. Office Address:
475 North Martingale Road
Suite 1250
Schaumburg, IL 60173

Office Phone: 847-585-4931

Any testimonial on this site is based on an individual’s experience and may not be representative of the experience of other customers. These testimonials are no guarantee of future performance or success. Eagle Strategies LLC and NYLIFE Securities LLC are New York Life Companies. My California Insurance license number is 0M96825.

09/08/2026

A well-diversified retirement plan considers more than the investments you own. It also considers how those assets may be taxed when you begin using them.

The three tax buckets include tax-deferred accounts, tax-free accounts, and taxable accounts. Each one offers a different combination of tax treatment, accessibility, contribution rules, and retirement income flexibility.

Building across all three categories may provide more choices when deciding where retirement income should come from each year. That flexibility can be especially valuable when managing taxable income, planning for larger expenses, or adapting to future tax changes.

The right balance will look different for every household. Your current income, tax bracket, retirement timeline, and existing account mix all play a role in determining which buckets may need additional attention.

09/07/2026

This Labor Day, let’s take time to appreciate how the work we do every day builds a stronger community.

09/04/2026

A reported investment return does not always tell the complete story.

Taxes, fees, account type, holding period and portfolio turnover can all influence how much of an investment return an investor ultimately keeps. In some situations, an investment with a slightly lower pretax return may produce a different after-tax outcome because of how income and distributions are generated.

Evaluating investments through an after-tax lens can provide a more complete view of portfolio efficiency and help connect investment decisions with a broader financial plan.

The illustration shown is hypothetical and does not represent a specific investment or guaranteed result.

09/03/2026

Your retirement account balance is an important number, but it does not show how much of that money may ultimately be available to spend.

The tax treatment of your savings depends on where the assets are held. Traditional retirement accounts are generally taxable when withdrawn. Qualified Roth distributions may be received tax-free. Taxable brokerage accounts have their own considerations involving cost basis, dividends, interest, and realized gains or losses.

Holding retirement assets across multiple tax categories may provide more flexibility when creating income later. That flexibility can help coordinate withdrawals with Social Security taxation, Medicare premiums, Roth conversions, charitable giving, major purchases, and long-term legacy goals.

The order in which accounts are used can also influence the lifetime tax picture. Automatically spending one account type first may not be the most effective strategy every year. In certain situations, a partial pre-tax withdrawal or Roth conversion may help use available tax brackets before required distributions begin.

The goal is not simply to build three separate buckets. It is to create a coordinated retirement-income strategy that considers how each account may work together over time.

*This material is for informational purposes only and is based on an understanding of generally applicable rules. State laws will vary. Sunny Financial Strategies LLC, its agents, employees and affiliates do not provide tax, legal or accounting advice. For advice on such matters and before taking related planning action, consult your own professional counsel.*

09/01/2026

Beneficiary designations are easy to complete once and forget, but they can have a major impact on how some of your largest financial accounts are transferred.

Retirement plans, IRAs, life insurance policies, annuities, health savings accounts, and transfer-on-death or payable-on-death accounts generally follow the beneficiary instructions attached directly to the account. Updating your will does not automatically update these forms.

A beneficiary review can help confirm that:

Your primary and contingent beneficiaries still reflect your intentions, recent family changes have been addressed, and each designation works alongside the rest of your estate plan.

Additional planning may be needed when naming a minor, trust, charity, or multiple generations. Terms such as “per stirpes” and “per capita” can also produce different outcomes depending on the provider’s rules and the language selected.

A periodic beneficiary audit can create greater clarity and help keep your financial accounts aligned with the legacy you want to leave. Legal documents and beneficiary language should be reviewed with a qualified attorney.

*This material is for informational purposes only and is based on an understanding of generally applicable rules. State laws will vary. Sunny Financial Strategies LLC, its agents, employees and affiliates do not provide tax, legal or accounting advice. For advice on such matters and before taking related planning action, consult your own professional counsel.*

08/28/2026

A will is an important part of an estate plan, but it may not determine how every asset is transferred.

Retirement accounts, life insurance policies and accounts with payable-on-death or transfer-on-death instructions generally follow the beneficiary designation on file. That is why coordinating beneficiary forms with your broader estate plan is so important.

Consider reviewing your designations after marriage, divorce, a birth or adoption, the death of a beneficiary or another meaningful family change. A periodic review can help ensure your documents continue to reflect your current intentions.

*This material is for informational purposes only and is based on an understanding of generally applicable rules. State laws will vary. Sunny Financial Strategies LLC, its agents, employees and affiliates do not provide tax, legal or accounting advice. For advice on such matters and before taking related planning action, consult your own professional counsel.*

08/27/2026

Legacy planning is ultimately about creating clarity for the people who matter most to you.

A complete plan may include a will or trust, powers of attorney, healthcare directives, beneficiary designations, insurance coverage, and clear instructions about where important information is located. Together, these pieces help communicate your wishes and provide guidance if your family ever needs to act on your behalf.

Beneficiary forms deserve particular attention because certain retirement accounts and insurance policies pass according to the designation on file, not necessarily according to the instructions in a will.

Legacy plans should also evolve as life changes. Marriage, divorce, children, a move, changes in assets, or the loss of a beneficiary can all create a reason to review your documents.

Organizing the plan and discussing it with your family can be one of the most thoughtful steps you take for their future.

This material is for informational purposes only and is based on an understanding of generally applicable rules. State laws will vary. Sunny Financial Strategies LLC, its agents, employees and affiliates do not provide tax, legal or accounting advice. For advice on such matters and before taking related planning action, consult your own professional counsel. Life insurance is subject to underwriting. No coverage exists unless a policy is issued, and the premium is paid.

08/24/2026

With four months of the year complete, you now have more information to evaluate how your 2026 financial picture is developing.

This may be a useful time to review estimated tax payments, retirement-plan contributions, potential Roth conversion opportunities and whether recent market movement has shifted your investment allocation. Business owners may also benefit from revisiting entity structure and compensation planning before the year-end window becomes more limited.

Mid-year planning provides both information and time; two valuable resources when making thoughtful financial decisions.

This material is for informational purposes only and is based on an understanding of generally applicable rules. State laws will vary. Sunny Financial Strategies LLC, its agents, employees and affiliates do not provide tax, legal or accounting advice. For advice on such matters and before taking related planning action, consult your own professional counsel.

08/20/2026

Ages 60 through 63 can represent an important retirement-saving window.

For 2026, workers in this age range may qualify for a higher catch-up contribution than the standard amount available beginning at age 50. This creates additional space to strengthen retirement savings during four years when many individuals are approaching retirement and may be earning some of their highest incomes.

The additional contribution may be made on a pre-tax or Roth basis when the employer plan offers both options. Choosing between the two involves more than selecting a contribution type. It requires considering today’s tax bracket, expected retirement income, and the role each account may play later.

Employer plan rules can vary, so reviewing your contribution election and confirming plan eligibility can help you make informed use of this limited window.

08/19/2026

Part 3 of our IRA vs. Solo 401(k) series 👇

If you’re self-employed, a freelancer, or a business owner with no employees, choosing the right retirement account can have a meaningful impact on how much you’re able to save for the future.

A Traditional or Roth IRA can be a great starting point. It’s relatively simple to open and gives you access to a wide range of investment options. But IRAs also come with lower annual contribution limits.

A Solo 401(k) is designed specifically for self-employed individuals and business owners with no employees other than a spouse. One of its biggest advantages is that you may be able to contribute in two ways:

→ As the employee
→ As the employer

That structure can potentially allow for significantly higher retirement contributions, depending on your income and circumstances.

But a higher contribution limit doesn’t automatically make a Solo 401(k) the right choice.

Your income, business structure, tax situation, retirement goals, and how much you realistically plan to contribute all matter.

The bigger takeaway? The best retirement account is the one that fits the way you earn, save, and plan for the future.

Our job is to help you understand the options and build a retirement strategy around your bigger financial picture.

Save Part 3 for later, and follow Sunny Financial Strategies for more straightforward financial education.

This content is for educational purposes only and is not intended as individualized tax, legal, or investment advice. Consult the appropriate professionals regarding your specific circumstances.

RetirementSavings FinancialPlanning SmallBusinessFinance FinancialEducation SunnyFinancialStrategies

Address

475 North Martingale Road, Suite 1250
Schaumburg, IL
60173

Telephone

+18474149116

Website

http://sunnyfinancial.com/

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