Blog Series: Planning Your Business Legacy
Aaron Patten Aaron Patten

Blog Series: Planning Your Business Legacy

Series Overview

Over the next six weeks, we’ll dive deep into essential business insurance tools that help owners protect what they’ve built, plan for seamless transitions, and minimize risk. Here’s the roadmap:

  1. Key Person Insurance

  2. Buy-Sell Agreements

  3. Cross-Purchase Agreements

  4. Entity Purchase Agreements

  5. Funding Strategies for Buy-Sell (Life Insurance vs. Alternatives)

  6. Common Pitfalls & Compliance Considerations

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Navigating the “Big Beautiful Bill” for Your Retirement Roadmap
Aaron Patten Aaron Patten

Navigating the “Big Beautiful Bill” for Your Retirement Roadmap

The passage of the “Big Beautiful Bill” brings the most significant tax and planning shifts since 2017. Whether you’re nearing retirement, already enjoying your golden years, or running a small business, these changes can reshape your approach to income, savings, and legacy planning. Here’s your concise guide to the provisions that matter most—and how to turn them into opportunities.

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4 Ways to Shield Your Retirement Nest Egg in an Uncertain Market
Aaron Patten Aaron Patten

4 Ways to Shield Your Retirement Nest Egg in an Uncertain Market

Navigating today’s financial landscape can feel like walking a tightrope. Rising interest rates, inflationary pressures, and geopolitical risks all contribute to market whipsaw. Preservation is just as important as growth for pre-retirees and retirees. Below are four strategies—including annuities—that can help you shore up your retirement plan without sacrificing flexibility.

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Essential Business Owner Planning Strategies to Plan Your Legacy
Aaron Patten Aaron Patten

Essential Business Owner Planning Strategies to Plan Your Legacy

Effective planning transforms a thriving business into a lasting legacy. Business owners juggle growth, operations, and market challenges—but without a clear exit and succession roadmap, years of hard work can unravel. This guide lays out practical steps to plan your interests, maintain continuity, and optimize the transfer of value when you’re ready to move on.

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Retirement Planning: Why Having a Withdrawal Strategy in Retirement Is Crucial
Aaron Patten Aaron Patten

Retirement Planning: Why Having a Withdrawal Strategy in Retirement Is Crucial

Retirement marks the transition from accumulating assets to drawing on savings. Without a clear withdrawal strategy, retirees risk depleting their nest egg too soon, facing unexpected tax burdens, or missing out on legacy goals. A structured plan for distributions helps balance cash flow, longevity of assets, and tax efficiency.

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Annuity Awareness Month: How to Evaluate and Choose the Right Annuity for Your Goals
Aaron Patten Aaron Patten

Annuity Awareness Month: How to Evaluate and Choose the Right Annuity for Your Goals

As we wrap up Annuity Awareness Month, we've explored the fundamentals of annuities, potential benefits and considerations, and how they compare with other retirement tools. In this final week’s article, we’ll focus on what individuals should consider when evaluating annuity options and how to approach the selection process with clarity and care.

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Annuity Awareness Month: Comparing Annuities with Other Retirement Savings Options
Aaron Patten Aaron Patten

Annuity Awareness Month: Comparing Annuities with Other Retirement Savings Options

When planning for retirement, individuals have access to a wide range of financial tools, each with its own structure, tax treatment, and planning potential. While annuities are one option, it's important to understand how they differ from other retirement vehicles such as IRAs, 401(k)s, and pensions.

In this week's article, we’ll outline some of the key differences and considerations to keep in mind when evaluating where annuities may or may not align with a long-term financial strategy.

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Cancer Policies: An Additional Financial Resource for Health Challenges
Aaron Patten Aaron Patten

Cancer Policies: An Additional Financial Resource for Health Challenges

Many individuals rely on life insurance to provide financial support for their families. However, one aspect often left out of planning is coverage for serious health conditions like cancer. Cancer insurance offers additional financial assistance to help manage costs associated with treatment, ensuring individuals can focus on their care without unexpected financial burdens.

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Estate Planning: Why Establishing a Living Trust May Make Sense
Aaron Patten Aaron Patten

Estate Planning: Why Establishing a Living Trust May Make Sense

Many people assume that having a will is enough to properly distribute their assets after they pass. However, a living trust can offer greater control, efficiency, and financial stability, ensuring your estate is managed exactly as you intended—without the delays and costs of probate.

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Financial Planning Beyond Investments: A Holistic Approach
Aaron Patten Aaron Patten

Financial Planning Beyond Investments: A Holistic Approach

When you take an integrated approach to financial planning, you’re not just investing—you’re building a stable financial future that extends far beyond market performance. By proactively managing taxes, estate plans, and insurance needs, you minimize risk and maximize financial stability for generations to come.

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Unlocking Retirement Stability: How Fixed Indexed Annuities Can Strengthen Your Portfolio
Aaron Patten Aaron Patten

Unlocking Retirement Stability: How Fixed Indexed Annuities Can Strengthen Your Portfolio

When planning for retirement, one of the most critical decisions you'll make is how to ensure a steady income stream that lasts throughout your golden years. Annuities, often misunderstood, can play a pivotal role in achieving this goal. In this article, we'll explore what annuities are, how they work, and why a fixed indexed annuity might be a valuable addition to your retirement portfolio.

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Retirement Planning Amid Market Uncertainty
Aaron Patten Aaron Patten

Retirement Planning Amid Market Uncertainty

Planning for retirement is one of the most significant financial journeys you'll undertake, and market volatility can understandably create unease. Economic uncertainty may feel like a storm, but with a solid strategy in place, your retirement goals can remain unchanged. Here's how to navigate these choppy financial waters while staying focused on your long-term vision.

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Navigating the Economic Crossroads: Tariffs, Trade, and the Global Economy
Aaron Patten Aaron Patten

Navigating the Economic Crossroads: Tariffs, Trade, and the Global Economy

In today’s rapidly evolving economic landscape, businesses and investors alike are grappling with the implications of shifting trade policies and global economic trends. At the forefront of these changes is President Trump’s recent tariff policy, which has sparked both debate and uncertainty across markets.

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Planning for the Unpredictable: The Reality of Long-Term Care
Aaron Patten Aaron Patten

Planning for the Unpredictable: The Reality of Long-Term Care

When envisioning your future, long-term care might not be top of mind. Yet, the statistics paint a compelling picture: over 70% of Americans aged 65 and older will require some form of long-term care in their lifetimes, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Whether it’s a nursing facility, assisted living, or in-home care, the need is undeniable—and the costs, unfortunately, are skyrocketing.

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The Art of Advisor Communication: Why Staying Connected with Your Financial Advisor Matters
Aaron Patten Aaron Patten

The Art of Advisor Communication: Why Staying Connected with Your Financial Advisor Matters

In today’s fast-paced world, life moves quickly. Major events—whether joyous or unexpected—can have a profound impact on your financial situation. When it comes to financial planning, staying in sync with your advisor can mean the difference between simply “having a plan” and having a plan that evolves seamlessly with your life. So, let’s take a closer look at why working with a proactive financial advisor is crucial to your financial success.

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How Business Owners Can Reduce Taxes with Financial Planning
Aaron Patten Aaron Patten

How Business Owners Can Reduce Taxes with Financial Planning

For business owners, managing tax obligations is a critical aspect of running a successful enterprise. Strategic tax planning not only reduces financial strain but also enables reinvestment in your business to fuel growth. A proactive approach to financial planning can help business owners maximize deductions, minimize liabilities, and align their tax strategies with long-term goals.

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