Insights · Blog
A non-working or lower-earning spouse can still fund an IRA in their own name using the spousal IRA rule. Here’s who qualifies, how much can go in, and what to check before funding one.
George DamascoNovember 3, 2026
The annual gift tax exclusion lets you give a set amount to as many people as you like each year, without using your lifetime exemption or, generally, filing a gift tax return. Here’s this year’s number and how it fits into year-end giving to family.
Chelsea Ohm Heintschel, CFP®October 29, 2026
A qualified charitable distribution sends IRA funds straight to charity and keeps the amount out of your taxable income. Here’s who qualifies, how much you can give, and the December 31 deadline.
Sean ShinaberryOctober 28, 2026
Multiple advisors can feel safer, but it isn't the same as diversification. Here's what one coordinated review found.
Chelsea Ohm Heintschel, CFP®October 21, 2026
Unless you already receive Social Security benefits, Medicare doesn’t start automatically. Here's how the seven-month Initial Enrollment Period works, what changes if you're still working, and where Ohio residents can get help.
Sean ShinaberryOctober 12, 2026
A qualified charitable distribution, a donor-advised fund, and a direct gift can all support the same cause, but each is treated differently at tax time. Here's how the three compare.
Chelsea Ohm Heintschel, CFP®October 5, 2026
Required minimum distributions (RMDs) change every year based on your age and account balance. Here's when they start, how they're calculated, and what to do if you miss one.
Sean S. ShinaberryOctober 2, 2026
A financial advisor typically works alongside your estate planning attorney and CPA, helping translate your goals into a plan.
George T. DamascoSeptember 28, 2026
A practical look at what shifts financially in the first year of retirement, from income planning to Medicare enrollment.
Sean S. ShinaberrySeptember 21, 2026
A practical financial checklist for adult children to prepare before a parent needs care, covering accounts, power of attorney, and documentation.
Chelsea Ohm Heintschel, CFP®September 14, 2026
We are proud to share the inspiring story of Myrta Gschaar, a long-time friend and valued client of MPM. Myrta’s dedication to honoring the nearly 3,000 lives lost on September 11, 2001, is a mission we are honored to support.
Chelsea Ohm Heintschel, CFP®September 11, 2026
A plain-language look at long-term care costs in Ohio and nationally, and why planning ahead may protect your retirement.
George T. DamascoSeptember 7, 2026
A look at what a financial advisor does, how fees typically work, and what a structured retirement planning process looks like in practice.
Chelsea Ohm Heintschel, CFP®August 28, 2026
How much cash should you keep in retirement? A plain-language look at the bucket strategy and what a reasonable cash reserve looks like.
George T. DamascoAugust 24, 2026
Sequence of returns risk shapes how long retirement savings last. Here is what it means, why timing matters, and how to think about it.
Sean S. ShinaberryAugust 17, 2026
Market swings feel unsettling in the moment. Six historically grounded principles to help you keep perspective when volatility hits.
Chelsea Ohm Heintschel, CFP®August 9, 2026
From gift tax exclusions to 529 rollovers, here are practical, tax-aware ways to support adult children while protecting your retirement plan.
Chelsea Ohm Heintschel, CFP®August 3, 2026
Saving for retirement is one challenge. Turning those savings into reliable income is another. Here is how a retirement income plan actually works.
Chelsea Ohm Heintschel, CFP®July 27, 2026
Estate planning isn't a one-time task, it's a living part of your financial plan. Here are the four documents every family needs before retirement, what each one does, and what to check when reviewing yours.
George T. DamascoJuly 22, 2026
A 529 plan grows tax-free for education costs. Here is how it works in 2026, including the new Roth IRA rollover rule and Ohio's state tax deduction.
Sean S. ShinaberryJuly 21, 2026
In 2026, you can give up to $19,000 per person tax-free. Here is how the annual gift tax exclusion works and how it fits into an estate plan.
Ryan Stoller, CFP®July 15, 2026:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-2210476996-bbc94f8907f7458a9cf330f5ab332811.jpg)
Turning 65 in Toledo? Learn exactly when and how to enroll in Medicare, what each part covers, and how to avoid costly lifetime penalties.
Sean S. ShinaberryJuly 7, 2026
When to file for Social Security is one of the biggest retirement decisions you will make. Here is what Toledo families need to know before claiming.
George T. DamascoJuly 6, 2026
The five years before retirement matter more than almost any other window. Here is the tax, healthcare, and cash-flow checklist we walk Toledo families through.
George DamascoApril 22, 2026
Most filing decisions get framed as math. The better framing is risk, longevity, survivor benefits, and the spouse left behind.
Chelsea HeintschelMarch 18, 2026
Roth conversions can save a household six figures, or cost you money. Here is when they make sense, and when they don't.
George DamascoFebruary 11, 2026
If you inherited an IRA after 2019, the SECURE Act changed everything. Here is what most beneficiaries miss.
Chelsea HeintschelJanuary 28, 2026
Original Medicare vs. Advantage. Part D. Medigap. IRMAA. The choices in your initial enrollment window are sticky and expensive to undo.
Sean ShinaberryJanuary 9, 2026
The biggest planning failures we see aren't bad advice. They're uncoordinated advice. Here is how a fiduciary advisor brings it together.
Ryan StollerDecember 15, 2025
