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Helping You Stay Calm When the Market is NOT

Helping You Stay Calm, When the Market is NOT | Lineweaver Financial Group

Investing and going it alone is easy when the markets are up, as they were last year. But it’s a different game when markets are volatile, as they have been this year, or when markets are down, as they definitely will be at some point in the future. We help our clients put these different stages of the market cycle in perspective. Who helps you?

Our goal is the same as our clients; to develop a long term strategy and stay invested. That was easier said than done last quarter when the S & P 500 dropped 10% in 11 days and then again 5% a month later. And, this quarter promises just as much excitement.

Triggers for market volatility can come in many different shapes and sizes—policy uncertainty in Washington or Beijing, earnings reports, geopolitical unrest. And market swings can rattle even seasoned investors' nerves. But volatility is part and parcel of investing. So put such uncertain times to good use as a motivator to help ensure your investment strategy aligns with your long-term goals, timeline and stomach for risk.

Dramatic moves in the market may cause you to question your strategy and worry about your money. A natural reaction to that fear might be to reduce or eliminate any exposure to stocks, thinking it will stem further losses and calm your fears, but that may not make sense in the long run.

Instead of being worried by volatility, be prepared. A well-defined investing plan tailored to your goals and financial situation can help you be ready for the normal ups and downs of the market, and to take advantage of opportunities as they arise.

There may be a few actions that you can take while the markets are down, to help put you in a better position for the long term. For instance, if you have investments you are looking to sell, a downturn may provide the opportunity for tax-loss harvesting—when you sell an investment and realize a loss. That could help your tax planning.

Additionally, if you execute a Roth conversion—moving money from a traditional IRA or 401(k) to a Roth account—a downturn could help. Compared with a conversion when asset prices were higher, a conversion in a downturn may result in a lower tax bill for the same number of shares.

Finally, if the movement of the markets has changed your mix of large-cap, small-cap, foreign, and domestic stocks, or your mix of stocks, bonds, and cash, you may want to rebalance to get back to your plan. That could provide a disciplined approach that helps you take advantage of lower prices.

These strategies are complex, and you may not want to go it alone. Give my company a call and we can assist you. If you are nervous when the market goes down, you may not be in the right investments. Your time horizon, goals, and tolerance for risk are key factors in helping to ensure that you have an investing strategy that works for you.

For our clients at my company Lineweaver Wealth Advisors, we take it one step further with active management to adjust based on our analysts’ expectations of the best sectors for the following 6-12 months, making minor adjustments to the asset selection, but keeping the same general asset allocation and risk/reward profile.

Even if your time horizon is long enough to warrant an aggressive portfolio, you have to be comfortable with the short-term ups and downs you'll encounter. If watching your balances fluctuate is too nerve-racking for you, think about reevaluating your investment mix to find one that feels right.

But be wary of being too conservative, especially if you have a long time horizon, because strategies that are more conservative may not provide the growth potential you need to achieve your goals. Set realistic expectations too. That way, it may be easier to stick with your long-term investing strategy.

There may be a few actions that you can take while the markets are down, to help put you in a better position for the long term. For instance, if you have investments you are looking to sell, a downturn may provide the opportunity for tax-loss harvesting—when you sell an investment and realize a loss. That could help your tax planning.

Additionally, if you execute a Roth conversion—moving money from a traditional IRA or 401(k) to a Roth account—a downturn could help. Compared with a conversion when asset prices were higher, a conversion in a downturn may result in a lower tax bill for the same number of shares.

If you have questions, we can help. We offer a no-obligation first consultation. You can schedule your appointment today by calling us at 216.521.1711, emailing us at Quarterback@Lineweaver.net, or by clicking here.

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What the Social Security Fairness Act mean for Your Benefits in 2025

Posted By Lineweaver Financial Group
July 07, 2025 Category: Tax, Social Security, Tax Planning, Financial Planning

By Mark Sipos, LFG Tax Director If you’ve worked in a public service job, chances are you’ve heard of the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) or Government Pension Offset (GPO). WEP reduced Social Security benefits for individuals with pensions from jobs that didn’t pay into Social Security, and GPO reduced Social Security spousal and survivor benefits for individuals who also received a pension from a job that wasn’t covered by Social Security. But at the beginning of the year, as one of their last acts in office, the Biden Administration passed the Social Security Fairness Act (SSFA), meaning many retirees may see higher monthly payments and possibly retroactive benefits. Let’s break down what SSFA entails, how the repeals affect you, and what you need to know about the taxation of your Social Security benefits moving forward. What Changed in 2025? On January 5, 2025, the Social Security Fairness Act officially repealed WEP and GPO. This change applies to Social Security benefits payable for any months after December 2023. That means if you were previously impacted by WEP, your benefit could increase, possibly significantly. The repeal also opens the door for retroactive payments dating back to January 1, 2024. In total, more than 3.2 million Americans are expected to benefit from the elimination of WEP and GPO, according to the Social Security Administration. How WEP, GPO Repeal Impacts Public Employees and Retirees The repeal

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Posted By Lineweaver Financial Group
July 07, 2025 Category: Market Commentary, Bonds, Financial Strategy, Financial Planning

By Chad Roope, CFA ®, Chief Investment Officer U.S. municipal bonds (munis) are prized for their tax advantages, but their historic tendency to provide a stable source of return also makes them valuable amid market volatility and uncertainty. Munis are generally less vulnerable to inflation shocks or the crossfire of global trade policies because they are often linked to public authorities that provide fee-based essential services, such as waste collection and public transportation, or secured by taxes on sales, property, and income. Munis have also shown historically low default rates and high credit ratings (Aa3 versus Ba1 for global corporate debt, on average) thanks to the disciplined finances and stable revenues of most state and local governments. Tax equivalent yields of munis have reset to levels not seen in over a decade, with some investment grade yields north of 6%. Against this backdrop, we see an opportunity to increase allocations, particularly as the outlook for limited supply relative to demand in July and August could bolster performance. Additionally, munis offer a possible antidote to tariffs and recession concerns. Amid Wall Street’s growing concern over a potential tariff-induced recession, investors are seeking refuge in areas least affected by global supply chains. This is fueling interest in state and local government bonds for the following reasons: Limited exposure to trade risks: A broad-based economic slowdown would reduce state r

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Posted By Lineweaver Financial Group
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Over the next two decades, Baby Boomers are expected to pass down more than $84 trillion, making it the largest wealth transfer in U.S. history. For many families, this inheritance represents a life-changing opportunity, but it also comes with important financial challenges. Navigating an Inheritance: What to Do First Before making any decisions, take time to process your loss. Once you’re ready, gather all key legal and financial documents such as wills, trusts, account statements, and property titles. Not all assets are taxed or distributed the same, so understanding what you’ve inherited is essential. For example, an inherited IRA from a non-spouse falls under the SECURE Act and must be emptied within 10 years of the original owner’s death. If a trust is named a beneficiary, the tax bill can hit faster, so it’s important to establish that quickly. A taxable brokerage account is simpler because you get a step-up in basis to the date-of-death value, meaning little or no capital-gains tax if you sell soon. Non-qualified annuities are trickier. Earnings come out first and are taxed as ordinary income, and most contracts force you to cash out within five years or start lifetime payouts. Common Inheritance Mistakes to Avoid Without careful estate planning, it’s easy to make costly mistakes. One example is naming a trust as a contingent IRA beneficiary without understanding the tax implications. Another is leaving an IRA to one person and expe

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Case studies are intended to illustrate the types of financial issues faced by actual clients. They should not be construed as a testimonial for or endorsement of Lineweaver Wealth Advisors. They do not represent the experience of any advisory client. Each client’s situation is different, and their goals may not always be achieved. Lineweaver Wealth Advisors, LLC, is not engaged in the practice of law or accounting. Tax information provided is general in nature and should not be construed as legal or tax advice. Always consult an attorney or tax professional regarding your specific legal or tax situation. Tax rules and regulations are subject to change at any time.
Crain's Cleveland Business is a print and online newspaper delivering local business news and information to Cleveland's business executives, which is published by Crain Communications Inc. The Crain's list may employ different methodology than described above for similar designations granted in other years. No clients were consulted and no fees were paid to determine the winners; the award is based on assets under management. Neither the participating candidates nor their employees pay a fee in exchange for inclusion on Crain's List. However, recipients may pay a fee to Crain, an affiliate, or an unaffiliated third party in exchange for plaques or article reprints commemorating the designation. The publication should not be construed by a client or prospective client as a guarantee that they will experience a certain level of results if the recipient is engaged, or continues to be engaged, to provide investment advisory services; and should not be construed as a current or past endorsement of the recipient by any of its clients. In 2025, 2024, 2020 and 2019 Lineweaver Wealth Advisors (“LWA”) was ranked in the Top 25 of Crain’s of Cleveland’s annual list of Registered Investment Advisors. In 2023, LWA was ranked in the Top 15 of Crain’s of Cleveland’s annual list of Registered Investment Advisors. In 2021 and 2022, LWA was ranked in the Top 20 of Crain’s of Cleveland’s annual list of Registered Investment Advisors. For all years the awards were based on assets under management.
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