Our comprehensive financial planning services include reviews and recommendations designed to address many of the financial questions individuals face. It all starts with a review of your current investment portfolio. We then work with you to identify the financial goals that are important to you, all with an eye on designing the portfolio to best meet those goals.

Our financial planning analysis can address topics such as:

•  Meeting a retirement goal
•  Funding education or other significant future expenses
•  Evaluating the adequacy of insurance to provide income for survivors, protect against a disability or fund the costs of long-term medical care
•  The impact of estate taxes on wealth transfer goals

Our process allows us to evaluate how well the current approach to these issues will meet client goals. In addition, we can also develop recommendations on how to modify the approach in order to make up for shortfalls. To do these analyses, we use sophisticated planning tools that incorporate the latest planning strategies and technologies.

In addition to the core financial and estate planning work offered by Baird, we also provide guidance on a variety of other planning topics.

Retirement Distribution Planning
When planning for distributions from retirement accounts, it’s important to understand the rules around when you can take them, how much you can take, and the tax implications. Our planners help by:

•  Developing strategies for taking early distributions from retirement plans that help minimize the tax costs
  
•  Modeling how to meet IRS requirements for taking minimum distributions from accounts
  
•  Showing the long-term impact of proper account designations, which can assist in maximizing the benefit of those assets for generations.
  

Customized Estate Tax Analysis
Providing an ongoing legacy for your heirs is a key component of any comprehensive financial plan. Because of the complexities associated with wealth transfer, in particular the estate tax system, Baird offers an advanced level of analysis when it comes to these topics. Our estate planning specialists, which includes a former IRS auditor, can work with clients on:

•  Explaining the intricacies of the estate tax system, focusing on how it would impact various clients personal situations
•  Reviewing existing estate documents to make sure they continue to meet client needs, and suggesting enhancements where appropriate
  
•  Modeling the impact of particular strategies on wealth transfer goals
  

The aim of Baird’s estate planning services is to make sure your needs are being met, while also providing for an efficient transfer of wealth after death that meets long-term goals. Whether you’re transferring assets to other family members or leaving behind a charitable legacy, our financial planners will work with you and your outside attorney to create a plan that is appropriate for the situation.

Strategies for Employee Stock Options
Employers sometimes provide stock options to employees as a way to not only compensate them, but also to have them participate in the growth in the value of the company. Therefore, it’s important to develop a strategy around these options that maximizes their overall benefit. Our planning department can work with you to develop a multi-year exercise strategy the looks at the income tax, cash flow and diversification impacts on a plan.