Blog

Tips for Tax Season and BeyondFiling for Today. Planning for What’s Next.Tax season is often treated as a once-a-year task. Gather documents, file your return, and move on. While this is important, focusing only on filing can mean...

By Dennis Karpenko, CFA January kicked off 2026 with a fairly volatile stretch for financial markets, globally. Overall, a higher risk appetite for investors has benefited global equities, but kept global fixed income muted. The...

As the start of 2026 is in full swing, it’s a good time to pause and reflect on 2025 in the markets and, just as importantly, on the lessons that often get lost in the headlines.Despite ongoing uncertainty and no shortage of dire...

Growth at RMR Wealth is intentional. It reflects the people behind the work, the expertise they bring to their roles, and the firm’s long-term commitment to how our team supports clients and one another across the firm. We are pleased...

Fidelity and Schwab have each released their 2025 Tax Form Schedule along with instructions for accessing your tax forms online. To help you access your tax forms as effectively and efficiently as possible, we have summarized the "Tax...

By Dennis Karpenko, CFA The markets in 2025 went through some periods of turbulence, but once again presented investors with a strong year of returns. The first half of the year placed a big focus on trade concerns and tariffs, while...

Montclair, NJ – RMR Wealth Builders, Inc. is proud to announce that Tyler F. Whitehouse, CFP®, CAP®, has been named a Partner of the firm and President of RMR Wealth, effective January 1, 2026.With this appointment, Tyler becomes the...

By Dennis Karpenko, CFA Compared to much of the rest of the year, November was a relatively muted month; the S&P 500 fell 0.1% between the end of October and midway through December. The longest U.S. government shutdown (43 days)...

We are pleased to share an important milestone. This past week, our Arizona team completed its move into a new, expanded office at Kierland Corporate Center I in Scottsdale, AZ. This move represents more than a change in location; it...

The beginning of a new year offers something that is often hard to find during the rest of the year: perspective. There are fewer deadlines driving decisions, fewer last-minute financial moves, and more room to think clearly about what...

On December 10th, RMR Wealth gathered for one of the most meaningful traditions on our calendar, the Annual Pillar Awards Dinner. Each year, this evening gives us a chance to pause, reflect on the year behind us, and celebrate the...

The IRS has released the updated retirement plan contribution limits for 2026, and the changes bring meaningful opportunities for employees, pre-retirees, and those preparing for their peak earning years. Contribution limits are...

At RMR Wealth, we take pride in the dedication, expertise, and professionalism of our team. Today, we are honored to celebrate a significant milestone: Nicholas LaVerghetta, CFA®, has officially earned the Chartered Financial Analyst®...

By Dennis Karpenko, CFA October was a mixed month for markets. Performance for developed market equities was positive against a backdrop of easing trade tensions between the U.S. and China and another strong earnings season for U.S....

We are proud to share that Ryan Goudie, CFP®, CRPS®, CPFA®, Vice President and Retirement Plan Advisor at RMR Wealth, has been recognized as one of the 2026 Top Retirement Plan Advisors Under 40, also known as NAPA’s “Aces.” Each year,...

We are proud to recognize Karie O’Connor, CIMA®, AIFA®, AIF®, CPFA®, QKA®, NQPA®, for being named a 2025 NAPA Top Women of Excellence honoree. Presented annually by the National Association of Plan Advisors (NAPA), this distinction...

RMR Wealth Builders is pleased to announce that Coleman Andrews has joined the firm as a Senior Wealth Advisor, bringing with him a strong background in financial planning, investment analysis, and client-focused advisory work. Coleman...

RMR Wealth Builders is proud to announce that Keith S. Stecker, CIMA® has joined the firm as a Financial Advisor, bringing more than twenty years of investment and wealth management experience to its expanding advisory team. Keith has...

By Dennis Karpenko, CFA® Despite historically being one of the worst-performing months for the stock market, this year, September continued the positive momentum from earlier in the year and saw increases across major indexes. Much of...

Ensuring a strong understanding of fiduciary obligations, starting with the fundamentals, has never been more critical. How can plan sponsors effectively manage their fiduciary responsibilities and mitigate risk? This webinar will...

By Alex Salton, CFP®, CRPS® In recent months, the conversation around alternative investments in defined contribution plans has accelerated dramatically. With new federal actions and regulatory shifts, private equity and private credit...

How to Assess Your Life Insurance Needs September is National Life Insurance Awareness Month, making it the perfect time to revisit an important question: Do you have the right amount of life insurance coverage for your needs? Life...

By Dennis Karpenko, CFA® The month of August saw fairly strong returns across most major asset classes. Overall, the second quarter earnings season was positive for companies as many beat analysts’ estimates. Arguably, the most...

RMR Wealth Builders, Inc. is proud to welcome Adam Scharf, Esq., to our team as a Financial Advisor. Adam provides comprehensive financial planning and wealth management strategies designed to help individuals and families protect and...

RMR Wealth Builders, Inc. is excited to announce that James Bremis, CFP®, CPWA®, AIF®, CPFA™ has joined the firm as a Wealth Advisor, bringing with him over a decade of experience guiding individuals and families toward financial...

By Dennis Karpenko, CFA July saw a divergence in equity and fixed income as most major equity markets printed positive figures, before tapering off to close the month, while fixed income indexes were mixed. Much of July’s market...

By Dennis Karpenko, CFA® Broad markets had another strong month in June, with major U.S. and global indexes positive to close Q2 of 2025. Although moderating inflation figures and strong labor markets in both the U.S. and Europe have...

Your Guide to the Financial Planning Impacts of the “One Big Beautiful Bill

We are excited to welcome Karie M. OConnor, CIMA®, AIFA®, CPFA™, QKA® to the RMR Wealth team!Karie joins RMR Wealth as a Retirement Plan Advisor and Wealth Advisor, bringing deep experience and a strong track record of guiding...

Markets continued their rebound in May, building on an upward climb from the recent pullback in early April, amid improving consumer sentiment and easing trade tensions. U.S. trade negotiations with the European Union (EU) have...

Last week, the RMR Wealth team came together for two dynamic days of growth, education, and collaboration at the 2025 Build & Advance Summit. From impactful firm updates to thought-provoking presentations on personal wealth and...

Mid-Year Money Check-In A few simple steps can help you align your goals, adjust your strategy, and finish the year strong. The halfway mark in the year is the perfect time to pause, reflect, and make sure your financial plan still...

Read Time: 4 minutes For the last few weeks, the U.S. stock market has gone through some significant volatility, influenced by shifting broad market sentiments as well as newly implemented tariffs on many of the U.S.’s trading partners...

We know recent headlines and the significant market drop may feel unsettling, and it's understandable to wonder if this time truly is different. In moments like these, Sir John Templeton's famous insight becomes particularly valuable:...

The IRS has announced the 2025 dollar limits and retirement plan thresholds, reflecting the latest cost-of-living adjustments.

We are proud to announce that Alec Majtenyi, CFP®, AEP®, CBDA® was awarded the Accredited Estate Planner® (AEP®) designation by the NAEPC Association. The Accredited Estate Planner® (AEP®) designation is a graduate-level,...

Please join us in welcoming Derek Chylinski to the RMR Wealth Builders, Inc. Team! Derek joins RMR Wealth with nearly two decades of employee benefits experience, providing benefits planning services and innovative cost containment...

We are thrilled to announce that RMR Wealth Builders has been recognized by SmartAsset as one of the “Top 10 Financial Advisors in New Jersey” for 2024! 🎉 This achievement highlights the dedication, passion, and expertise we bring to...

RMR Wealth Builders, Inc. Surpasses $2 Billion in Assets Under Management Montclair, NJ - October 1st, 2024 – RMR Wealth Builders, Inc., a registered investment advisor (RIA) firm, is proud to announce that the firm has surpassed a...

Please join us in welcoming Brogan O'Connor, CFP®, AIF® to the RMR Wealth Builders, Inc. Team! Brogan entered the wealth management industry immediately after graduating from Connecticut College in 2013 with a Bachelor’s degree in...

This summer, RMR Wealth was proud to sponsor and participate in the Suffolk Community College Foundation’s 40th Annual Golf Classic, at Westhampton Country Club. The proceeds from the outing benefit the student scholarships and...

This video covers Insurance Essentials: Building a Resilient Financial Plan. In this video, we cover the knowledge and tools you need to make more informed decisions on disability income insurance, life insurance, and long-term care...

RMR Wealth Builders, Inc. is proud to announce that our CEO, Ryan DeGrau, CFP®, C(k)P®, has been recognized by the NFL Players Association as an NFLPA Registered Player Financial Advisor. The NFLPA Financial Advisors Registration...

According to the Social Security Administration, a 20-year-old has more than a 25% chance of becoming disabled before reaching retirement age.1 Loss of income for such a duration has the potential to cause significant financial...

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) is set to expire at the end of 2025, and with its expiration will come many changes. Although some of the provisions within the Act are permanent, such as reducing the corporate tax rate from 35 percent...

Understanding the Basics of An HSA A Health Savings Account (HSA) is a tax-advantaged savings account designed to help individuals with high-deductible health plans (HDHPs) cover medical expenses. Contributions made to an HSA are...

Tax Efficiency In Retirement Will you pay higher taxes in retirement? It’s possible. But that will largely depend on how you generate income. Will it be from working? Will it be from retirement plans? And if it does come...

Fidelity and Schwab have both released the 2024 Tax Form Schedule along with instructions for accessing your tax forms online. 

The Internal Revenue Service recently released updated income tax brackets, standard deduction, and retirement contribution limits for the 2024 tax year. While these taxes are not due for some time, it may benefit you to start...

It Is All About the Federal Reserve Powell’s September Comments  Two months ago, Fed Chairman Powell, in his prepared comments after the Fed meeting stated, “interest rates will have to remain higher for longer”....

Open enrollment season is the time each year when employees may elect or change the benefits options available through their employer, such as health, dental, and vision plans, health savings accounts, flexible spending accounts, and,...

Investors know that the stock market moves in cycles, but few are comfortable when the cycle takes stock prices lower. And since late August, the cycle has been decidedly lower. If you’re looking for reasons to worry, you...

We are excited to announce an addition to the RMR Team. Please join us in welcoming Alex Salton, CFP®, CRPS® our newest team member, as a Wealth Advisor! Alex joins us with over 13 years of financial services experience,...

We are excited to announce an addition to the RMR Team. Please join us in welcoming JP Byrne, our newest team member, as a Business Development Specialist! JP joins us with nearly 14 years of financial services experience, making him a...

MONTCLAIR, NJ, October 15, 2023 - RMR Wealth Builders, Inc. has named Tyler F. Whitehouse, CFP®, CAP® the firm's first Managing Director of Personal Wealth. In this new capacity, Mr. Whitehouse will be responsible for...

An employer-sponsored 401(K) retirement plan is a powerful retirement savings vehicle and an important part of a retirement savings strategy. Contributions can reduce taxable income for the year while providing tax-deferred investment...

Are you making charitable donations at year's end? If so, you should know about some of the financial "fine print" involved, as the right moves could potentially bring more of a benefit to both you and your chosen charity.  Keep...

September marks a milestone for two original founding partners at RMR Wealth Builders, Edward Majtenyi and Douglas Roth. On September 7, 1983, Ed and Doug passed the Series 52 Exam, marking their entry into the wealth management...

Diversification, patience, and consistency are the key components when reviewing your investment strategy. Reviewing your investment strategy through scenario-based financial planning provides the guidance and clarity needed to make a...

Whether it’s sports, music, or politics, life holds any number of “great debates”– debates that never seem to reach a conclusion. In investments, that great debate asks the question, “Active or Passive...

Downgrading U.S. Sovereign Debt Rating On August 1st, Fitch Ratings downgraded long-term sovereign U.S. debt to AA+ from AAA., citing an “expected fiscal deterioration over the next three years”. They also projected a mild...

RMR Wealth Builders is proud to share that we have been recognized as one of the fastest-growing RIAs in the state of New Jersey by CityWire RIA's annual report, "50 Growers Across America". “RMR’s growth has accelerated...

The cost of long-term care can vary greatly based on the exact services needed and the region where care is being provided. Some national averages, however, might be of interest. According to the Genworth Financial Cost of Care Survey...

According to the Social Security Administration, a 20-year-old has more than a 25% chance of becoming disabled before reaching retirement age.1 Loss of income for such a duration has the potential to cause significant financial...

The Federal ReserveHas the Federal Reserve finished raising interest rates? On June 14th, the Fed announced they were going to maintain rates as is, keeping the Federal Funds target rate at 5%-5.25%. Wall Street is calling the...

In a recent survey, 70% of current workers stated they plan to work for pay after retiring.1And that possibility raises an interesting question: how will working affect Social Security benefits?The answer to that question requires an...

In a 2022 survey, 35% of all workers reported they were either “not too” or “not at all” confident that they would have enough money to pay for their medical expenses in retirement. Regardless of your confidence...

We have some exciting news to share. It’s with pleasure that we announce our newest team member, Sean Sokolowski! Sean has joined our growing firm as of June 20th, 2023 and will join us in our Montclair, NJ...

We have some exciting news to share. We are pleased to announce our newest team member, Dominick Lombardi!Dom has joined our growing firm as of June 20th , 2023 and will open a new branch office for RMR in Staten Island, NY. Dominick...

We have some exciting news to share. It’s with pleasure that we announce the newest member of our team, Matthew McHale!  Matthew has joined our growing firm as of June 1st, 2023, and will be working out of our Montclair...

The U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates the cost of raising a child to the age of 17 for a middle-income family will be about $285,000. That's approaching the median value of a new home in the U.S.1,2Forbes cited, in a 2020...

Life insurance can be an effective tool for estate planning. It can help to provide for your loved ones after you pass away and ensure that they are taken care of financially.One of the main benefits of using life insurance for estate...

Life insurance is designed to help protect a household from the financial hardships that may follow the untimely death of a primary wage earner.But how will a death affect a small business?One way of safeguarding a business is to...

According to industry experts, most people don't have enough life insurance. The American Council of Life Insurers recently reported that average coverage equals $183,780, which is equivalent to approximately 3.5 years in terms of...

Assess Life Insurance NeedsIf your family relies on your income, it’s critical to consider having enough life insurance to provide for them after you pass away. But too often, life insurance is an overlooked aspect of personal...

In the wake of the recent news about Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank, questions about SIPC coverage have come up more frequently. At RMR, we pride ourselves on ensuring that our client’s assets are protected to the fullest...

Do you have a will?A will enables you to specify to whom you want to inherit your property and other assets. A will also enable you to name a guardian for your minor children.Do you have healthcare documents in place?If you cannot make...

Only one-third of adults have a will in place, which may not be entirely surprising. No one wants to be reminded of their mortality or spend too much time thinking about what might happen once they’re gone.1But a will is an...

RMR Wealth Builders, Inc. (“RMR”) officially announces that Ryan DeGrau has been named as its Chief Executive Officer effective January 2023. Ryan has been the acting Executive Vice President for the firm since 2017 and...

Retirement Contribution Limits for 2022With Tax Season in full swing, now is the opportunity to review your retirement accounts and ensure you’ve reached your contribution limits.For 2022, the contribution limit for traditional...

TIPS TO BE PREPARED THIS TAX SEASONTax season can be stressful, and the deadline will be here before you know it. Here are a few tips to make the process easier:Start early: January 23rd was the official start of tax season....

Healthcare can be one of retirement's largest expenses. A Health Savings Account (HSA) provides a tax advantaged way to save for health care cost in retirement. You receive a tax deduction when you make the contribution, assets grow...

RMR Wealth Builders Inc. is pleased to announce that our Director of Financial Planning, Tyler F. Whitehouse, CFP®, has been formally recognized by the National Football League Players Association (NFLPA) as a Registered Player...

New Jersey’s 529 Plan Tax DeductionOne of the largest challenges when it comes to education planning is finding a way to appropriately save for future expenses. A 529 college saving plan can help. A 529 plan is a college savings...

BudgetingA budget is a tool designed to track where your money goes. It is critical to understand how to reach goals. Using a budget, you can determine how income and assets are used to cover current expenses or fund a future goal. A...

The start of a new year is the perfect time to review and set goals. Whether it’s reducing debt, changing jobs, planning for retirement, or buying a new home, personal finances play a role in meeting your goals. A financial...

December 27, 2022Secure Act 2.0, through bipartisan support, has passed and has been sent to President Biden’s desk for signature.  The passage of this retirement legislation is aimed at expanding a workplace retirement...

 DecemberThe Stock MarketFinally, when things were beginning to look more favorable for the beaten-down stock market in 2022, Fed Chairman Powell pulled the rug out from underneath the recent stock rally, becoming the Grinch who...

As of October 21st, 2022, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) released a notice informing the changes for the 2023 contribution limits. Some numbers to highlight are listed below:Personal Finance:Numerous positive changes are coming in...

The Stock MarketHow bad has this year been? Awful is the only adjective to describe 2022. Data from Evercore ISI shows that 2022 is the only year on record in which the S&P 500 and the bond market have fallen 10% or more. So far in...

Here at RMR Wealth Builders, we are excited about our recent Montclair Office expansion coming to completion. This is an exciting time for us as a company but also symbolic of the growth and potential for new things on the horizon. To...

Entering the second half of 2022, the stock and bond outlook is quite uncertain. Questions abound: Are we going into recession? Are we already in one? Will the Fed continue to raise rates to slow down inflation? Will the Fed pause...

Investors have seen equity markets reacting starkly negatively to the Fed’s belated inflation response. Much of this selling pressure is believed to be on the anticipation that the U.S. economy will slip into recession between...

Not All Bear Markets are Recessions, Not All Recessions are CrisesIn our last piece, The Yield Curve’s April Fool’s Joke | RMR Wealth Builders, Inc., we explained how, despite an inversion of the 2Yr/10Yr yield curve (that...

  For Tier 2 & Tier 3 members of PFRS whose earnings are in excess of the social security wage base, which is $142,800 in 2021, in addition to your regular pension contributions, you also gain access to participate in The Defined...

  As a member of the PFRS, you make regular pension contributions.  But there are other opportunities to supplement your retirement income and set aside money on a tax-deferred basis. The first option is the Deferred...

Welcome to RMR Wealth Builders. We were founded by a group of financial advisors that banded together to create a firm with a culture of delivering quality service and advice through an approach focused on relationships. We stress a...

NewCo, the sales and marketing subsidiary of a US corporation, was acquired by a foreign entity; the transaction resulted in the loss of domestic oversight of all US workforce management and administration functions. RMR was referred...

For many Americans, the immediate financial concerns of today outweigh the distant needs of tomorrow. And few things could be truer for the 30-something, New Jersey married couple — Matt and Mary. Let's take a closer look at how...

While growth stocks have significantly outperformed value stocks over the past decade, value stocks are currently outpacing growth stocks by their widest margin in over 20 years during the first two-and-a-half months of the year. As of...

Citizens left New Jersey and New York in record numbers last year. According to a research report from The Tax Foundation, the top five states with the highest proportion of outbound migration were New Jersey, New York, Illinois,...

RMR is excited to officially announce the upcoming move of our company’s headquarters. Since our inception 34 years ago, we have occupied the same office, located at the Glenpointe Centre in Teaneck, New Jersey. The memories...

Alongside record low interest rates and an unprecedented pandemic induced national shutdown that decimated local and state government revenues, municipal bond issuance for the past year was the highest of all-time. Issuance surged...

When the time comes to select your company’s group benefit plans, the options can seem overwhelming. Before you can choose the right health insurance plan for your employees, you’ll need to understand the differences...

Junk bond yields have fallen to their lowest levels ever with the representative Bloomberg Barclays US Corporate High Yield Index sinking to a historical low of 4.56% on November 9th. While nominally remaining “high yield”...

Over the past 45 years, the S&P 500 has produced average positive returns in 11 of 12 calendar months, with April averaging the best performance and September averaging the worst performance as the lone negative month. The end of the...

A recent survey commissioned by JP Morgan Chase shows that consumer spending remains somewhat suppressed, down 5.2% through October, as large parts of the country are still hampered by COVID related restrictions. While lifestyle...

Nine months removed from the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic and with financial markets creating new all-time highs, the CBOE Volatility Index (VIX) has recently fallen to its lowest levels since early March, only slightly...

RMR Wealth Builders Inc. was founded in 1986 by a group of financial advisors that banded together to create a firm with a culture of delivering quality service and advice through an approach focused on relationships. Through...

At RMR Wealth Builders, we suggest starting the retirement planning process early. Gone are the days when NYPD officers relied on pensions alone. The proper steps must be taken as early as possible to maximize the benefits. The NYPD...

Risk tolerance and time horizon are two of the most important factors when determining how to invest. Risk tolerance is the volatility one can handle when their investments don't perform as expected. Time horizon is the expected...

With so much anxiety and concern regarding the upcoming election, investors are more worried than ever about what will happen with the stock market depending on which side wins. As the media can be very sensationalist, the truth is...

While both housing and non-housing personal debt loads in the US have climbed to their highest levels historically, debt as a proportion of disposable income has decreased significantly over the past decade. In April, the personal...

Americans continue to own more of their homes as the percentage of household equity continues to rise, with home equity percentages surging 6.6% over last year. The impressive upsurge equates to a rough average of an additional $9800...

Not all growth companies are created equal. The best companies in the world are those that are consistently generating strong internal cash flows and growing revenues. They possess pristine balance sheets and are well managed with...

The recent shakeout in tech stocks has lent downward pressure to the major market indices to start the month of September. The increased volatility that has accompanied the sell-off has many investors anxious as to how long the current...

U.S. economic data is beating forecasts and expectations at record levels. Citigroup’s U.S. Economic Surprise Index rose to new all-time levels this past week, more than tripling the previous high set almost three years ago. The...

Last Tuesday’s record high close of $3,389.00 for the S&P 500 Index represented a swift end to the shortest bear market in history. From its March 23rd low, the index has rallied over 50%, recouping all its losses in a mere 126...

The Trepp CMBS delinquency rate registered its largest decline since January 2016, indicating that many commercial tenants who were late on their mortgage payments have caught up and are starting to show signs of recovering. Borrowers...

The US Dollar suffered its largest losses in over a decade during the month of July. While this may serve as a boon to domestic economic growth and corporate earnings, it may also serve in increasing the odds of inflation. The US...

The market volatility index (VIX) saw its sharpest spike in a month last week alongside a significant drop in consumer sentiment. While the S&P 500 Index has risen over 40% from its March lows, the CBOE Volatility Index remains...

Initial unemployment claims rose for the first time in four months as the rising number of coronavirus infections have forced many states to halt or rollback their respective plans for re-opening. While the overall trend toward lower...

Gold has recorded five straight weekly gains and is up over 19% for the year as the in-favor precious metal continues its surge toward all-time highs. Prices rose close to 2% last week, settling over $1800 per ounce, piercing through a...

As the total daily number of passengers boarding commercial flights has started to increase from historical lows, airline stocks are looking to move past survival mode and return to profitability. While the numbers are trending in the...

While their stores have been shut down for business, many retailers have not been paying rent to their landlords. Over 40% percent of major retailers failed to pay rent in full last month due to the coronavirus crisis, according to a...

Both the US unemployment rate and the amount of initial unemployment claims decreased last week indicating the nation’s economy is recovering faster than expected from the coronavirus pandemic shutdown. The U.S. unemployment rate...

Although the stock market and consumer confidence appear to be telling two different stories, they are both an integral part of the same narrative regarding the influence of the economy and consumer sentiment upon one another at...

Is value investing dead? Is value investing still relevant? A quick google search on the topic of value investing returns countless results questioning the efficacy of value investing over the past decade. “The Death of Value...

It was only weeks ago where the price of a barrel of US oil futures plunged below zero, an unprecedented and unfathomable demonstration of the quickly vanishing capacity to store the worlds vast crude supply amidst a global shutdown...

Open Enrollment is complicated and with short windows to make important elections that will affect your family budget for the coming year; how do you make educated choices? RMR Wealth Builders, Inc.’s Benefits Review service can...

The retail apocalypse that began a decade ago with the widespread closing of many traditional brick and mortar retailers throughout North America is likely to pick up steam in the latter half of 2020 as a result of the devastating...

With interest rates at historic and unprecedented lows, the temptation to “reach for yield”, the propensity to buy riskier assets in order to achieve higher yields, is greater than ever. Unique challenges and constraints...

Insider Buying Soared in March While Markets Fell Famed investor Peter Lynch was noted as saying that "insiders might sell their shares for any number of reasons, but they buy them for only one: they think the price will rise."...

The timely expression has long been used to justify the influence of Fed policy on the stock market, suggesting that investors can do well to invest in a way that aligns with current monetary policies of the Federal Reserve Board,...

With three coronavirus stimulus packages already passed, it may only be a matter of time before we see a fourth. As massive as the most recent $2 trillion package was, it’s possible that the next wave of fiscal stimulus will be...

Mega Backdoor Roth The elusive Mega Backdoor Roth is no longer a secret only available to retirement planners. Since the IRS released guidance that addressed backdoor Roth IRA conversions and the Mega Backdoor Roth IRA, it has gained...

The herd mentality in investing, and financial markets or “herd bias” is a common occurrence and one that needs to be avoided by investors at all costs. In this post, we outline some examples of what herd behavior in...

This correspondence is intended to summarize and share our perspective on how the first three (3) phases of Federal Coronavirus (COVID-19) stimulus measures impacts how RMR Wealth Builders, Inc. administers personal client and business...

As the coronavirus pandemic has brought the economy to a virtual standstill in forcing many businesses throughout the country to shut down, the number of Americans filing for unemployment claims surged to a record 6.6 million on...

With oil prices plunging to a 17 year low alongside the coronavirus pandemic, the markets are dealing with the simultaneous emergence of two black swan events, a vicious 1-2 combination that has the global economy reeling. When Russia...

While history affords us the hindsight to see exactly when and where each bear market ends, trying to do so in the present has usually proven to be inaccurate, unreliable and harmful. The end of the volatility and bottoming process is...

With two of the most volatile weeks in market history behind us, and with an unclear and uncertain near -term future, it’s important to remember and to understand the greater context of RMR’s long-term investment philosophy...

Coronavirus fear has raised the risk of a recession and a bear market for stocks according to Ed Yardeni of Yardeni Research, written in Barron’s online article posted on February 27th.1 The market witnessed a brutal two-day...

We have recently completed a full review of the RMR Pillar Portfolios for the First Quarter of 2020. The Quarterly Investment Notes are attached, detailing our reasoning for any changes and our market outlook. Fixed Income 2019 showed...

Do you have questions about when to file your 2019 taxes? We break down the 2019 Tax Form delivery calendar below for National Financial Services brokerage accounts. This calendar is helpful for clarifying when your account-specific...

We have recently completed a full review of the RMR Pillar Portfolios for the Fourth Quarter of 2019. Take a look at our Fourth Quarter Investment Notes below. Fixed Income Amid building evidence that trade wars are stirring up the...

RMR Wealth Builders is a wealth management organization that understands how complex the personal financial planning process is to most people. We believe our role in retirement planning for high-income earners is to remove the emotion...

President Trump announced last week that he was imposing an additional 10% tariff on $300 billion of Chinese goods entering the U.S. on September 1st. The news broke right after our Federal Reserve lowered interest rates 25 basis...

We have recently completed a full review of the RMR Pillar Portfolios for the Third Quarter of 2019. Take a look at our Third Quarter Investment Notes, detailing our reasoning for the changes and our market outlook. Fixed Income The...

RMR has had a busy summer so far, in and out of the office. Here are some updates around the firm from this quarter! New Hires We had two incredible new hires this quarter. Aiden Wright is a returning Financial Services Intern from...

As of June 2019 Balance is necessary for a successful financial plan. Unfortunately, many investors aren’t sure where to begin. There are simply so many variables to consider. Stocks, bonds, and rates. Oh my! With trade talks...

The following are true stories. The names have been changed to protect the guilty. Case #1 Group Benefits Debacle Several years ago, I worked for a firm that advised and provided Executive Carve-out benefits for our corporate clients....

RMR Investment Committee Every quarter, RMR’s Investment Committee looks at the current market trends and predictions to adjust or affirm our outlook. We look at a variety of factors affecting both fixed income and equity markets...

Thinking about Retirement early on in your career is something few of us spend any considerable amount of time doing. It seems so far off… Everything will take care of it self. In this day and age, you need to start the process...

RMR’s first quarter saw many fun changes and family additions. Here, we will update you on the activities we participated, the people who make this organization great and what’s on the horizon for RMR. RMR Family Additions...

There are many misconceptions surrounding whole life insurance policies. So, the question becomes: is Whole Life Insurance worth it for you? That depends on a host of factors. Here, we’ll explain when it makes sense to get Whole...

Often times, employers are faced with group healthcare rates that are generally not negotiable. This is typically due to the fact that there is no leverage against an insurance company regarding a group's actual claims performance or...

We’ve all heard it: your investments should be diversified. But what does that mean, and why is it so necessary as part of a stable financial plan? If your investments are not diversified, you could also over-concentrated in one...

New York City firemen are one of the few groups of people left in the country that will retire with an employer sponsored monthly pension. However, there are a lot of different avenues for additional savings from an FDNY salary, and...

Halloween Candy and Costumes RMR celebrated the holidays in style this quarter, spreading spirit and smiles within their community. On Halloween, RMR kept with its tradition and visited St. Frances De Chantal and St. Raymond’s...

Stuart Simchowitz has been named to the 2018 Financial Times 401 Top Retirement Advisors! He joins financial advisors from 38 states and Washington, D.C. in being selected as one of the nation's 401 top DC plan advisors. It's quite a...

In an increasingly complex financial environment, several basic financial challenges are constants. These include planning and paying for college, purchasing a home, and planning for retirement. While the average American can expect to...

A stunning recent report from the Economic Policy Institute indicates that, "nearly half of families have no retirement account savings at all." Adding to this dire outlook for Americans and retirement, a GOBankingRates survey...

Saying "I do" marks the start of your new life as part of a married couple. But after the hustle and bustle of planning your wedding and honeymoon have faded, you may be left with some questions—and concerns—about...

One of the most exciting financial trends over the past few decades has been an increased focus on using corporate and newly created wealth to support worthwhile philanthropic endeavors. Whether these efforts are carried out through an...

Every one of us has a unique set of interests and financial goals. Finding the right balance of investments to help ourselves get the things we want varies from person to person. It is very common that we collect a variety of...

When it comes to investing, the importance of getting an early start can't be overstated. The time value of money means that $5,000 per year invested from ages 25 to 35 will ultimately compound to more than that same $5,000 per year...

When you're young and just starting out in life, you can often feel invincible. Few members of the Millennial generation have life insurance outside an employer-provided policy, and even fewer have disability insurance—perhaps...

The creation of a Financial Plan is an important step in reaching goals or getting to and through retirement. We often find that household financials become a collection of random accounts that lack coordination, are not being used to...

The Power of Prioritization The textbook definition of prioritization is two-fold. As a principle, it means doing first things first. As a process, it means evaluating a group of items and ranking them in order of importance or urgency...