Integrated Wealth Strategies

06/17/2026

Most people assume that a spouse's unused estate tax exemption passes to the surviving spouse automatically.

It doesn't.

Claiming it REQUIRES A FILING WITH THE IRS within 9 months of a spouse's death.

The IRS doesn't send a reminder. The deadline just passes.

A six-month extension is available, bringing the total window to 15 months. But the clock starts the day your spouse dies, not the day you think to ask about it.

This is exactly the kind of detail that gets lost in the fog of grief and estate administration.

It's also exactly the kind of thing we watch for on behalf of the families we work with. We also help families by working with their tax, legal, and accounting professionals to make certain that paperwork is completed in a timely manner.

Let’s make sure your income strategy supports any updates to your future tax planning —book a meeting at www.iwsadvisors.com.

06/17/2026

Not sure which option makes more sense for you? This calculator lets you compare two scenarios head-to-head so you can make a more informed choice.

Compare two different scenarios side by side to see how they stack up over time.

06/17/2026

Stocks moved higher last week as inflation jitters gave way to investor enthusiasm over Middle East diplomatic efforts and the largest-ever initial public offering (IPO). The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index rose 0.65 percent, while the...

06/15/2026

Inflation moved higher in May, with energy costs playing a major role in the increase.

Consumer prices rose 4.2% from a year earlier, up from 3.8% in April. On a monthly basis, prices increased 0.5%.

Gas prices were a key driver. Higher energy costs accounted for more than 60% of the monthly increase, while gasoline prices were up sharply from a year earlier.

The impact extends beyond the pump. Higher fuel and energy costs can affect transportation, shipping, airfares, electricity, business expenses, and household budgets.

Core inflation, which excludes food and energy, rose at a more modest pace. That suggests some price pressures remain concentrated in energy-related categories, though consumers and businesses are still feeling the strain.

For households, inflation can affect everyday spending decisions. For businesses, higher costs may influence pricing, hiring, margins, and customer behavior.

Rising gas prices pushed inflation to its highest level in three years last month, a headache for the Federal Reserve and a potential political challenge for the Trump administration as midterm elections near.

06/15/2026

Periodic withdrawals in retirement may not be such a good idea.

Taking regular, periodic withdrawals during retirement can be quite problematic.

06/14/2026

Most people know June 14 as Flag Day. Fewer know why.

In 1777, the Second Continental Congress passed the Flag Resolution, officially establishing the Stars and Stripes as the flag of the United States.

13 stars. 13 stripes. One for each of the original colonies.

It took another 172 years before Flag Day became an official national observance.

Happy Flag Day.

06/12/2026

Is your retirement portfolio subject to “sequence of returns” danger?

Experiencing negative returns early in retirement can potentially undermine the sustainability of your assets.

06/11/2026

True or false: Setting up a trust means your estate will avoid probate.

False. And it's one of the most common estate misunderstandings wealth strategists see. ⚖️

A trust doesn't protect anything the day you sign it. It has to be set up, meaning your assets need to be physically transferred into it:

▪️ Real estate titling may need to be addressed.

▪️ Bank and investment accounts need to be retitled in the name of the trust.

▪️ Insurance policies may need to be updated if the trust will be involved.

Overlooking these steps leaves the trust as an empty legal container.

Your estate may still go through probate. Creditors may still have access. The protections you prepared for may not apply.

The paperwork gets done, life moves on, so don’t let the trust get lost in the shuffle.

It happens more than most people realize. 📋

It's worth a conversation to make sure what you've built is actually doing what you intended. A trust involves a complex set of tax rules and regulations. Before moving forward, consider working with a professional who can guide you through the trust activation process.

If you'd like to discuss how your Trust fits in line with your financial portfolio, call us at 303- 927-7201—we’re here to help.

06/10/2026

What would you do with a windfall?

A business sale. An inheritance. A bonus that lands bigger than expected.

Most people assume they'd handle it well.

But sudden money follows patterns. And the patterns aren't always flattering.

Psychologists call it sudden wealth syndrome: the anxiety, decision paralysis, and relationship pressure that arrive alongside a large sum. It shows up whether the windfall was a complete surprise or something you spent years building toward.

The 5 most common mistakes we see:

⏳ Upgrading your lifestyle before a strategy exists

🤝 Giving to family under emotional pressure

📊 Attempting to make decisions without professional guidance

⚖️ Freezing and making no decisions at all

📋 Missing the critical deadlines in year one

All five can be managed, but only if you get ahead of the emotions before the decisions start piling up.

The most important thing you can do in the first 90 days? Maybe nothing.

Tell very few people. Then consider building a team of professionals who can offer insights and guidance.

There is rarely a cost to waiting. There is frequently a cost to moving too quickly.

Working with a

Certified Financial Planner Professional CFP® is key. A CFP® professional can help you define a sound financial plan. Call us at 303-927-7201 or book a time at www.iwsadvisors.com.

06/10/2026

Retirement may change your perception of investment risk.

A change in your mindset during retirement may drive changes to your portfolio.