Tidewater Wealth Management

05/28/2026

For educators and physicians approaching retirement, a donor-advised fund can be one of the most effective and straightforward ways to give more to the causes that matter, while keeping more of what would otherwise go to taxes.

The mechanics are simple: contribute now, receive the tax deduction immediately, and direct grants to your chosen charities over time at whatever pace works for you.

David Wheatley, CLU® ChFC®, explains how donor-advised funds work, what types of assets can be contributed, and why the years just before retirement tend to be the most valuable window for using this strategy. Link to the article below.

Tidewater Wealth Management | New Haven & West Hartford, CT | tidewaterwealth.com

A donor-advised fund lets you contribute now, get the tax deduction immediately, and give to charity on your own schedule. Here’s how DAFs work and why they’re ideal for educators and physicians near retirement.

05/25/2026

Today, we pause to remember and honor the men and women who gave their lives in service to this country.

Memorial Day is a day to reflect on the sacrifices made so that the rest of us can live, work, and be with the people we love.

From everyone at Tidewater Wealth Management, we extend our deepest gratitude to the fallen and to the families who carry that loss every day — not just today, but always.

Tidewater Wealth Management | New Haven & West Hartford, CT | tidewaterwealth.com

05/22/2026

She did it!

Last weekend, David Wheatley, CLU® ChFC®, Senior Partner at Tidewater Wealth Management, was joined by his family to celebrate a milestone that made the whole weekend unforgettable.

His daughter Morgan graduated from West Virginia University with her Bachelor's degree in Multidisciplinary Studies — and the entire family was there to celebrate. His mother Sharon, and his children Hanna, Sean, Ryan, and Jack were all in that auditorium, cheering her on.

Moments like this are what it's all about. Family gathered together, watching someone they love step into the next chapter of her life. The pride in that room was impossible to miss.

Congratulations, Morgan, from everyone at Tidewater Wealth Management. The next chapter is entirely yours.

Tidewater Wealth Management | New Haven & West Hartford, CT

05/22/2026

Having an estate plan and having communicated it are two different things. For most families, only one of those has happened.

The executor who was named but never told. The healthcare proxy who doesn't know what decisions they may be asked to make. The surviving spouse who discovers an income election was made at retirement that affects their financial picture for decades — and was never discussed.

David Wheatley, CLU® ChFC®, explains why estate planning conversations get avoided, what they actually need to cover, and the simplest framing to open one.

Full article link in the comments.

Tidewater Wealth Management | New Haven & West Hartford, CT | tidewaterwealth.com

05/19/2026

Most people assume their will controls where their retirement accounts go. For Connecticut faculty and physicians, it does not.

TIAA accounts, 403(b)s, and IRAs are governed by the beneficiary designation on file with the custodian, not by any estate document. A designation filed at the start of a career may no longer reflect the family as it exists today.

David Wheatley, CLU® ChFC®, Senior Partner at Tidewater Wealth Management, explains what to check, what tends to be out of date, and why TIAA income elections made at retirement deserve attention before the decision is finalized. Link in the comments.

Tidewater Wealth Management | New Haven & West Hartford, CT | tidewaterwealth.com

05/08/2026

05/06/2026

An estate plan built years ago may no longer reflect what you have, who you've named, or what you intend.

For retirees and pre-retirees, this gap is more common than most people realize — and the window before a major retirement transition is one of the most important times to make sure everything still lines up.

Our latest article walks through what a well-structured legacy plan actually covers, why certain retirement accounts require separate attention beyond your will, and when the right time to review is.

Full article link below.

🔗 https://www.tidewaterwealth.com/blog/legacy-planning-before-retirement-what-to-consider-when-to-start-and-how

05/05/2026

Here's something I hear often: "We set up our estate plan years ago — we should be fine."

And maybe you are. But a lot has changed since then — in tax law, in your accounts, in your family, and in your own priorities.
Legacy planning works best when it keeps pace with your life. That means revisiting it when something changes — not just when something goes wrong.

My latest article covers the core of what a thoughtful estate strategy looks like: who makes decisions on your behalf, how retirement accounts like TIAA and 403(b)s interact with your will, and when the best time to act really is.

Later this week, I'm publishing a follow-up piece written specifically for physicians and educators — two groups with unique planning considerations that a general estate plan often misses entirely.

If that describes you or someone you know, stay tuned.

🔗 [Link in first comment]