Prinze Foundational Planning

05/28/2026

As prenuptial agreements are rebranded for the app era, we explore how these often-aligned documents can actually work in favor of the long haul:

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04/29/2026

When wealth arrives suddenly, planning with your long-term priorities in mind could be the first step to ensuring it lasts:

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04/16/2026

The rules have changed for high earners making catch-up contributions to employer-sponsored retirement saving plans such as a 401(k). Understand what it means for your savings goals:

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03/03/2026

Thinking ahead about intergenerational wealth? A Roth conversion can help reduce future taxes, lower RMDs and give your heirs more flexibility – especially children in higher tax brackets. Learn what to consider before converting:

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02/03/2026

If you lost your home to a natural disaster, would you relocate or rebuild? Explore the factors that could change your mind:

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12/29/2025

Retiring isn't always about slowing down. Explore ways you can maintain – or build – your charitable momentum in retirement:

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12/11/2025

When it comes to purchasing property, technical refinancing can provide the liquidity you need now and the flexibility you'll want later:

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11/20/2025

Are You Overlooking These Key Planning Questions as a Business Owner or 1099 Worker?

Most business owners are so focused on running the company that they forget how much their business affects their personal financial life.

Every year, I walk clients through a detailed checklist designed to help identify blind spots, from taxes to succession to personal wealth integration.

Here's a quick sample of what we cover:

Tax Questions to Ask Your CPA
• Are business and personal expenses properly allocated and documented?
• Should you consider accelerated or traditional depreciation on recent purchases?
• Are quarterly estimated payments aligned with your actual income and deductions?
• Could your business risk hobby loss classification if it hasn't shown profits consistently?
• Are there ways to increase deductible retirement contributions through profit sharing or a cash balance plan?
• For S-Corps, are wages and distributions compliant with reasonable compensation rules?
• For C-Corps, are you leveraging the 21% tax rate effectively while managing double taxation?
• Are there state-specific credits or SALT workarounds available?

Long-Term Planning Areas
• How does your business impact your personal cash flow, investments, and emergency savings?
• Is your insurance coverage protecting both your income and the business itself?
• Do your estate and gifting plans account for your business value?
• Are you preparing early enough for a sale or succession event?

Other Key Topics
• Should you hire an employee or family member to improve productivity or flexibility?
• Are you coordinating benefits with a spouse's employment?
• Does your entity type still fit your goals for tax efficiency and control?

These are the types of questions every business owner should be asking, but most aren't.

If you'd like to have a discovery call to go over these considerations, send me a quick DM and I'll make time for you.

11/19/2025

2026 Retirement Plan Contribution Limits: What You Need to Know

Let's talk about the new 2026 retirement plan contribution limits and what they mean for your financial planning. Every year, the IRS updates these numbers, and this year's changes are worth a closer look—especially if you're maximizing your savings or helping others do the same.

Key 2026 Limits at a Glance

401(k), 403(b), and 457 Elective Deferrals:
The new limit is $24,500. That's up $1,000 from last year. If you're contributing to one of these plans, this is your new ceiling for regular contributions.

Annual Defined Contribution Limit:
Now $72,000. This is the total you and your employer can put into your plan for the year.

Annual Compensation Limit:
Raised to $360,000. This affects how much of your income can be considered for plan contributions.

Catch-Up Contributions:
If you're 50 or older, you can add extra. For most plans, the catch-up limit is $8,000. But if you're age 60, 61, 62, or 63, you get a higher catch-up limit of $11,250.

Heads up: Starting in 2026, if you earn more than $150,000, catch-up contributions must be Roth (after-tax), not pretax. If you earn $150,000 or less, you can still make pretax catch-up contributions.

Highly Compensated Employees:
The threshold is $160,000.

Key Employees:
The limit is $235,000.

Social Security Wage Base:
Increased to $184,500.

Defined Benefit Annual Benefit Maximum:
Now $290,000.

SIMPLE IRA Employee Deferrals:
Standard limit is $17,000. If your employer has 25 or fewer employees, you may qualify for a higher limit of $18,100 thanks to SECURE Act 2.0.

SIMPLE IRA Catch-Up Deferrals:
For most, it's $3,850. For certain plans, it's $4,000. If you're age 60–63, the catch-up limit jumps to $5,250.

Traditional/Roth IRA Contribution Limit:
$7,500 for 2026.

Traditional/Roth IRA Catch-Up Contribution Limit:
$1,100.

What's New for 2026?

SECURE Act 2.0 Changes:
1. Higher catch-up limits for ages 60–63.
2. Roth catch-up required for high earners (over $150,000).
3. SIMPLE IRA limits increased for small employers.

Why Does This Matter?
Maximizing your contributions is one of the best ways to build wealth for retirement. These new limits mean you can save more, take advantage of employer matches, and potentially reduce your taxable income. If you're approaching retirement, the catch-up contributions are a powerful tool—especially with the new higher limits for those in their early 60s.

If you're a business owner, these changes could impact your plan design and employee benefits. If you're an employee, knowing your limits helps you plan smarter.

Next Steps
1. Review your current contributions.
2. Let's talk about how these changes affect your strategy.

If you have questions about how these limits fit into your plan, let's connect. I'm here to help you make the most of every opportunity.

11/19/2025

Thinking About Selling Your Business?

For most business owners, their company isn't just a financial asset. It's the result of years of sacrifice, leadership, and problem-solving. When it comes time to sell or transition that business, the goal isn't just to get the deal done. It's to do it right.

The best outcomes happen when owners start planning three to five years in advance. That time allows you to clarify value, reduce risk, and align the sale with your long-term goals.

Here are key areas every owner should review when planning for an exit.

1. Valuation and Appraisal Readiness

Before you list your business, get your financial house in order.
•Resolve pending disputes or audits.
•Review compensation structures and expenses that distort profitability.
•Pay down debts and clean up the balance sheet.

A strong valuation starts with transparency and credibility.

2. Sale and Disposition Strategy

Your exit structure has major tax and liquidity implications.
•Will it be an outright sale, an installment sale, or a management buyout?
•Are there state-specific tax rules to consider?
•How will proceeds be invested to support post-sale income?

Having your business ready for sale gives you leverage when the right buyer appears.

3. Tax Efficiency and Long-Term Planning

Taxes can significantly reduce what you keep.
•Understand how the sale affects your income, IRMAA, and Social Security taxation.
•If you operate as a C-Corporation, explore whether an ESOP could defer capital gains.
•Check if your stock qualifies as QSBS under IRC Section 1202.
•Evaluate gifting or family partnership strategies to reduce estate tax exposure.

The right structure can translate to meaningful tax savings.

4. Succession and Continuation

Many owners underestimate how dependent the business is on them.
•Identify and train successors early.
•Retain key employees with deferred compensation.
•Use key person insurance to reduce operational risk.
•Align family succession with your estate plan.

Your exit should protect both your legacy and the firm's future.

5. Buy-Sell and Partnership Agreements

If you have partners, your agreements must be current and funded.
•Confirm valuation methods are fair.
•Fund buy-sell triggers like death or disability through insurance or reserves.
•Choose between an entity-owned, cross-purchase, or hybrid structure.

Poorly structured agreements often cause post-sale disputes.

Bottom Line

Selling your business is one of the biggest financial moments of your life. It affects your family, your employees, and your independence.

If you're within five years of an exit, now is the time to prepare. I help business owners coordinate valuation, tax strategy, estate planning, and investment management so they can exit from a position of strength.

Let's make sure your life's work transitions on your terms.

For educational purposes only. Not intended as legal or tax advice. Consult your CPA and attorney before making decisions.