--- title: ACG Blog | Financial Planning (6) description: Financial Planning | ACG Blog (6) --- [![acg-logo-header.png](https://blog.acgworldwide.com/hs-fs/hubfs/acg-logo-header.png?width=123&name=acg-logo-header.png "acg-logo-header.png")](http://www.acgworldwide.com/) - [Who We Are](http://www.acgworldwide.com/about-acg/) - [Selected Staff Bios](http://www.acgworldwide.com/selected-staff-bios/) - [Culture and Philosophy](http://www.acgworldwide.com/culture-and-philosophy/) - [Advisory Board Members](http://www.acgworldwide.com/advisory-board-members/) - [What We Do](http://www.acgworldwide.com/our-services/) - [Wealth Management](http://www.acgworldwide.com/wealth-management/) - [Investment Advisory](http://www.acgworldwide.com/investment-advisory-services/) - [Third Party Administration](http://www.acgworldwide.com/third-party-administration/) - [Retirement Plan Consulting](http://www.acgworldwide.com/401k/) - [Financial Planning Services](http://www.acgworldwide.com/financial-planning-services/) - [Tax Strategies](http://www.acgworldwide.com/tax-strategies/) - [Who We Help](http://www.acgworldwide.com/our-clients/) - [Businesses](http://www.acgworldwide.com/businesses/) - [Entrepreneurs](http://www.acgworldwide.com/entrepreneurs/) - [Individuals and Families](http://www.acgworldwide.com/successful-individuals-and-families/) - [Foundations and Endowments](http://www.acgworldwide.com/foundations-and-endowments/) - [Press & Resources](http://www.acgworldwide.com/acg-live/) - [Blog](http://www.acgworldwide.com/blog/) - [Company News](http://www.acgworldwide.com/company-news/) - [CBS 6 News Market Briefs](http://www.acgworldwide.com/company-news/bill-fitzgerald-of-cbs-6-news-interviews-with-sandy-wiggins/) - [Monthly Investor Insights](https://blog.acgworldwide.com/topic/monthly-insights) - [Quarterly Commentary](http://www.acgworldwide.com/commentary/) - [Cost of Living Adjustments](http://www.acgworldwide.com/colas-and-limits/) - [Important Disclosures](http://www.acgworldwide.com/acg-live/website-disclosure/) - [Contact Us](http://www.acgworldwide.com/contact-us/) [![Richmond Virginia](https://blog.acgworldwide.com/hs-fs/hubfs/ACG_June2016/images/ACGLogo_KOHi.png?width=280&height=112&name=ACGLogo_KOHi.png "Richmond Virginia")](http://www.acgworldwide.com/) ![banner2.jpg](https://blog.acgworldwide.com/hs-fs/hubfs/ACG_June2016/images/banners/banner2.jpg?width=810&name=banner2.jpg "banner2.jpg") # ACG Blog February 23 2016 ## [Simplicity of a SEP Comes With a Price](https://blog.acgworldwide.com/simplicity-of-a-sep-comes-with-a-price) Posted by [David J. Kupstas, FSA, EA, MSEA](https://blog.acgworldwide.com/author/david-j-kupstas-fsa-ea-msea) in [401(k)](https://blog.acgworldwide.com/topic/401k), [Retirement](https://blog.acgworldwide.com/topic/retirement), [Financial Planning](https://blog.acgworldwide.com/topic/financial-planning) with [No Comments](https://blog.acgworldwide.com/simplicity-of-a-sep-comes-with-a-price#comments-listing) When you first think about it, the idea of a Simplified Employee Pension (SEP) plan seems appealing. Qualified retirement plans like 401(k)s can be complicated and confusing. With a SEP, you don’t need to hire a Third Party Administrator, there are n... February 05 2016 ## [A Gray Day: Goodbye to an Old Friend](https://blog.acgworldwide.com/a-gray-day-goodbye-to-an-old-friend) Posted by [David J. Kupstas, FSA, EA, MSEA](https://blog.acgworldwide.com/author/david-j-kupstas-fsa-ea-msea) in [401(k)](https://blog.acgworldwide.com/topic/401k), [Retirement](https://blog.acgworldwide.com/topic/retirement), [Financial Planning](https://blog.acgworldwide.com/topic/financial-planning) with [No Comments](https://blog.acgworldwide.com/a-gray-day-goodbye-to-an-old-friend#comments-listing) I am registered to attend the national Enrolled Actuaries Meeting in April. I have missed this annual conference only once since 1997. Unfortunately, a friend that has been there with me every time will not be joining me this year and may never again... December 08 2015 ## [The COLA Is Flat in 2016; IRS Limits Explained](https://blog.acgworldwide.com/the-cola-is-flat-in-2016-irs-limits-explained) Posted by [David J. Kupstas, FSA, EA, MSEA](https://blog.acgworldwide.com/author/david-j-kupstas-fsa-ea-msea) in [401(k)](https://blog.acgworldwide.com/topic/401k), [Retirement](https://blog.acgworldwide.com/topic/retirement), [Financial Planning](https://blog.acgworldwide.com/topic/financial-planning) with [No Comments](https://blog.acgworldwide.com/the-cola-is-flat-in-2016-irs-limits-explained#comments-listing) In the qualified retirement plan world, there are limits on how much money may be contributed to a plan by an individual or a company. There is also a cap on the wages that may be taken into account for an employee in determining contributions and be... November 13 2015 ## [PBGC Premiums to Rise Again; The Reason Will Make You Cry](https://blog.acgworldwide.com/pbgc-premiums-to-rise-again-the-reason-will-make-you-cry) Posted by [David J. Kupstas, FSA, EA, MSEA](https://blog.acgworldwide.com/author/david-j-kupstas-fsa-ea-msea) in [Retirement](https://blog.acgworldwide.com/topic/retirement), [Financial Planning](https://blog.acgworldwide.com/topic/financial-planning) with [No Comments](https://blog.acgworldwide.com/pbgc-premiums-to-rise-again-the-reason-will-make-you-cry#comments-listing) Note: This article was published in 2015. The SECURE 2.0 Act of 2022 eliminated cost-of-living adjustments to PBGC variable-rate premium percentages. As such, some information in this article may be outdated. At an industry conference in Washington, ... August 26 2015 ## [Don't Be in Stocks If You Need the Money Soon](https://blog.acgworldwide.com/dont-be-in-stocks-if-you-need-the-money-soon) Posted by [David J. Kupstas, FSA, EA, MSEA](https://blog.acgworldwide.com/author/david-j-kupstas-fsa-ea-msea) in [Retirement](https://blog.acgworldwide.com/topic/retirement), [Market Performance](https://blog.acgworldwide.com/topic/market-performance), [Financial Planning](https://blog.acgworldwide.com/topic/financial-planning) with [No Comments](https://blog.acgworldwide.com/dont-be-in-stocks-if-you-need-the-money-soon#comments-listing) The stock market has taken a beating recently. Over the four business days from August 20-25, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell by 354.63, 530.94, 588.40, and 204.91 points, respectively – a decline of 9.68% in all. Whether you are a personal or ... August 05 2015 ## [IRS: No More Lump Sum Buyouts for Vulnerable Retirees If We Can Help It](https://blog.acgworldwide.com/irs-no-more-lump-sum-buyouts-for-vulnerable-retirees-if-we-can-help-it) Posted by [David J. Kupstas, FSA, EA, MSEA](https://blog.acgworldwide.com/author/david-j-kupstas-fsa-ea-msea) in [Retirement](https://blog.acgworldwide.com/topic/retirement), [Financial Planning](https://blog.acgworldwide.com/topic/financial-planning) with [No Comments](https://blog.acgworldwide.com/irs-no-more-lump-sum-buyouts-for-vulnerable-retirees-if-we-can-help-it#comments-listing) Think of a 75-year-old. Maybe it’s you, maybe it’s someone in your parents’ or grandparents’ generation. Let’s call the 75-year-old “Pat.” Imagine that Pat is receiving a steady payment of, say, $1,000 per month from a pension plan. These payments wi... June 18 2015 ## [Considering a 401(k) Plan for 2015?](https://blog.acgworldwide.com/considering-a-401k-plan-for-2015) Posted by [Joné E. Liuzza, ERPA, QPA, QKA](https://blog.acgworldwide.com/author/joné-e-liuzza-erpa-qpa-qka) in [401(k)](https://blog.acgworldwide.com/topic/401k), [Retirement](https://blog.acgworldwide.com/topic/retirement), [Tax Strategy](https://blog.acgworldwide.com/topic/tax-strategy), [Financial Planning](https://blog.acgworldwide.com/topic/financial-planning) with [No Comments](https://blog.acgworldwide.com/considering-a-401k-plan-for-2015#comments-listing) If you are considering setting up a 401(k) plan for 2015, you may not have as much time as you think. October 1st is the deadline for implementing a safe harbor 401(k) plan this year. Safe harbor design – whether a match or nonelective contribution –... March 16 2015 ## [PBGC Premiums: Prepare to Be Soaked](https://blog.acgworldwide.com/pbgc-premiums-prepare-to-be-soaked) Posted by [David J. Kupstas, FSA, EA, MSEA](https://blog.acgworldwide.com/author/david-j-kupstas-fsa-ea-msea) in [Retirement](https://blog.acgworldwide.com/topic/retirement), [Financial Planning](https://blog.acgworldwide.com/topic/financial-planning) with [No Comments](https://blog.acgworldwide.com/pbgc-premiums-prepare-to-be-soaked#comments-listing) Note: This article was published in 2015. The SECURE 2.0 Act of 2022 eliminated cost-of-living adjustments to PBGC variable-rate premium percentages. As such, some information in this article may be outdated. In the next few months, plans covered by ... December 25 2014 ## [Don't miss these important retirement plan deadlines](https://blog.acgworldwide.com/dont-miss-these-important-retirement-plan-deadlines) Posted by [David J. Kupstas, FSA, EA, MSEA](https://blog.acgworldwide.com/author/david-j-kupstas-fsa-ea-msea) in [401(k)](https://blog.acgworldwide.com/topic/401k), [Retirement](https://blog.acgworldwide.com/topic/retirement), [Financial Planning](https://blog.acgworldwide.com/topic/financial-planning) with [No Comments](https://blog.acgworldwide.com/dont-miss-these-important-retirement-plan-deadlines#comments-listing) Ho ho ho! We deliver to your stocking today a list of deadlines posted by the IRS. Some of these deadlines are as soon as December 31. October 23 2014 ## [New rules for cash balance plans offer flexibility](https://blog.acgworldwide.com/new-rules-for-cash-balance-plans-offer-flexibility) Posted by [J. Saunders Wiggins, CFP®, AIF®](https://blog.acgworldwide.com/author/j-saunders-wiggins-cfp-aif) in [Retirement](https://blog.acgworldwide.com/topic/retirement), [Tax Strategy](https://blog.acgworldwide.com/topic/tax-strategy), [Financial Planning](https://blog.acgworldwide.com/topic/financial-planning) with [No Comments](https://blog.acgworldwide.com/new-rules-for-cash-balance-plans-offer-flexibility#comments-listing) The IRS has issued final regulations for hybrid retirement plans, such as cash balance plans, that clarify and add flexibility about how an employer credits interest in such plans. The final regulations clarify the definition of "market rate of retur... 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All Rights Reserved. ACG Wealth Management is a registered investment advisor with the Securities & Exchange Commission. If you would like to receive a copy of Form ADV, Part II please feel free to contact us at (804) 323-1886 or webmaster@acgwealthmanagement.com. [Important Disclosures](http://www.acgworldwide.com/acg-live/website-disclosure/)