Vision Capital Management Financial Advisor Portland Oregon

Vision Capital Management has been providing clients financial planning and investment management services since 1999. Visit our site to find out more.

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      • Christopher Anissian
      • Katelyn Cummings, CFP®
      • Bryan Goss
      • Gina Jacobson, CFP®, CDFA
      • Marina Johnson, CFA
      • John LaBarca, CFA
      • Ellen Logan
      • Maria Malloy, CFP®
      • Sue McGrath
      • Sarah Quist, CFP®
      • Jeffrey Schmidt, CFA
      • Matthew Sheets, CFP®
      • Chris Sizemore, CPWA®, CMFC
      • Stacy Sizemore, IACCP®
      • Madison Steinbrenner, IACCP®
      • Liz Swagerty Olsen
      • Cliff Yount, IACCP®
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Oct 01 2025

Year-End Financial Planning Checklist

As the year draws to a close, we would like to highlight two key activities we’re undertaking on behalf of our clients and provide reminders on other best practices for year-end.

  1. Tax-Loss Harvesting

    Our investment team actively monitors portfolios for tax-loss harvesting opportunities. This involves selling securities at a loss to offset capital gains, while simultaneously reinvesting in a way that remains aligned with your long-term goals and risk tolerance. We also manage cost basis considerations to support overall tax efficiency.

  2. Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs)

    Clients age 73 or older are legally required to take annual Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) from tax-deferred retirement accounts, such as traditional IRAs and 401(k)s. Vision Capital will assist in coordinating these distributions through your Fidelity or Schwab account as needed.  If you have an inherited IRA, Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) may still be required, regardless of your age, depending on the terms of the inheritance and current IRS regulations.  If you hold an inherited IRA or have any questions regarding your RMD obligations, please contact your client relationship manager for guidance.

Additionally, the following items can help clients get organized and ready to welcome in the new year.

  • Maximize Retirement Contributions

    Even if you can’t contribute the full annual limit, increasing contributions before year-end can significantly enhance long-term retirement savings. If eligible, consider making “catch-up contributions,” which vary in amount depending on the type of retirement account.

  • Optimize Charitable Giving

    To receive a 2025 tax deduction, charitable donations must be completed by December 31. We recommend acting early, as nonprofits can be overwhelmed during the final weeks of the year. Additional strategies to consider include bunching donations into a single year for greater impact, donating highly appreciated long-term assets, or making qualified charitable distributions (QCDs) directly from an IRA.

  • Evaluate Income Tax Withholding

    Now is a good time to reassess your withholding elections to make sure they still match up with your current income level and tax situation heading into the new year.

  • Assess Medicare Coverage

    We recommend reading the Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) document, which details changes to costs and coverage. If you have experienced significant changes with your health, are seeing new providers, or have new prescriptions, it may be worthwhile to move to a new plan during open enrollment, which takes place from October 15 to December 7.

  • Contribute to Your Health Savings Account

    Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) carry the unspent funds over to the next year. If you are able, it is advantageous to maximize your contribution to your HSA for a triple tax advantage: tax-deductible contributions, tax-free growth, and tax-free withdrawals for qualified medical costs.

  • Use Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)

    Flexible spending funds are generally subject to a “use it or lose it” rule. Depending on your plan, unused balances may expire at year-end. Eligible purchases include new contacts or glasses, prescriptions, appointment copays, and over-the-counter items such as first aid supplies, sunscreen, and cold and flu remedies.

  • Review Estate Planning Documents

    Outdated beneficiary designations are unfortunately common and can lead to unintended consequences. Take the time to review and update your beneficiary forms to ensure they accurately reflect your current wishes and circumstances.

If you have any questions about the topics outlined above, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We are here to support your financial goals with thoughtful, proactive guidance.

Written by Liz Swagerty Olsen · Categorized: 401K, 529 PLAN, CHARITABLE GIVING, DIVORCE, ECONOMY, ELLEVATE NETWORK, ESTATE PLANNING, FIDUCIARY, FINANCIAL ADVISOR, FINANCIAL PLANNING, HEALTH INSURANCE, HOME OWNERSHIP, INSURANCE, INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT, INVESTMENTS, MEDICARE, NIKE, OREGON, OREGON ECONOMY, PARENTING, PERSONAL FINANCE, REAL ESTATE INVESTING, RETIREMENT PLANNING, SOCIAL SECURITY, TAX PLANNING, UNCATEGORIZED, WOMEN · Tagged: end of year checklist, FINANCIAL PLANNING, Flexible Spending Accounts, Health Savings Accounts, MEDICARE, RETIREMENT PLANNING

Sep 10 2025

Medicare and You Webinar Recording

We hosted this webinar on Medicare featuring Heidi Dulay from Willamette Valley Benefits on Wednesday, September 10, 2025.

 

Written by Liz Swagerty Olsen · Categorized: HEALTH INSURANCE, INSURANCE, MEDICARE, SOCIAL SECURITY

Aug 29 2025

Maximizing Employee Benefits

Over time, the way humans work has evolved, and so have employee pay and benefits. The concept of employee benefits emerged during the Industrial Revolution in response to harsh working conditions when industrialists began offering housing, medical care, and educational opportunities to attract workers. As labor rights developed, benefits became a formal part of the employer structure. In the late 19th century, German Chancellor Otto von Bismarck introduced a formal health insurance system for workers. This watershed moment influenced organizations and governments worldwide and eventually evolved into the employee benefits we know today.

Today, it is estimated that 90% of U.S. companies with 50 or more employees offer healthcare and/or other benefits to their workers. According to one study, benefits account for roughly 30% of an average worker’s total compensation. However, while employers now provide more benefits than ever, employee usage has not kept pace. More than one-third of employees report that they do not fully understand the benefits offered to them, and nearly half (46%) do not take all their paid time off.1, 2

To make sure you are getting the most out of your employee benefits, consider the following best practices:

Understand Total Compensation and Review Annually

Go beyond your base salary to calculate the full value of your compensation package. This may include 401(k) or other retirement account contributions and matches, health insurance premiums, stock options, tuition or continuing education reimbursement, paid time off, and bonus pay or profit-sharing. It is also important to find out if you have left any funds behind with previous employers. As of 2023, there were 29.2 million accounts left behind with approximately $1.65 trillion in forgotten assets, but thanks to SECURE 2.0, the Department of Labor created a database for workers to find old plans.3

We recommend clients review their benefits annually and adjust contributions and expenses as needed.

Max Out Employer Contributions

If your employer offers a 401(k) or other retirement account match, contribute at least enough to receive the full match, otherwise, you are leaving free money on the table and missing out on the power of compound growth. Similarly, if you have access to a flexible spending account (FSA) or health savings account (HSA), use it whenever possible to manage health and childcare expenses while lowering taxable income.

Leverage Equity Compensation Wisely

Stock options and equity-based pay can be a powerful part of your compensation package, but it is important to understand how they work. Do your research and find out your vesting schedules, your options for selling, and the potential tax implications. We recommend collaborating with your advisor at Vision Capital, as well as your tax and legal professionals, to plan for liquidity events such as an IPO or buyout, or personal shifts such as a career change or retirement.

Optimize Benefits Use

Take advantage of preventive care appointments and wellness programs through your insurance plan to reduce long-term healthcare costs. Explore additional benefits such as Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs), which may offer mental health counseling, legal guidance, financial education, and career coaching. And don’t forget to use all your paid time off (PTO); it’s a valuable part of your compensation, essential for career longevity, and critical for preventing burnout.

Sources:

  1. “Voya Survey Finds One-Third of American Workers Don’t Understand the Benefits They Selected During Open Enrollment,” Voya Financial website, January 29, 2021.
  2. Juliana Menasche Horowitz and Kim Parker, “How Americans View Their Jobs,” Pew Research Center, March 30, 2023.
  3. Jessica Kickler, “Forgotten 401(k) Fees Cost Workers Thousands in Lost Retirement Savings,” CNBC, June 7, 2025.

Department of Labor Retirement Savings Lost and Found Database:
https://lostandfound.dol.gov/ 

Written by Liz Swagerty Olsen · Categorized: 401K, FINANCIAL ADVISOR, FINANCIAL PLANNING, HEALTH INSURANCE, INSURANCE, INVESTMENTS, NIKE, OREGON, PARENTING, PERSONAL FINANCE, RETIREMENT PLANNING, WOMEN · Tagged: employee benefits

Feb 22 2023

Understanding the Differences Between Long-Term Care Options

Though it’s not pleasant to contemplate, according to the US Department of Health and Human Services, an individual who is 65 years of age today has a nearly 70% chance of needing some type of long-term care in their older years. Long-term care is a blanket term that incorporates care over an extended period of time, both in your home or in a facility and it can range from general assistance with daily tasks to more comprehensive medical care. AARP reports that the national average for a private room in a nursing home is $108,405 per year and $61,776 for a home health aide.

Long-term care

[Read more…]

Written by Maria Malloy · Categorized: FINANCIAL PLANNING, HEALTH INSURANCE, MEDICARE · Tagged: LONG-TERM CARE INSURANCE

Nov 30 2021

High Earners and Health Savings Accounts

High earners are often looking for ways to strategically save on taxes while boosting their financial outlook. Health savings accounts (HSAs) are a great option for accomplishing this because they provide an uncommon three-point tax benefit: contributions reduce your taxable income, investments within the account grow tax-free, and, as long as you spend the funds on qualified medical expenses, the withdrawals are tax-free too. Additionally, HSAs have fewer restrictions and more benefits than flexible savings accounts (FSAs). Healthcare and Wealth [Read more…]

Written by Marina Johnson · Categorized: HEALTH INSURANCE, INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT, PARENTING, TAX PLANNING · Tagged: FINANCIAL PLANNING, HEALTH SAVING ACCOUNT

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