An ESPP (short for Employer Stock Purchase Plan) is a super valuable benefit offered by your company that allows you to purchase your company stock at a discount. With the recent drop in the US stock market however, you might find that the price of your company shares is now below even the discounted purchase price. That may have you wondering if it is worth continuing to participate in the ESPP.

Taking a look at your lookback provision

What to do with shares acquired through the ESPP

Tax considerations with selling ESPP shares

Many clients with Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) are looking at a lower stock price right now and wondering how this impacts their overall compensation. After multiple conversations on the subject, I wrote this article to walk through RSU basics, two misconceptions of holding shares after they vest, and how to make smart RSU decisions in the context of your broader financial plan.

Basics of RSU Compensation

How a declining stock price impacts the value of vesting RSUs

Two bad reasons to hold RSUs after vesting

Thinking about RSUs as part of your financial plan

Create a plan to benefit from your company stock ownership

Learn the basics of Employee Stock Purchase Plans.

An ESPP (short for Employer Stock Purchase Plan) is a super valuable benefit offered by some publicly traded companies. The plan allows employees to purchase their company stock, often at a guaranteed minimum discount.

Learning the Lingo

Savings Specifics

Contribution Considerations

Limits to ESPP Contributions

With stock markets fluctuating wildly, it’s especially important to understand the financial and tax implications of any company stocks your employer might offer. Restricted stock units, or RSUs, have become particularly popular in recent years. A 2017 survey by Ayco’s Compensation and Benefits group showed 72% of companies use RSUs, up from 37% just 10 years earlier.

Helping family financially during the coronavirus pandemic is an admirable thing to do. Before making that decision, though, it’s important to think through your options carefully and understand the tax implications of any gifts.

If you’ve ever experienced financial trouble, you know how quickly it can affect your mental health. The stress that accompanies organizing bills, paying unexpected costs, and saving for the future can be debilitating — and it’s often chronic. One study found that 26% of Americans are stressed about financial challenges most or all of the time; another survey by PWC found that money concerns are the top stressor of employed adults in the U.S.

The wealth management industry can no longer ignore the rise of fintech. Investors have pumped more than $100 billion into the fintech market since 2010—including $6 billion in the first quarter of 2019. Those investments are going toward things like robo-advisors and investment apps that help Millennials streamline their personal investments.I first noticed the fintech trend about a decade ago. Now, I can see that fintech is shaping the future of wealth management.

After a bumpy road for the new retirement bill in Congress, the SECURE Act came into effect on Jan. 1. Also known as the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement Act, the law is one of the most comprehensive pieces of legislation to reform retirement savings.

Finding someone you can trust to give you sound financial advice is not easy. That’s probably why 75% of Americans manage their own finances. Whether they could benefit from professional advice is not the point, though. More often, people avoid advisors because of issues related to financial transparency.

After a company goes public, its employees will need to reassess their financial goals. Here are four strategies for creating an IPO wealth management plan after a sudden influx of wealth. First, set your financial goals and priorities. Second, take appropriate risks and diversify. Next, get an estate plan. Finally, hire people to help you.