Open Window's Insight Articles

An illustrated world review of capital market results in 2025, along with timeless advice for informing investment decisions in the years ahead.

Learn how Required Minimum Distributions work, why the IRS requires them, how penalties apply, and how they can be used strategically for taxes and charitable giving.

Each year, the IRS reviews and adjusts specific tax provisions for inflation. Below are the latest updates for the 2026 tax year, including common income, dividend, and capital gain tax brackets. What is your strategy to make the most of these brackets (in 2026 and beyond)?

Whatever your reason for giving this year, it’s important to be intentional. With a little strategic planning, your existing charitable contributions can go further, while creating tax benefits for both you and your chosen charity. A donor-advised fund can supercharge your existing giving. Here's how.

Were you surprised to receive a Medicare IRMAA letter from the Social Security Administration? Beware that certain income levels can increase your Medicare premium by up to 286% - an increase called "IRMAA." And yet, some people might still pursue this increase. If you're among the 8% of all Medicare participants who received an "IRMAA" letter, here's what you need to know.

As private equity, private credit, and other “alternative” investments become more accessible, many investors feel the pull to join in. The promise of higher returns and diversification is appealing, but the reality is more complex. Before chasing what’s new, it’s worth asking whether these opportunities truly fit your goals, liquidity needs, and ability to evaluate them. Sometimes, the smartest move isn’t the trendiest one, it’s staying steady with what’s proven.

Scams are getting smarter, using AI and social media to sound more personal and convincing. It can happen to anyone, even the smartest among us, because scams prey on trust, urgency, and fear. Here are some of the most common ones we’re seeing right now. By learning what to watch for, you can stay a step ahead and help keep your loved ones safe.

Government may pause, but your finances don’t have to. Here’s how to stay steady, invested, and clear-headed through another shutdown.

As of October 1, 2025, the federal government will stop accepting and issuing most paper checks. Tax payments, refunds, Social Security, Medicare, and VA benefits will all move to direct deposit or electronic payment systems. While this may feel like one more digital hurdle, it brings faster processing, fewer delays, and less risk of fraud. Now is the time to review your setup and make sure you’re ready.

Each fall, Medicare Open Enrollment runs from October 15 to December 7. Even if you’re satisfied with your current plan, it’s worth a quick check—many people find lower premiums or better coverage for the year ahead. Let's review options and look at changes to Medicare for 2026.

Talking about end-of-life care ranks right up there with cleaning out the garage or finally opening that mysterious Tupperware in the back of the fridge. Nobody wants to do it, but avoiding it only makes things harder later. Having "The Conversation" is one of the greatest gifts you can give to yourself and your loved ones. Here’s how to take action to talk about your wishes for care through life’s end.

Uncover your Financial Elements with a quick, powerful, and private financial health assessment available to clients and friends at www.openwindowFS.com/financialelements.

The biggest tax law since 2017 is here. The “OBBBA” reshapes tax rates, deductions, student loans, business rules, and estate planning, all while cutting social support and adding to the deficit. Our new guide breaks it all down and shows what steps might make sense for you and your family.

Every U.S. state holds unclaimed money. From forgotten bank accounts and uncashed checks to insurance payouts and more, all just waiting to be returned. If you’ve ever moved, changed your name, or closed an account, you could have money in your name. The best part? It’s free and easy to check. Whether you're in Nevada, California, or beyond, this guide shows you exactly how to search and claim what’s yours.

The best financial gift you can give a child isn’t money, it’s knowledge. Simple conversations today can spark confident, capable investors tomorrow. Here are some practical ideas we use, and that you can start using today.

Our unconscious rules and beliefs about money—also known as “money scripts”—can have a big impact on the financial decisions we make. Part one in this two-part series introduced the idea of money scripts. In this part two, we’ll offer strategies for flipping the script on these common beliefs. If you're curious about your personal money scripts, reach out to us, or click through to take our private and clinically tested money script evaluation at www.openwindowFS.com/moneyscripts.

With fresh IRS updates, inflation-adjusted brackets, and potential legislation on the horizon, now’s an ideal time to get ahead, sidestep surprises, and keep more of the money you’ve worked so hard to earn. In this Insight Article, we highlight key tax changes, explore Roth conversions in down markets, and revisit a longtime favorite—the strategic use of Health Savings Accounts for Medicare—to help you maximize deductions, avoid penalties, and make confident, tax-smart decisions in 2025.

Trade wars, tariffs, and economic uncertainty, while unsettling, are unfortunately nothing new. History shows that disruptive events often cause short-term market declines. Fortunately, they don’t necessarily spell disaster for long-term investors. Despite sharp "intra-year" drops, markets have finished in positive territory 17 of the last 20 years. The key? A disciplined, well-structured investment strategy that anticipates bumps before they appear. Ensure your portfolio is built to weather uncertainty. Need guidance? We’re here to help.

Do you see tax season as a chore—something to endure, not optimize? When done right, filing your tax return isn’t just about compliance, it’s a chance to celebrate the tax-smart moves you made last year and uncover new ways to maximize your future financial success. From strategic planning to hidden savings, your tax return holds valuable insights that can shape your financial future. Don’t just file—plan. Here’s how smart tax planning can put more money in your pocket now and for years to come.

The repeal of WEP and GPO means higher Social Security benefits for millions of public employees. Teachers, firefighters, and healthcare workers are already seeing higher Social Security benefits, including lump sum payments averaging $6,710 and monthly increases starting in April 2025. See how these changes might impact you.