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Divergent Planning

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December 1, 2021
Retirement Planning
Ara Abrahamian, CRPC®
How to Reduce RMD Taxes with a Qualified ...

A qualified charitable distribution (QCD) can help reduce your RMD tax burden and keep you in a lower tax bracket.

Ara Abrahamian, CRPC®
February 1, 2026
Market Commentary

Market Commentary: Market Breadth

Ara Abrahamian, CRPC®
February 1, 2026
Market Commentary

A look at shifting market leadership as global equities, small caps, and emerging markets challenge S&P 500 dominance and highlight improving market breadth.

Tagged: Market Breadth, S&P 500, Global Equities, European Markets, Emerging Markets, Small Cap Stocks, Market Leadership, Diversification, Asset Allocation, Market Cycles

Karly Holland, CFP®, CTS™
January 15, 2026
Tax Planning

Key Tax Numbers for 2026

Karly Holland, CFP®, CTS™
January 15, 2026
Tax Planning

From tax brackets to retirement limits, here are the key tax numbers for 2026 and how recent law changes affect the year ahead.

Tagged: OBBA, One Big Beautiful Bill, Tax Changes, Tax Brackets, Standard Deduction, Social Security, Tax Deduction, Tax Credits

Ara Abrahamian, CRPC®
January 1, 2026
Market Commentary

Market Commentary: Smooth Sailing Ahead?

Ara Abrahamian, CRPC®
January 1, 2026
Market Commentary

Are Wall Street market forecasts useful or just noise? We examine strategist predictions over time, including how many shifted in 2025.

Tagged: Market Volatility, Wall Street, Market Forecasts, Market Predictions, S&P 500, Federal Reserve, 2025, 2026

Karly Holland, CFP®, CTS™
December 15, 2025
Estate Planning

What Is an Estate Emergency Kit (and Why You Need One)

Karly Holland, CFP®, CTS™
December 15, 2025
Estate Planning

Discover how an estate emergency kit brings order to accounts, documents, and wishes so loved ones aren’t left guessing when it matters most.

Tagged: Estate Emergency Kit, Legacy Kit, Digital Assets, Financial Organization, End of Life Planning, Wealth Transfer

Ara Abrahamian, CRPC®
December 2, 2025
Retirement Planning

For Federal Employees: Do You Need to Take Medicare Part B If You Have FEHB?

Ara Abrahamian, CRPC®
December 2, 2025
Retirement Planning

Here are key considerations if you have Federal Employee Benefits Plan insurance and are considering enrolling in Medicare Part B.

Tagged: Federal Employees, Federal Employee Benefits Plan, Medicare, Part B, FEHB, IRMAA

Ara Abrahamian, CRPC®
December 1, 2025
Market Commentary

Market Commentary: Resiliency at Its Best!

Ara Abrahamian, CRPC®
December 1, 2025
Market Commentary

Explore how markets delivered strong gains in 2025 despite constant uncertainty, and learn what this resilience means for long-term investors.

Tagged: S&P, Inflation, Tariffs, AI, Artificial Intelligence, Jobs Market, Recession, Sell-Off, Rally, Diversification, Market Resilience

Ara Abrahamian, CRPC®
November 1, 2025
Market Commentary

Market Commentary: Bull Market Turns Three

Ara Abrahamian, CRPC®
November 1, 2025
Market Commentary

What can investors learn from a bull market that’s now three years strong? Explore historical trends, potential outcomes, and why maintaining balance matters more than market timing.

Tagged: Bull Market, S&P 500, Market Trends, Investment Strategy, Market History, Market Volatility, Bear Market, Correction, Long-Term Investing

Ara Abrahamian, CRPC®
October 15, 2025
Retirement Planning

Keep More of Your Profits with Zero Capital Gains Tax Strategies

Ara Abrahamian, CRPC®
October 15, 2025
Retirement Planning

What if you could pay 0% tax on your investment gains? Learn how the zero capital gains strategy works and how it can help you keep more of your retirement income.

Tagged: Capital Gains, Roth Conversion, Tax Planning, Retirement Income, Zero Capital Gain Strategy, Investment Planning

Ara Abrahamian, CRPC®
October 1, 2025
Market Commentary

Market Commentary: Is a Weaker Dollar the New Normal?

Ara Abrahamian, CRPC®
October 1, 2025
Market Commentary

Global markets surge as a weaker U.S. dollar boosts foreign equities. Explore drivers, Fed policy, and what it means for investors in 2025.

Tagged: U.S. Dollar, MAG7, Inflation, Tariffs, Federal Reserve, Interest Rates, Foreign Equities, Emerging Markets, Europe

Ara Abrahamian, CRPC®
September 1, 2025
Market Commentary

Market Commentary: AI—Boom or Bust?

Ara Abrahamian, CRPC®
September 1, 2025
Market Commentary

AI has fueled historic market gains, but is it all hype or a lasting shift? Explore the role of the MAG7, record-breaking valuations, and what investors should really focus on.

Tagged: MAG7, Magnificent 7, AI, Artificial Intelligence, Diversification, Technology Sector

Karly Holland, CFP®, CTS™
August 15, 2025
Financial Planning

What Is the Widow’s Penalty?

Karly Holland, CFP®, CTS™
August 15, 2025
Financial Planning

Discover how to reduce the widow’s penalty through smart tax, Medicare, and Social Security planning after the death of a spouse.

Tagged: Estate Planning, Tax Planning, Widow’s Penalty, Tax Bracket, IRMAA, Medicare, Social Security, Retirement Income, Roth, Charitable Giving

Ara Abrahamian, CRPC®
August 1, 2025
Market Commentary

Market Commentary: Ride the Wave

Ara Abrahamian, CRPC®
August 1, 2025
Market Commentary

The S&P 500 is rising despite MAG7 struggles. Discover what’s driving the market in 2025 and why diversification still wins.

Tagged: Market Volatility, MAG7, FAANG, S&P 500, Diversification, Technology Stocks

Ara Abrahamian, CRPC®
July 15, 2025
Retirement Planning

What Is a Mega Backdoor Roth 401(k)—and Should You Use One?

Ara Abrahamian, CRPC®
July 15, 2025
Retirement Planning

Learn how the mega backdoor Roth 401(k) strategy can help high earners grow tax-free retirement savings—and why timing and plan design matter.

Tagged: 401(k), Mega Backdoor Roth 401k, Backdoor Roth IRA, 403b, 2025 Contribution Limits, Retirement Savings, Retirement Income, Tax-Free Retirement Plans

Ara Abrahamian, CRPC®
July 1, 2025
Market Commentary

Market Commentary: Embrace the Volatility!

Ara Abrahamian, CRPC®
July 1, 2025
Market Commentary

Market volatility in 2025 may feel extreme, but history shows it’s normal—and even offers smart investors opportunities to rebalance, buy the dip, and stay the course.

Tagged: Market Volatility, 2025, S&P 500, Covid, Inflation, Equities, Stock Market, Pullback

Joshua Stromberg, CFP®
June 15, 2025
Retirement Planning

Jumping Through Hoops: The Surprising Hurdles of Getting a Mortgage in Retirement

Joshua Stromberg, CFP®
June 15, 2025
Retirement Planning

Discover why retirees with significant assets still struggle to get mortgages, and learn strategies to qualify without derailing your financial plan.

Tagged: Mortgages, Home Buying, Personal Finance, Real Estate, Loan Qualification, Asset-Based Lending

Ara Abrahamian, CRPC®
June 1, 2025
Market Commentary

Market Commentary: Good Days During Bad Markets?

Ara Abrahamian, CRPC®
June 1, 2025
Market Commentary

Markets often rally unexpectedly—even during downturns. Discover why missing just a few key days can have a major impact on long-term returns.

Tagged: Market Volatility, Investment Strategy, Bear Market, Market Timing, Equity Markets, Long-Term Investing

Ara Abrahamian, CRPC®
May 15, 2025
Retirement Planning

Inheriting an IRA: What You Need to Know to Avoid Costly Mistakes

Ara Abrahamian, CRPC®
May 15, 2025
Retirement Planning

Inheriting an IRA? Discover how to navigate the complex rules, avoid costly mistakes, and maximize your inheritance under the SECURE Act.

Tagged: SECURE Act, Inherited IRA, Inherited Roth IRA, Beneficiary, Life Expectancy, RMD, Required Minimum Distribution, Estate Planning, Tax Planning

Ara Abrahamian, CRPC®
May 1, 2025
Market Commentary

Market Commentary: Changing of the Guard?

Ara Abrahamian, CRPC®
May 1, 2025
Market Commentary

Discover why European equities are outperforming the U.S. and what this potential shift means for diversified investment strategies amid uncertain trade policies.

Tagged: MAG7, S&P 500, Emerging Markets, Non-US Equities, European Equities, President Trump, Tariffs, Trade War

Ara Abrahamian, CRPC®
April 1, 2025
Market Commentary

Market Commentary: Tech or Bust?

Ara Abrahamian, CRPC®
April 1, 2025
Market Commentary

Is tech still driving the market? We break down the impact of the Magnificent 7, sector rotation, and why diversification remains key in 2025's choppy landscape.

Tagged: Magnificent 7, MAG7, S&P 500, Technology, Tesla, Healthcare, Utilities, Diversified, Index Funds, Active Management, Growth Stocks, Value Stocks

Ara Abrahamian, CRPC®
March 15, 2025
Retirement Planning

Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) Withdrawal Strategies: Know Your Options

Ara Abrahamian, CRPC®
March 15, 2025
Retirement Planning

When it comes to making withdrawals from your Thrift Savings Plan, you need to know your options. Here are the 3 strategies and their tax implications.

Tagged: Financial Planning, Thrift Savings Plan, TSP, Retirement Income, Annuity, Beneficiary

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Divergent Planning, LLC is a Registered Investment Adviser. Advisory services are only offered to clients or prospective clients where Divergent Planning, LLC and its representatives are properly licensed or exempt from licensure. This website is solely for informational purposes. Past performance is no guarantee of future returns. Investing involves risk and possible loss of principal capital. No advice may be rendered by Divergent Planning, LLC unless a client service agreement is in place.

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