Life Insurance 101: What It Is and Why It Matters
Aaron Patten Aaron Patten

Life Insurance 101: What It Is and Why It Matters

Life insurance is one of the most important — and often overlooked — components of a sound financial plan. September’s Life Insurance Awareness Month is a timely reminder to review your coverage and ensure it still aligns with your goals.

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Week 4: Funding Strategies for Buy-Sell Agreements
Aaron Patten Aaron Patten

Week 4: Funding Strategies for Buy-Sell Agreements

A Buy-Sell Agreement defines the “who” and “how” of ownership transfers. Funding determines “when” and “with what resources” that transfer occurs. Without a clear funding plan, even a well-drafted agreement can leave owners scrambling for cash and delay transitions.

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Week 3: Cross-Purchase vs. Entity Purchase Agreements
Aaron Patten Aaron Patten

Week 3: Cross-Purchase vs. Entity Purchase Agreements

When business owners plan for succession or unexpected departures, Buy-Sell Agreements play a critical role. Two common structures—Cross-Purchase Agreements and Entity Purchase Agreements—offer distinct approaches to transferring ownership. Understanding their mechanics helps ensure your strategy aligns with your business’s size, goals, and funding capabilities.

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Understanding Buy-Sell Agreements
Aaron Patten Aaron Patten

Understanding Buy-Sell Agreements

A Buy-Sell Agreement is a legally binding contract that outlines how ownership interests in a business will be transferred in the event of a triggering event—such as death, disability, retirement, or voluntary exit of an owner. It helps establish expectations and reduce potential disputes among partners or shareholders.

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Blog Series: Planning Your Business Legacy
Aaron Patten Aaron Patten

Blog Series: Planning Your Business Legacy

Series Overview

Over the next six weeks, we’ll dive deep into essential business insurance tools that help owners protect what they’ve built, plan for seamless transitions, and minimize risk. Here’s the roadmap:

  1. Key Person Insurance

  2. Buy-Sell Agreements

  3. Cross-Purchase Agreements

  4. Entity Purchase Agreements

  5. Funding Strategies for Buy-Sell (Life Insurance vs. Alternatives)

  6. Common Pitfalls & Compliance Considerations

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Navigating the “Big Beautiful Bill” for Your Retirement Roadmap
Aaron Patten Aaron Patten

Navigating the “Big Beautiful Bill” for Your Retirement Roadmap

The passage of the “Big Beautiful Bill” brings the most significant tax and planning shifts since 2017. Whether you’re nearing retirement, already enjoying your golden years, or running a small business, these changes can reshape your approach to income, savings, and legacy planning. Here’s your concise guide to the provisions that matter most—and how to turn them into opportunities.

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4 Ways to Shield Your Retirement Nest Egg in an Uncertain Market
Aaron Patten Aaron Patten

4 Ways to Shield Your Retirement Nest Egg in an Uncertain Market

Navigating today’s financial landscape can feel like walking a tightrope. Rising interest rates, inflationary pressures, and geopolitical risks all contribute to market whipsaw. Preservation is just as important as growth for pre-retirees and retirees. Below are four strategies—including annuities—that can help you shore up your retirement plan without sacrificing flexibility.

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Essential Business Owner Planning Strategies to Plan Your Legacy
Aaron Patten Aaron Patten

Essential Business Owner Planning Strategies to Plan Your Legacy

Effective planning transforms a thriving business into a lasting legacy. Business owners juggle growth, operations, and market challenges—but without a clear exit and succession roadmap, years of hard work can unravel. This guide lays out practical steps to plan your interests, maintain continuity, and optimize the transfer of value when you’re ready to move on.

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Retirement Planning: Why Having a Withdrawal Strategy in Retirement Is Crucial
Aaron Patten Aaron Patten

Retirement Planning: Why Having a Withdrawal Strategy in Retirement Is Crucial

Retirement marks the transition from accumulating assets to drawing on savings. Without a clear withdrawal strategy, retirees risk depleting their nest egg too soon, facing unexpected tax burdens, or missing out on legacy goals. A structured plan for distributions helps balance cash flow, longevity of assets, and tax efficiency.

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Annuity Awareness Month: How to Evaluate and Choose the Right Annuity for Your Goals
Aaron Patten Aaron Patten

Annuity Awareness Month: How to Evaluate and Choose the Right Annuity for Your Goals

As we wrap up Annuity Awareness Month, we've explored the fundamentals of annuities, potential benefits and considerations, and how they compare with other retirement tools. In this final week’s article, we’ll focus on what individuals should consider when evaluating annuity options and how to approach the selection process with clarity and care.

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Annuity Awareness Month: Comparing Annuities with Other Retirement Savings Options
Aaron Patten Aaron Patten

Annuity Awareness Month: Comparing Annuities with Other Retirement Savings Options

When planning for retirement, individuals have access to a wide range of financial tools, each with its own structure, tax treatment, and planning potential. While annuities are one option, it's important to understand how they differ from other retirement vehicles such as IRAs, 401(k)s, and pensions.

In this week's article, we’ll outline some of the key differences and considerations to keep in mind when evaluating where annuities may or may not align with a long-term financial strategy.

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Cancer Policies: An Additional Financial Resource for Health Challenges
Aaron Patten Aaron Patten

Cancer Policies: An Additional Financial Resource for Health Challenges

Many individuals rely on life insurance to provide financial support for their families. However, one aspect often left out of planning is coverage for serious health conditions like cancer. Cancer insurance offers additional financial assistance to help manage costs associated with treatment, ensuring individuals can focus on their care without unexpected financial burdens.

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Estate Planning: Why Establishing a Living Trust May Make Sense
Aaron Patten Aaron Patten

Estate Planning: Why Establishing a Living Trust May Make Sense

Many people assume that having a will is enough to properly distribute their assets after they pass. However, a living trust can offer greater control, efficiency, and financial stability, ensuring your estate is managed exactly as you intended—without the delays and costs of probate.

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Financial Planning Beyond Investments: A Holistic Approach
Aaron Patten Aaron Patten

Financial Planning Beyond Investments: A Holistic Approach

When you take an integrated approach to financial planning, you’re not just investing—you’re building a stable financial future that extends far beyond market performance. By proactively managing taxes, estate plans, and insurance needs, you minimize risk and maximize financial stability for generations to come.

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Unlocking Retirement Stability: How Fixed Indexed Annuities Can Strengthen Your Portfolio
Aaron Patten Aaron Patten

Unlocking Retirement Stability: How Fixed Indexed Annuities Can Strengthen Your Portfolio

When planning for retirement, one of the most critical decisions you'll make is how to ensure a steady income stream that lasts throughout your golden years. Annuities, often misunderstood, can play a pivotal role in achieving this goal. In this article, we'll explore what annuities are, how they work, and why a fixed indexed annuity might be a valuable addition to your retirement portfolio.

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Retirement Planning Amid Market Uncertainty
Aaron Patten Aaron Patten

Retirement Planning Amid Market Uncertainty

Planning for retirement is one of the most significant financial journeys you'll undertake, and market volatility can understandably create unease. Economic uncertainty may feel like a storm, but with a solid strategy in place, your retirement goals can remain unchanged. Here's how to navigate these choppy financial waters while staying focused on your long-term vision.

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