Planning for Aging Parents: The Case for Preparing Before Decisions Become Urgent

As investors approach retirement, it’s not unusual for their attention to turn to how assets are allocated across different investment types and asset classes, such as stocks versus bonds or domestic versus international markets. That’s because an effective asset allocation strategy seeks to align your portfolio with your time horizon (when you will need your money) and risk tolerance (your comfort level with potential investment losses). Your risk tolerance helps to determine the mix of assets that make sense for your portfolio. While choosing the right mix of investments is essential to help investors pursue their goals for another 20, 30, or more years in retirement, deciding where assets are held— asset location —may help improve tax efficiency throughout this next exciting stage of life. What Is Asset Location? Asset location refers to where assets are held or “located,” such as a bank savings account, direct-held mutual fund, real estate property, or a brokerage account. Because asset location directly influences the long‑term management of retirement income, it’s essential to a tax-sensitive approach to managing income in retirement. How Does It Work? By seeking to align each asset with the most appropriate account type, asset location helps to determine thetax efficiencyof a portfolio. This may influence after‑tax outcomes for retirees seeking to draw down on their assets in a more tax-efficient manner. A strategy that seeks to coordinate taxable, tax-deferred, and tax-free assets, may also help provide increased flexibility in adapting to evolving income needs, personal circumstances, and tax laws changes over time. Why Tax Diversification Matters During Retirement Tax diversification is the process of spreading investments across different types of accounts, such as taxable, tax-deferred, and tax-free, in an effort to help manage tax liabilities in retirement. A coordinated approach is important because different sources of income may be taxed differently. During retirement, most people will derive their income from one or more of the sources listed below: Social Security benefits Retirement plans (e.g., IRA, 401(k), or 403(b) accounts) Pension Personal investments Income-generating real estate Business interests Required minimum distributions (RMDs) Most retirement assets fall into one of three tax categories, each with different characteristics and potential planning considerations. 1. Taxable accounts include individual or joint brokerage accounts and many bank or investment accounts that are funded with after-tax dollars. These accounts generally offer: No age restrictions for accessing funds Flexibility for withdrawals Potential capital gains tax treatment when investments are sold Annual taxation on certain interest, dividends, or realized gains Although these accounts may generate taxes each year, they often provide valuable flexibility because withdrawals themselves are generally not fully taxable. 2. Tax-deferred accounts include  Traditional IRAs, SEP IRAs, SIMPLE IRAs, and many employer-sponsored retirement plans such as traditional 401(k)s are examples of tax-deferred accounts. These accounts generally provide: Potential tax deductions on pre-tax contributions (if eligible) Tax-deferred investment growth Ordinary income taxation on qualifying withdrawals Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) beginning at the applicable age under current law Tax-deferred accounts can be valuable asset accumulation vehicles during your working years, but distributions later in retirement may affect taxable income. 3. Tax-free accounts include Roth IRAs and Roth 401(k)s, which are funded with after-tax dollars, allowing qualified withdrawals to generally be received free from federal income tax, assuming IRS requirements are satisfied. Potential advantages include: Tax-free qualified withdrawals Greater flexibility in retirement income planning No Required Minimum Distributions for Roth IRAs during the owner's lifetime under current law Potential tax-efficient wealth transfer opportunities Not everyone qualifies to contribute directly to every Roth account, and conversion strategies should always be evaluated carefully. Coordination is Key While asset location and tax diversification are important considerations for any retirement income strategy, they don’t exist in a vacuum. A comprehensive approach requires careful  coordination and evaluation of these and other aspects of wealth planning: Goal planning Income/cash flow planning Estate planning/legacy objectives Investment management Ongoing tax planning Taking a holistic view of your financial situation and goals may help support more informed decisions aligned with your values and objectives. Building Flexibility in Retirement Keep in mind that state and federal tax laws evolve over time, and retirement may last for several decades. While no one can predict future tax law changes with certainty, building flexibility into your financial strategy may make it easier to adapt as tax laws evolve. Maintaining assets across multiple tax categories may also create more options when making future income decisions. At Return on Life Wealth Partners, we focus on compressive financial planning that seeks to coordinate each piece of your financial puzzle. If you'd like to learn more about the role asset location can play in a tax efficient retirement income strategy, we welcome the opportunity to talk about what matters to you. Important Disclosure This material is provided for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as tax, legal, or accounting advice. Return on Life Wealth Partners does not provide tax or legal advice. Individuals should consult with their qualified tax and legal professionals regarding their specific circumstances before implementing any planning strategy. References to tax laws are based on current regulations, which are subject to change. Investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal. Any strategies discussed may not be suitable for all individuals. Information is believed to be accurate as of the date of publication but may not be complete or updated for subsequent changes in law or regulation. Any forward-looking statements are based on current assumptions and are subject to risk and uncertainty. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Investment advisory services are offered through Planned Financial Services, LLC, dba Return on Life Wealth Partners, an SEC-registered investment adviser.

How to Get 3 Steps Closer to Your Desired Exit Without Compromising Your Life’s Work For most business owners, the company is more than a source of income. It represents years of sacrifice, late nights, risk-taking, relationships, and identity—all wrapped into a single enterprise. Yet when it comes time to exit, owners can find themselves trapped between two less than desirable options: 1) sell quickly and risk undervaluing everything they’ve built, or 2) keep working indefinitely, because stepping away feels impossible. In reality, successful exits seldom happen by accident. They’re designed intentionally — often years before the transaction itself. If you’re a business owner thinking about retirement, succession, or eventual transition, consider the three steps below to help create the exit you envision without compromising what matters most to your family and your business. Step 1: Define What Your Ideal Exit Looks Like When exiting a business, a common mistake owners make is focusing exclusively on the final number. Yes, valuation matters. But the highest offer is not always synonymous with the best outcome. That’s because business exits are about far more than the sale price. They are about finding ways to preserve your life’s work, protect your family, reward employees, and prepare for the next chapter of life. Before discussions about buyers, timelines, or taxes can occur, you need clarity around your personal vision and the outcomes you desire. Consider the following: How do you envision your life after you transition? Will you remain involved in the business post-transition? To what extent? Is it important that employees and leadership are protected and/or rewarded? Is family succession a goal? What legacy do you want to leave? How will you define financial independence? Without defining your business exit goals first, it can be easy to pursue a transaction that looks good on paper but leads to regret later. For example, after giving serious thought to “life after the business,” many owners find they’re not ready retire. They’re seeking freedom, flexibility, or relief from the day-to-day operational pressures of the business. As a result, many business owners seek a strategy that will enable them to remain involved in a less onerous but still rewarding capacity. What, if any, risks exist after the transaction? Plan Early and Intentionally Ideally, you want your exit to be intentional, not reactive. However, all too often, business owners spend decades building value but only months planning their transition. That imbalance can lead to undervaluation, unintended tax consequences, family stress, post-exit uncertainty, and more. Your business represents a lifetime of work. The goal is not simply to exit but to do so on your terms — with confidence, clarity, and purpose. That requires early and intentional planning. Ready to continue the conversation? At Return on Life Wealth Partners, we help business owners think beyond the transaction and focus on what comes next. Whether your timeline is two years or ten, thoughtful preparation today may help create more options tomorrow. Call us at 440.740.0130 to talk about advanced exit planning strategies tailored to your business goals. Visit us anytime at ReturnOnLifeWealth.com. Important Disclosures Investment advisory services are offered through Planned Financial Services, LLC, dba Return on Life Wealth Partners, an SEC-registered investment adviser. This material is for informational purposes only and is not intended to provide, and should not be relied on for, investment, tax, or legal advice. You should consult your own financial, tax, or legal professionals before making any decisions based on this information. All investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal. Any strategies discussed may not be suitable for all individuals. Business exit planning strategies discussed are educational in nature and may not be appropriate for all business owners or situations. Discussions related to business exit planning, succession planning, valuation readiness, legal risk management, or ownership transition strategies should not be interpreted as personalized recommendations. Outcomes vary significantly based on individual facts, circumstances, and timing. This content does not constitute an offer to buy or sell securities or financial instruments. Any mention of third-party organizations is for informational purposes only and does not imply endorsement or affiliation. This content may not be copied or distributed without express written consent. Step 2: Seek Ways to Help Increase Transferable Value Before You Exit A business that depends entirely on the owner can be difficult to sell at premium value. Generally, buyers pay more for companies that can thrive without the founder’s constant involvement. That means transferable value matters far more than revenue alone. A strategy that seeks to strengthen transferable value will consider the following: Leadership Infrastructure - A mature and well-developed management team that is capable of running daily operations independently. Recurring Revenue - Predictable cash flow can increase stability and buyer confidence. Documented Processes - Businesses with systems and operational consistency may be easier to transition. Customer Diversification - Overreliance on a small number of clients can reduce valuation and increase perceived risk. Financial Clarity – Clear, well-organized financial statements and proactive tax planning aid credibility and can lead to smoother due diligence. The earlier you begin preparing these areas, the greater the leverage and flexibility you potentially gain when opportunities arise. On the other hand, owners who wait until they are “ready to sell” to address these areas may find themselves negotiating from a less advantageous position. Step 3: Build an Exit Team Before You Need One Exiting a business is one of the most financially and emotionally significant events of an owner’s life. It requires a strategy that seeks to align your business and personal financial goals with your values. Trying to navigate it alone can be costly. An integrated planning approach that coordinates the advice of a team of professional advisors can help put a strategy in place that aligns your goals for the business with your post-exit lifestyle needs. That team may include: Wealth advisors Tax professionals Estate planning attorneys Exit planning specialists Business valuation experts M&A advisors Your advisory team does more than facilitate a sale. They help answer important questions, such as: How can you manage your tax exposure to optimize after-tax proceeds? How can proceeds be positioned to support your long-term income goals? What happens to employees and leadership? For additional information, please refer to our Form ADV Part 2A Brochure, available upon request or at https://www.adviserinfo.sec.gov.

As 2025 draws to a close, many of us start reflecting on what we want to improve in the year ahead. Not surprisingly, two of the most common resolutions are about health and wealth. But what if the key to improving both lies in realizing how deeply connected, they are? At Return on Life ® Wealth Partners, we believe your financial well-being and physical well-being aren’t separate pursuits — they’re part of the same balanced life. The choices you make for your body, your business, and your bank account all influence each other. For example, financial stress doesn’t just affect your wallet — it can impact your sleep, mood, relationships, and even long-term health. Likewise, neglecting your physical or mental health can lead to costly medical issues and lower productivity. When you invest time in your health — through exercise, rest, or preventive care — you’re also improving your ability to make sound financial decisions. After all, it’s hard to think clearly about your money when you’re running on empty. If you’re looking for ways to strengthen the connection between health and wealth to create greater balance in your life, consider the tips and action steps below. Create healthy habits Successful people don’t achieve balance by accident — they create it intentionally. Start by identifying your core values and non-negotiables, then schedule time for them. The key to forming new habits is to be specific and clear about your goals. Whether you’re saving for the future or working toward fitness goals, success often comes down to consistency and mindset. Consistency counts: Saving money and staying active share a powerful trait: delayed gratification. Small, repeatable actions, like contributing regularly to a savings plan or committing to daily walks, compound into long-term results. Mindset matters: A scarcity mindset can keep you stuck in fear and hesitation, while a growth mindset helps you make progress and adapt when challenges arise. And don’t underestimate the value of rest. Mental clarity can lead to financial decisions that support, rather than undermine, your goals. Focus on the long game Just like training for a marathon, building wealth is about pacing yourself, staying disciplined over time, and monitoring progress toward your desired outcomes. The start of a new year is an ideal time to review your financial “fitness plan” to help ensure your investment, insurance, retirement, tax, and estate planning strategies are aligned with your current lifestyle and future goals. Keep in mind, skipping your financial checkups can be as risky as skipping medical ones, since small issues can compound over time. Lead by example If you’re a business owner, you know firsthand how intertwined your personal health and your company’s success can be. It’s easy to sacrifice sleep, exercise, or family time in pursuit of growth — but those sacrifices can eventually hurt your business. Sustainable success comes from systems, delegation, and boundaries. When leaders prioritize their health, they model balance for their teams. Investing in employee wellness also pays off through higher engagement, lower turnover, and a stronger bottom line. Remember: You can’t lead a healthy business if you’re not a healthy leader. Maintain balance While maintaining balance can be difficult at times, it is by no means impossible. For example, the holiday season can be a joyful but challenging time for waistlines and wallets alike. Consider the following strategies to help you maintain balance and stay on track as the year wraps up: Celebrate with moderation — both financially and personally. Review year-end opportunities for charitable giving, income deferral, and tax strategies as appropriate for your situation. Avoid “holiday hangovers” from overspending, overeating, or overcommitting. Use downtime to reflect on what went well this year — and what you want to improve next year. Get a jumpstart on your goals Seeking to put your best foot forward in the new year? Get started with the following action steps: Automate smart habits. Set up automatic savings and recurring investments. Schedule your checkups. Your financial and physical health both deserve annual attention. Protect your time. Build non-negotiable self-care into your schedule. If you can’t do everything at once, start small. Consistency beats perfection! Ready to plan for the health and wealth outcomes you seek in 2026? Call us at 440.740.0130 or visit ReturnOnLifeWealth.com to talk about strategies tailored to health and wealth goals. And be sure to follow Frank Wealth Insights for more conversations about building balance in every area of life. Investment advisory services are offered through Planned Financial Services, LLC, dba Return on Life Wealth Partners, an SEC-registered investment adviser. The views expressed are for informational and educational purposes only and do not constitute specific financial, legal, investment, or tax advice. Please consult a qualified professional before making any financial decisions.