As we press on into 2026, I want to take some time to reflect on the most common financial and retirement questions I received in 2025 from both clients, readers of my blog, and podcast listeners.

This past year has been a bittersweet one for me personally. I lost my mom early in 2025, which was incredibly difficult for my family and me. At the same time, I’m deeply grateful that 2025 was also a strong year professionally. The podcast continued to grow, our listener base expanded, and Morrissey Wealth Management had the opportunity to help more families plan for and navigate retirement.

As we discussed last week, when it comes to hiring a financial advisor, there are three main types of services to consider: financial planning, investment management, or a combination of both.

While some firms, like mine, offer both services as a comprehensive package, other advisors focus on just one of these offerings. The type of service you choose depends on your goals and needs, and it will ultimately shape the kind of relationship you'll have with your advisor.

In this post, I'll walk you through the first type of service—financial planning—so that you have a clear understanding of what to expect if you decide to go down this route.

In this blog, I’m talking about the growing threat of smishing, a type of phishing scam where fraudulent text messages try to trick you into revealing personal information like your social security number, bank account details, or credit card information. I’ll explain how these scams are targeting individuals like you and share some important tips on how to protect your phone and investment accounts from being compromised. It's crucial to stay informed and secure, and I’m here to help you navigate these risks.

Contributing to a 529 savings plan can offer powerful benefits for your child, grandchild — and in some cases, even yourself. As we approach the end of the year, it’s an especially good time to review the tax advantages of these plans and highlight several important updates made under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, passed in 2025.

Interest rates have been steadily increasing in recent months and, in some instances, have prevented people from being able to afford to buy the home they dreamed of. Mortgage lenders are using some creative ways to allow people to buy a home in an environment where interest rates are soaring. One way is a mortgage rate buydown. Mortgage buydown products have been around for a while but are typically only used when the situation of need arises. There are a few different buydown options which I will explain in detail, so you have all the information you need to make an informed decision.

Tax season is here, and for many, that means a tax refund is on the way. While it’s nice to get a check from the government, you might want to take a step back and think about why you’re getting that refund in the first place.

Some people like the idea of a refund because it feels like a nice bonus at the end of the year, but in reality, it’s not the best use of your money. After all, it’s essentially an interest-free loan you’ve given to the government.

When it comes to retirement planning, one strategy that often comes up for those with highly appreciated company stock in their 401(k) is Net Unrealized Appreciation (NUA). While this option may sound appealing, it’s essential to weigh its benefits against the potential drawbacks. In this blog post, we’ll explore whether NUA is truly worth it by looking at examples from Raytheon and Aetna stocks—two companies that have experienced notable stock growth over the years. By diving into what NUA is, how it works, different rules, and important considerations, and then applying it to these two companies, you can better understand if this strategy is a smart move for you

Over the last year, I’ve heard a lot of buzz about using alternative investments to boost portfolios. However, most people don’t know you need to be an accredited investor to take advantage of these opportunities. In this blog, I’m breaking down alternative investments, how to become an accredited investor, and my personal thoughts on investing outside normal investment accounts.

In celebration of Financial Literacy Month this April, I want to discuss how to get the most out of your banking experience. In this blog, we’re talking about compound interest and how your big bank could stop you from benefiting from this simple financial literacy concept. As well as recommended alternatives to keep your money safe and working for you.

A fiduciary is someone who is legally and ethically required to act in the best interests of their client. You’ll find fiduciary obligations in several professions — attorneys, executors, corporate officers, and board members all have them.

In the world of investing, fiduciaries typically operate under registered investment advisory (RIA) firms. These firms and their advisors — known as investment advisor representatives — must always put their clients’ interests ahead of their own.

As the end of the year approaches, are you wondering what you can do to minimize your tax burden as a pre-retiree? In this blog post, we’ll explore seven powerful year-end tax strategies specifically designed for pre-retirees. These strategies can help you reduce your taxable income, maximize retirement contributions, and take full advantage of tax-advantaged accounts. Whether you’re looking to boost your savings or lower your tax bill, these tips will guide you in making smart financial choices as you near retirement. Let’s dive into these 7 tips and set you up for a more financially secure future.

My home state of Connecticut was ranked the second worst pension fund performer of the past five years. Maybe you’ve had some tough hits to your retirement portfolio over the years too, and are in desperate need of a financial makeover. In this blog, I want to help you avoid Connecticut’s mistakes and ensure your portfolio is set up for retirement success.

In this week’s blog, I’m diving into a question from one of my clients regarding the best 403(b) and 457 plan options for teachers.

Whether you’re a teacher yourself, married to one, have a child who’s a teacher, or just know a teacher who could benefit from this information, this blog is for you! Understanding how to improve your retirement savings is essential, and I’m here to guide you through it.

Health Savings Accounts are one of the biggest retirement planning opportunities that get overlooked. And many who have an HSA aren’t getting the most out of it. In this blog, I’m going to cover three mistakes you're probably making with HSAs that are costing you a lot of money.

Medicare is a vital health insurance program for seniors, but there are a lot of myths floating around that can cause confusion.

Today, we’re going to break down 10 common Medicare myths, so you can make informed decisions about your healthcare. Let’s dive in!

If you're nearing 62, you may be wondering if you're eligible to receive Social Security benefits from an ex-spouse. In this blog post, we'll explore what determines your eligibility, how much you could receive, and when it makes sense to collect these benefits.

Plus, we’ll go through some real-life examples to help you understand how it works.

Want to make a Roth IRA contribution, but you earn over the adjusted gross income limit? Never fear, the backdoor Roth conversion is here! In this blog, I’m doing a deep dive into backdoor Roth conversions and the seven mistakes most people make when attempting this financial maneuver. 

Should you start collecting Social Security before you retire? Many clients and readers worry about Social Security running out and want to take advantage of it before it’s gone. Clients ask me if they should collect benefits as soon as possible at 62. In this blog, I’m discussing five critical questions to ask yourself before collecting Social Security to set you up for retirement success.  

There can be a lot of confusion around enrolling in Medicare. Many of my clients believe they HAVE to enroll once they turn 65, but that is not necessarily the case. In this blog, I’m clearing things up by going over five questions you should ask before enrolling in Medicare at age 65.

Many retirees rely on Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies to keep health insurance affordable before Medicare begins at age 65. But in 2026, these subsidies are set to change—potentially increasing premiums by thousands of dollars. Understanding how subsidies work today, what’s happening in 2026, and how to manage your income can help you preserve eligibility and avoid the “subsidy cliff.