Commonwealth Financial Group

Trump Accounts are making headlines, but what are they actually designed to do? Today, we’re breaking down what they are, what they aren’t, and how they compare to a 529 so you can better understand where they may fit into your child’s financial future.

Our 2026 Sales Summit brought our advisors together last week for a day of learning, conversation, and growth. We challenged ourselves to think differently, raise the bar, and continue finding ways to deliver our best. It was a great day to step away from the day-to-day, spend time together, and focus on our team and what we are building together. We’re excited to carry that momentum into all that’s ahead.

Back-to-school season is here, and with it comes a natural focus on what’s ahead. Over the next few weeks, we’ll be sharing a closer look at education planning and some of the ways you can plan thoughtfully for your child’s future.

Something that surprises a lot of parents? the same dollar amount can affect financial aid very differently, depending on whose name is on the account.

Money in a parent's name, a regular brokerage account or a parent-owned 529, gets assessed at up to 5.64% on the FAFSA. That same money sitting in a child's name, like a custodial account, gets assessed at 20%. Nearly four times as steep. And a grandparent-owned 529? Not counted at all. Put another way, $50,000 in a parent's name reduces aid eligibility by roughly $2,800. That same $50,000 in a child's name reduces it by $10,000.

The takeaway isn't "avoid saving for your kids." It's that where you save matters just as much as how much you save. If you're not sure whose name your education savings sit under, or whether that's still the right call, let's take a look together.

Our 2026 Sales Summit brought advisors together for a day of learning, conversation, and growth. We challenged ourselves to think differently, raise the bar, and continue finding new ways to deliver our best. It was a great day to step away from the day-to-day, spend time together, and focus on where we’re headed as a team and what we’re building together. We’re excited to carry that momentum into all that’s ahead!

Back to school season is here and we had to get in on all the excitement! Wishing everyone a great year and looking forward to all that’s ahead!

Our Myrtle Beach crew knocked it out of the park with a fun night at the Pelicans game! From great baseball, good food, and the best company it was the perfect way to spend a summer night together.

If you have a gain event coming, a business sale, a property disposition, a big portfolio move, the planning around that transaction matters now more than ever.

Here is why: any Qualified Opportunity Fund investment made by December 31, 2026 is locked into the old rules.

Investments made starting January 1, 2027 step into the new, permanent framework: a rolling 5 year deferral clock, a 10% basis step up at year 5, and full access to all three tax benefits.

Per recent IRS guidance, it is not the date your gain was recognized that determines which rules apply, it is the date you actually invest into the Qualified Opportunity Fund. You have 180 days from the date you recognize a gain to make that investment. That means a gain recognized in 2026 can still qualify for the new framework, as long as the fund investment itself happens on or after January 1, 2027, within your 180 day window.

If you have a transaction in view over the next 6-12 months, now is the time to map out how the timing affects your options. Reach out to your Commonwealth advisor to talk it through before anything closes.

A great night at the ballpark! We had the best time cheering on the RiverDogs, spending time with clients, and creating memories together outside of the office. Thank you everyone who joined us!

Opportunity Zones are back, permanently this time. Here is what most people miss: this was never just a real estate play. Any capital gain qualifies, business sales, stock liquidations, portfolio rebalancing. If you have a taxable gain, a Qualified Opportunity Fund can defer and reduce it.

The strategy works because of three stacked benefits:
1. Deferral: pay tax on your original gain later, not now
2. Reduction: 10 to 30% of that original gain is permanently excluded at year 5
3. Elimination: hold 10+ years and pay zero federal tax on the fund's growth

New legislation under the OBBBA replaced the old hard 2026 deadline with a rolling 5 year clock tied to your own investment date. That means this is no longer a "use it or lose it by December" strategy. The catch: it only works when it fits your full financial picture, your timeline, your liquidity needs, and the tax bill still due at year 5. That is where the real planning happens. Have a gain event on the horizon? Let's talk about whether this belongs in your plan.

Spring and summer have been filled with fun events, new adventures, and memories made, and we love seeing your Commonwealth hats be a part of it all! From golf tournaments, soccer games, days on the water, and everything in between, we have loved seeing CFG be a small part of your special moments.

If your CFG hat has joined you on summer fun, be sure to tag us!