Podcasts Archives | Mercer Advisors

Podcasts Archives | Mercer Advisors

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Podcasts Archives | Mercer Advisors episodes

  • Unwinding A Highly Concentrated Position in Equities
    Do you have a highly concentrated position in a stock, mutual fund or exchange-traded fund (ETF)? Do you have a plan in place to reduce the risk and manage this position in a tax-efficient manner?

    In a recent episode of the Science of Economic Freedom, we covered the pros and cons associated with a highly concentrated position, or HCP. And while an HCP can help you build wealth, it can also represent both a threat and a challenge to your financial goals.

    In this episode of the Science of Economic Freedom, “Unwinding A Highly Concentrated Position in Equities,” we discuss the tactics and strategies needed to extricate yourself from a highly concentrated equity position so that you can add greater diversity to your holdings while also making sure you don’t sustain a massive tax hit in the process.

    Topics covered in this episode include:

    The reasons why investors are reluctant to sell down an HCP.
    Why an HCP is good for asset accumulation, but not for asset protection.
    How to implement “taxable gain harvesting.”
    When to consider “gifting” shares to a family member.
    Options strategies for managing HCPs.
    Using an “exchange fund” to manage an HCP.
    Key questions to ask before you unwind a highly concentrated position.

    Plus, much more…
    15 min
  • The Pros and Cons of the Highly Concentrated Position
    Many people have an overabundance of wealth tied up in what’s commonly called a “highly concentrated position.” This is basically an asset on your balance sheet that represents a large portion of your net worth.

    Some common examples of a highly concentrated position include: A personal residence that you own free and clear, a business that you own outright or are in partnerships with others, an individual stock or mutual fund that has grown large enough to represent more than 10% of your investment portfolio, or stock options in a single company.

    Whatever type of highly concentrated position you may have, these can be both a blessing and a curse.

    In this episode of the Science of Economic Freedom, “The Pros and Cons of the Highly Concentrated Position,” we discuss the advantages and disadvantages of these situations. And, we do it through the lens of helping you achieving and sustain economic freedom.

    Topics covered in this episode include:

    The long-term risks of a highly concentrated position
    Being “house rich and cash poor”
    Business ownership, partnerships and how to plan for the future
    The need to avoid selling at a deep discount
    The tax advantages and disadvantages of the highly concentrated position
    How to assess your personal balance sheet and identify highly concentrated positions
    Plus, much more…

    18 min
  • How to Navigate a Stock Market Correction
    In this episode of the Science of Economic Freedom podcast, “How to Navigate a Stock Market Correction,” we discuss the proper mindset needed to ensure you succeed during the inevitable periods of market weakness.

    The fact is that corrections are both normal, and even essential, to the long-term health of financial markets. Even infrequent bear markets can and will happen, so you need to understand this, and keep these things in the proper perspective.

    Topics covered in this episode include:

    The importance of a diversified portfolio during times of market weakness
    Why your equity exposure matters
    How to avoid a reactionary mindset
    The need to tune out the hyperbole of the talking heads on financial media
    A brief history of market corrections, bear markets and ugly crashes
    The normalcy of corrections and why their frequency shouldn’t matter
    Guidelines on how to think about an “Economic Freedom” portfolio
    Why following those guidelines can help you prevail during corrective phases

    Make no mistake, corrections, bear markets and even crashes are going to happen. But, your mindset, your asset allocation and the diversity of your portfolio all are key to winning the long game. And in this episode, you’ll learn the right tools—both psychological and financial—to make sure your money prevails regardless of market conditions.
    14 min
  • What You Need to Know About Medicare
    In this episode of the Science of Economic Freedom podcast, “What You Need to Know About Medicare,” David Haman, client advisor at Mercer Advisors, returns to discuss his vast knowledge of this government program, a program most of us will participate in when we qualify.

    In this detailed discussion of Medicare, David tells us all about the program, including:

    Defining Medicare and its eligibility requirements
    Medicare’s history and its original purpose
    The various “parts” of Medicare, e.g. “A, B, C and D”
    The costs and benefits to Medicare’s different parts
    What is covered, and what isn’t covered, by Medicare
    How to get additional coverage for Medicare’s “gaps”
    Enrollment periods and the importance of knowing the Medicare calendar
    The financial viability of Medicare and its future
    Where you can find help with your Medicare questions

    Just like our previous discussion on Social Security, David’s intimate knowledge of Medicare helped me learn a lot about the complexities of this program. And just like his previous episode, I think this one is destined to be one of our most-listened to shows.
    36 min
  • Are You Where You Want to Be?
    In this episode of the Science of Economic Freedom podcast, “Are You Where You Want to Be on Your Journey to Economic Freedom?”, we start with some eye-openings statistics.

    According to my data:

    Only 30% of Americans are financially literate.
    Some 50% of households say they expect to see a decline in lifestyle post retirement.
    While 55% of Americans have access to a 401(k) plan, only 38% participate in their plans.
    Approximately 2 million people in the U.S. overpay their taxes.
    A startling 30% of households have a negative net worth, and live paycheck to paycheck.

    Now, most listeners to this show are in a much better place than most Americans financially. But, have you achieved your financial goals? Are you financially independent?

    In this episode, we cover some of the strategies needed to both gain, and keep, your economic freedom.

    We do this by going through an exercise I call the “Wealth Management Pyramid.”

    This exercise forces you to examine your balance sheet, goals, cash flow, tax profile, etc. Doing so can help you see where you are, and help you decide the next step on your journey toward economic freedom.
    16 min

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