Empowered Financial Strategies

08/31/2026

🎖️ Big News for Disabled Veterans: More Now Qualify for Tax-Free ABLE Accounts

For years, thousands of disabled veterans were locked out of one of the best financial tools available for people with disabilities — simply because the rules didn't reflect the reality of military service. That's finally changed.

What's new as of January 1, 2026:
✅ The disability onset age for ABLE account eligibility jumped from 26 to 46 — opening the door to an estimated 1 million more veterans
✅ Eligibility is based on when your disability began, not when it was diagnosed — huge for veterans whose conditions surfaced (or were diagnosed) years after service
✅ The annual contribution limit is now $20,000
✅ Up to $100,000 in an ABLE account won't count against the $2,000 SSI resource limit — meaning veterans can finally build real savings without risking their benefits

If you're a veteran with a service-connected disability that began before age 46, you may now qualify for an account you couldn't access before — tax-free growth, tax-free withdrawals for housing, health care, transportation, and more.

👉 Don't miss out on a benefit you may not know you have. Contact Empowered Financial Strategies today at [email protected], and let's find out if an ABLE account is right for you or someone you love.

💻 www.empowered-fs.com

For years, one of the most useful financial tools available to people with disabilities was largely out of reach of veterans. The reason was simple and frustrating: eligibility rules ignored the reality of military service. That has changed.

08/28/2026

🥪 Are you part of the "Sandwich Generation"?

If you're raising kids while also supporting aging parents financially and emotionally, you're not alone — and you don't have to figure it out solo.

Being "sandwiched" between two generations who need you can put your own financial future at risk if you're not careful. Here's how to protect it:

✅ Take inventory first. Get a clear picture of your own finances before mapping out your parents' and kids' needs. You can't plan for others until you know where you stand.

✅ Pay yourself first. Retirement savings isn't selfish — it's essential. Max out that employer match, use your HSA, and keep contributing even in small amounts. Compound growth adds up.

✅ Protect your income. Disability insurance, life insurance, and long-term care coverage aren't just checkboxes — they're what stand between your family and financial hardship if the unexpected happens.

✅ Get the estate plan in place. Wills, trusts, and powers of attorney (for you and your parents) mean you're ready to act when it matters most.

You're doing a lot for the people you love. Let's make sure you're taken care of too. 💛

📞 Ready to build a plan that protects everyone in your sandwich? Reach out to Empowered Financial Strategies today by contacting [email protected].

The sandwich generation faces unique challenges when balancing financial support for parents and kids. U.S. Bank has tips for keeping your financial goals a priority while supporting children and aging parents.

08/26/2026

🐶 Happy International Dog Day from the EFS Team! 🐶

Celebrated every year on August 26th, International Dog Day was created to honor all dogs — from loyal family companions to hardworking service and rescue dogs — and to raise awareness for dogs still waiting to be adopted. It's a day to celebrate the unconditional love, loyalty, and joy dogs bring into our lives.

And here at Empowered Financial Strategies, we've got two very good reasons to celebrate.

Meet Buddy (standard poodle, PA office), our unofficial Head of Books & Accounting. He's meticulous, he's dignified, and he definitely judges you if you're late reconciling receipts.

And meet Hayden (golden retriever rescue, DE office), currently wrapping up her first-year internship. Her official title will be announced next month, but so far she's been thriving as our Client Greeter — emphasis on thriving, because in her professional opinion, every client meeting is 100% improved by a Golden Retriever in their lap.

As a rescue, Hayden is also a proud reminder of what this day is all about — every dog deserves a loving home and a job they're a little too excited about. 🐾

Financial strategy is serious business. These two remind us not to take ourselves too seriously while we do it. 💰

Happy from all of us at Empowered Financial Strategies!

08/24/2026

Expanding the family through birth or marriage is the third most common reason Americans have set up wills. However, many parents in the U.S. still lack a will to name a guardian for their children. When changes come to the family, updating your strategy becomes super essential!
Source: Caring.com February 18, 2025
https://www.caring.com/caregivers/estate-planning/wills-survey/

At EFS, we recognize the importance of creating or updating a will as family dynamics change. That is why we include this important discussion in our planning process and help advocate for our clients to work with an estate attorney to complete these very critical documents. For more information, contact [email protected].

08/21/2026

💡 What's the real value of working with a financial advisor?

According to a new report from Russell Investments, partnering with a financial advisor can add up to 4.92% in value each year — one of the highest estimates from independent research on this topic. 📈

One of the biggest drivers? An advisor's ability to help clients stay invested during turbulent markets — avoiding the panic-selling and market-timing mistakes that can quietly erode long-term returns.

Add to that smarter asset allocation (like avoiding unnecessarily high cash balances), tax-efficient planning, and the peace of mind that comes from having a steady guide through uncertain times — and it's clear that good financial advice pays for itself many times over.

At Empowered Financial Strategies, we're here to help you make confident decisions, stay the course, and build a plan that works for your life. 🌱

📩 Ready to see what a real financial partnership can do for you? Reach out today by contacting [email protected].

Source: Russell Investments, via Kitces.com

This weekend reading kicks off with survey that women who work with a financial advisor are 60% more likely to report they feel confident in managing finances.

08/19/2026

🏡 Supported Living: Helping Adults with Disabilities Thrive in Their Own Home

Choosing the right living arrangement for a loved one with a disability can feel overwhelming — group home? Shared living? Supported living? What's the difference?

Supported living services help adults with disabilities live independently in their own home or apartment, with individualized support built around them (instead of moving into a facility). Here's what families should know:

🔑 Supports can range from a few hours a week to daily help with things like meals, medication reminders, transportation, and budgeting
🔑 Funding is often tied to Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waivers — but wait lists and eligibility vary by state
🔑 Housing and services are usually funded separately, so it's important to understand who signs the lease and who pays rent
🔑 A special needs trust can even play a role — for example, helping purchase an accessible home for a beneficiary

The bottom line: supported living can be a meaningful path to independence, but it works best when support needs, benefits, and housing logistics are all coordinated properly.

👉 Not sure how supported living fits into your family's benefits, trust, or long-term care plan? Let's talk. Contact Empowered Financial Strategies today at [email protected] to build a plan that protects your loved one's independence and their eligibility for essential benefits.

Learn what supported living services are, who they help, what supports are included, how Medicaid HCBS waivers may pay, and how to find and evaluate programs for adults with disabilities.

08/17/2026

Procrastination is a top reason people haven't created a will or trust since 2022, with men slightly more likely to delay estate management than women. Even fewer are taking action this year, with 43 percent of those without a will admitting they "just haven't gotten around to it.” In 2025, only 24 percent of survey participants reported having a will, and 4 percent mentioned other estate management documents, a decline from 33 percent with a will in 2022. Time to get it in gear!
Source: Caring.com February 18, 2025
https://www.caring.com/caregivers/estate-planning/wills-survey/

At EFS, we realize procrastination leaves risk on the table. Through our comprehensive planning process, we quarterback the completion of getting those wills done. For more information, contact [email protected].

08/14/2026

🎉✈️ Congratulations, Airman Lillian! ✈️🎉

We're bursting with pride here at Empowered Financial Strategies! Joanna's daughter, Lillian, officially graduated from Air Force Basic Military Training (BMT) this July in San Antonio, TX — and we couldn't be more excited to celebrate this incredible milestone with her and the whole family!

Basic training isn't easy — it takes discipline, grit, and heart to make it through, and Lillian showed all three. From this day forward, she carries the title of Airman, and we know this is just the beginning of an amazing journey serving our country.

Joanna, your pride is showing (and rightfully so)! 💙 We're so happy to celebrate this achievement alongside you and your family.

Please join us in congratulating Lillian on this huge accomplishment! 🦅🇺🇸

08/12/2026

🧩 Planning for a Loved One with Special Needs? Don't Overlook Your Retirement Accounts.

Retirement plans like IRAs and 401(k)s often make up a big chunk of a family's assets — but can they go into a special needs trust? The answer isn't a simple yes or no.

Here's what families should know:
✅ You generally can't move your own retirement account into a special needs trust without cashing it out and paying taxes first
✅ Naming a special needs trust as your IRA/401(k) beneficiary can actually be a smart move under current law
✅ The type of trust matters — a third-party SNT is usually the right fit for inheritances
✅ Beneficiary forms MUST line up with your trust, or your retirement account could bypass the trust entirely — jeopardizing your loved one's benefits

The bottom line? Retirement planning and special needs planning have to work together, not separately. A mismatch between your beneficiary designations and your trust could undo years of careful planning.

👉 Don't leave your family's future to guesswork. Contact Empowered Financial Strategies at [email protected] today to make sure your retirement accounts, trust, and benefits planning are all working in sync.

Retirement plans often make up a significant portion of assets. Can a retirement plan be put into a special needs trust? As with many legal questions, the answer is "it depends."

08/10/2026

There are so many reasons to create a will this month, but here are three big ones to consider:

Direct Your Property: Creating a will tells the courts how you want your property distributed. Without a will, state laws will determine how your estate is divided, which may not align with your intentions.

Provide instructions to the probate court: A will can help manage the probate process, providing instructions to the court.

Designate Guardianship for Minor Children: If you have minor children, a will allows you to appoint a guardian to care for them. This crucial step directs that your children are raised by someone you trust, rather than leaving the decision to the courts.

At EFS, we make sure that estate planning is part of the process and advocate for the completion of these very important documents. For more information, contact [email protected].