FAQs
At Generations Wealth Management in Scottsdale, Arizona, we help clients make confident financial decisions with personalized advice on retirement planning, Social Security strategies, proactive tax management, investment management, and generational wealth planning.
Many people search for answers to questions like "Do I have enough to retire?", "What’s the best way to manage my investments?" or "How do I pass wealth to my children or grandchildren?" This FAQ answers those common questions and explains how we can guide you — whether you’re planning for yourself, your family, or future generations.
What makes Generations Wealth Management different from other advisors?
We believe financial planning should be personal, practical, and ongoing. Our team brings decades of experience in retirement planning, investment management, and tax-smart strategies — all delivered with the goal of helping you align your money with the life you want to live and the legacy you want to leave for the next generation.
Do you help with retirement planning?
Yes. Retirement is one of the main reasons clients turn to us. We help answer questions like “How much do I need to retire comfortably?” and “Will my money last?” Together, we’ll map out retirement income strategies, stress test your plan, and make adjustments as life and markets change.
When should I take Social Security — 62, 67, or 70?
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. The timing of your benefits can significantly affect your lifetime income. We analyze your options by looking at factors like your health, marital status, and overall retirement income plan, so you can make the most informed decision possible.
What do the recent tax changes mean for me?
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) has adjusted deductions, credits, and tax brackets for 2025 and beyond. For many clients, this creates new planning opportunities. We’ll help you understand how the new rules may affect your retirement withdrawals, investment income, and long-term planning.
Will my Social Security benefits be taxed?
Whether or not your Social Security is taxable depends on your overall income and how much you draw from other sources such as IRAs, 401(k)s, or investments. For some retirees, none of their benefits are taxed, while for others, a portion may be. We help you look at the big picture and design income strategies to better manage the impact of taxes on your Social Security.
How can a financial advisor help me reduce taxes in retirement?
While we don’t prepare tax returns, we work closely with your tax professional to design strategies that may lower your lifetime tax bill. This can include Roth conversions, tax-efficient withdrawals, and proactive planning around new legislation.
How do you manage investments?
Our investment approach is customized for your goals and risk tolerance. We use diversified portfolios with an emphasis on tax efficiency, ongoing rebalancing, and long-term growth. That means less guesswork for you and more focus on keeping your investments aligned with your plan.
How much can I contribute to my 401(k)?
Contribution limits change over time, but in general you can contribute a significant amount each year, with additional “catch-up” contributions available once you reach age 50. We’ll help you understand the current limits and how your 401(k) can fit into your broader retirement strategy.
How much can I contribute to an IRA?
Both Traditional and Roth IRAs have annual contribution limits that may also allow for catch-up contributions if you’re 50 or older. The amount you can contribute — and whether it’s deductible — may depend on your income and whether you participate in a workplace plan. We’ll help you sort through the rules and make the most of your opportunities.
Which is better: Roth or Traditional?
It depends on your tax picture now and in retirement.
Traditional contributions may lower your taxable income today, but withdrawals are taxed in retirement.
Roth contributions are made after-tax, but qualified withdrawals are tax-free.
We help you evaluate your current income, tax bracket, and retirement goals to determine which strategy (or a mix of both) makes the most sense for you.
Do you help families, widows, widowers, and divorcees?
Yes. Many of our clients come to us during major life transitions — from losing a spouse, to navigating divorce, to supporting aging parents or children. We help simplify the financial details, organize accounts, and create a clear plan for moving forward with confidence.
Do you work with multiple generations?
We do. As our name suggests, Generations Wealth Management focuses on helping families think beyond today. We work with Gen 1 (founders of wealth), Gen 2 (children inheriting or preparing to inherit wealth), and Gen 3 (grandchildren building their futures). Our goal is to make sure wealth is not only preserved, but also used wisely to support family values, goals, and legacies.
What should I do if I inherit stock or money from my parents or grandparents?
Inheritances can be both a blessing and an emotional responsibility. The right steps often depend on what type of assets you receive — such as cash, brokerage accounts, retirement accounts, or stock. In some cases, you may get a “step-up” in cost basis for inherited stock, which affects how gains are taxed when you sell. Retirement accounts (like IRAs) follow different rules and may require withdrawals within a certain timeframe.
Because each situation is unique, we help families understand their options, coordinate with tax and estate professionals, and create a plan that aligns inherited assets with their long-term goals.
Do you only work with clients in Scottsdale/Phoenix?
No. While we’re proud to serve Scottsdale and the greater Phoenix area, we work with clients nationwide.
How do I know if I’m a good fit for Generations Wealth Management?
Our best relationships are with individuals, families, and business owners who:
Value ongoing financial planning
Want proactive communication
Prefer a team that treats their financial life as carefully as their own
How do we get started?
It begins with a conversation. We’ll meet to learn about you, your goals, and your current financial picture. From there, we’ll share how we can help, and you can decide if our approach feels right for you.