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What happens when three generations are all looking to each other for support at the same time? For many families, that’s not a hypothetical. In this episode of Financial Perspectives, Senior Lead Advisor Ashlee Vieregger and BrownWinick attorney Katheryn Thorson join Director of Communications Gretchen Muller to walk through estate planning in three lanes: your own documents, the generation above you, and the generation coming up behind you. Along the way: why a good estate plan has a three-to-five-year shelf life, how a trusted contact works, how to start the capacity conversation without putting a parent on the defensive, why your kids should consider powers of attorney at 18, and why naming someone in a document is an invitation, not a conscription. If this conversation raised questions for your family, reach out to your financial advisor or legal professional. Subscribe & Connect with Us! Gretchen MullerFinancial PerspectivesFoster GroupFacebookLinkedInXYouTube

Taxes may be inevitable, but overpaying them isn't. In this episode of Financial Perspectives, Senior Lead Advisor Marcus Iwig and Senior Associate Advisor Isabel McMillen join Director of Communications Gretchen Muller to break down the year-end tax planning strategies that could help you keep more of what you've earned — and the hidden pitfalls that can turn a good idea into a costly surprise. Subscribe & Connect with Us! Gretchen MullerMarcus IwigIsabel McMillenFinancial PerspectivesFoster GroupFacebookLinkedInXYouTube

As another school year gets underway, a lot of families are thinking about more than school supplies and busy schedules. In this episode, Gretchen Muller and Ryne Oller discuss education planning: where the conversation should start, how 529 plans really work, and why they're far more flexible than most people realize. Subscribe & Connect with Us! Gretchen MullerRyne OllerFinancial PerspectivesFoster GroupFacebookLinkedInXYouTube

Most investors focus on stocks, but the bond market is actually larger, and it can play a critical role in protecting your portfolio when markets get rocky. In this episode of Financial Perspectives, Gretchen Muller, Director of Communications, and Warren Pierson, Co-Chief Investment Officer at Baird Advisors, discuss the "lifeboat" concept in portfolio construction, Warren’s current outlook on inflation and interest rates, where he sees value in fixed income today, and the biggest long-term risk to the bond market. Whether you're near retirement or building long-term wealth, this conversation will help you understand how bonds fit into a well-designed financial plan. Subscribe & Connect with Us! Gretchen MullerFinancial PerspectivesFoster GroupFacebookLinkedInXYouTube

In this special edition of Financial Perspectives, Daniel Hawthorne, Air Force veteran, SERE specialist, retired Chief Master Sergeant, and advisory team manager at Foster Group, joins Director of Communications, Gretchen Muller, to discuss two timely topics: navigating military financial benefits and the new 530A (Trump) Accounts launching July 4th, 2026. Subscribe & Connect with Us! Gretchen MullerDaniel HawthorneFinancial PerspectivesFoster GroupFacebookLinkedInXYouTube

Care planning often feels like something that applies to someone else. In reality, it touches nearly every family. In this episode of Financial Perspectives, Director of Communications Gretchen Muller along with Senior Lead Advisor Matt Stagner, a nationally recognized advocate for the disability community, unpack what care planning really means across disability, special needs, and elder care. As Matt explains, it affects far more of us than most people realize. Matt and Gretchen talk through the financial realities families face, from the "disability tax" of higher everyday costs to the benefit rules that can make saving and investing complicated. They also walk through practical solutions: building the right care team, ABLE accounts, special needs trusts, and the value of writing your plan down and talking about it openly as a family. At Foster Group, we believe care planning isn't about replacing the support systems families build. It's about strengthening them and helping people create the independence and quality of life they deserve. Subscribe & Connect with Us! Gretchen MullerMatt StagnerFinancial PerspectivesFoster GroupFacebookLinkedInXYouTube

In retirement planning, some variables you can control, and others you can’t. Inflation is often an overlooked variable. In this episode of Financial Perspectives, Gretchen Muller, Director of Communications, and advisor Ben Berger walk through the "retirement equation" and use Monte Carlo modeling to stress-test a hypothetical plan against a 5% inflation shock. Ben also shares examples of adjustments that can help keep purchasing power on track. Subscribe & Connect with Us! Gretchen MullerBen BergerFinancial PerspectivesFoster GroupFacebookLinkedInXYouTube

Gretchen Muller, Director of Communications, and Wes Crill, Vice President and Senior Client Solutions Director for Dimensional Fund Advisors Global Client Group, discuss how markets price uncertainty, why discipline matters more than reaction, and what history tells us about navigating volatility – including the Iran conflict and its economic implications. Subscribe & Connect with Us! Gretchen MullerFinancial PerspectivesFoster GroupFacebookLinkedInXYouTube

Recent developments involving Iran have been a reminder of how quickly geopolitics can affect markets. In this Financial Perspectives conversation, Gretchen Muller and Kent Kramer share perspective on what we’re seeing in stocks, oil, and investor feelings and why short-term volatility does not always change the long-term outlook. Gretchen and Kent discuss why uncertainty is a normal part of investing, what history can teach us during periods of conflict, and why a thoughtful financial plan should already account for times like these. At Foster Group, we believe in educated optimism: acknowledging real risks without losing sight of the bigger picture. Subscribe & Connect with Us! Gretchen MullerKent KramerFinancial PerspectivesFoster GroupFacebookLinkedInXYouTube

In this episode of Financial Perspectives, Kent Kramer introduces Gretchen Muller, Foster Group’s Director of Communications. Gretchen shares her background in investment research, teaching, and communication, along with her vision for helping Foster Group communicate clearly about markets, financial planning, and investing. Kent also shares that he will retire from Foster Group, and as host of Financial Perspectives, at the end of 2026. He reflects on how the series began in 2020, and why Foster Group’s commitment to thoughtful, hopeful communication continues to grow. Subscribe & Connect with Us! Kent KramerGretchen MullerFinancial PerspectivesFoster GroupFacebookLinkedInXYouTube

Tax strategy plays an important role in financial planning, but the right approach depends on your specific goals, timeline, and overall plan. In this episode of Financial Perspective, Gretchen Muller, Marcus Iwig, and Michael Westphal discuss how tax considerations can affect retirement planning, business sales, farm ground, stock compensation, account types, and investment implementation. The key takeaway: taxes matter, but they should be considered within the context of a broader financial plan. Subscribe & Connect with Us! Gretchen MullerMarcus IwigMichael WestphalFinancial PerspectivesFoster GroupFacebookLinkedInXYouTube

In early 2026, concerning headlines feel nonstop and uncertainty can make investors wonder, "should I adjust my financial plan?" In this episode, Gretchen Muller and Kent Kramer discuss how to separate market noise vs fundamentals and share a planning-first approach to staying disciplined through volatility. Subscribe & Connect with Us! Kent KramerGretchen MullerFinancial PerspectivesFoster GroupFacebookLinkedInXYouTube

Cybersecurity is evolving fast and phishing remains one of the most common and costly threats. In this episode, Gretchen Muller & Kate Juelfs break down what modern scams look like in 2026. We share practical, everyday steps you can take to reduce your risk: multi-factor authentication, strong unique passwords, and simple habits to pause, verify, and stay skeptical before acting on unexpected messages. Subscribe & Connect with Us! Gretchen MullerKate JuelfsFinancial PerspectivesFoster GroupFacebookLinkedInXYouTube

Year-end giving doesn’t have to be rushed or random. In this episode of Financial Perspectives, Director of Communications Gretchen Muller and Senior Lead Advisor Ashlee Vieregger walk through a practical year-end giving checklist to help you align your generosity with what matters most to you. They discuss “generosity languages,” how donor-advised funds could simplify giving across years, and ways to involve your family in leaving a legacy of generosity. Interested in more content on these topics? Check out our education center: www.fostergrp.com/YearEndGiving. Subscribe & Connect with Us! Ashlee ViereggerGretchen MullerFinancial PerspectivesFoster GroupFacebookLinkedInXYouTube

In this edition of Financial Perspectives, Kent Kramer explores why market highs often trigger anxiety and how investors can cultivate educated optimism. Discover the psychology behind market fears, learn from historical trends, and understand our approach to portfolios. Subscribe & Connect with Us! Kent KramerFinancial PerspectivesFoster GroupFacebookLinkedInXYouTube