BCSWM’s The Benchmark

For investors with significant wealth, traditional index funds may not provide the customization or tax efficiency needed to optimize outcomes. In this episode, Scott and Nick explain how direct indexing can help investors achieve greater tax alpha, manage concentrated stock positions, and align portfolios with personal values. They also discuss key pitfalls to watch for and whether this innovative strategy makes sense in your situation.

We all have organizations and causes that are near and dear to us. Being able to contribute to these is one of the things that brings fulfillment in life.  In this episode, Nathan and John discuss various ways to donate using investment accounts. Before you write that check, make sure these options aren’t better for you!  

Wondering if it’s finally safe to toss that old tax return or stack of receipts? In this episode, we’re breaking down exactly how long you should keep different types of tax records, from basic returns and W-2s to documents related to property, investments, and unreported income.   We’ll walk you through the official IRS guidelines and explain why it sometimes pays to hold on to records even longer. Whether you’re a freelancer, homeowner, or small business owner, this episode will help you stay organized and avoid costly surprises down the road.

What if wealth isn't just about money? In this powerful episode of The Benchmark, Nick Clay sits down with a special guest you should recognize, Philip Bachman, and they explore book, “The 5 Types of Wealth”, holistic framework by author Sahil Bloom that challenges how we define wealth. Through a personal conversation, we discuss: The surprising truths about financial freedom How caregiving, grief, and resilience reshape your view of what really matters Why relationships, time, health, and peace of mind may be more valuable than your net worth Systems for success you can apply to every area of your life Whether you’re a business owner, a working parent, or nearing retirement, this episode will inspire you to think more holistically about your financial journey and your personal legacy.

Making the shift from saving to spending in retirement can feel overwhelming—but it doesn't have to be. In this episode of The Benchmark, Scott Linn and Nick Clay break down how to convert your nest egg into steady, tax-efficient income.   Tune in to learn about: Smart Social Security claiming strategies How to structure withdrawals across taxable, pre-tax, and Roth accounts Managing market volatility and portfolio allocation in retirement RMDs, inherited IRAs, and qualified charitable distributions When Roth conversions make sense   Whether you're nearing retirement or already there, this episode will help you build a strategy for lasting financial confidence.

You might be wondering, “Do I need a trust?” When it comes to estate planning this is one of the most asked questions we get. In our latest episode of The Benchmark, Nick Clay and Scott Linn unpack this important question and walk through who really benefits from having a trust—and why it’s not just for the wealthy. Whether you’re trying to avoid probate, protect your children, or simplify things for your loved ones, this brief conversation will help you decide what’s right for your family.

Equity markets inherently experience periods of growth and decline. During downturns, investors often feel a strong urge to take action. In this segment, John Brandon and Scott Linn examine proactive strategies that can be employed in challenging market environments. At times, however, the most prudent course may simply be to hold steady and refrain from making changes.

The market can be intimidating, but a little knowledge and perspective go a long way! In our latest podcast episode, we share 10 key ideas to help you navigate today’s market with confidence. Here’s a sneak peek: 1️⃣ Volatility is Normal – Market corrections happen, but recoveries are quick. 2️⃣ Diversification Works – Bonds are back to balancing portfolios in 2025. 3️⃣ Policy Uncertainty? Don’t Panic – Markets adapt regardless of political changes. 4️⃣ Inflation: Manageable – Know the difference between headline and core inflation. 5️⃣ Economic Growth is Strong – Consumer spending keeps the economy moving forward. 6️⃣ Cash Isn’t Safe – Staying invested beats losing purchasing power in cash. 7️⃣ Don’t Worry About the Deficit – High deficits don’t always mean poor market performance. 8️⃣ Leadership Rotates – Stay broadly invested across sectors. 9️⃣ Market Timing Doesn’t Work – Missing the best days can hurt long-term returns. 🔟 Perspective is Key – Focus on your goals and stay disciplined. 🎧 Tune in for more insights to keep your investments on track! 🔗 Listen Now!

In this episode of The Benchmark by BCS Wealth Management, Myra O’Dell is joined by advisors Andrew Farmer and Nathan Goodwin to explore why high earners often feel financially stuck. Learn how to avoid lifestyle creep, implement smart tax strategies, and build long-term wealth through intentional investing and protection planning.

In this episode of The Benchmark, Nick sits down with Nathan and Myra to provide 10 practical steps you can take today to simplify your estate for your heirs. Estate planning isn’t just about having a will—it’s about creating a clear, thoughtful plan that makes things easier for your loved ones when it matters most. From organizing key documents and updating beneficiaries to considering trusts and managing taxes, we cover the essential strategies that can save time, money, and stress for your family. Whether you’re starting your estate plan from scratch or reviewing an existing one, this conversation will give you actionable insights and ideas to help ensure your wishes are carried out smoothly. ✅ Topics We Cover: The importance of organizing key documents Why updating beneficiary designations matters How consolidating accounts simplifies the process The role of trusts in protecting your legacy Managing family dynamics and potential conflicts Estate tax strategies to keep in mind for 2025 and beyond 📌 If you’re ready to align your estate and financial plans, the team at BCS Wealth Management is here to help.

Are you keeping up with the markets? Understanding financial trends can make all the difference in your investment strategy. In this episode of the The Benchmark Podcast, advisors—Scott Linn, Nick Clay, and Nathan Goodwin—break down the key factors shaping the financial landscape. What moves the markets and the S&P 500, NASDAQ, Dow Jones, and international indexes. How do interest rates and economic data impact your investments? Mistakes investors make—and how to avoid them. Why a long-term perspective is helpful in times of volatility. Whether you’re an experienced investor, a business owner, or just looking to make informed financial decisions, this episode is packed with insights to help you navigate the markets with confidence.

In this episode of The Benchmark, John and Eliza dive into forgotten 401(k)s. Did you know there are over 29 million missing 401(k) accounts in the U.S. worth almost $1.65 trillion? Listen in to learn how to track down your lost retirement funds and why it’s crucial for securing your financial future. Don’t let your hard-earned money slip through the cracks!

In this episode, Nathan and John discuss some of the more frequently asked questions surrounding social security. Is it taxable? When should I start? What about survivor benefits? Get the answers to these and other popular questions on your morning or evening commute!

In this episode of The Benchmark by BCS Wealth Management, Myra, Scott, and Andrew explore the key financial and economic events of 2024. They discuss market performance, with a spotlight on AI-driven tech growth and crypto milestones, including Bitcoin ETFs and the $100K milestone. Key economic themes include inflation control, Federal Reserve rate cuts, and real estate trends. The hosts also share lessons learned, strategies for 2025, and the importance of staying diversified and disciplined in volatile times. Whether you’re a new or experienced investor, this episode is packed with insights to help you prepare for the year ahead.

Philip and Scott talk about how to be a good steward of a windfall. To begin, they share perspectives about how to handle your emotions in light of a sudden boost to wealth. They next discuss the financial best practices to follow after receiving a windfall. This episode touches on many areas of financial planning to consider or revisit. Perhaps most importantly, it also reminds us to be true to who we are, regardless of any windfall.

Philip shares his thoughts about The Wealth Money Can’t Buy: The 8 Hidden Habits to Live Your Richest Life, a book that impacted him this year for the better. Full of timeless wisdom, it’s a 2024 publication by acclaimed leadership coach Robin Sharma. The book reminds us that true wealth is so much more than cash in the bank. The book follows the structure of Sharma’s Eight Forms of Wealth model, of which money is only one. Philip summarizes the Eight Forms of Wealth. He then highlights just a few of the book’s many good takeaways about approaching money and also deepening our non-financial wealth.

As the end of the year approaches, many folks have charitable giving on the mind. In this episode, Scott and Philip discuss how you might be able to use your IRA when making contributions to your preferred charities by utilizing qualified charitable distributions, or QCDs. Scott and Philip discuss what a QCD is, the requirements and limits around QCDs, and the financial advantages of utilizing QCDs. They wrap up by discussing the kinds of charities that qualify for a QCD. Join them as they pack a lot of information into this short Daily Drive episode!

John and Philip provide insight into the how the investment advisory industry is regulated and the standards of care that its professionals abide by. They discuss what it means to be a fiduciary financial advisor. Additionally, they chat about the two distinct regulatory frameworks that cover Registered Investment Advisory firms and Broker-Dealer firms. As more firms and professionals move into the fiduciary obligation due to industry trends and regulatory enhancements, this episode reassures listeners that the investment advisory industry is more client-centered than ever.

With the year drawing to a close, it’s a great time to evaluate your tax situation, investments, retirement plans, and estate strategies. Join Nick, Scott, and Nathan in this insightful episode as they dive into year-end planning strategies that can help you make the most of your financial situation. In this episode, we cover: Key income and tax considerations to optimize your financial position Investment strategies to limit your tax and keep your financial plan on track Effective estate planning and wealth transfer methods to protect your legacy Whether you're looking to reduce your tax liability or ensure a smooth transfer of assets, this conversation is filled with actionable insights to set you up for success in the coming year.

Nathan and Philip offer tips about safeguarding your identity and credit report information in today’s digital age. They discuss common cybersecurity threats and what to look out for. They review cybersecurity best practices. Lastly, Nathan and Philip share the names of five companies that provide identity theft protection and monitoring.

Nick and Philip share viewpoints on October 3, 2024 about the upcoming U.S. elections. They offer historical perspective about presidential leadership and the stock market’s long-term performance. Moving beyond the president, they also discuss the significance that Congress has in policymaking. They summarize how the stock market has responded historically to different mixes of political parties across the executive and legislative branches. Throughout the episode, Nick and Philip encourage long-term investors to stay unemotional about their investment portfolio despite the noise surrounding the election.

Join Nick and Scott as they discuss safeguarding your most important financial asset during your working years, your ability to earn and collect an income. Tap in for a high level overview of income protection with a handful of realistic case study examples at the end.

Humanity has revered gold throughout history for its beauty, durability, and utility as money. But what is gold like as an investment in the modern age? How might gold fit into a diversified investment portfolio? In this episode, Philip and Nathan present historical perspective and discuss gold from an impartial standpoint. They chat about gold as a portfolio diversifier, the gold’s price volatility characteristics, and events that gold historically has been a hedge against. Tune in for a primer on gold as seen through the lens of our financial advisors.

In this episode, Scott and John discuss a popular question we often hear at BCS Wealth Management. They dive into the four options one likely has with their retirement plan once they leave a job, and discuss the pros and cons of each option.

John and Scott discuss the probabilities of an interest rate cut by the Federal Reserve and how their actions may affect an investor’s bond portfolio.  They explain that bonds and bond funds can be vastly different, with various returns, and may have a unique position in a portfolio. 

Nick and Philip discuss the catalysts behind the stock market’s decline during the week of July 29 and on August 5, 2024. They explain the economic headlines that led to the selloff. They further discuss the implications for long-term investors. How should investors react to abrupt stock market volatility like on August 5? Giving reassuring context and citing historical data, they encourage folks to keep a long-term perspective.

This episode compares and contrasts investing in tangible real estate vs. investing in financial assets. While both approaches may provide income and growth, they both have advantages and nuances to consider. In that light, Philip, Nick, and Scott weigh real estate investing and investing in financial assets like stocks and bonds. Towards the end, they discuss Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) as an investment type that fuses those two universes.

In this episode, we’re breaking down something that has been in the market headlines recently: stock splits. Join us as we explore what stock splits are, why companies choose to split their stocks, and how these actions can impact your investments. Whether you’re commuting to work or running errands, tune in for a concise and informative 15-minute discussion that will keep you ahead in the world of financial planning and investments. Perfect for a short drive, we designed “Daily Drive” to fit into your busy schedule while providing valuable insights to help you make informed financial decisions. Don’t miss out – hit play and drive your financial knowledge forward with us today!

Scott Hoilman presents an overview of supplemental group insurance offerings beyond group health insurance. This informative episode describes these extra plans that help employers attract and retain quality employees. Scott discusses the following types of group policies: dental and vision insurance, disability insurance, life insurance, critical illness, hospital indemnity, and accident coverage.

Philip, John, and Nick share timeless financial principles that they would tell their younger selves. They discuss the importance of building a base of personal financial knowledge starting in high school or earlier. They talk about personal budgeting and investing. On the investing topic, they explain compound returns and suggest approaching investing with a long-term outlook. Later, they give advice about spending, drawing on their experiences and lessons learned. The chat concludes by framing overall wealth to include a sense of purpose and meaningful relationships.

Scott, Nick, and Nathan talk about interest rates. Although the topic might seem unexciting on the surface, they explain why interest rates are crucial to the broad world of finance and investing. They discuss topics such as the Federal Reserve’s role in swaying interest rates, how interest rates affect markets, and interest rates’ implications for portfolio design.

Nick, John, and Philip discuss the inevitable volatility of the stock market. A timeless conversation, they put market volatility in perspective. They discuss market volatility statistics, what history shows about the market’s dips, and how to remain resilient during such times. They offer perspective that hopefully is useful and comforting for long-term investors.

Nick, Nathan, and Scott give a candid and informative introduction to Bitcoin. They define Bitcoin and the blockchain, explaining how they work from a high level. They assess the pros and cons to Bitcoin, specifically about the digital asset as an investment. Is it a viable long-term investment? How might it fit into a portfolio? How may an investor access Bitcoin as an investment? They share balanced information on these questions.

This insightful episode highlights learning points from the book “The Thin Green Line: The Money Secrets of the Super Wealthy” by Paul Sullivan (2015). Philip, Nick, and Nathan chat about timeless personal finance lessons that Sullivan discusses in the book. They describe the author’s concept of the “thin green line” of personal finance. They talk about the difference that Sullivan aptly notes between the “wealthy” and the “rich.” They discuss how to approach saving, spending, and generally handling money in a healthy way to remain on the right side of the “thin green line.”

Join us for a discussion on some of the high-level topics of employer-offered health insurance. Scott Hoilman and Nathan Goodwin go over striking statistics and compare various types of health plans by defining their key components. Several topics are covered, including advice and ideas for employers and HR to keep costs down, keep employees happy for the long-term, and manage the plan efficiently.

Nathan, Myra, and John offer viewpoints about estate planning basics. They focus this conversation on common estate planning mistakes. They discuss the risks of failing to make an estate plan, not updating documents after significant life events, making mistakes about beneficiary designations, and other blunders.

In this fun episode, Scott, Nick, and Philip debunk 11 common financial myths. The topics range from misnomers about investing to oversimplifications dealing with personal financial planning. Scott, Nick, and Philip address these myths: Markets go up or down based on which political party holds the presidency. (2:58) It’s a bad time to invest when the market is at an all-time high. (6:29) I can time the markets. (13:44) “Risk-free” government bonds protect against all types of risk. (23:13) Stocks are risky. (29:47) I shouldn’t own stocks during retirement. (35:12) If the market averages 12% and I withdraw 8%, then I’ll net 4%. (38:52) You should be debt-free before investing. (42:42) When paying off debt, you should start with the smallest balance first. (46:21) You have to be wealthy to start investing. (48:03) I don’t need a financial plan or a financial advisor. (50:23) Charts referenced: https://bcswealth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/The-Benchmark-Podcast-Financial-Myth-Busters-Episode-Charts.pdf

Nick, John, and Myra discuss the various facets of risk that come up during the investment management process. They explain how “risk” has no single definition. Rather, they discuss how different types of risk may come into play in different investing contexts. They offer perspectives about managing and living with risk in order to achieve the rewards that a long-term investing philosophy should provide.

Nick, Scott, and P.B. discuss the topic of behavioral finance and share insights to prevent derailing your long term financial plan. 

Join us for a chat reviewing 2023 and looking ahead to 2024! Nathan, Scott, and Philip recap 2023’s market performance and summarize the themes that propelled the markets last year. They discuss what is on investors’ minds in 2024, including the U.S. presidential election and the Federal Reserve’s interest rate outlook. They offer thoughts about how long-term investors should approach these drivers this year.

The end of the year is quickly approaching! The team shares important considerations as we round out 2023 on today's episode. 

What are the main differences between trading and long term investing? Nick, Nathan, Scott, and John share their insights and helpful statistics on this hot topic in today's podcast. 

October is Estate Planning Awareness Month! In this episode, we discuss the basics of trusts, including the different trust types and their uses. 

The BCS Wealth Management team is happy to introduce TheBenchmark! This podcast is a platform for our financial advisors to answer common questions, share insights, and provide tips along the way. We look forward to going on this journey with our listeners!